Makeup to mud in 3 seconds flat

I finally feel accomplishment & a little bear talk...

before reading today's post, please go to this site and vote for my friend Saucys cupcake. She is so phenomenal and entered this crazy cupcake contest and I'd love to see her rock the house and win. Cause if you follow my blog, and then go visit hers, you know this chickie is outstanding. afterall, who else is going to give free concert tickets to some lucky mother/daughter??? Oh, just been pointed out to me, how do you find her, saucy's cupcakes are under "bloggedy blog blog"

go here

so much excitement! I get to spend the weekend scrapbooking with some serious Canadian scrapbook gurus & friends! I know I will be doing work related projects, but hey, what a fantastic job! Scrapping our lives, reliving the memories we made. How wonderful is life?

so a thought I have to share with you because after 30 days, I can make concrete statements.

I can feel good knowing I am leaving with floors washed, & vacuumed. laundry just needs to be put away, everything is clean (even my upstairs scrapbook area...shocking!) and I am 100% caught up on all my emails. That is a huge huge thing I am stoked about. Earlier this year I found myself drowning in the amount of mail I had between all my emails. I mentioned a number to a friend  (I'm too embarrassed to type it here) and she said to me, "are you proud of that number?" When put that way, Hell no. I knew I was behind, but it took her asking that to make me wake up. Then through discussion, she pointed out to me that when your emails get in the hundreds and then over a 1000, you are wasting your life and it is a precise message that you procrastinate, and don't handle situations well. (I viewed myself as the complete opposite of procrastination, but she was right, when my emails were that huge, I definitely was NOT in control.) you are spending too much time filtering what should be read, dealt with, thrown out. Instead she suggested starting slowly and taking myself off weekly email lists. (for example i tried fly lady, but then ran out of time to read them every week, so now I have started perusing simple woman thanks to just cre8's forum, which I see shows greener ways to live, and handy practical solutions while reading the blog at my leisure (hence no emails to delete). This was working great so I took my name off any other sites that sent me email updates, and now have found blogs or websites that I can go to on my own time.  Then I altered all my email settings to majorly block spam. So far that has cut down huge. Then I have my blackberry hooked up to my email and when I am out and about I can answer immediately. especially when I am at the park with the kids, waiting in line at the store, etc. I started sending friends quick notes on facebook instead of emails, we seem to be more quicker to respond, answering more briefly. I mean the phone is where all the good action is anyways, rarely in email. Then I created very descriptive categories and started filing all my emails to their proper spots. I realized i didn't have enough categories, and had problems finding things cause they overlapped topics. now I am really specific. So I'm not done redirecting, but sure made a huge dent. I have had an excellent month of being caught upon emails, and you know what... I tracked my progress, and I have  accomplished way more (even with having 9 days of a migraine) So my New Year's Resolution (little late) is too work on editing my email even more, and STAYING on top of it. To keep me in check, I told myself, when I get behind on the messages, it is no different than the kids not picking up their toys. We constantly are reminding them to clean up after themselves and put things away. What is the difference? we tell them to purge their toys, I say purge old emails!

just a thought, but also a quick pat on my back. I refuse to be neglectful again. 

Now, lets talk serious, who is scrapbooking this weekend? It is National Scrapbook Day, after all. I know I am missing a fabulous footloose day in stoon, but you can't be everywhere at once. this is what I'd love to see though, if you do scrap this weekend, leave your blog address in my comment area for everyone to see what you accomplish, and if you don't have a blog, email me the pic I will post them on mine if you would like to share. Let's celebrate together this fabulous weekend. Also, My Stamp Box is having another blog hop, so go check them out.

Okay, have a great weekend! 

Ps, thought I'd share something funny with you. I was telling Jim all about the retreat I go on this weekend, and we started talking about the bears, and then he had sooo many funny jokes about us scrapbookers getting eaten by bears or attacked by moose ha ha ha, but this was his advice...

1. when i check into the cabins, sleep farthest away from the door, and closest to the window (bears always eat those closest to the door) I said don't they come in windows? never.

