« February 2010 | Main | April 2010 »
Posted at 10:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
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realization that when I am stuffed up with allergies, I am NOT creative whatsoever. Today is finally a day that I can breathe a little better, so I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. But man Allergies just suck. baby girl today kept holding her head like a sinus headache, and boy did I feel her pain, and understand it. So we did lot's of love today and of course, Tylenol. No sense seeing her suffer. But I need to be creative right now, have 3 pressing things on my plate to get done before Monday so I look forward to a weekend of creativeness.
I also discovered that I strangely enjoy spring cleaning. I seem to be good at it when my creative juices are not here or really upset. Oddly it could also be linked to the fact that I LOVE my central vac. Yes, it was put in the house when it was built, but we never hooked it up till last week. I have actually vacuumed everyday, and multiple times. weird, but so satisfying and easy compared to the last vacuum. And we have started cleaning up the backyard. We cannot wait till it is so dry and warm out all the time to have our buddies over to play. Outdoors ROCKS!
I did realize though, that I am a huge fan of scents. I guess I can not go au natural on this topic. I love when my hair smells yummy, I love a good cologne on men (can drive me nuts), I love my laundry smelling up the house when it is washing. and I discovered that Gain Joyful Expressions is my {{LOVE}}. I have realized that I always have candles burning in the house, it is relaxing. I adore the different smells like grass, rain the most, but vanilla is always calming. And definitely cinnamon at Christmas. I seriously and completely blame it on my dad, I LOVE the smell of Bleach. We always put it in the toilets when I was growing up, and somehow that is the exact scent that equals "clean" to me. I adore the smell of real flowers in the house. And I made such a tiny little purchase that has made me smile. Dove- fresh mists in the flavour of pommegranate (the other ones are not up my alley) but oh, a little spray on my neck and I walk around on air. It's like a refresher. seriously. such a tiny little bottle of happiness.
So having said all that, upon my week of purging, I realized that I am the queen of collecting "cleaning supplies". (among the 1000's of other things I collect, lol) I have tried the lemon juice and water, the baking soda tricks, the vinegar. It all does work to some extent, and doing the granola way did make me happy. But with all reality my house is freaking clean when I do use the chemical products. Like Mr. Clean, hello. You will always have a spot in my house. Lemon scent for washing the floor, magic erasers for the walls. Windex, {smile} Lysol wipes or spray,...So that constant battle to strive to a more natural lifestyle is sabotaged by none other than me, myself. So I have come to this realization. I will do the best to recycle, drive less, car pool when possible. continue multitasking in ways that benefit. But I cannot sacrifice some things. Is that bad?
So a HUGE obstacle that I am working on this week. I am GIVING away ALL my magazines except CDN scrapbooker and Scrapbook Trends. I have kept almost every issue for the last 13 years from every country, every magazine. I have hundreds.and I do reread them over and over. I LOVE magazines. So I have 2 people that have asked for all my Simple Scrapbooks and Paper Crafts. Anyone out there want any of the other stuff? Let me know before Friday. If you want them, they are yours, if not, they are going to be recycled.
Also another love/hate relationship that I have been on is with FlyLady. (flylady.net) The ultimate guide to being a super mom with super cleaning guidelines. I love her ideas, but hate daily emails from her (so I had to be taken off the list, let's face it I constantly struggle with all the emails I receive as it is, so I choose to only answer work, scrapbooking and friends emaisl, no other daily reminders from websites), and long winded articles on the internet (like the one I'm writing today, lol) I totally detest the look of her website so it always has me leaving it. BUT, (huge BUT) her tips are rock solid. Funny enough, she has one rule to always scrub out the kitchen sink, polish it, windex it, etc you get ,my hint before going to bed, and yes your day starts out smiling. seriously. I actually tried this for a whole week, and smiles are abundant. So, I begin my "resolution" if you can call it that, to try Flylady again. So I am starting to pack my kit for my CDN Scrapbooker Retreat at Bull River,BC the first weekend in May (sooooo looking forward to this) to create my "Control Journal" ("I want you to realize that a Control Journal is just a place to put your routines, basic weekly plan, your zones and other information. With a Control Journal you have a place to keep important items without them getting lost in your numerous hot spots." - FlyLady)
I think it should by all means work... I am after all the queen of lists. Probably too extreme. But they keep me in check. I always meet my deadlines, I always can be counted upon, so why shouldn't I make the same deal with my house? So wish me luck.
anyone else in my boat?
is there a 12 step plan for me?lol
happy spring!!!!
