Winter has arrived

and with a vengence! Starting on Sunday Dec 5th we got lots of snow and then it continued straight through until Tuesday Dec 7th. Currently we are getting a break from it but they say we are going to see more of it before the week is done. Right now we have over 3 feet of snow and the kids are having a blast! They are on their 3rd snow day today and surprisingly I have kept them busy with things and they aren't too bored. I have gotten some great winter photos and can't wait to scrap them. Hopefully I can get my christmas gifts done soon so I can go back to doing some layouts.

Logan and Daddy shoveling the snow

Our house all covered in snow

Sydney rolling down one of the hills in our front yard

My two cuties!

When was my last post?

I am almost embarrased about when I last posted. I haven't really done a lot of scrapbooking lately and now that the holidays are upon us I am scrambling to get gifts done that I wanted to make. I promise as soon as I get them done I will post pictures. Over the next couple of days I should have lots of time to get things done since we are getting quite a bit of snow. So far we have had at least 40 cm and there is lots more to come. So for now I thought I would post a few photos that I have taken with my new camera. I am loving it!!

Sydney at her Nana's Birthday celebration on November 28th.

The firebush in our front yard. I loved the bright red berries on it with snow on the branches

This past Friday we had our first bit of snow. In the afternoon Logan and I ventured outside to shovel the driveway and have some fun. I love his eyelashes in this photo!

LOAD again!

Well call me crazy...I signed up for a month long LOAD with Lain Ehmann again. I did it back in May and had so much fun I decided to do it again. So far so good. 5 days in and I now have 5 completed layouts. Here is one of the layouts I did with our prompt being use Once upon a time as our title. I used Bo bunny paper and added a few flowers to it. The frame around the picture is a Martha Stewart punch. Stay tuned for more layouts to come :)

My baby boy turned 4!

Logan's birthday was on September 20th however it was just this past weekend that we had his birthday party with his friends. We held it at the YMCA and we took the kids swimming. They all had a blast. Here are a few photos from the day.

My favourites from the APOS load

I thought I would share my favourite layouts from the APOS load that I did back in Sept. It was so much fun and I received a lot of inspiration over the 2 weeks. And the best part I completed 14 layouts!!

I have been a bad blogger :(

Well each time I say this and I honestly want to follow through with it. I promise to blog more. I guess since I am not scrapping much right now (sick with a cold) I can't really blog about my scrappy stuff.

I managed to do all 14 days of LOAD and had lots of fun doing it. Perhaps if I get around to taking some nice photos of the layouts I will post my favourite ones right here on my blog. The next thing I am getting ready for is a full LOAD in October run by Lain Ehmann. I am really looking forward to it but not sure if I can do 31 layouts. One thing I have decided is I need to be more organized. In everyday life and in my scrappy life. My scrap area is not that organized and I am sure I have lot of stuff that can be used on layouts that I have no idea I own them.

As for my everyday life I think I need to have set days where I get my cleaning done, laundry and grocery shopping. I have 2.5 hours to myself with no kids from Mon-Fri so I need to start using that to the fullest.

Anyways I am now just babbling on....I think that is the cold medication talking.

Happy Scrapping!

LOAD - Day 3

For Day 3 we were asked to have butterflies in our layout. I went the simple route and used only 1 and then I also used the SOTW from the APOS forum that Cori-lyn posted this week. So far this is my favourite layout of the 3 I have done for LOAD. I used some Echo Park summertime paper and also some scrap paper I had laying around. The butterfly is Riff Raff and then covered with some of the summertime paper. I cut 2 pieces and bent the top paper to give the butterfly a 3-D effect. I also pop dotted my title.

LOAD - Day 2

For day 2 we were asked to scrap a picture or pictures from our summer. I picked out pics from our mini golfing experience when we were up at a friends cottage. Sydney had a great time. Logan however decided at about hole 3 (of 18 holes) that he was done.

I used a sketch from the Scrapbooks Etc April 2009 edition. It is called Parade love. I loved it for the ability to get so many photos on a 12 x 12 layout. The white circle at the top of my layout is embossed with the Swiss dots cuttlebug folder to represent a golf ball and so is the pink one at the bottom. I also paper pieced a golf club for the "L" in my title.

Mini LOAD - Day 1

I signed up for the mini LOAD over at APOS. It is running for 2 weeks and I am so glad I did. I am back in a scrappy mood. I haven't really sat down to scrap in about 2 months so it was about time I got my MOJO back and flowing!

Day 1 our task was to do a layout about something that makes us laugh. Well I had the perfect photo that every time I see it I chuckle to myself.