2. then he said, mark your territory (yup, with you no what) just outside the door. then he said that actually horse urine is the best, they rarely attack horses (i inform him that I think his stories are getting a little too full of sh@*)

3. then he said take a thing of tics tacs and shake them as I walk back to the cabin, to make sure they know I am coming. but if i put marbles in a can it would actually be better. (right now, I'm thinking someone in this room needs to find his marbles)

4. we came to the conclusion to stay away from the hottubs as these will just be "marinating" our bodies, making us tender for the bears. 

5. remember if it is a black bear, climb the trees, if it is a brown bear, don't move. (to which I reply, well there my skilled tree climbing ability will come in handy...seriously, I don't even think I could climb a tree)

yes people, this is why I am perpetually happy. this man makes me laugh immensely. and I mean really, I could share the whole conversation but I'd be too worried that some of you might pee your pants. I however, after being around him for 14 years , am used to his type of funny. So, if anyone is going to the drive ins this weekend, my husband will be the one taking 3 kids to see monsters & aliens by himself. Yes, I LOVE this guy. wish him luck.

(now to live in dreamland for a second.) jim, 4 days without me,(luckily my mom helping with the kids for 2 of them while he works) taking all 3 kids to the movies by himself, and as well taking them all on his errands and while he will attempt to install rear back up lights on the trailer and of course watch his Nscar on sunday. He probably will appreciate me when I return...or in the mean time have looked into a mail order bride. would it be too much to ask that he keeps the house as in mint condition that I have finally got it in?  yup thought so, that's pushing it. So instead I will just be excited to get hugs and smooches when I return! (but hey, you all know that come of my best photographs/stories to scrapbook happen  when Jim is watching the kids. So I can only imagine what I will see or hear about.

I'll be back blogging on Tuesday, if the bears didn't get me.

sorry for the absence...

was hit pretty intense this week with a migraine. a predictable one, the snow melts, snow mold everywhere, things are dusty, dirty, allergies always crash me hard sometimes especially in early spring and fall, then combine that with intense spring cleaning of our garage, the vehicles, beginning on the house, lack of sleep, all of this combined=headache. Enough complaining already.

So where in the world is Leica? Well on Thursday I fly to Calgary to stay the night with the most fabulous Katharina. Then a gypsy caravan (I think like 3 vehicles full!!) of us are driving to a resort near Cranbrook (Bull River) to do some serious, and I mean serious scrapbooking. I am going to work on everything for all my deadlines and do some fun stuff!)

So I thought I would share with you exactly how I packed for this weekend. Everyone always asks, and so I thought I would share. Because I am flying I have to pack even more carefully as to not have to pay weight charges on my scrapbook supplies. (really, why pay that money on freight when it could be used to purchase more supplies.LOL!

So my goal this weekend is to do about 40 projects. This number is realistic for me IF and ONLY IF I am prepared. 

First off, I pack my essential basic kit:

• sharp scissors (this is HUGE!, you will forever curse the rest of the weekend if they are too big, bulky and dull)
• paper trimmer
• adhesive (and since I am going to scrap for an entire weekend, be realistic, pack extra and all different types! I took zip dry, fabri-tak, ez runners, pop dots, glue dots) 
• crop o dile 
• black marker 
• white gel pen 
• pens, pencils, eraser 
• exacto knife 
• blade refill for paper trimmer 
• stamp cleaner 
• thread 
• stapler/staples 
• my sketch book   
• scotch tape 
• inks 
• baby wipes 

It was easy for me this time to decide what to pack because i have my task list from Jackie for Canadian Scrapbooker Winter, vol.4 &5 and of course the most exciting news.... Canadian Scrapbooker Basics Volume #1 completely sold out, and has huge demand, so we are creating another one, with some smashing new ideas! you'll want to check it out. So I will also be working on that.

I took my task list, found photos for as many as I could and then matched papers from our sponsors and then went on my embellishment hunt. I put every task into it's own ziploc bag (the big big sizes that fit scrapbook supplies can be purchased at Zeller's. 