Posted at 01:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
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Ok, seriously what a fabulous day!!!! Happy Birthday Pam, hope your day is wonderful.
I have been finding it really hard to blog lately, I had such a yucky week that I'd rather forget it. My allergies flared up pretty good, and I look forward to the day all the snow mold is gone. Now Ireland and Jager are really flared with allergies too, so that sucks. I know how congested I feel and itchy, but it sucks seeing those peanuts in discomfort. Riley somehow has not been affected yet. hmm. strange.
So Jim left on Saturday for the stated. He's went back to long haul driving for awhile. Road bans are on here, so for sure 6 weeks no work, and pretty much I think the guy will go insane if he can't work. In the last 13 months, he has only had 1 straight month of work. His work slowed down WAYYY too much. Hopefully this year will be different.
I have already started my traveling and teaching. I LOVE the hustle and bustle of events. How exciting. Meeting new people is wicked. I spent a great deal of the weekend sorting out class supplies into the right classes. I had 5 shipments on Friday arrive, 2 to go. Then I can get totally packed for B.C., Calgary & Edmonton.
I am sooo looking forward to next week, we are creating more webisodes, so I am going up to Jackie's for a few days to prep. Are you guys as excited as me? I think they rock! Jackie is so calm and cool on them. Don't forget to check the canadian scrapbooker magazine site because we have a fantastic Spellbinders contest going on. Who doesn't love Spellbinders!!!! Check it out.
Last week we made lot's of bread. We had good batches and not so good batches. But I love watching the kids punch bread. It is sweet. okay, can it get cheesier?
enjoy the day!
Posted at 03:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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well there is nothing better than your family at the airport to pick you up and kids run into your arms excited. This is better than anything for me. Today it was only Ireland cause the kids were in school but still AWESOME.
Well I had a fabulous fabulous weekend in Calgary. But I will talk about that in a second. First I want to tell you...
our 2nd Canadian Scrapbooker Webisode is online!!! It is all about Harmonie Peels Offs and I think Jackie rocked it out. I know I sure had fun making demos, and doing the prep for it. Great products!!!! So check it out.
Next on the list: Today was my day on the Educator blog at Tattered Angels and I showed bits n pieces of the mini album I made for Jenn Gibson. Go and check it out. I LOVE this album. Could be because of all the glimmer mist, but I can't wait to see what Jenn's creativeness does with it.
Okay, so a little adventure to Calgary led me to the most fun laughing and giggling, meeting fabulous people. It was FUN!
I taught my new Tattered Angels 101 Spring Album which was sooo much fun at Scrapbook Pantry. The 101 means it was a basic album showing you how to start using Tattered Angels Products and what cool techniques can be done. It was a great class for first timers as well as experts because I really encourage you to experiment with the taught techniques. I will be teaching this class throughout the year. I will let you know the dates and locations.
If you are in the Calgary area, check out May 4th. I will be back to teach an AMAZING class for Graphic 45, a double page and a single page. It is going to be fun! Here's a couple teasers from that product heavy class... (If you are in the Calgary area, go to the store, you can see the projects in person there.)
So now onto Calgary's Crop for Kids. Seriously with how amazing this crop was I'd go back year after year!!!! Love it. Thank you to Jennifer Rowsell for putting your talent and hard work into making this event incredibly successful. Here she is with my fabulous friend & boss Katharina Doyle (publisher of Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine)
Thank you for inviting me Jenn! Anytime!!!!
So I taught 2 classes. Very short classes. 1 HOUR each! I know wild and crazy. I was terrified we would never get it done, just for the sole fact that I talk way too much. But amazingly, I prepared layouts that were able to be completed in this time allowed...and Yes I did still talk lots!!! LOL. Thank you ladies for taking my classes. It was nice to see so many ladies that have taken my classes before.
Throughout the day there was make n takes, giveaways, and lot's of classes to choose from. There was a FANTASTIC array of classes. WOW!
