Back in the saddle

It's been awhile. I haven't been crafty this summer because well, we were too busy making memories than preserving them - but now that the end of summer is here it seems to be all coming back to me.
Like riding a bike.
Which we did lots of this summer.

I got a new toy yesterday. I can't wait to share some of the fantastic projects sure to come from it's awesomeness.

Photos are coming as soon as I upload.

Plus my little princess has shown a desire to sew - and since I have no skill in that area we have been searching online for super super easy projects and she is on her 2nd of the day already! She is already planning some special handmade Christmas gifts.

As for my own hobby - I have not done much scrapping this summer - just a few layouts for a summer weekly challenge (I took the pictures faithfully but am still way behind on the layouts! I am going to try and finish it though.) I have made a few cards and just one or two layouts. I did manage an entire pregnancy 6 x 6.5 inch albums (tons of pages) for my youngest sister who is expecting a baby next March. That was a 7hour solitary scrapfest but I was really pleased with the outcome. Pics for that coming soon too!

I can feel the creativity coming on back!

I found Michelle's blog recently - Totally cute! Awesome candy! Adorable kids! Fun etsy offerings. Check her out!!! I don't usually put my name in for blog candy - but if you saw this generous offering, you wouldn't be able to resist either.

http://dizzienoodleheartscrafting.blogspot.com

She also sent me this little cutie! The Lovely Blog award - check it out to the right --->

Thanks so much Michelle!
Now... gotta go and browse Etsy!

YMBD Saturday Scraplift Challenge - June 13th

Check out the link on the widget to the right!
What a great inspiration layout from Julie...

Here is my take!
And check out their 92 days of summer photo/scrap challenge running from June to Sept. It is certainly keeping my mojo running and just all around making my summer great capturing our fun family moments and documenting them for those cold winter months in the future!

Anyhoo... here's my interpretation! Thanks for looking...

Crop for the Cure 2009 - Whew! What a day!!!

The mom and I cropped our buns (numb buns by the end of the day) off at the very awesome Crop for the Cure 2009 in St. Jacobs, Ontario.
Here are some of my Disney layouts that I managed to finish this day!

Blog Candy

Check out this awesome blog candy offered by Michelle from YMBD to celebrate her birthday.
How much does this little package Rock!?



Check out her blog here

Those Disney embellies would be perfecto right about now!!!

Had a great scrappy weekend with the mom. Went to the Crop for a Cure charity event which raised $2200 for breast cancer research we'll all have you know! It was 9am to 9pm and we made it. Our backs were a bit sore (and butts too) but the time flew by like it was nothing!!

Mom and I were kind of on an island of our own with no one across from us directly. There were ladies on either side of us but they were all in little crowds of friends and chatting amongst themselves. We were able to quietly sit and work away just briefly chatting with our neighbours and with relatively no drama.

The event was really well organized - a big high-five to Tracey, Dodie and the gang -we all came away with just TONS of goodies.
Especially Mo who won some door prizes including the grand prize which she very generously gave back so it could be re-drawn. LOVE that Mo!

Got me a lovely camera strap from Michelle's new etsy shop (which I will link up tomorrow!!) and scrapped my buns off!

Tomorrow it is back on the exercise wagon and eating right regime! Got summer coming with all it's bathing suit beauty (YIPES!) and a wedding reception with some FAB-U-LOUS peeps in September so I gotsta be fabulous enough myself to attend!

Loading up some pics tomorrow God willing...
xo

Kiss Me My Prince!

See???
Today the pics worked!
I am using Mozilla. Maybe here I have found my problem. Doh!
We'll see!!!
The YMBD Saturday Scraplift challenge from May 30th...

Dear Blog,

I really hate that I can't post pictures on you most of the time. I would really be sad if I had to start over with a new blog account - but I will my friend, I will if I must!

A couple of weeks ago, you let me post some pics. Today after 2 reboots and many curse words you blocked me. What gives?

Please see fit to get yourself some help would ya? Because I have tried everything and I just don't get it!

Yours respectfully,
K.

Back from Disney...

Now I guess we have to start the countdown to our next vacation in Grand Bend end of July. But in the meanstwhile - I will be able to scrap the most incredible wicked vacay ever. You know Disney amazed. The weather was terrible - but we rocked our ponchos hard and made the best of it.
Whaddayagonna do? You paid - you gotta go and be happy.
And we did.
And it was great.

May God Bless you Walt. You created the start of something magical. And magical people keep that alive. Way to go good buddy.

It was a scrappy little weekend. Here are my projects - all done and featuring YMBD projects this time. A card for our beloved translator and friend in our department at work - Georges, Happy Birthday to you our dear man. A card for my Mommy because she is best Mom ever, like the card says. It ain't no lie. And a LO for the Saturday Blog Scraplift Challenge - Susan left a wicked example. Mine is a bit of a take on it I admit, more like inspired by than lifted but I hope that's ok.

Today Gabby and I also bought a beautiful red rose bush in honour of my mother in law who passed away many years ago. Sadly, I never had the chance to meet her. I know in my heart she watches over us and is an amazing spirit. She had to be to raise such an incredible son. xox Maria Fatima xox

Not sure why the pics are working this weekend and they weren't last weekend - but here you go anyway. Somehow it just worked... Much love to y'all!

Happy Mothers Day to all of you!

It is about an hour left until it's officially Mothers Day. Daughter fell asleep on the couch. Son is her daughter's bed. Husband went to bed an hour ago. So it's just me, and I am sitting here just wondering... How the heck am I going to get my daughter to bed? I simply can't carry her anymore. Neither can I leave her down here all night - in the basement rec room. She would wake up nervous all alone I am sure.

Eight and a half years since I first became a mom. Where did all that time go? And this coming week my son turns six. Man time does really and truly fly.

Bless all you moms out there. You are all incredible, magical, wonderous beings.
Hope you are treated to some magic tomorrow as you deserve. Cause really, what's better than a painted rock or some macaroni jewels. Can't think of thing to be honest.

Happy day to you! xoxo

Thanks YMBD

Attention: YMBD Forum and DT
Thank you for bringing my mojo back.
I appreciate it.

Signed,
The management.
xo

ONLINE Crop Alert

In honour of National Scrapbooking Day (I know, awesome right!?) there is an online crop this weekend at YMBD... The link is on my sidebar - go and check out the wicked challenges.
And there are great things happening for cancer during this crop too! Check it out!

I haven't scrapped a single thing since my DT term ended on the Scrapping Turtle. I think I made one card because I needed one for my little cousin - but that's it! It's sad kind of... Gonna try and get inspired this weekend.

Peace y'all!

Because I believe in adoption...

And because, I think - I read this and it just made sense to me to post it.

It's been great and Waiting for Tomato-Godot

It seems like Waiting for Godot but we know in this tale - we will get to see the title character. They've been talking about it forever it seems with all of us and reading strategies online, having procedures, and trying old wives remedies to induce labour however, our Tomato (my sister's baby-in-bump) is still not here. Due last Sunday but hanging on tight in that uterus. I cannot wait... I imagine my sister cannot either.
This Sunday, almost for sure, we will meet the baby - if not sooner. As long as 23 or so more Kdub women don't spontaneously go into labour this weekend and there is still space in the hospital, we should be all good in the 'hood.
What a miraculous thing - I can hardly stand it!!

March Break has been a blur. We have managed to all get along - and do lots but not much either. Here's a recap just for posterity's sake:
-Played Mousetrap and Battleship, Lite Brite, DS, 20 questions, quiz and Webkinz
-We Wii'd
-Watched movies galore - Beverley Hills Chihuahua was the fave so far!
-Walked and Skip-It'ed to Laura and Cam's past the duck pond where we tooks pictures and poked sticks in the ice
-baked cookies - peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip - yummo!
-Cooked yummy dinners
-A trip to Toys R Us, Dollarama
-Brunch at Angels Diner and a first time trip to the Beat goes On - what a great store!
-Lunch at Burger King with Laura and Tierney
-Karate class for G
-I had some overdue mom-time at the salon
-Drove to Guelph and had a long lunch with Daddy in the middle of his work day (so fun) at Turtle Jacks
-A trip to the Belgian nursery to buy a Primula, some cucumber and pea seeds and sniff that great dirt smell
-A fantastic fun trip to "Your Kitchener Market" and to the portuguese bakery for some amazing bread and our favourite custard tarts...
-a very small amount of scrapping - (one layout)
There is more - but that is good for now...
Hope you had an amazing week as well...

Mom stuff and a Mason Jar obsession

Seriously - should I contact the Mason jar company and tell them of my problem...
If you have ever checked out my 21 days blog you will see my sic (that's a good thing) spice and baking cupboard.

But scrappy stuff - all my ribbon... I have all my flowers and brads and doodads in masons too - tucked away in drawers. Any hoo...


Now it's PARENTING with mason jars...
Here's the pic:


Now I will explain the story - the kids were killing me starting off March break with the bickering -- isn't that a great word by the way? So my sister Laura came up the starts of this idea and I finished her thought and got started right away Saturday morning.

I gave each kid a jar and foamy stickers. Told them to put their name on it and make it their own.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the table - I made these too. I was trying to come up with a nice word that would be the counterpart to Brat starting with a C - Charm isn't quite right - but we've moved on from that already.