This photo was taken in May when we had a hot spell. I put the sprinkler on for the kids and started taking photos. I got the perfect shot of my son. He was screaming and I feel this conveys him perfectly....he is always loud and is always talking. I used a sketch from the Scrapbooks Etc June 2010 edition. I loved how the strips were cut in the same colour cardstock and then several different punches were used.

Tuesday Ten

O.k so I am a day behind but better late than never right?!?!?

This week our task was to put down 10 things we wanted to do before winter comes. Perhaps if I put the list out for all to see I will actually accomplish them.

1. Take the kids to O'sheas Farm

2. Clean up our backyard and prepare it for the winter

3. paint all the trim in our kitchen

4. Clean out and organize the 4th bedroom - make it into a toy room for the kids

5. Lose at least 15 pounds - easier said than done right now

6. Set up our office/scrappy space better than it is

7. Finish putting up the trim in the upstairs hallway

8. Clean out the laundry room/junk room - declutter and purge anything I just don't use

9. Get into a nice workout routine so by winter it is second nature to work up a sweat

10. Lastly - go on more date nights with my hubby!

More New Brunswick photos

Well it's Wednesday and I thought what better way to start the day then to share some more photos from our vacation to New Brunswick.

I love this shot of Travis and the kids.

The swinging kid shot.

Our first time in a kayak. Logan loved it so much he went twice with us.

Ten on Tuesday

This week I thought it would be fun to list 10 places I visit on the internet. Now you are going to notice most of them are scrappy related since that is all I really look up online :)

1. Facebook

2. Scraphappy

3. APOS Forum

4. Justmommies

5. Pagemaps

6. Scrapbook.com (mostly for title inspiration)

7. Flickr

8. Scrapbook Cards and today blog

9. Layout a day

10. Julie Bonners blog

Now there are many other places I visit but these are my top 10. So now you know where to find me :)

My term is done :(

Well my time is up for the Design team over at APOS. I am actually quite sad about this. I had a blast, couldn't wait each month to find out what we had to create and feel truly blessed to have been selected a year ago along with some very talented ladies.

The announcement for the new inspiration team will be made this Wednesday and I can't wait to find out what ladies with be inspiring me on a daily basis.

For now I plan on scrapping more, submitting layouts more often and hopefully learning a bunch of new techniques.

I want to thank Alissa for a great year. There were times you really did challenge us with the papers you picked. Love you for that!!

New Brunswick is beautiful!

We just got back from our vacation to New Brunswick to visit my Aunt and Uncle and let me say it is just the most beautiful province ever! (well at least out of the ones I have seen - LOL)

So over the next week I thought I would share a few photos from our vacation. Today I decided I would share a few nature photos.

Ten on Tuesday

O.k well Thursday. I know I am 2 days late on this but we have been busy here since returning from vacation. So better late than never right?!?!?

This week I thought it would be fun to list 10 things I would love to buy but can't afford right now or is just over the top outrageous.

1. Apple Ipad - I think they are the coolest things ever!
2. A new camera - I have a Sony DSC-H9 and I really don't like it at all.
3. A hot tub - There was one in the hotels we stayed in while on vacation and I find them so relaxing
4. A garage for our house. I really don't want to do another winter of scraping off my car windshield.
5. All of the new releases in Scrapbooking (and I mean everything!)
6. A cricut Expression. I really want to upgrade from my baby bug
7. A cottage that is right on the water. I find it so peaceful being right on the water and really wish I was back in NB right now.
8. A e-reader - I want to get back into reading more and think these are pretty darn cool
9. Apple Macbook - can you tell I am a bit addicted right now to all things computer related :)
10. A nice buffet hutch that will go in my living room to act as my organizational area for everything (school items from the kids, mail, place for keys and phones - basically a place to organize all that stuff that comes into the house)

So there it is...my list of 10....now what are 10 things you would love to have right now but can't afford.

Ten things Tuesday - Vacations!

I am on vacation this week in New Brunswick so I thought it would be neat to list the top 10 places I would love to go on vacation and have not yet. These are in no particular order.

1. Australia

2. London, Engeland

3. Scotland (we wanted to go for our honeymoon but bought a house instead)

4. Vancouver, British Columbia

5. Las Vegas

6. Hollywood (just to see if i can mingle with the stars)

7. Hawaii

8. Bahamas

9. Texas (anywhere there really just to say I have been)

10. Paris, France

So what are your top 10 vacation spots that you haven't been to yet?

Ten things Tuesday - SUMMER!

Well it's Tuesday again so that means my 10 things Tuesday list. This week it is all about Summer. So here goes....my top 10 things I love about summer.