Then there was this little contest that might have spurred lot's of laughter, lot's of competition, lot's of "amateur" acting. Should I continue? Well, of course! They had a "Iron Scrapbooker Contest". The idea was to select 2 people, give them the exact tools and materials and set strict rules and give 1 hr to complete all 3 projects. So this was exciting until.... I found out I was to be one of the competitors against Christy Riopel. OMG are you serious??? The queen of kit design, the owner of Monday Night Class Kit club. The most recent, most fabulous member of the Canadian Scrapbooker Team. The nail biting begun. LOL. But if anyone has ever been in a room with Christy and I, look out, we are so similar, we can laugh at anything, ourselves, and we can create like mad when we get together. So first off, I'm EXCITED to call her my work comrade, so WELCOME TO OUR TEAM, Christy.
Anyways, we thought we'd put on a show, we were each allowed to choose one sous-scrapbooker to help us. Christy chose Rose, I chose Kimberly Collis. I have now officially met one of the coolest girls in scrapbooking! She is so darn cool, neat, fun to hang with. If you ever get a chance to take a class from her or buy one of her kit designs from Monday Night Class. DO IT!!!!!! seriously. !!!!!!! this girl can be my partner in crime any day.
So here are quite a few pics from the fabulous fabulous event!!!!!! Oh by the way, I might've played the role of the villian in these few shots, but I think I might be framed. (or not.lol)
#1. Just doing a little "exercise" for the contest. Maybe if I took away Christy's right arm, I would have chance.
#2. Then maybe if I accidentally threw glitter in her face, she wouldn't be able to see. (actually I'm trying to make this a funny post, but seriously I had the intention to toss glitter behind me on her to make her all sparkly. but I got it in her eyes and felt TERRIBLE. What a bad idea. So I tossed some on myself to be fair. So Sorry about that Christy. But now I have learned how they make Edward's skin look like Diamonds. LOL.
#3. Then there might have been a time when I tried to give her a Leica tattoo.
#4. Whenever Christy wasn't looking, I may or may not have made silly faces.
#5. Trying to work, however my partner in crime was definitely an equal to loving to laugh and joke. WE may have lost some productivity time joking around.
#6.Here Kimberly is working hard.
And in the end, we fought hard, we never gave up, and my fave we really tried to create a true Leica/Kim layout, card and ATC for some lucky bidder to bid on for this wonderful charity. And in the loss, I admitted defeat Christy Riopel & Rose. It was tied until the last vote. She won. CONGRATS! what an honour to be able to work with such a talented girl. you guys will love her feature in the mag.
Here were the entries:
I won ATC.
Here is Christy's:
She definitely hands down won card. I think this is such a fabulous card!!!!!
and the winning layout:
mine:
(all of the above photos and group shot are courtesy of Sandy Holmquist- photographer and digital teacher at Scrapbook Paradise in Calgary)
I actually struggled with the layout, cause as anyone who takes a class with me knows, I NEVER have bare cardstock backgrounds unless it is white, chocolate or black. I 99% do patterned paper backgrounds with cardstock accents UNLESS I am teaching a stamping class or Tattered Angels class. So you will see, I created a stamp template of a flower out of chipboard and Kimberly stamped them all over to create a patterned paper, then I also used the metal screen to create dimension in the background. We were only given 1 sheet of pp, and also a half. Hello. So new challenge for myself, work more with cardstock.
This is a group shot. missing a few wonderful peeps, but doesn't everyone look fabulous???
I also got to hang out with my dear friend Donna from Inspired Designs Boutique from Ft. Mc Murray. She came down for our Sk Scraps crop last year and great news... She's coming again!!!!!! and it looks like Miss Vicki Boutin is and I've asked Christy Riopel too along with a few others I can't mention till we check dates. EXCITED. Look out November, Saskatoon might not be able to handle the goodness we have planned.
Anyways, I may or may not blog tomorrow. My allergies hit hard on Sat night, and by sun morn I was covered in hives head to toe. I detest SNOW MOLD! seriously, how can snow create mold???? anyways, I'm exhausted, looking blotchy, titchy and tomorrow couldn't possibly be busier. I have a meeting at 6, 7 & 8pm. seriously. how on earth am I going to successfully do this? so typical of a Leica day.