Here's how it works.
The Brat jar has loads of buttons.
If you whine, hit, cry, tattletail (another great word) talk-back, say No to Mommy or Daddy etc. you get a button from the Brat jar put in the jar with your name. To get the Brat button out of your jar - you have to do a chore around the house without complaining.
If at the end of the day your jar is empty of buttons - you get to pick an activity for the family the following day. If you have buttons - you miss a turn in picking the fun activities. You see, this way - they aren't being punished all of March Break - but they aren't fighting all the time either. See? Fraggin' genious right? And I have managed to incorporate Mason jars in yet another crazy way. You know, I really should get an honourary title at the Corporation. - Chief Non-Pickling Officer. Maybe I will call them tomorrow.

My last DT reveal at the Scrapping Turtle... We received this great line from PDQ papers and honestly - they are gorgeous!

Had me some fun with this stuff - I even bought an extra sheet of each sheet so I could continue to play!!



My altered cracker box!

This blog is toast...

Honestly - I have tried every trick I have been sent. I have gone through the blogger database and reviewed all the tips, suggestions. Thank you to all of you who sent me helpful tips. Thanks to Bonnie - who somehow managed to make the tips work for her?? So bizarre - I appreciate you all trying to help.
Gotta figure out what to do next. I would be sad to see all this good stuff disappear... And I can't imagine re-creating it all...
Ack... Stay tuned y'all...

Maybe I have to start a new pretty fresh one, with no mistakes in it. No mistakes in it yet.

Have a great night!

Some scrappy stuff

It has been ages since I posted some scrappy stuff...
So here are the most recent reveal projects from my DT work at the Scrapping Turtle... It is winding down to the final two months of my 2nd term there and I will be a little sad when it is all over.

Here are my projects from this month featuring the awesome October Afternoon Night Light paper line. I absolutely loved this paper - I am going to buy some more!!

(( Gimme a minute - pics are not working. Argh this blog!
I think I need to start a new one... which stinks!))

Thanks Dee! What a sweet thing - Dee picked me and some other girls cause she thinks our blogs are cool! You rock girl and back at ya!!

Guys - I can see some beautiful comments from you in my moderation section - but no matter how many different ways I update the settings in the comments area - I just cannot figure out how to publish them. Nothing happens. The box checks and then nothing.

Any suggestions - I love hearing from everyone and wish you could see the nice things my good friends have written!

Help!

Do you feel relieved?
I am starting to.
The high is so fantastic and amazing - this Christmas insanity. I love it.
And I hate it too. I always put a lot of pressure on the gifts that I purchase for others. I want them to be great and thoughtful as well as useful and yet reflect all my feelings for the person I am giving them to.

Wow.
That's is a lot to ask of a small package wrapped in paper - or reuseable shopping bags with tissue such as the case might be.

Have I mentioned yet where we are going, the four of us Silvas in 141 sleeps?
I'll give you a hint.
It's magical.
There is a mouse.
And Buzz and Troy and Gabriella and some Goofy guy.

Dave surprised Gabby, Rui and I with the most incredible present I could ever imagine. Nothing can top this one!! NOTHING! 4 tickets to nirvana!
I might have the best husband in the entire world. I know some of you would disagree but I think I am going to finally let him know he has earned his self-given nickname "Mr. Perfect". I secretly have always thought he is perfect but I try not to let him get too big of an ego. Doesn't do anyone any good know what I mean?
I think I will tell him.
Tomorrow maybe.

Christmas Shopping Success

Christmas shopping is hard.
Nope.
My mom had the greatest idea to go to the Southworks mall in Cambridge. Never been.
I wouldn't say there is tons of things to buy there for the people on my list - but -the deals we did find were spectacular! Great trip, great company (thanks Mom and Gab), great coffee on the way home and I can't wait to eat off our new kitchen dishes. You wouldn't believe me if I told you the steal of a deal we got. So I won't tell ya!
(Winks!)
Come over for cookies sometime - we'll show you in person!

Kate tagged me the other day and since I finally have a minute to sit - I will finally answer!! Kate has a rocking blog here:
http://kate-burns.blogspot.com/ also found in my blogroll at right!
So I need to list seven random or weird facts about myself...
1. I am allergic to evergreen trees, well more specifically the sap - I have an asthmatic reaction to it if I ever get too close for too long - or God forbid get that stuff on my skin. It's especially eventful during this festive season. God bless the artificial Christmas tree... for me at least.
2. I am a vegetarian. If it could make a baby, walk, fly or swim I won't eat it. I won't eat other things if meat has been on my plate. I won't eat gelatin because they make it from animals which eliminates most yogurt (which I love) and I only eat free run organic eggs. Not really weird I don't think - Ok, how about this - I am a vegetarian with lactose intolerance. Ha! What the heck do I eat you ask? Somehow - still lots!
3. I know you will find this hard to believe by looking at me (note sarcasm please) - but despite my last name, I am not Portuguese. But my dh is - and I can cook Portuguese cuisine with the best of them! (And then I won't eat it because it is all meat-based mostly ha ha ha!)
4. My kids are my life. Not so unusual. They are my morning, noon and night, my Christmas, Easter and all the days in between. And they are both fantastic awesome people who I love as friends too. I would do absolutely anything, anytime, anyplace to make them happy and I make no apologies for that.
5. I want to be an author. My dream unfulfilled. To date at least.
6. I have never been to Europe and have only been on 2 plane trips in my whole life both to the Carribean. I would love to spend a whole month or even a whole year (with dh and kids) in England or Scotland or Ireland. Either way - I would be in my glory!
7. My fave colour is orange, my fave food is veggie sushi (and lots of it please) and my fave pastime other than scrapping is reading. And it's been ages since I scrapped (Booooooo!)

That's it - I now tag Kathy P., Jenn M, Tammy B., Amanda N. and Deanne Burton. Let's see when they find this!! Mwah ha ha ha!

I don't know if he said it first but it's still just great!

Robin Sharma (who is an author and speaker who I love!) says:

"The smallest action is always better than the noblest intention."

Right?!

Check him out if you ever think of it - he's fantastic and SOOOO positive! Loves life. Reminds me of important things.

Read:
The Greatness Guide (1 and 2)
The Monk who sold his Ferrari.
or his blogs at: http://www.robinsharma.com/scripts/ic_blog.php

My friend Jenn, marbles and good deeds!

My friend Jenn posted the story on her blog about the man who used marbles to keep track of good deeds he did for his neighbours and for his family because he realized a little later in life that his priorities of work over family were a little mixed up. Instead of continuing - the man fixed it by working hard to be with his family going forward instead of reflecting back with regret.

We use these marbles and these little slips of paper to recognize the nice things we do for our family and for our community. It is our way of remembering goodness in our days and focusing on positive activities and goodness... These marbles are the centre thing on our mantlepiece. They aren't fancy but they are all about what matters to us.



Thanks for the reminder Jenn! Great story!
Want to read it - go here:
http://thinkingwell-jenn.blogspot.com/2008/11/3900-saturdays.html

Jenn has the most incredible amazing blog about being positive! Love everything about that idea Jenn! Way to go girl!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Found this link on Kelly's blog...

http://www.jennsylvania.com/jennsylvania/
Started reading.
Missed 20 minutes of housework and finishing LO duties for DT.
Need to go back and read the rest.
Becoming a fan!

If you haven't already - check out my new non-craft blog... A new 21-day challenge is starting tomorrow!

Click the button to the right!

Turtle Soup Anniversary!

This weekend is a Turtle-versary Crop over at the Scrapping Turtle!



In this post you will find some of the samples from my posted challenges. But there are so many more and some incredible work by the DT over at the Soup.
Check it out and play along if you will!



I may actually make this soup this weekend. I have made one very similar but not this recipe exactly...!! Do you think I should have tried it first before I spent time scrapping it?

NAH! Not my style!

DT Reveal for November

This month I get to play with the new Christmas line from American Crafts for the design team! I am having trouble getting a layout done (have to dig out some pix from Christmases past first) but I am totally digging all the altered items that are popping in my head!

Here is the reveal of the first one...
Check out Turtle Soup on the 1st and 15th of each month for the whole DT reveals!



And I cannot get enough of these prima poinsettas!!!

I have a story to tell but it has a pre-story. A few weeks ago my son Rui was in the shower and he noticed that we had Axe bodywash in there. My husband's and he says to me - "Hey Mom! If I use that stuff girls will fall all over me. Can I have some?" Come ON! Is that marketing at its very best or what? The advertising campaigns even work on 5 year olds!! So you gotta give him some Axe then doncha? They we (me and my daughter) pretended to fall all over him the rest of the day every time we got close enough for a sniff.

Fast forward to yesterday - we were going to go have dinner at my sister and b-i-l's house, (always a great time) but Rui needed a shower or bath. You know boys - they stink sometimes and not in a good way.



So he runs upstairs and tells his dad he needs a shower. In he goes. Well I don't hear much from them for a few minutes except laughing and sillyness and all of a sudden there he is - all dressed up and ready for the party. And what does he say?
"Hey Mom - smell my neck!"
Isn't the little brat wearing my husband's cologne!? And he was STRUTTING!
Monster. So we fell all over him for another day. Man this kid is going to have an ego the size of the CN Tower. I guess that is as it should be.

Sick Day

So Gabby is ill and has a super froggy voice! So what better thing to do with a kid who feels yucky than a costume montage..

She tried on her Halloween costume for me and it's the cutest thing! If that hat isn't spectacular, I tell you - I don't know what is! Hey, at least she is smiling!























Hee hee hee...

You know what I think, I think there are not enough faux feathers in today's fashion industry. Let's do something about it everyone! Find a feather - wear it like a brooch. We're starting a new trend here people!

Sorry what?!