1. Going to the beach
2. No set bedtime for the kids
3. Going to the wading pool behind our house (it's free!)
4. Enjoying a good book in the backyard while the kids play
5. Lots and lots of ICE-CREAM!!!
6. Family bike rides - Logan just got his big boy bike and he is doing great on it
7. Family vacations - this year we are headed out east to New Brunswick to visit family
8. Sleeping in until 8 am
9. Not having to bundle everyone up to head outside
10. Summer camps for the kids - it sure is nice to get a break and they have a blast going.

October LOAD

I have signed up for LOAD again. The last LOAD in May I wasn't able to get a layout done each day so my goal for this next one is to complete the whole month. I had so much fun last time and recieved a lot of inspiration from the other ladies that I couldn't pass up doing it again.

I also signed up for a new site called Scrap Happy. It is run by Lain Ehmann (she runs LOAD). Here is the link. I am anxiously awaiting my password so I can get on the site and hopefully start creating and get rid of this scrappers block. So hopefully real soon you will be seeing lots of new layouts and cards from me!

I think I have lost my scrappy mojo :(

but there was a good reason, if there really ever is a good reason to lose your scrappy mojo. For the past month we have been working on our brand new kitchen! We had a company come in and install the cabinets but we had to remove the old ones, put up new drywall, take out part of a wall and paint. I am in love with my new kitchen! It looks so bright and cheerful now. I enjoy cooking every day and even christened it last week by baking brownies from scratch. (I usually buy the box kind). They were short a bit of the crown molding for the top so that is on backorder but the rest of it is all done!

So I am sorry there are no new layouts to show off but I do have some beautiful new kitchen photos :)

Ten on Tuesday - Games I loved as a child

Happy Tuesday everyone! So for this week we were prompted to list 10 games we loved to play as a child. I am not too sure if I will be able to list 10 but I am going to give it a try.

1. Skip Rope - I used to tie one end to our garage door handle and then we could jump rope when there was only 2 of us.

2. Pictionary - I loved sitting down with my family and a few friends and playing this game. It was always good for a lot of laughs.

3. Monopoly - This was another family favourite. A classic that I don't think I could ever get bored with.

4. Scrabble - I would sit down with my mom to play Scrabble. She always beat me but it was still fun!

5. Mouse trap - My brother and I loved playing this game. I have been thinking lately I would love to get this one for my kids

6. Solitaire - I could have played this for hours when I was younger. Nothing better than playing solitaire while up at a cottage.

7. Super Mario Brothers - My brother had the old school Nintendo. I loved the super Mario games. I wasn't into playing video games a lot but loved playing these ones and have even purchased it for the Nintendo Wii to bring back great memories.

8. Trivial Pursuit - This one was more for when I was older. I played the original version but would love to get some of the other ones like the Disney one.

9. Connect 4 - What can I say about this one....it's simple but fun.

10. Milton Bradleys Super Simon - I loved this game! I only wish my parents had kept it so my kids could play with it now.

Well I guess I could remember 10 games I loved to play. So now it's your turn...what games did you love?

Beach time!

Well as promised here are some photos from our family vacation to the beach. We stayed at a friends cottage in Port Austin, Michigan. It is on Lake Huron and let me say it was so relaxing, beautiful and it was great to spend 4 days with such a wonderful family. We did a few day trips. One was to an amusement type place with mini golf, go carts and bumper cars. The kids loved that. The other was to a lighthouse and park. It was really beautiful there.

Family photo at the lighthouse and park area (Pt Aux Barques)

When we first arrived on Tuesday evening the kids went out to the beach to check it out.

The rainbow we saw on one of our days. We were eating lunch and one of the adults noticed it so I ran out to take some pics.

The lighthouse at Pt Aux Barques. There was a little museum in the house portion of it.

Daddy and Logan taking a walk on the beach.

10 on Tuesday - Things I love

A forum friend had this idea to have a 10 on Tuesday post. It will be various things but will always be 10. This week it is 10 things I love. So here goes...10 things I currently love

1. Sitting on my front porch with a cup of tea...it is so relaxing
2. Vanilla Coke - I love it but sadly they do not sell it here in Canada so I try and get some whenever we take a trip to the U.S
3. My new bed - oh so comfy and solved my problem of my hips going numb at night
4. My YMCA membership - the whole family loves going now I just need to go more often to get in shape
5. The new President's Choice Loaded Baked Potato and Greek potato chips...they are to die for...too bad I started Weight Watchers again...I won't be eating them for a while
6. Going for evening walks with the family.
7. Sleeping in till 8:30 am....YAY for summer vacation and alarm clocks for the kids!
8. Eating a large salad with my meal....I love that everything is so fresh right now
9. The wading pool behind our house and the fact that it is free for us to go to. The kids love it there
10. The fact that the kids were not signed up for one single thing this summer and we are free to do what we want and are not on a schedule.

I would love to hear what are some things you love....leave me a comment!