The best part for tomorrow. Creativity. All my supplies arrived today for my Abbottsford, Edmonton and Calgary Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist layout Classes. So I have to createn the samples and get them up on the web for sign up. So if you are in Abbottsford on April 16 & 17th looking for something fun to do. Come visit me!!! we will get all nicely glimmered up. :)
Well, I must stop blogging and get to watching a movie with Jim. Since gravel has shut down for road bans, Jim is going to go back to long haul for awhile. So I must spend quality time with him. I LOVE him. He really did some amazing little things around the house for me that I couldn't possibly appreciate more. I now have a new central vac installed (granted our house is only 8 yrs old, but we've never just found the time to stop and install it). He did and put away ALL the laundry, cleaned house and was super dad this weekend.And the kids couldn't stop talking about all the times they went to the park, or played on the trampoline. These things just make me smile and I know how lucky I am. I love this guy!!!!
Well bon nuit!
Posted at 11:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
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But a quick top o the morning to you! What a fabulous day, wish the wind would die down. But I will take it any day.
So I teach 2 classes this weekend at Scrapbook Pantry in Calgary, and then 2 classes at Calgary's Crop for Kids. So I can't wait. For those attending, bring your basic kit and prepare to get glimmery! This is going to be my first class teaching the "Spring" Nature album. And we are going to have fun!
So I spent all day yesterday delivering the mini albums. I have a few more to send off, just waiting on one more address then I will make another delivery to the post office.
Oh and just to be funny, thought I'd put these photos up for Kate & Jody. a little melted cheese action (not the spritz kind either,lol)
Ok, I'll be back Tuesday, hopefully with lot's of pics!!!!!
Posted at 03:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
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Hey guys, remember when I gave you a link to sign up for exciting things happening at Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L? Well Kerri just emailed me a winner.
So Barb Olyniuk, please email me your address and you will receive a yummy adhesive package in the mail. I love free adhesive!!!!
Ok, can't talk right now, off to mail a gazillion things and today is the day I am dropping off all the local mini albums. Jim's home so I can get lot's done.
Posted at 11:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
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Cheryl wanted one for her granchildren, and I remembered that I had a Cosmo Cricket mini album that can be a display that I really enjoyed displayed in our house, so I thought maybe I would give Cheryl the option to have it stand or close up. simple and sweet.
This mini album was a package from the famous Trisha Ladouceur from years back. I never completed it but always wanted to. But when I decided to make an album for Pam, I immediately thought of her beautiful red heads and remembered this kit from Trisha would be perfect. The fall colours with a hint of pink would surely go nice with the girls. (this is an acrylic build a book)
This album is for Allison's daughter to celebrate her firsts. I didn't take revised photos, but I found the perfect metal embellishments that say "first smile" first word, etc. so sadly I haven't had a minute to put them in, but this Friday night I am scrapping up a storm cause I am mailing EVERYTHING this weekend.
Weird colour difference, sorry, I took the cover shot in dark light, so I lightened it by "enhancing" colour. should've done it with all of them sorry.
I have 2 more left to share. see you tomorrow. It's too warm to be inside, off to have a snowball fight...literally, the kids have a huge pile stockpiled.
yikes.
Posted at 03:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
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So this mini album was made for an adorable little girl named Hayley. She worked so hard for those kids in the hospital. I had made this little album awhile ago, but never had that perfect person to give it to. Now I do!
this album is for Miss Crystal. She asked for a year of holidays. I tried to make it pretty generic being I don't know her well enough to know what she celebrates. fun idea for an album!!!!
Photographer, Karen Pidskalny (KMP Photography) wanted an album to put her latest hoar frost photos. So of course, I could think of nothing else but create my own pages with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist. Perfect to create that frosty look. I sprayed the foam snowflakes with the mist too.
I had tea with my friend Jody today and it was sooooo quiet and nice. probably because I only had Ireland. My sweet and innocent child...(insert a fit of laughter now)
anyways, I attempted to begin "cleaning bathrooms" for this week, as I was upstairs scrubbing the kids, apparently Jager was marking his territory.
we have about 11 "Jager" or Jager Forrest's on our walls today. and close to that is Ireland's scribbles.
How sad, here I thought the bathroom was soooooo scrubbed clean, smelling & looking good, thought the kids were watching Backyardigans. and voila, master artworks were being sneakily drawn. Thank Goodness for Mr. Clean erasers. I made Jager scrub all his own names off and Ireland's. so we'll see where this goes.
have a great night.
Posted at 07:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
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