So in the bag I put:

• my assignment #- in my sketch book, I have already made notes about my goal for the page, but i want it clear on the outside of the bag which assignment it is.
• my photos, they are loose. i really fine tune this. I don't take all the photos that surround the subject, I pick THE BEST! and then add 1 or 2 more for selection. So if that means I took 100 photos, I seriously only packed about 12. 
• patterned paper- I usually always have 3 different ones on one layout, so I pick my favourite 3 that match the photos. (I will only choose 1 or 2 more in case I'm not 100% happy with what I've chosen. I know for myself, less choice=productivity)
• cardstock- I select my favourite colour to be the background in case I go that route, then I pick 1 or 2 more to accent or mat photos on the page with. 
• embellishments: this is where you NEED to be picky to be successful. With all the choices out there, we could take a suitcase for every layout. Instead, think of your title first, will it be in rub ons, stickers or stamps? This is hard to decide, so for me I pick the embellishments that match the page, cut any ribbon that might go with it, toss in a few buttons or flowers and that's it! I know that when I get home I can always add something if it is lacking.   
• any journaling I have thought about 

  *****I do take a bag full of a selection of "extras". these include my favourite favourite cannot live without products:

1. American Craft thickers alphabets in black, brown, white, red & olive green
2. Scribblz art vinyls
3. white flowers 
4. Tattered Angels- I pour my favourite into mini misters so I can take a huge selection with me. (I packed 18 colours for this weekend! yummy!)  
5. ribbon 
6. rubons- I take my favourite alphabets, then random circles (I like circles), a few different quote ones, then a good selection of swirls & flowers, monograms. I don't take ones I know I probably wouldn't use. I am very realsitic about my selection and colour.
7. then I tuck in a few that pertain to my assignments (I'd tell you but then I'd have to kill you. just jokes, you'll see them in upcoming issues.)  
8. patterned paper- I take about 50 of the new releases to tease me. Because I know that if i complete my projects I can just play with that product! cannot wait. 
9. also, I do take 10 extra pieces of my top cardstock colours (brown, white & black) then I take a few extra colours.  
10. a little riff raff cause they always just make me happy! 

So I literally packed 30 actual kits that have sketches made for them already, and they are complete ready to be cut and created! Some of the pages I know I am going to include fussy cutting. So in the last month, every time we had family movie night, I've done all the little cutting, so I won't waste my time at the retreat doing it. It's all about time management!

 I have enough "extras" to do lot's of pages. So I know I won't run out of product or ideas, it's just a matter of if I stop talking long enough to get work done! (LOL) good thing I've learned to work as I talk. 

  

 Does this help? As I've said before everything I do is serious multitasking. I don't function unless I am working with lists. So when I know I have a big retreat like this coming up (and I've known for like 6 months or maybe more) I start doing little things all along and putting them in my bag as I have them ready. I know for myself if I leave everything to the last minute, I pack WAYYYYYY too much, I get less done and am more frustrated.

So how do I fit a weekend like this into my multitasking? By doing little things when I get the chance:

1. on family movie night- I will do any fussy cutting, go through photos and pick which ones I want to use, draw any sketches
2. when I am on the phone, I will split my photos into the "bags'. Every new set of photos gets a new bag. One bag per specific group of photos. (If I am doing a mini album, this still applies, everything I want to use in the album will all go in the same bag) 
3. when I come back from one retreat and didn't finish a project, it goes right into my bag for the next retreat (I know it's all ready to go!)
4. when i am making supper, I will glimmer mist a whole bunch of white flowers and chipboard pieces in my favourite colours. Why not have them dried and ready to go. Drying time always cuts down on quick finish times. 
5. when I go to the park with the kids, I take my sketch book and take notes of ideas I like, or something I want to try. (that way i have a selection of what I've already thought about, an don't have to waste my time figuring out what I want to do with the page) 
6. while waiting in my vehicle doing errands, I always have scrapbook magazines on hand to read. As well as home decor or some sort of woman's mags. I have found some of my best ideas have come from magazine ads. So I always jot down them as well.(sometimes I rip them right out of the magazine and glue them into my book. I just got the best one from shopper's drug mart that I can't wait to use!!!! 
7. when I am sitting in the bathroom while the kids are in the bath, I surf the net on my laptop. I find that my weaknesses are TITLES and journaling! So I actually read "inspiration" blogs or music sites to see how people write things. Some of the best ideas are from lyrics.
8. at night when it is my time to play, I will sometimes do any prep sewing on pages, or embossing things. If I can do it before hand, that means I don't have to take my embossing powder, sewing machine.   
9. because journaling never comes easy to me, I try to take good notes when I take the pics of who, where, when and anything funny said or done. those are my base to go with. Then when we drive anywhere I work on my journaling, when I can discuss with Jim his thoughts on the event. He always provides me with some great material, things I forget, and as well HIS point of view on things! 