Has it really been a month???

Wow where did that time go? I can't believe it has been a month since I last posted. We have been super busy with house renovations. We are getting our kitchen ready for our brand new one to be installed...so that means demolishing the old, new drywall and paint and then Casey's Creative Kitchens will be here on July 21st to install our new one (don't worry pics are to come). We are also working our upstairs level. Our new carpet is going to be installed on July 20th and then we can add the trim and baseboard and the 2nd level will almost be complete. YAHOO!!!!!

We also went on vacation last week to a friends cottage. I will post a few photos from that in a few days. First things first the June DT reveal for APOS. I was given papers from a New Brunswick based company called Black River designs . I absolutely loved this paper. Right up my alley. I also decided to do some basic photo editing since I have always wanted to do that but never really knew how to use the complicated programs like Paint Shop Pro (which I own). So once discovering Picnik I was all good to go and love how it looks!

Now onto the layouts. Hope you like them.

I used a photo collage site for this one. It was so easy to use. It is called photosheet by Photility. The pictures were taken at my nieces 6th birthday party.

This one I used Picnik to add a white shaded border around the photo and to crop in tight. I cut out the butterflies from the patterned paper.

I added tex to the photos on this layout and also a black shaded border. You can't really tell from the picture but I hand stitched a zig zag along the edge of the polka dotted paper.

This was a quick little gift card holder I made for my Dad's birthday.

Lastly I took my photo and changed it to black and white then added the colour back to only the butterfly. I again cut out the blue butterflies for the top right hand corner.

Challenge time!

Well it's time for another challenge over at APOS. This month I decided to get the ladies over there to break out their border punches and use them on a layout. I challenged them to come up with different ways to use the same border punch. I used one of my Martha Stewart punch around the page punches to do a border all around and then punched a strip on both sides to create a flower look. I also cut out every third loop on each side to create that flower look.

Hop on over to the APOS forums to check out the DT challenges.

LOAD is done!

I had a blast! I discovered some things about my style and I can't wait to do it again. Although I didn't complete every day I am proud of what I did do. I finished 23 out of the 31 days. So next time around I am aiming for 31 layouts.

So here is what I discovered about my style.

I am a simple kind of girl
Love my clean layouts
I used flowers alot
I like using lots of photos
I like my journaling short and sweet

Day 28 - W is for White Space

Well the title explains it all. We were to create a layout with white space. I was really happy with how mine turned out. I used a bit of glimmer mist, a border punch, some flowers and some bling.

Day 25 - U is for Unique

Today we were asked to think about what makes we love to put on a layout. What makes us happy. I love to add lots of photos to my layouts to help tell the story. So that is what I did for this layout.

Day 24 - T is for Templates

Our prompt from Lain today was to use a sketch to create our layout. I was in my comfort zone for this one. I love using sketches. I used a sketch by Beggahuna.

Day 23 - S is for Size

I am so sorry for not keeping up with this. So I am going to catch up on all the layouts I was able to do. I didn't end up getting all 31 done but did quite a few.

So Day 23 - S is for size. Our prompt was to have a small, medium and large item on our layout. I didn't really follow it but used that as a starting point to do this layout. I used a Julie Bonner sketch for this layout.

LOAD layouts - lots of them!

It has been a while since I last posted about LOAD. I am still going strong but missed a few days when I went away for the weekend on a shopping/anniversary getaway.

Day 14 - K is for Kalidescope. We were prompted to do a monochromatic layout or one with a lot of colour. I picked bright to go with the celebration of my sons 3rd birthday.


Day 17 - N is for Never. We were to do a layout using things we never use. I did an 8.5 x 11 layout since I never do them and left off a title. I am going to frame this and hang it in my sons room.

Day 18 - O is for Order - We had to think about what order we do our layouts in and then create a layout. I always pick my photos, then a sketch, then my paper and finally my embellishments.

Day 19 - P is for Patterns. We had to decide what type of patterned paper we use most and then do a layout using that type of paper. I tend to use polka dots and strips more often then larger patterned paper.

I missed Day 20 just because I wasn't feeling very creative that day. I hope to go back and do it.

Day 21 - Q is for quick. Create a layout in 30 minutes. Here is what I came up with and it took me 15 minutes. This is my Dad 2 christmases ago.

Day 22 - R is for Recycle. It's not what you think. We were prompted to look for where we repeat ourselves or find something about a page that we would like to repeat. I didn't really follow the prompt except for creating a clean layout (Cheryl pointed this out to me after I posted on LOAD). So I guess that is something I always do...create a clean layout.

So I am all caught up now with posts. Stay tuned in the next couple of days for some more layouts. I finished day 23 but I am waiting for it to dry before I take a picture.