Happy New Year

We are spending the evening with Aaron and Jenna at my parent's house. The kids have packed their pyjamas and favourite board games.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year.

May 2008 bring you health and special people to share it with.

Our Family Christmas Photos

Ever since even before my kids were born we always take

a family photo at Christmas time. My Mom and Dad have them proudly displayed beside the kitchen table and all the kids look at them each time we are there for a meal. With the exception of 2 years the setting is the same. The painting will be etched into everyones memories. We have been extremely fortunate that there are very few photos where someone is missing. This photo is as much a Christmas tradition as the wrapped chocolate intial that everyone receives.

January Page Maps are avaiable

January Page Maps are available
http://www.pagemaps.com/
12 X 12 ones and horizontal 11 x 8 1/2" ones

Christmas Cat

This is my brother's cat Tiger. What a perfect Christmas photo. Our cat Kally would never sit long enough. Everytime I get the camera out to get a shot of her she looks away. If I sit and wait she get up and walks away.

Photo clock was a huge success

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We sure did. Its so nice to be able to have everyone in the family together. We had lots of laughs, good food and shared some lovely gifts.

The gift we gave that got the biggest reaction was the Photo clock for my mother in law and put photos of her 13 grandchildren in it. Aaron came up with the suggestion of putting a photo of him and his cousin Jamie in the same square because they were born the same year. It brought tears to her eyes.

We're having a lazy day at home today so maybe I can do some creating after I get our Christmas pictures done. Enjoy your day.

Just a quick Merry Christmas wish from our house to yours. May all the sights, sounds, aroma's (I can smell cheesecake baking at my house) and feelings of comfort and joy surround you.

Feed the reindeer

One of our many Christmas traditions is to put out Magic Reindeer food to help guide Santa and his reindeer to our house. There is a science involved according to my children. You have to figure out how the reindeer are in their harnesses and make sure the food is spaced accordingly so that every reindeer will have a chance to have a snack. I'm not sure where they are going to land at all this year because we have a mountain of snow on the front lawn as a result of the snowstorm last week.
But in any case I have the page ready. I did this page while working at Memories on Main in Lambeth the other day. Paper and chipboard "believe" die cut is from K & Co.'s Peppermint Twist Christmas line. "feed the deer" was cut using my Wishblade. I used a paper crimper to add a little texture to the reindeer paper on the right page and cut out some crimped reindeer to add to the left page. I added one of the Magic Reindeer Food Containers we made this year.

Directions can be found here:

http://apageatatime.blogspot.com/2007/12/magic-reindeer-food-containers_13.html (I've added a couple of recipes and verses to this post)

Mamma Mia

What a fun show! Arthur and I went to see Mamma Mia at the JLC in London last night and the only reason he was sitting during the show was that there were people on both sides of us. I'm sure he wanted to get up and dance.

If you haven't already had the chance to see it I would highly recommend going.

Animated Greeting Card by Jacqui Lawson

Every year someone sends me a link to an animated greeting card by Jacqui Lawson.
This year is no exception. This is the one I received this year. They are always interactive.
Enjoy,
http://www.jacquielawson.com:80/viewcard.asp?code=ER13610552
Go to her home page for more previews.

Card for Hubby's work

Arthur asked me to make a card for his boss at work so I took 2 elements I have previously shown on my blog and put them together. The lace poinsettia I cut with my Wishblade and the spirelli flower, also cut with my Wishblade. I even used one of the Christmas brads I've been collecting. Add a little Basic Grey Figgy Pudding paper and here is the 6 x 6" inch card with lots of room for his co-workers to sign.

Santa's key

Santa mailed us this special key a few years ago and each year we attach to our door on Christmas Eve, with a note that reads something like this:

We don't have a chimney for you to climb through,

But if you don't visit our house we don't know what we'll do.
Some say you are magic and can use any old key

As long as we hang it out in a place you're sure to see.
So we're leaving this old key right outside our door

Saying our prayers, jumping in bed, and we won't worry anymore.

Blog candy winner

Jenna drew the name from those of you who commented on my blog candy post. Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories.
The winner is Cheryl and here is her favourite seasonal tradition
"HI! My favorite tradition is going Black Friday shopping with my mom. We go every year...get up way too early in the morning and shop all day. But, we get our shopping done all in one day! We look forward to it every year!Cheryl KVD"

Gingerbread Friends Title Wishblade/Silhouette/Craft Robo

Today's scrapbook page is just waiting for photos. I didn't take my camera to our Gingerbread decorating day at Carolyn's. I'm sure she'll have some great shots she'll share with me to finish this off. Especially when I cut a title for her page too.