  *****the best way to success is to only take items that you will use one at least 3 projects or more, be realistic about colours, if you rarely use bright colours to scrapbook, don't take them. you know you won't really use them. At crops we get the most done in our "comfort zones" of how we scrapbook. 

the most important thing I will ever say is this.

DO NOT GET FRUSTRATED BYT OTHER SCRAPBOOK ARTISTS OUT THERE, IN THE END WE SCRAPBOOK FOR OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES. I GUARANTEE YOUR FAMILY WILL NOT CARE WHO SO AND SO IS. THEY WILL LOVE WHAT YOU CREATE BECAUSE YOU DID IT! 

I find that when I am organized, I don't spend money on things I probably already have or don't need, allowing me to save money. I hate when I go and spend money and still get nothing done. I know I am a collector/hoarder of supplies, but I am far more satisfied when I have stuff to show when I return home! 

so I hope this has helped in some way. If you have any tips on how to be better organized, I'd love to hear them, please share. I always am looking for more ways to increase productivity!

need a pick me up???

well, calling ALL my fabulous Tilano Fresco lovers out there! Take a picture of EVERYTHING you've Tilano'd (yes, I'm making up new words!) and send it in for a chance to win a primo kit!!! It's as easy as take a pic, email it in! Good luck!!!!

(and for those of you who haven't tried Tilano products before, well, let me tell you,they are affordable art that once created looks like it must have cost a fortune! I'm a huge fan of the fresco tiles & the davinci kits. I don't like to make them on the small scale, I love to make them huge!!! Just like I did with my kids feet. But even if you don't go huge as I did, you can make the most fabulous coasters ever, or maybe fridge magnets. Check the Winter 2008 issue of Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine to see a whole bunch of awesome samples!!!!

ok, must go cuddle under covers, it is sooo cold out there. Seriously, thinking about doing nothing and watching TV. Yes, you heard me correct, I am thinking of actually sitting down and watching tv and not even scrapbooking! That's how badly I feel chilled right now. So what's on TV tonight?

What a party!

So you know that movie "Wedding Crashers"? I feel like we are doing that with birthday parties right now. We have been so fortunate to have been invited to some seriously fun birthdays this week. When I talk with the boys about where we are going, Jager now says..."Is there cake or muffins?"  (because he LOVES cake)  Then Riley asks what their loot bags are going to have in them when they go home. Are you kidding me???Whose kids are these??? I'm like "Jager,it doesn't matter if it is cake or muffins, they are made with the same ingredients! and Riley, you should not even get a gift, you are there to celebrate someone else's day!" Now these are huge compliments to the party hostesses because when I tell them where we go, their responses are like "sweet!. awesome. it's gonna rock."  Then Riley asks, "is the girl with the broken arm going to be there this time?" How do you remember specifics like this???They always remember the food, the gifts and the girls!" The boys names they forget...am I in trouble or what?

So with that note, I have been making more conscious efforts to go green, so all the birthdays this month I bought reusable fabric bags instead of paper gift bags. now, these bags don't close or tape together or look pretty (well I tried to get the cute animal ones), but they are more environment conscious. So here's where I went wrong. The boys were able to see INTO the bag, therefore we arrived at todays party 1 gift short in the bag. NICE. So I ask, where is the other car??? Well, I liked it so I opened it. Conclusion...