I can't hear you... my new shoes are too fantastic!





Shut UP right?!
But you can see in that second picture - I need help deciding on a critical point... do I criss-cross or no?
Please post your vote in the comments for me would ya?!

Want a sketch challenge?

Try this on for size:


Simple but satisfactory I think! Hey challenge yourself this - no pics of people in it! Give that a whirl if you want to... Or not... Up to you!

Here's my interpretation:


If you try out this LO - please let me know by posting a comment here!
You can find this sketch challenge and a variety of other amazing challenges at the Scrapping Turtle Message Board - http://www.turtlesoup.scrappingturtle.com

GO and check it out!

October Scrapping Turtle Design Team Reveal

Here are my October Projects! Whew! With gorgeous papers from Pebbles Inc - who could go wrong! I was IN LOVE with this Legacy collection from this company. Double-sided delectable deliciousness...

I love my pumpkin that I freehand paper pierced without a plan! I think it turned out really well!



And not just any boy - MY boy. Love this face and a picture taken by Dave instead of me! SHOCKING! I let someone use my camera... Never happens... I think good ole Dave did a smashing job getting this shot!



How about a little synchronized sillyness? Gabby and Poppy showing off in the summertime at Kathi and Jim's. Once she figured this trick out - you couldn't stop her!





Ordinary fridge magnets? Don't be fooled my friends...

The new baby in the family...

Introducing my Mom's new baby "Chip" aka Chipshot in keeping with the golf-related-pet-names-thing we have going on in the family already with current furbeasts Bogey and Mulligan...
This guy is Mom's tiny 3 pound purse-dweller adopted from the local Humane Society. He's a 5 year old chihuahua and I have yet to hear a peep out of him - so he is not noisy at all. The only problem I can see other than he not afraid of my dog growling at him- and that we seem to only be able to speak to him in the style of the Yo Quiero Taco Bell dog -- is that he can walk right under the fence gate at my house and escape down the road. We may need a leash for this little stinker until he realizes that we are all HIS people now.

Better than chips! More meat-free goodness...

I was inspired by a recipe I saw on a cooking show - however, if I am being honest, I was doing a million other things when it was on and I was not paying close attention.

Here is my recipe for Black Pepper Lime Chick Pea Snacks - Inspired by Rachel Ray but not exactly her instructions I am sure. Sorry Rachel.

Here is what I did:

Drain and dry can of chick peas.
Put about 1 tbsp of olive oil in a skillet or teflon frying pan.
Add the chick peas, some sea salt (about a tsp-ish) tons of black pepper and sprinkle some lime juice over top. About a tbsp of lime juice depending on your taste. These will turn all crispy and since there isn't too much oil - it's not too terrible for you.

After you turn off the heat - add about 2 tbsp of romano or parmesan (not the powdered stuff - fresh if you got it) and it will melt into the beans, stir it around quickly so it melts but doesn't burn and then dump in a bowl and snacky-snacky. We put these in some homemade squash soup - but after that we were eating them for a treat whilst playing Texas Hold Em!
If you can't or don't eat dairy -- leave out the cheese and these are still awesome.

Dancing in the rain... What is better than that?

Amazing Fall Squash Recipe!

A healthy - low fat low cal delicious and more importantly vegetarian fall recipe that will make you wish it was already 5pm the very next day so you could eat it again!

Stuffed Squash
Ingredients
1 medium acorn squash
Nonstick cooking spray
4 ounces cremini mushrooms, cleaned and thinly sliced - I used organic but it's not essential
2 large shallots, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, roasted in the oven (I had these done the day before) smushed into pan
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 1/3 cups cooked brown and wild rice mix
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp dry vermouth or dry white wine
Instructions
Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375°F.
Split the squash in half, stem to bottom, and scoop out the seeds. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and place the squash on it cut side down. Bake until tender, about 50 minutes.
Meanwhile, spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray and set over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, shallots and garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms give off their liquid, about 4 minutes.
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, basil, thyme and pepper. Cook 1 minute.
Remove pan from heat and stir in the rice, cheese and vermouth or wine.
Once the squash are fork-tender, turn them cut side up and fill each with a quarter of the rice mixture. Serve hot!
Dang it's good too!

Some new cards and a recipe...

So World Card Making Day was a big weekend for me - got lots of cards made - mostly in the twilight hours with the kids in bed.
Good times - I was super productive and pretty happy about these latest...

Sometimes poetry comes in the most unexpected places

Here is one I found in an old Sesame Street Golden book from ages ago...
To try and give credit, I believe it was written by David Korr




When my imagination
Takes me by the mind,
It leads me off so far, so fast,
My body's left behind.
Yet that's when I am most myself,
Lost in wish and dream,
And coming back, I smile and think,
I`m more than I might seem.

Birthdays!

Ever think about birthdays really...
Today my niece turns 15. Yikes! When I met her she was only two and a half. And so small. With insanely curly hair.
Now she is a gorgeous, tall, thin, supermodel-looking type with a keen fashion sense and mad soccer skills. What is this world coming to?

Happy Birthday Clarissa. Knock it off, will ya?

Happy Canada Day Everyone!

June DT Projects - I am a slackin' blogger.. so much to add, so little time...

The altered frame before:

And after:

May Design Team projects...

This weeks Design Team Challenge

Black and White and Something shiny...

Use black and white as your inspiration and something shiny - bling, metal, glitter brads and black in white to inspire something awesome.

Check out the challenge here:

http://www.turtlesoup.scrappingturtle.com/viewtopic.php?p=60285#60285

Here is my layout...

A RAK for a name...

I am giving away a RAK on the Scrapping Turtle Forum for the person that can name this chocolate milk bubble making layout...



Check it out here... Prize to be this Friday I think...!

Where it counts...

Counting my points
Counting my points
Counting my points
If you understand this post then you feel my pain!

It's actually been a good Day One (again!)

Negligent Blogger and Poster

Lately I have been blog talking but not posting any work.. I have been doing quite a bit of scrapping lately - and so has Gab and Mom so here I will catch up..

My first reveal on the DT at the Scrapping Turtle came and went on April 15th. We received a delicious package from Dream Street papers and I received the entire Birdie Bits Line. I also received some 6x6 chipboard album covers and a few sheets and a 6x12 as well - all matching in the Birdie Bits. Here is a picture of the kit BEFORE:



Here it is AFTER - The Book








And the Layouts...

One of the funniest websites I've seen (Thanks Jenna!)

see more crazy cat pics

Check out http://icanhascheezburger.com but only if you intend to look at silly animals pictures with poorly spelt capschuns and then laugh yourself ridiculous.

I blame JennGwenHenn for my new problem.

Addicted to Kelley Armstrong books...

Never in a million years would I have picked a vampire/werewolf/necromancer book on my own. I am so glad that my friend Dawn made me read the 1st book. I have read all of the other books so far and she lent me the newest release last night so I could start it (and probably finish in super fast time too). I know you won't believe me - but these stories are well-written, sexy and because of the supernatural stuff (which adds to the story without taking anything away KWIM?) they are different and interesting.

Check them out if you ever think of it...
My current favourite is No Humans Allowed -- but each successive one is my fave until the new one comes out! Start with the first one Bitten - then you would be totally in the know...

Reading Personal Demon tonight!

How to know it's an addiction

If your not-quite-5-year-old wins this at school and comes home excited and says - hey MOM! Look what I won at school - you can scrap this - I'll go put it on your table!!

Come ON right?! So stinken cute...

Tagged by Tray

I was tagged by Tracey - a super cool scrappymom I know from the Turtle... and I stalk your blog too Trace because I saw your tag before I saw this comment! Ha ha!!
http://www.trays-spot.blogspot.com/ Here is where you can find her - and on the blogroll to the right!

Here are the rules…

1. Post the name and URL of the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules
3. Write seven things about yourself
4. Put the links in to your 7 favourite blogs
5. Name 7 people you are going to tag
6. Post a comment on their blog to say they’ve been tagged

Seven things about me.....

1. I am proud to be me and all the junk that comes with that. Mom, wife, daughter, sister etc... It is important for me to be authentic and real and remember that family is everything. We are all together - all the time and people comment on it. "Wow your family is so close - every weekend you are together?" And to that I say - weekend, meaning Friday nite, Saturday nite and usually Sunday too... We are all best friends and it's awesome.

2. I am a bookworm. HUGE! I read all the time. I almost never watch tv. Lots of people say that - but I really really don't. Like tonight Dave went out to a hockey draft and the kids were in bed by 8. I couldn't wait to get my blankie, couch and book. I love them all too - funny, romantic, scary, mysterious *ahem* even dare I say inappropriate ones that curl your toes. All that. My fave though are the classics, Jane Austen, The Brontes, William Thackeray, Shakespeare (yep reading it!), Anthony Trollope but NOT Dickens. Can't help it - not my thing. Did I mention I studied English Lit in school? Yep - on purpose.

3. Scrapbooking is definitely my calming place. It makes me feel like an artist. I love that I get to spend time with my family while I am creating too. My mom, my sisters, my aunts, and Gabriella. A cup a tea and you're set. Being on a design team is really an honour but has put an unexpected self-inflicted pressure on my work that I am sort of struggling through right now but I am sure it will work itself out.

4. I fell into an insurance career. Does anyone really set out for a career in insurance? I know there are a few - but not me! Having said that - I have found it to be rewarding and despite it being a "necessary evil" - in the end, it does help people and rebuild lives. Plus I have a creative job in it (marketing and communications) and that part is fun. Designing ads and campaigns. Planning stratgies... Sick fun sometimes.