Save embarrassment and buy the fancy paper or gift bags and SEAL them. Now you are probably asking why I have to give 2 gifts that are almost identical... yes Each boy must give a gift, and it can't be that one is better than the other, and no they don't understand the concept of sharing very well. So when we shop for gifts, we look for matching things. Ei yi yi! Where have I gone wrong???

But tonight's party featured the most stunning cupcakes EVAH!!!!seriously. they were cookie monster. 

I didn't bring a camera so I will have to steal from Kate's blog.

Also, so speaking of outrageously amazing cupcakes. my friend Saucy is the Martha of this area! For sure. Now she has set the bar sooooo high! I'm about a month away from 100 000 hits on this new blog. So was wondering what to do as a giveaway! Then my girl does this for her blog anniversary...

Giving away 2 tickets to see the Jonas brothers where she will fly you there and you can see the show with her and her cool daughter! Can you say OMG! There are conditions, but if you are a mom that has a special daughter that LOVEs the Jonas bros, then please go to the SAUCY link on my side. I guarantee that this would be the most fabulous thing you have ever done, because my friends Saucy does nothing but the best at whatever she does. So, go and enter!

Now what to do for my 100 000 hits... I think I will give away a car.

As if! I wish. But I will have to think of something exciting now...

where is spring?

seriously, it is so drabby here. I want the crocuses, the pussy willows, not this grey yucky weather. I slept so pathetically last night, I informed Jim I think he is swimming in his dreams. He has been moving &

snoring like I have never seen in him do in the last 12 years.  So I moved to the couch and relocated back to bed once he got up this am. Feeling so slow moving... seriously, a nap looks great!

I haven't got anything exciting to share today. Trying to catch up on yard cleaning, washing windows today, inside and out cause we didn't get it done on the weekends. Jim has the day off again and he wants to pressure wash the upper windows. Personally I think it is too cold, but must take advantage of his days off. But, a question for you, we have a major high vaulted entrance where the top is covered with windows. We have a huge ladder, but we still can't clean those windows. So it's like the tree falls in the forest, does anyone hear?  So if I don't clean the inside, but Jim does do the otuside...does anyone care?

We are laughing on how to do this. So far I've lucked out a few times because we have had painters and builders in and I've asked them while they've had their scaffolds up to clean the windows and they did. however, this year I am getting no work done. and I really do need to clean up there because Jager threw a toy up there, it landed on the windowsill, then Riley threw another one to try and knock Jager's down. and the outcome... yes, we now have 3 toys sitting up there. breathe Leica.  It drives me nuts. So I might have to wait to my super tall brother gets home again and bribe him to go up the ladder. He might be able to reach...

anyways, been seriously busy with lot's of scrapbooking events. This is the season. Love it! And we are in the moment of working on the winter issue and the exciting CSB volume 5. Absolutely fun. Have you guys submitted yet? if not you should. We LOVE to see everyone's work! SO submit submit submit!

ok, Jim's back, must go work. Have a fabulous day!

smiles.

Leica

what a fun weekend!

so a little spring cleaning, a lot of visiting, some scrapbooking with super cool bad girls, and a birthday party that was of course..."the best ever" according to the boys. Thanks Sam for inviting us! Cannot wait for Wyatt's on Wednesday! and today, we were outside lot's, and since the breeze cam up we are watching "Australia". I actually really like this show, it is a good saga. Plus, after living in Australia, I LOVE hearing them talk, and made me feel all warm with memories. And since the movie is like 3 hours, scrapbooked 2 more layouts and have time to play on the laptop. what a day! Things return to normal tomorrow, which is good. I think we were all getting tired of all the parties and entertaining we've been doing.back to reality!