5. I am Canadian. Not a surprise right? But I am really passionate about this. I hope to see more of our beautiful, generous, peaceful country in the future. We don't get too far from home lately but I know that someday we will...

6. Tracey said: "I am pretty shy and reserved in crowds or around new people! Pretty hard to believe for some since when I get to know people I can be a little loud & crazy." and I am stealing it for myself too. I am exactly the same way. I have a big mouth that sometimes gets me in trouble - but when I first meet people I am pretty reserved. Til I can't resist a one-liner that pops in my head... then all bets are off.

7. I have a lot of food issues. There I said it. I am a vegetarian and this is a bigger part of who I am than I would have ever guessed. It infiltrates life and its situations and causes sometimes uncomfortable attention on what I am eating or going to eat. I feel bad that others have to worry about my meals and dislike a lot of focus on it in a group setting. Won't make me eat a steak or chicken wing though..

Hmmm, seven people to tag - I am not sure that I have seven people I could tag that haven't already been tagged. I will have to think about this and add it in later.

Yard Sale Scoopage!

So I went to my 1st Turtle yard sale and we were there before the doors opened... We were outside with the other crazy ladies - me, Mom and Gab. Brenda was there, Melissa and some other lovely ladies. Good thing it was a warm day out there!
Awww what we won't do for our art!

Brian was taking photos of us out the window while Teresa and Lori's kids had nice laughs at us. Oh well - at least I had a Timmys!

We were some of the the first folks in the door and we went a little nuts on the paper and cardstock. I may have to sell some of this stuff next year but for now I feel like I CLEANED up!

Mom got a QK font too - but we can't figure out which font it is - no name at all!
It's awesome though... Hope she will let me borrow it from time to time!

Here is my stash (and Gabby's too - hers is mixed in with mine here) She found some cool stuff she wanted to get - what the hey right? Can you see the piles of paper at the back?? Crazy!





Mom's stash! She rocked the ribbon!!!

I am a Design Team Member!

WoW!
I am so pumped to be a member of the new Scrapping Turtle Design Team!
Since it is my favourite store ever and a fun place to hang out and all the ladies on the Turtle Soup Forum are fantastic - I am truly honoured.

I have my first duty to prepare for this week since the 1st of the month is Tuesday... and I already know what I will be posting. Ladies if you are checking up in here by chance and this makes you curious - visit Turtle Soup on the 1st for what I hope is a fun new challenge by me! But no hints here!!!

(Man I hope people like this one... )

Crash My Stash!

Going to my first Crash Your Stash class tonight... and because I am shy (ha ha ha) I sweet talked Laura and Mom into coming with me - and Gabby is always game for a lark...

Not much time for dinner but I brought home some wicked Ye's sushi (so cheap and so satisfying!) and I will whip up something quick for the brats and then we are off.
Good thing I made up the kits last night!

I will post the creations later this week. Laura is nervous about the class and thinks she is not ready for it. I think she will blow us all out of the water with her creativity. Like always...
Wish Megan would be into coming...

Chuck Norris for goodness sake?

Ok so I am not actually a Chuck Norris fan. I am not NOT a fan - I don't really know many of his movies KWIM?

Anyway - my sister sent me a link to the FUNNIEST thing I have seen in a long time.
I think I am NOW a fan - like it or not... This made me laugh OUT LOUD!

Check it out!
http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/

*Chuck Norris went to Burger King and ordered a Big Mac - and he got one.
*When Chuck Norris does a push up, he is not lifting himself up - he is pushing the Earth down.
*There is no evolution - just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

Come ON!

I found a great place to browse and purchase homemade items. If you haven't checked out www.etsy.com - you should! A scrapper like myself - Catherine - has a cool shop you should check out. I got some wicked felt covered letters and a whole array of special funky journalling tags and title tags. The word "enjoy" above came from her shop... Check her out - Catherine's ETSY shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5344845

At first he couldn't decide...

It sure did look fun.



What do you think Buddy? You going out too?



Gabby is enjoying it. What do you think?


Daddy will play with you too!



Ok Mom. I'll go...



DUCK!

MS walk

My friend Jenn (jennmet - see blog to the right!) is doing the MS walk.
Here are some details - copy and past the link below to pledge if you can...

I've decided that I'm walking in the MS walk for a cure this April. My aunt has MS (and it is really progressing) and she is walking the 5km. I've decided to walk with her. She truly is an inspiration! Never giving up! We're hoping to raise more money then our team goal!

If your interested in helping us you can donate online!!!

My page is here https://msofs.mssociety.ca/2008Walk/Sponsor.aspx?&PID=996394&L=2

Thanks ladies! Jenn

Go get em Jenn!

A Very Special LO

I have had this photo for a long time and it was tucked away, in its frame down in the basement...

My father-in-law is in the front row squatting down, 2nd from the right. We used to sit together after work and he would tell me all about his day at the factory where he worked and tons of stories about "Back Home" in Sao Miguel, Portugal...

I thought about making the title, "Shoes are for Sunday"... No one has shoes on in this photo - they just didn't wear them often during the week, mostly just for church. Imagine that?! It wasn't that long ago. I am such a klutz I can't even think about making bricks or working in a field all day without shoes on - I guess you would get good at NOT dropping a brick on your toe in a hurry wouldn't you?

The Kathy-Allie-Mary-Gabby-Laura-Tierney scrap day! WOW!!! What a lot of fun there is to be had in 13 straight hours of cropping!!! Yikes and Allie is not done yet - she is still going strong at 10pm!!!

Here is what I have so far...

Rui went to his 1st ever friend birthday - Zachary's card


I had this yucky photo which I have NEVER liked from one of those silly machines at the arcade in the Chatham Wheels Inn from a few years ago. I figured - I really didn't like the photo but wasn't prepared to throw it away so might as well scrap it - well I am totally happy with how it turned out. Isn't that weird?!



I actually made this one a couple of days ago but never uploaded it... This is our whole {Pearson} family when we were a bit younger in our beautiful backyard back in Brockville, Ontario... Old Hogan is in the photo too - I miss that dog!! Were we ever this young?

Tagged!!

I got tagged by Jasmine and so here are the questions I need to answer. In turn, I am going to tag Kathy

1. Name your two favorite scrapbooking topics: Gabriella and Rui (of course) and I love scrapping older family pics from the 80s!
2. Where are the two best places you've been to? I haven't been to that many places - Definitely St. Thomas, USVI is the ultimate and Sauble Beach. I have definitely been to more exotic places - but our family week in Sauble every year is by far the best 7 days of the summer, every summer!
3. Name two things you do every day: drink coffee (yup - me too) and read. I read A LOT! IN fact, I rarely watch any tv and feel utterly clueless when people talk about tv at work - I have no idea what they are talking about!
4. Tell us two things that pretty much everyone knows about you: I am pretty exuberant (read: loud) and creative. This even is well-known in my oh-so-uncreative profession - insurance. My job at least is creative in marketing.
5. Tell us two things that everyone DOESN'T know about you: I am secretly shy under all my bravado. I am addicted to Jane Austen. (OMG Jas my sister is a NKOTB nut too!)
6. Tell us two things that got you into the hobby of scrapping: I am not even sure. I love looking at pictures and I am crafty!
7. Tell us two things that you want to accomplish in the next six months: Go on a real holiday (no work at all) and I want to scrap and read LOTS!
8. Name your two favorite scrapping tools: Right now? Definitely BLING! And I have been loving raw chipboard alphas too...
9. Name your two favorite sources of scrapping inspiration: I love challenges to inspire me, especially with a deadline "I work well under pressure". I usually start with the picture - so a great photo gets me going...
10. How has your scrapping changed since you started? I definitely think it is much more sophisticated with better products. When I started I used a lot of stickers - I don't do that now. I doodle way more.
11. What scrapbooking project have you not tried but would love to? I would like to try altering more things. I don't do this enough...

Love, Sunshine and a whole bunch of cards...

This LO sketch also came from Dea! Her stuff is so cool!!! I totally LOVE how this one turned out... I was a little afraid of cutting this 8x10 but I just got the guts and tried it. I am glad I did...



Here is a LO of Vavo Jose and Vavo Fatima many years ago... They loved red, their home and garden - oh, and each other...

Oh my love is like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June
Oh my love is like a melody
That's sweetly played in tune
~Robert Burns

This is from a sketch on Dea's blog

I also made a few cards... One was a sketch also from Dea's blog challenges and the others were from some scraps leftover from a LO I am working on. Just need pix to finish it off...

Friday Nite Home Crop - all by my lonesome and that's ok!

Didn't want to leave and go out on the Friday of a long weekend... Seemed like a time to stay home with my peeps although we didn't end up doing much...

Did some scrapping after the kiddos went to bed...

For the Circle of Scrapping Friends - Kelly posted a cool challenge to scrap your fave room of the house... mine is the Den. This is where we read, play board games (actually, the games live here but we play in the kitchen I guess) and my scrap area is now in this room.

Here it is:
(I love my pearly silver paint and those raw chipboard stickers... makes it so easy since I am OUT of glue dots!)



LOVE THAT Heidi Swapp Bling! It's one of the ultimate embellies!

Also for the Circle - we wanted a LO with 2 of things... This LO has 2 flowers (well 4 really) and 2 heart brads + one giant heart brad which I LOVE. I gave these away in a swap and was glad to have one left over for me...

Dave and I had a pact not to exchange gifts this Valentines day but he surprised me with these flowers since I was also having my graduation for a professional designation on the same day - that was his way to get around the pact. I am glad he did this - it really made me happy! Plus it is one more 6x12 for my album. This is only #3 of this size for me.



I am not sure about this LO... but once I started to paint it - I was "committed" I guess and had no choice but to continue. It's not a great picture either since Roo's eyes are almost closed - but you know it was such a funny memory of him with all the girls at Gabby's birthday. Sorry to all of you with daughters out there - he's gonna be trouble with all his flirting. I am to blame. Apologize in advance.



And my favourite of the night!!! Tierney's 2nd birthday party fun... I really love how this one has turned out. The pic isn't great - it definitely is more vibrant in person... Oh well....

Deck of Me - Week 3 Spice It Up!

Deck of Me - Week 2 Song Lyrics!

Using song lyrics to prompt a special thought.

Here is my card!

Deck of Me - Week 1 Scrapping a Goal for 2008

Here is my 1st card in the deck of me... My goal for 2008 is to seek more BALANCE between work, chores, and fun, play and time with the kids and Dave... Need some balance!









Gabby is going to some of the weeks for the deck of me as well..
Her goal is to spend time playing things with her brother Rui, things he likes rather than always what she wants to play..
Here is her spectacular card!!!

The Deck of Me!

Gabby and I are going to try creating a Deck of Me based on a killer idea found here:

http://learningtotaketime.blogspot.com/2008/01/deck-of-me-come-join-our-decked-out.html
We are about 5 weeks behind - but we are going to see what we can do - like 2 a week to get caught up!!!

So cool!

New LO for the Circle of Scrapping Friends

This is one of my fave pics of me. Gabby took it herself so i could do this LO awhile ago. I have been a vegetarian 2x in my life. I was a veggie all through High School and University (7 years) and now I have been one again for the last 2 and a half years and I know this time - I will NEVER go back to eating meat. I couldn't even consider it!

The biggest question asked of me is - But do you eat fish? The answer is simple - Nope. I don't eat anything that was walking, swimming or flying. I am what is called a lacto-ovo vegetarian - meaning I do eat eggs (free run organic) and dairy. My dairy is very limited though as I have lactose intolerance which gets worse each year. I do not eat anything with gelatin (which is most yogurts)...

If everyone in the world just ate veggie 2x or 3x per week - we would solve a LOT of the environmental issues plaguing our world today!

Anyway - off my soapbox now. Here is the picture!

Dea's Blog!

Check out my friend Deanne's blog from down east in Newfoundland!
She is one creative soul! I love looking at her work.

www.a-scrapaddict.blogspot.com (I hope this address is working for me - I had some trouble linking it up! Copy and paste it in your browser!)

Her stuff ROCKS!
I got the info to check out my name and what it means below...
Thanks Dea! Very cool...

What Does Your Name Mean?

What Kimberley Means...

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life.
You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip.
People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.
You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.
You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.
You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want.
You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!

You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous.
You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things.
Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.
You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.
At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.
You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.
You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.
You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.
Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.



You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in.
You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising.
You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.


Hmmmm... an interesting evaluation. I think it's pretty scary actually. Some stuff above I would quibble with - but not much!
Try it out for yourself...

http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz/outcome.php

Check out my SCRAPPY SPACE!

About 5 minutes after Dave moved out of his home office - I started moving in!
Here is my new scrappy space and I couldn't be HAPPIER!!!!

2008 LOs #4 and 5

I am counting the birthday invites as LO #3. It certainly took as long as a LO...
I cannot seem to get the tickerfactory ticker to work for me. I can't sign back in and update for some weird reason!

Anyway, I will keep track here:

#4 is the "Dark Days of Fashion". It was fun flipping through the old pics looking at the big hair, crazy huge eyeglasses we all had and funky crazy outfits. Man - and the eyebrows. I wonder when it was that I found my first pair of tweezers???

Anyway, here is it in all its ugly paper, brilliant orange grungeboard glory!




#5 My Baby is 7
I am struggling a lot with the kids getting older. I really love the funny things they say and the cool stuff I can do with them and that they are a little more independent now. But I hate to think that someday - they just won't need me anymore... ..and they are still so young I can't believe that I worry about it?!!

I think I will add some personal thoughts on a journalling tag behind the picture.. but for now - here it is:

This was my first LO of the year... Gabby has tons of passwords and user names for her different programs, Webkinz, Barbie girls, Epets etc etc and we always can't remember them if she hasn't been online in a while... So the info is all stored on the pulltab and it is a 6x6 LO so I keep it next to the laptop for easy access for her!

Birthday Invites for G!

Gabby and I made these together for her school friends. The back will have all the invitation information!

Just got this one done.. My 2nd LO of 2008! I am keeping tracking this year and want to see if I can get to 200 by the end of 2008. Maybe not - but it is good to have a goal I guess...

I am looking forward to taking over Dave's home office space when he changes jobs next week! That will be nice to get everything out of the dining room!
Hooray!

My baby turns 7!!!

I told her not too - to just be 6 again for another year but my baby went ahead and turned 7 anyways yesterday... December 30th.

Here is her interview on her reflections of being 6:

Mom: Gabby - what is your favourite memory of the last year.
G: Going to Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, the Hannah Montana Concert in Toronto, High School Musical the Musical also in Toronto, staying home sometimes with Mommy and Daddy and Rui and Toopy when she comes over to play with us. We play a lot.

Mom: Gabby - what is your favourite food right now?
G: My favourite food is bologna!

Mom: What is your favourite colour?
G: Light blue

Mom: Who are your best friends?
G: Mackenzie, Carlee, Jenna, Jessica, Brittney, Brooklyn, and the rest of the girls in the class.

Mom: What is your favourite thing to do?
G: Play with mommy, and daddy and Rui.

Mom: What is your favourite toy?
G: Webkinz.




Mom: How many do you have?
G: I don't really know. (Guess) Like, about 15???

Mom: What colour is your room?
G: pink, orange and purple.



Mom: What is your favourite game to play?
G: Monopoly, Guitar Hero 3 (on the Wii) and other games on the Wii and board games.

Mom: What is your favourite thing to drink?
G: Chocolate milk

Mom: What is your favourite restaurant?
G: MacDonalds or Burger King.
Mom: And what do you order there?
G: Cheeseburgers




Mom: What is your favourite TV show?
G: Hannah Montana and the Suite Life of Zack and Cody. And my other favourite show is Viva Pinata. V-I-V-A Mom.




Mom: What is your favourite book?
G: I don't know yet.
MOm: Ok - so what books are you looking forward to reading then because you got a lot of books for Christmas right?
G: After I finish my other Hannah book, I am looking forward to reading another Hannah Montana book and finishing my High School Musical book.




Thanks for meeting with me Gabby. I hope your 7th year is as awesome as your 6th!
We love you sooooo much!!!

Catching Up with the Circle

Turns out that life is conspiring against me a bit in my scrapping world!
I was so wrapped up in my new job - and in card making for the upcoming craft sale at work that I forgot to do any LOs and just plain ran out of time!

Being on the team at the Circle of Scrapping Friends - I was quite delinquent and then this week, I am sick as a dog. I have managed to mostly catch up with my LOs that were past due (with one small exception - I need to do a LO with an 8x10 photo on it)

I updated the blog with my additions but here they are in no particular order:

DO a LO using only wallet sized or smaller photos and include 3 tags..
Ok - I will - and here it is...


And also - do a LO of an unusual size. Now this one reminds me of the movie "The Princess Bride". Do you remember seeing that one? Freaky looking R.O.U.S.'s or Rodents of Unusual Size. Nobody thought they were at all realistic looking however, they are still weird and can give you nightmares - am I right?

Anyway - here is an 8x8 LO. I got this album for my birthday and so far this is the only LO of this size in it - but hey - I got time to fill it I figure! I will add more when I am feeling a little crazy and cutting edge (tee hee)


And finally - a LO about someone special to you that has passed away... ..at least I think that was the dare. I might have that worded wrong - but that is what I did for mine...

Here is the posting.

Turtle Cyber Crop Friday night!

Before the 14 hour card fest I played along in the Scrapping Turtle Cyber Crop. I was a cyber crop virgin, but it was pretty cool. I felt a little guilty cropping along on a Friday night though - that is usually our family chill time.

There were 4 challenges. My pictures turned out horribly but here they are:

#1 6pm - Sketch challenge... Trust me, this one matches the sketch posted by Selena. LOVE the sketch - very cool!


7pm - Next was Dea's challenge to complete a LO using orange and black as the dominant colours and it did not have to be Halloween themed. Well that sounded like an extra fun challenge so I came up with this one "Funky and Fresh" (bad pic!)



730pm - Stop and unscramble some crazy scrapping words and send to Selena - CHECK!

8pm - Martina's challenge to scrap a LO using a pic or pics of someone dressed up. But now DON'T use black or orange or Halloween paper... YIKES!


And finally 9pm - Jasmine's challenge to do a LO where the subject whole face cannot show, only partial faces... This one was really tough to find pics to match!


It really was a lot of fun. Next time hopefully more people are able to play along!
Great challenges!!!

14 Hours in One Day Scrapping!!!! A new personal best...

Kandace and I will be selling some cards and different scrapped items at the company craft show in November... so in order to make some stock we scrapped for 14+ hours on Saturday and this is just some of what we were able to complete!!
My butt dozed off for a few naps and my neck is completely stiff today but I think the toughest part will be actually letting people buy the cards now. They really turned out awesome and it will be hard to sell them!