So did you get a chance to check out the new kit up at justcre8.com?

this is the large kit { cre8ve kit}

this one is a little more smaller {scrap kit}

so I showed you 2 of the designs I did with it the other day, and so I thought I'd show you my super cute little canvas! Love canvases. this one is 4x4, cute, compact perfect for the fridge as a magnet or a little wall hanging.

(here I have it hanging on our key holder, which I love!)

here's a view different views!

 

what do you think of it? does it make you want to go out and create one??? Well when I was making it, Riley was making his own and copying me as much as he could and wow, I can't believe it, he's a good little scrapbooker. but I couldn't take pics yet because he wasn't done. one day I will when he lets me!

trampoline action before the net was put up...

jim making the boys "popcorn"

baby girl with no fear

our little "gotti" boys. ever watch that show when it was on? if you did you know instantly what I am talking about, if not, look at the way Jim spiked the boys hair for their big party to go to.

an attempt at a family pic before we go...failed! Jager-mom it's too bright to look. Ireland- I don't feel like looking, riley- mom let's get going already! well, let's see running out of photo material, time for a photo shoot! well I have to wait for a while, too many things on our plates but I have one booked for when Ireland turns one. cannot wait!

well, off to get groceries for the week. our show is done, and the troops have went back out to the tramp, even Ireland squeals with delight when we let her bounce.

LOVE that thing....so far (because there have been no injuries yet! LOL)

hope everyone has a wonderful week! 

last night was FABULOUS game night!

So, you know how they have all those commercials for encouraging stronger families by playing board games. Well I sooooo believe it~!Last night we had my brother Steven & his girlfriend  Casey over and we played card games, 21, poker, and then switched to Taboo, where of course we played boys vs girls. No need to say who won, after all it is a family game, but let's just put it this way, Steven & Jim have decided that if the game was all about motors and things of their interest we wouldn't do as well either. So lot's of laughs and laughs and laughs. Cannot wait. we invited them over again tonight for another round of fun. so should be fun!

So Jim was home today, kind of that time of year where we play it day to day if he works cause road bans are on, and they are repairing the roads they have permits for right now. So even though it means possible lack of pay cheque, for me it means so much more. 3 meals a day as a family (awesome cause he cooks the best breakfasts ever, seriously. and we have that conversation time altogether.) and he takes all the kids and plays with them, he jumped on the tramp with them today. and I, not as exciting, cleaned house. like the beginning of spring clean house cleaning. and I get to continue it tomorrow. Tomorrow is windows,walls, more laundry and upstairs. you know that list of endless chores to clean. but I feel successful because he does help with the kids, (and lucky me, Jim did all the vacuuming today. what a gem! LOVE him!)

So have to let you know of the what's new. Did you check out the May release from Just Cre8? It revealed yesterday and it is TOTALLY. AWESOME. I have to be so truthful, becoming a part of the design team has been such a highlight for me. The forum is so supportive, fun & interesting. The eye candy of the gallery is really great. But I am really impressed with the kits. brand new product, and so much I made 10 layouts with the April kit and still have enough supplies to make many more cards and probably one more full layout. and they aren't skimpy layouts they are jam packed with trendy goodies. I've barely used my rub-ons or ribbon. And then this month is wicked. Here is a sample of one of the layouts I did...

or this one...

so keep in mind, on the 15th of every month the design team reveals all our designs for the new kit coming up. So check out the gallery for May 09. it rocks!!!! If you do sign up to become a Just cre8 tailg8r let me know, I love knowing whose behind the cool avatars and code names.

Also today was my day to post on My Stamp Box, I gave a fun post all about tags. go check it out to see these one by one...

Ok, must run, lot's on my plate...

 

signs of spring...

guess what mom, you're gonna love it, probably as much as I do. but friends just gave this to us! 