We definitely need to make more stuff - but there are a few weekends left! I got some more stuff today at the craft store to work on some more in the evenings!

Here is my LO from the Thanksgiving dare on the Circle. Just posting it after that fact is all... It was tough. I am not in love with it - but it's ok. I printed my pic on textured cardstock. Looks way better IRL.

Circle of Scrapping Friends - Posted My First Dare!

Posted my first dare since being asked to join the team on Circle of Scrapping friends.
It was really fun to come up with it - so it's up.

I dared everyone to create a LO using NONE of their faves - so my fave paper product is Scenic Route, my fave tool is my Crop-adile and my fave embellie (? at least I hope it is considered an embellie) is stamping.

So my LO has none of these elements.

Here is my dare:

I kinda just LOVE this one

I prepared this LO while at the Pirate Princess crop at the Turtle and I just love it.
It is such a cool and funny memory of Rui on his 1st day of JK. I don't think I will ever forget this day.



Love those THICKERS!

Here is my 1st Dare LO for the Circle of Scrapping Friends

Joined the team on the circle with Jenn, Kelly and Amanda. So fun!
The first dare was to leave "white space" on a LO. This is super challenging for me because I am a free-styler and I love to fill up every inch with tons of pics and embellies. It's like when I am talking, I can't shut up - same thing applies to scrapping for me. So this was tough but once I started it just came together. I am pretty pleased with the end product. What a great memory. I will never forget Rui saying "That bug is a friends. My name is Rui Silva and I am a great boy. I have lots of answers." It's not like he waited patiently with his hand up. Nope. He just yelled it out as soon as the question was asked.

And I thought he would be scared and shy at school.
I guess I was wrong.

There once was Princess Jasmine
You have probably heard her name
She will go to great lengths
And show all of her strength
To win is the name of her game!

Now Our Jas, she has no fear
So listen, lend me your ear
To sparkle her eye
She used Zip-Dry
And the crowd did give a big cheer

Jasmine - inspired use of adhesive. It was a very proud moment!

Ok I am definitely going to get an adapter or something for the camera to the computer! Gonna hit The Source tomorrow I think!
I have done tons of scrapping and I can't upload anything! Plus I have some wicked pics on the camera that I want to alter/picasa/photoshop whatev...
I tried to do my 1st digital LO. I got as far as download a bunch of free stuff to make the LO and then I got stuck. I tried to download a trial of photoshop so I could get it done but it didn't work...
Will persevere and someday be victorious!
I went to a visitation today - so sad. I hate cancer. Cancer can go straight to hell. That's all I will say about it.

Trying to keep up with the Circle of Scrapping Friends - So far I am loving all the dares...! Very inspiring.

I am making tons of stuff because I am supposed to have a bunch of thingys ready for a craft show at work where my aunt will be selling her cards and I wanted to add to her stock and sell some of mine too. I made a grand total of (yippee) one card and one bookmark today but I was working on some stuff for the Turtle recipe swap so I say I still did good.

We went to the awesome Oktoberfest/Thanksgiving Parade today. Perfect weather again! I love parades. My mom gets so totally jazzed - she has so much fun! Her fave is the bands I think! They did not have any pipe bands in this year - those are my faves and I love the ladies who stand on the back of the horses and all the kids in the parade. They get so excited waving to the crowds.

I hope our kids get to be in a parade sometime. I was in them when I was a kid and it is a kick for sure.

Love my new Pirate Princess bra I won at the crop and yes ladies - it was indeed my size. Wore it to work this week even me hearties! Hee hee...

Circle of Scrapping Friends - Team Member Kim!!!

So excited to join the new team on the Circle of Scrapping Friends blog! Amanda set up a great new place for us to "dare" out scrappy friends to push the limits of their creativity and talents! So cool...
Thanks Amanda for all your hard work.

I have my next dare completed but have to get the camera working to upload it and stuff.. Maybe I can get Laura's camera again just for the night to upload everything! Hmmm... Better butter her up since I kept it so long last time!



I can't wait to show my "white space". Mine is red but now looking at the Ali Edwards LO I am not sure I left enough blank to qualify - LOL. That is what happens to a free-styler - I can't help filling all the space!

Pirate Princess Croptastic Day

Today mom and I went to the Pirate Princess crop hosted by the Scrapping Turtle in St. Jacobs. Hannah, Lori, Theresa and yes, even Bob - went WAY above and beyond expectations and hosted a fabulous and affordable event... well, it would have been affordable if I could have stayed out of the store! (But that is the point isn't it ladies and Bob - mwaahahaha)
Breast Cancer begone was the theme and I have a boobylicious new pink pirate bra to celebrate because I could not walk the plank blindfolded if it meant my life! 7 spins and 7 steps - not a chance! I am happy with the bra anyway and it is indeed my size for those who might be interested!

Once my camera is up and running - I will post some pirate pics. It was a great way to spend a relaxing Sunday with Mommy creating and relating with some very nice ladies.
It was nice to see Jasmine and Mindy and hang with them again - and all the other wonderful ladies at the crop. I definitely think we got the better end of the weekend deal with only 8 of us there - that just means one thing right? More prizes! I am sure everyone walked away with at least one gift!
Awesome day! Can't wait for the next crop!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my sirius satellite radio

Selena posted a challenge recently to scrap something to do with technology that you could not live without. For me, that is my satellite radio. I am such a snob now about my radio listening. (Sorry Angie Mark and Bryan and Carlos Benevides) I cannot STAND to listen to terrestrial radio (say that with a snobby sneer please.)

Whoever I can convert over to the sunny side of the listening street I will!
Here are the Top Ten stations that I listen to in the car..

There are Two #1 stations that I love... read below for more details...

#10 The Blues
#9 First Wave (all the cool 80s new wave tunes)
#8 Buzz Saw (tons of Zepplin - more for Dave than me)
#7 Hair Nation (can you say Poison? How about GnR?)
#6 The Pulse (90s tunes mostly)
#5 Sirius Love (laugh if you will but you can sing along to EVERY song)
#4 Howard 101 (all the spinoff shows and other shock-like jocks)
#3 Sirius 1 (Current hits from all types of music it seems)
#2 The Big 80s
#1 If the kids are in the car - Radio Disney
#1 If I am by myself - Howard 100. Need I say more?

Some newer stuff

I made this for Rui so if he missed us during his days at JK he could just walk to his backpack and see pictures of all of us doing fun things and then he wouldn't miss us. He told me today that he looked at it and didn't miss us at all. Too funny kid!

You too could have this cake!!!

By just signing up for the Adult and Kid recipe swap on the Turtle... Made this one so I would have a picture to reference when I write up the recipe.

I can't take any credit for the idea - a lovely girl at work named Nickey told me about it - and hers is probably more professional looking - but I threw this one together with kids and it was a fun craft afternoon activity and then we ate the thing. Lickety split!

I think it's coming...

Thanks Jasmine for the boost! I started to try and get the mojo back by signing up for a bunch of swaps. Then today on this rainy blah day I started and finished a lot of my swap work... I made 6 Christmas cards for the swap, one for my collection of cards and a bunch of little packets of buttons for button swap.

Now I have the stuff all cleaned up again. See, I was up against a bunch of problems... ...company - so everything had to be put away all the time. I bought an awesome rolling shelf from Zehrs (not fancy - just functional) and put everything in drawers and out of sight - AHA! That's it right?

Add to that we got a new computer - great!! Except the router isn't right and though we can use it, things are not set up all perfectly and the email isn't switched over yet so we have to webmail in - which I never do hardly.

Then add that my camera takes gorgeous pictures but will not upload at all - which means I can't post anything or participate in the fun stuff because of that.

Lastly, my sister and BIL got me addicted to the Office which I never watched before so I have spent a lot of time in the last week or two watching all of season 2 and most of season 3 on DVD. Oh and the kids started school and switched babysitters this week. My world is conspiring against my art!! Tee hee...

Time to take off the pity party hat and get 'er done. I am going to look for a funny picture tonight and do something fun with my paper!

Smiles!

How can Kimmy get her groove back?

I lost it.
Brutal.
I am not inspired right now... Need some help!?

I forgot to add the Win Some Lose Some part

I entered my first "big" scrapping contest from a paper company. I had never sent anything to a paper company before at all so I wasn't exactly sure what to do. I sent a LO to the Scenic Route paper company which I thought was great... The deadline passed while I was in Saubz so I was checking Dave's blackberry every day trying to see if my name was in the winner circle. It wasn't. In fact, I never even did get an email back that my LO was received or anything. Is that normal? It leaves you wondering if it was even received by them or considered. Anyway, 2 days after the contest was supposed to end and the winners announced, the SR folks caught up to their website and posted the winners. Obviously I did not join the ranks - and that's ok - but I am still a little disappointed I guess. I will try again. What do I have to lose right? But next time I will add a "read receipt".

Here is my entry...



I did see some lovely news that Pearl (one of the sisterhood of scrap sisters) won this month and her incredible LO is one of the big winners.

The silver lining was that on the same day - my sister Laura was permanently hired as an employee in the same company as me. She had been working on a contract since January and was hoping to stay - and she found out at the same time that she will stay will me and our lunchtime fun can continue. Also on this day - my sister Megan got a 2nd interview for a very exciting job located around the corner from Mommy's work and this is her first "grown-up" job after graduating college with distinction!
She also got a call that one of her professors wants her to do freelance work on the side for them - so she is kicking butt all over the place! AMAZING!

See - you win some, you lose some. And you keep on trying.

Birthday Incredibleness and You Win Some You Lose Some

So August 1st was my birthday. Not just any birthday. It was the most incredible birthday of my life. Really. And I have had some great ones before.

SO we are at Sauble - and my family decides that it would be fun to plan a scavenger hunt for me to find my prizes (behind my back - can you believe that?) So led by my sister Laura the ringleader - she and the rest of my family took various clues and presents to all random stores all over downtown Sauble Beach. I had to go in and tell the person working at the store the following, "Hi. My name is Kim. Today is my birthday." and that person would hand me another clue. Some of the clues even had presents attached. (oh you know I am scrapping this event - might be enough for an album !! LOL)

It was really very exciting and emotional. I felt like the most loved person on those seven miles of white sand beach. They could have just bought a cake. But I am so grateful that they all went to the trouble.

Dave also spoiled me extremely rotten (again) by getting me the BIG package of the Diesel QuicKutz font (how did he know? Haha - thanks Turtle friends) He also got me a $50 gift cert for our anniversary - and my parents and Meg and Uni got me a $100 gift cert so watch out ladies - here I come!

Once I can figure out my camera troubles - I will post up some pics.

A Week without Scrapping... What my Mojo go?

Reading in a floaty chair in Sauble (after asking my young cousins to help me pull myself up into it and dropping my brand new book into the sparkling waves) I was thinking about scrapping. It really changes some of the things you do... For example, I never used to think about pictures the way I do now. While I was taking photographs I was mentally sketching the layouts in my head... I was planning mini-albums and cards to thank people for the great things that happened this week. I even went to a cool store in Hepworth for my 3rd annual mid-Saubz scrap purchase and got some items to help me when I returned. Now I have been home for about 15 hours and normally by now I would have at least cut some paper or laid out some ideas on the dining room table. I have even printed some photos for a layout that I planned while snappin' about our trip to the Marts cottage and going froggin'. Now that I am here - I can't seem to start. I think after thinking about the mojo that I may have uncovered the problem.

I put all my stuff away.

Before we left I mean. Normally it is all out (sometimes tidy, othertimes not) on the table in neat stacks or piles. I wanted to come home to no chaos, with Dave's inspiration, so I put everything away.

That's the problem. I have to just get some stuff out and lay it beside my new stuff and pics. I think that's it.

Events that Shape your life...

Here is a blog challenge from the Sisterhood of Scrap!

Blog about a favorite event of your adulthood.

Ok - so let's assume that getting married and having the kids were the best things that happened to me in my adulthood. That's the obvious, although very true answer. Trying to dig into something a little more obscure - hmmmm... I asked Dave about his memories to see his response.

His answer was this, "When something happens that you didn't plan - for example, Thanksgiving in October 2006. Those times are the best"

That was a great day - here is the story... (Thanks Dave)

While the turkey was in the oven on low we decided to go over to the Kim-Glo pumpkin patch nearby. We didn't realize we would have to pay for parking in a mowed down cornfield so we were scrambling for dough in the change compartments for us and Megan and Uni who were in the car in front of us. I think it was $8 a car - CRAZY for corn parking right?! Anyway we found enough and went in to the farm. They had a haunted barn (which is was REALLY scary) It was pitch black and I mean you could not see in front of you - you had to reach out your hands and feel along the creepy old barn walls with who knows what on them. There were dressed up scary people like Pinhead from that movie - whatever that was called - and they would walk past you in the dark and touch you and then you would have to scream just because. I was clutching the back of Dave but when one of the scary people walked by Dave kicked me by accident in the shin and stepped on my flip flopped foot! I was bruised and deliciously scared. Gabby bailed before we even got through the front door - it would have been too scary for her anyway. Dad went through a few times! He's crazy.

There was a million things to do there. The kids went on pony rides (it was Rui's 1st time on a pony) and their names were Rainbow and Polkaroo (the guys said he won the horse in a poker game). Rui insisted that the horse was Bullseye from Toy Story 2. We took so many great pictures that day.
They had a maze plowed through the corn and in the middle was a tall play structure/lookout where you could see over the corn. So cool.

There was an inflatable pumpkin and climber and big stacks of hay bales to climb high in the sky! There were tons of animals to pet and feed including a BIG COW named Norm. Then the best part of the day... The haunted hayride. It started off kind of blah. The driver of the tractor was a guy with a black painted face and super scary nose. He was not smiling. You walked up this huge ramp into the back of the trailer and sat on hay all around the outside. So it started driving along and all throughout the fields there were scarecrows with scary masks, there was a UFO and big green alien and even a cemetary with bones and an old Hearse parked in the fields. Then we entered the witches forest. We didn't know what to expect but we were pleasantly surprised. Some witches had a cabin in the forest, and a fire going with scary music in the background. The witches came out of their house and chatted with all the people on the ride and Rui (who was 3 at the time) was yelling back to the witches that he couldn't stay with them "We have to MOVE ON!" he was saying. OMG we all were laughing so much and my sister Laura captured the whole witch exchange on video with her digital camera! So amazing. We still watch it now every now and again and enjoy it.


If I can figure out how to post the video I will - it's short but awesome!
This had to be the best $8 we ever spent because everything else inside, including the hayride was free.

When we returned home from Kim-glo - all 11 of us - Kim, Dave, Gabriella, Rui, Laura, Cam, Tierney, Megan, Unison, Mom and Dad - the turkey was perfectly cooked and all we had to do was finish the sidedishes, set the table and eat, eat, eat.

So do something unexpected and unplanned. Take an adventure one day. Just look up something local and go without too much preparation. You won't be sorry!

Blog about a favorite event of your childhood.
I will have to think about this one and blog another day!

Some random layouts I just finished!

More Sisterhood Challenges!

Here are some more of the Layouts done during the sisterhood blog crop last week. What a blast. I tried to get them all done but couldn't manage!

The Kandace Krop

Kandace, Clarke, Tyler and Ryan came over on Sunday for a big crop. Kandace was not feeling inspired but was a great cheerleader and I finished a LO, some recipes for a swap on the Turtle and a mini album about Tyler's 1st Kung Fu tournament from last year. Tyler (my amazing godson) was the youngest in the competition, had the "lowest" sash (what's the PC term for that?!) and won the entire thing. Now that's just raw talent and skill. Ty ROCKS!


What a lot of fun. We will have to do it again when all the girls (Kandace, Kathi, Mommy, Laura and Megan and me) can crop together. We are a force to be reckoned with!

SISTERHOOD OF SCRAP - MY CHALLENGE!

So it's my turn to post a challenge. This was very exciting for me because I have never done anything like this before. Here it is:

Incorporate the following things into a LO...
S - Staples
I - Inking
S - Something about Summer
T - Torn Patterned Paper
E - Eyelets
R - Rubons and/or Ribbon

There will be a prize drawing from everyone who does this challenge. Post a link here and you could WIN! Did you see the wicked prizes posted on the sisterhood blog?? They're awesome.

Here is my example of a LO with the above elements:


Here is the journalling - it includes each of the top 3 things our family members want to do at Sauble Beach in just a few days...

"With only 13 sleeps left until the annual Sauble Beach summer vacation, what are the Silvas hoping to do when they get there?

Rui - Rui can't wait to
*drive his RC Hummer and trick cars on the beach
*makes sandcastles
*roast marshmallows

Gabriella - Gabby can't wait for
*bungee jumping
*games at the arcade
*ice cream at Scoopers

Kim can't wait to
*laugh uncontrollably
*jump in big waves
*campfire games

Dave can't wait to
*swim
*read and
*play on the beach with the kids"

It was my 1st time using BLING and it's *SICK* - my new favourite and I can't stop putting it on LOs. Did you see it on my Lennox dog LO below? Crazy! Who puts bling on a boy dog? I do! LOVE IT.

Have fun everyone and a great Tuesday!!! Why not right??
Kim xo

Sisterhood Challenge - Weaving!

Never woulda tried it.
Definitely.
Probably wouldn't even have thought of it.
Tried it.
Liked it.
Mine is subtle but the background of the top 2-3rds is woven with 6 different pps.
Thanks for the cool challenge!

Journalling reads:

Gram and Papa celebrating their 40th and 50th anniversaries.
Douglas and Margaret married June 12, 1948

I loved my Papa who passed away in 2004. I think of him constantly.
Papa was to Family what Delicious is to Chocolate. Doesn't get better than him and I miss him terribly.



I hope to be married for so long. Well today I do... Ask me another day!?? Tee hee
Kim xo

Last Night Scrap Frenzy!

What a night?
3 LOS in one night - after work and dinner with the kiddies!
WOW! I was trying to get caught up on all the sisterhood challenges... Geez. You ladies are fast-paced. Got em all done though (I think)

Here is my entry for Dea's strolling challenge. Mine is the theme rather than the other elements of the art pieces. This is a picture of my sister and bil's dog Lennox. He is a Great Dane that they rescued several years ago. He is an old man now but we love him. He has to be the most gentle and amazing dog. What luck to find such a good friend who just needed friends. He stops traffic. When you walk this dog anywhere - you meet people and that is a given. You can't help it. He's an attraction. The boys in the family LOVE to walk him for that reason. Especially at Sauble Beach.


Journalling on the left -
"Are You SERIOUSLY going to try & say that YOU HAVE NEVER tried to take a pic of your DOG with SUNGLASSES on? (well-it's FUNNY. You should try it) Sauble Beach 2005

Journalling on the right - Lennox is a CHICK MAGNET. Honestly you can't walk anywhere with this guy without people stopping to ask...
* Is that a Great Dane?
-YEP.
*Where do ya keep his saddle?
-Good one.
*Is he friendly?
-Nope. He's a vicious monster - if slobber was deadly.