*****edited since my mom has now read it*****

I went to 2 locations to buy the safety net & new bumper pads, everyone seems to be out! so if you come by them first mom, 14sq.ft round. But I tell you the boys did EVERYTHING perfect so that they could jump on the tramp. I even cooked a meal they totally hate, and they ate EVERY LAST BITE!!!! yes, I'm a terrible mom, but certain times call for tough measures!!!! I think that this tramp may be the best bargaining chip yet! Yes that's how I roll, everything is a negotiation, but I tell you they eat everything and will always choose vegetables over other food choices! But they also know how to seriously barter, negotiate and plead...LOL! But I'm guessing this summer they are going to be putty in my hands, because not only this, my parents got them the backyard treehouse set with rock climbing wall, swingset,teeter totter, sandbox enclosure, a little serving bar area where they can have picnics, the works. fabulous! Jim can't wait to put it together. LOL! So, yes, the summer is going to be one big amusement park in our backyard, so bring the kids by, the lemonade will of course always be fresh! Kate, should we just make a room up for Will??too funny. So the down side, most likely at least once or twice I will be sitting in the emergency room because of an injury, I mean really I know this. I'm raising my brothers after all. (I say that because Riley & Jager act freakily exactly how my bros did growing up, weird! sometimes I forget I named my son Riley, he gets called Steven lot's when he is bad...) but on the other hand... I betcha my house will stay clean when  I clean it, because let's face it, summer time comes, a backyard full of amusement, would you want to be in the house. CANNOT WAIT!

loving it!

let's look at some pics...

so did everyone have a great Easter??? I did, we had so much fun, car show, supper at my brother's with the family, way too much chocolate, easter egg hunt, visiting grandparents,watched movies, cleaned our garage, detailed vehicles,and I got 3 more boxes ready of scrapbook supplies to create albums for the children at the hospital. Awesome!!!!

so I said that I would show my cruise album this week, here it goes. Keep in mind that I did purchase almost 3 more albums to be able to complete it. On the ship we provided only a few pages, but I decided that I wanted to have it all in this album as a quick look without having to go and pull out the 12x12 album. I am finally happy with the result. a little busy but fun fun fun! ( I have about 6 pages I haven't shown yet, but they aren't finished cause I waiting on pics!, sorry)

so looking for a scrapbook event in May? You can find me at 3 locations:

• first weekend in May I will be at a retreat near Cranbrook, BC scrapbooking with some members of our amazing Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine. CANNOT wait! 
• A fundraiser to raise money for a soccer team in Saskatoon. For more info, go here. I will be teaching a layout class. 3 layouts for $20. lot's of paper layering and fun.     
• Scrapbook Your Heart- Caroline, Alberta  

Here is the sneakie pictures of my class at Scrapbook Your heart. one vintage look, one modern. lot' of stuff to play with. glimmer mist, riff raff, flowers, rhinestones, cardstock, lot's of pp. it will be sooo much fun! I'm really excited about my class here because my topic theme is loss, how to grow, learn, recover and survive from it. so my class is pretty intense, but I guarantee you will walk away with a life lesson.

check back tomorrow for more pics pics pics. loving spring!

today is blog hop day!

blog hop starts at 6pm but I am releasing mine a little early cause I will be at supper. but have fun!

so if you want a chance for a prize you have to give a comment on all the blogs! go have some fun checking out eye candy.

so, if you haven't seen my work on My Stamp Box before, here's a few samples...

  this was background paper that I taught how to make on a tutorial. It began with white paper, then I added ink colours, blended and then layered stamps! fun! can't wait to use this one day!

 

here is a glimpse of a card.

 very simple card. but my kind of card!

I wanted to show you how simple you can dress up a tag with just one stamp, I love this flower petal. I till think this is my favourite set.!It started with a plain old tag from Staples, then I inked the edges, once finished I started randomly stamping the flower stamp all over till I created my background. This would look great if you embossed it!

   

and the final touch...

  I sprayed the whole thing with a gold glimmer mist, o it shines then added just a hint of decoration. The possibilities are endless.

hey, check back tomorrow and I will show you my finished acrylic cruise album. (well finished for now, I have to develop a few more pics, but not sure which ones yet) and I have to tell you about a local crop I'm teaching at, and so much more!

what a fabulous day!

now take a hop on to Trace's site (on the side under My Stamp Box)! don't forget to leave comments on all our sites for a chance to win! good luck!