Hope you approve. It's not ladies with skirts and umbrellas but I like how it turned out. And we were strolling... Kim xo

Tina's Follow the Leader Sisterhood of Scrap Challenge

FUN! Tina has an incredible talent. I had a hard time picking one of her LOs to "lift" as per the challenge instructions. But I managed to choose and here is my own interpretation of her My Treasure LO.

The journalling reads: "Rui has wanted this Sportacus costume for months and finally he got it. I wonder if he will ever take it off again! Did U know... apples are candy to Sportacus?" July 16-2007



Rui was so pumped to get this costume. You know when a kid asks for something repeatedly for months that they really want it. Usually they just ask each time the TV commercial is on - but he asked over and over for this costume. He loves to watch Lazytown. It's a cool show with a great message about eating healthy and exercising.

Check out Tina's blog and her amazing work at:
http://tinamcd-mysanity.blogspot.com/

My Favourite Tradition, also for Christmas IN July!

This one is 6x6. What I am going to do is get a 6x6 for everyone in my family and then maybe have the whole thing framed with each of our fave traditions stuck together. Isn't that what Christmas is about anyway? Family and everyone's fave things in one place and just feeling blessed to be together?

Some of my new stuff!

For a Christmas IN July contest - do you like my sno-globe? It was totally Gabby's idea! She even took me to a Holly Hobby website so I would be sure to know what she meant when she was describing it to me. Too funny. (And a little too much like her mother I think)!

It's been too long!

Seems like a long time since I updated on here.. I have been busy back to work and busy trying to fix in crop time in between all the other activities.
I was able to do a few things this weekend but nothing at all last week in the evenings. I probably get a couple of fun little things done tonight after the kiddos go to bed!!

Found a new passion. BLING! OMG why didn't anyone tell me I would psychotically love those little gems of wonderfulness. Just sticking them on a LO makes my heart sing!

Stay tuned for some new LOs to be posted. I am currently desperately trying to play along with the activities on the sisterhood of scrap blog - but with difficulty just in finding the time. Also I am having challenges posting on their blog - I get errors each time so I send my comments separately to one of the actual sisters, Dea, Carla or Susan so they know I am following their hard work and fun!

Their Strolling with the Sisters challenges are fun so far. The first was FEET in a LO and since I had just done this for a challenge on the Turtle, I msged Dea to make sure it was ok - so the Crocs Rock LO it is for Challenge #1 from Sister SUSAN...



Check out Susan's blog at http://scrapndoodle.blogspot.com/. It is cool!

Sisterhood Sketch Saturday challenge for this week...

I think next week I am going to go thru scrap withdrawal when I go back to work. I did tons of creating this week and it's awesome. And through all of the scrapping I still took the kids about 100 places and exhausted them... I guess it is my way to unwind - when others are watching the tube -- I sit at the dining room table, scrap and zone out there instead..

Here is a LO based on a sketch posted on the Sisterhood of Scrap blog this week by Valerie Salmon... Check out this sketch and others by her (SOOO cool!) at http://gotsketch.blogspot.com/



I thought it was really pretty and I had a cool pic of Mom and Dad so there you have it!

Last page from the Crop - Dominican Republic 1998

Here are some pics of when Dave and I got engaged in the Dominican and my first plane trip ever! I will do the opposite page with more of the story later!

Another one from the crop! Putt Par Priceless!

Rui's 1st "18"
He finally finished a round instead of just tearing around the course like an animal!

My First Crop Night at the Turtle!

It was a fun time heading off to the Scrapping Turtle in St Jacobs Friday nite... I never thought I would stay all the way until midnight but I think they must pump oxygen in like at the casinos because i coulda stayed there all night!

Here are the LOs I finished there... I still need to add the date to Megan's layout. Pretty sure it is 1987 but looking at her!
I loved these pictures and everywhere that I lived - in dorms, apartments, these are the pictures I had of her in my room!

New Stuff - Love being on holidays with a few rainy days!

Cam is 33!!!

Happy B-day to one wicked cool brother in law Cameron...
Thanks for always drinking beer with Dave and for teaching me a little about laid back-ness. I think someday it might just eventually wear off a bit on me... I hope it does!

The kids thank you for ALWAYS swinging them around, whenever they ask you, and for (accidentally - wink wink) giving them both their first taste of beer!!!

Coolest new thing to get...

I picked up this cool (ok it was already decorated) square box at Michaels today for about $3.50 - $4.00 for my B-I-L Cameron's birthday gift... I got him some new shorts and tees but for the first time, he couldn't shake that long rectangular box he normally gets and figure out what was inside. He has an uncanny ability to figure out exactly what was purchased... Well we stumped him this time. The shake factor was definitely impaired here - and I envision - for you scrappers out there many fun hours modifying these boxes to match special occasions as you see fit.

The name you see on top is actually the card I made for him and not part of the box.
They had tons of patterns for different occasions/seasons/themes. I also got a box with cartoon farm animals just because it was cute...

Summer of Fun!

The Scrapping Turtle is having a bunch of contests called the "Summer of Fun". The first challenge was to create a LO about feet... I have been wanting to scrap a photo I took in March when Gabby and I both got our crocs...

CROCS ROCK baby! See up above for the pic!

Clarissa Celebrates

My niece and DH's god-daughter Clarissa celebrated her Holy Confirmation this week.. here is the card I created for the occasion... I really like how it turned out for her...
Inside the card...

And the back of the card - where the dough-ri-me went... love those Bazzill pockets! They are good for everything...

Happy Father's Day to our Boys!

Here is my LO for the Sisterhood of Scrap last week. I was honoured to be the sister of the week from June 10-17th and to have my LO featured on their site! Thanks ladies!!!

Happy Birthday Laura!

Today is my sister Laura's Birthday!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
She is all of the following:
*Krazy
*Silly
*Absolutely Hilarious
*Smart
*Sassy
*Has amazing fashion sense
*Gorgeous
*Creative
*Full of life and energy
*a Great Mom
*a Loving Wife to Cam
*a caring pet owner to Lennox and Nickelson (Dude, there is no way I would cut a cat's hair or cut a Great Dane's nails - scary! You are my hero)
Happy Birthday Tuesday Rain...
Love Kimmy and the fam xox

Blog Challenge

There was a challenge posted to link 3 blogs that I visit and comment on why I like them..

Well - I like Sisterhood of Scrap! They have gorgeous LOs, fun challenges and a general feeling of friendliness that I think only a bunch of sisters from down east could bring... See the link on the "Places I Surf" column to the right...

I spend far too much time in Turtle soup... That is not a blog but a forum for the great store Scrapping Turtle in St. Jacobs, Ontario. A ton of info and pics on scrappin' and it may eventually end in my house being a shambles because it is such an easy and fun diversion from housework!

I like looking at the blogs from people I have met either in person or online through scrappin' and I will list them at the side. It is just nice to get to know you all!!!

The Weekend Recap

Sickness loomed after our fab day at Wonderland.. Still very much infectious. Although I did go to work today and spread it around and stuff. They LOVE when you do that!

Scrapped only one thing on the weekend which was a LO for a challenge on another blog - Sisterhood of Scrap. I will post here later but it was of my youngest sister Megan and her BF and it was his 1st trip to Wonderland. EVER! Can you imagine being 19 and never getting there? I can't think about it. Too crazy!

Thinking about joining QuicKutz Anon from the Turtle. Gonna get some feedback and then probably sign up!

Can't wait to have some time to crop! I wish I could get to a real live crop. They are always happening when I have some crazy family event going on. Oh well... everyone should be as lucky as me! DH and I both have HUGE and crazy-fun families so we are pretty blessed! Can't wait to put these 2 photos in a LO later. The kids loved this trampoline thingy at Wonderland! It's new from last year I think!

Thursday is Friday - and Friday is great!

Today was NOT my day. It started off bad and stayed that way. Why does that happen?
Considering my day was horrible - I guess I can't complain that much. I am healthy if disgruntled and even though we lost in baseball tonight -- at least I can still play?! Right!?

Also - I got my hair finally coloured (gotta wash that u-know-what *eek* outta my hair...) which was getting desperate and I look better even if it hasn't hit the inside of me yet!

Tomorrow we are planning to be off to Wonderland as long as (prayers please) the rain holds out so here's hoping!! After that - this is the only weekend we do NOT have an out-of-town b-day/confirmation/shower/wedding/communion etc etc etc since May 11th to the weekend after Canada Day... MAN! How does life get so busy? So I hope to scrap-crop-slice-craft and clean the house all weekend. Oh - and sit outside too if it's nice! Hope to have some new work to show next week!
Did this LO last night...

My 1st LO using QKutz...

This was for a sketch challenge on the scrapping turtle forum and my 1st time using my new quickutz for a LO. I have taken this die and made all different colours of bird-friends and hope to make good use of them soon! I better since it is my only die other than the alpha that came with the squeeze. I may have to joing QK Anon so I can get one a month as advertised!

Here are some recent LOs...


Do you think I like my kids much?

My Name is Kim and I am an Addict!!

I have been addicted to scrapbooking for just over a year now. AND I LOVE IT.
I hope I never get bored of it.

Welcome to my scrapblog. I have a family one as well and thought I might as well just start this one up to share my craziness with all of you!

Enjoy.. Please feel free to comment!!

Peace.