Thanks Eliz for the paper and inspiration.

DOWNLOAD .gsd FILE

If you would like the Gingerbread Friends title .gsd file email me and I'd be happy to send it to you directly.

Altered Glass Ornaments

I brought some flat glass ornaments to Eliz's today and we decorated one with 3 different colours of alchohol ink plus pearl and copper dropped onto a piece of felt and dabbed on. Stamped a snowman and snowflakes on with Stazon, tied a ribbon and it was good to go.

The 2nd one we put a short burst of spray adhesive in and then a blue and a gold Pearlex. Swirled it around. Dumped out the excess and voila it was ready to stamp with the same stamps and Stazon. Note: not all of the ornaments were exactly the same shape and the snowman stamped better on some than on others. Perhaps a smaller image would have been more effective. Again a ribbon finished it off.

Gorgeous Vellum Tea Light Holder

We made these gorgeous vellum tea light holders at Eliz's stamp/scrap day today. She even supplied the battery operated tea light so they could glow safely. Thanks Eliz. Had a great day!

To download the pattern go here

http://stampingmathilda.blogspot.com/2007/06/votive-holder.html

Magic Reindeer Food Containers

I can't take credit for these adorable little reindeer faces. We did them at Heather's fundraiser.

http://stampwithheather.typepad.com/stamp_with_heather/2007/10/fundraiser-proj.html

We thought they would make perfect Magic Reindeer Food containers so created a pattern to share.

We added a bag of Magic Reindeer Food complete with a tag with this poem and voila we are ready for Christmas Eve and our annual tradition of making sure Santa's Reindeer can find their way to our house.

Magic Reindeer Food Sprinkle on the lawn at night The moon will make it sparkle As Santa's reindeer fly and roam This will guide them to your home

Or
Be sure to take this magic foodand sprinkle on the lawn,On Christmas, Santa's reindeer travel miles before the dawn.The smell of oats and glitter pathwill guide them on their way -And you'll wake up to Santa's gifts next morn on Christmas Day!
pdf tag versionhttp://http://www.theideabox.com/ima...indeerfood.pdf

Here are other recipes:

#1Colored crystal sugar (cake decorating sugar)Dried apple slices Nutmeg Cinnamon sticks Cloves Put ingredients together in a bowl and mix.

#2RECIPE FOR MAGIC REINDEER FOOD #2 Mix bird seed, dry oatmeal or cereal (such as cheerios, rice krispies, or grape nuts flakes), and red or green colored sugar crystals

For pattern and instructions
DOWNLOAD .doc FILE

DOWNLOAD .pdf FILE

Scrapbooks and Cards Today

I have in my hot little hands the new edition of Scrapbooks and Cards Today.

Again I wasn't disappointed. The girls do a fabulous job with this and the best part is its a

Canadian magazine that is available to consumers at participating scrapbook stores.

Its well worth a look. I'm sure I'll be doing some scraplifting of at least a few layouts and cards.

You can download your own free copy at
http://www.scrapbookandcards.com/

I may even take mine to our Stamp/Scrap Day at Eliz's tomorrow.

Remembering a Christmas past.

I keep looking at the high speed modem sitting here waiting to be installed.

{Post script: I was dreading the installation process because invariably something goes wrong and I end up spending hours with a technical support agent but this was not the case. It virtually was plug and play.)

It was supposed to be a Christmas gift. Unfortunately the surprise was ruined by our parcel delivery man who delivered the box from our internet provider while we were all in the living room watching Shrek the halls last week.
Must have been a long day for our parcel carrier (the one who stopped me in the middle of the road last year when my Wishblade arrived). I plan to install it tomorrow.
Anyway, it reminded me of my first Christmas I spent with my husband. He bought me a modem (which looks a little like this one) wrapped in gold paper. He was so proud of the wrapping he did. I didn't really know at the time what it was or did. Nor did I really appreciate it for what it was. Little did I know what a world it would open up for us. It was before the days of the internet as we know it. It was in the days of bulletin boards or what we now know as message boards or forums. Looking back it was probably the most useful gift anyone has ever bought me. I guess he was just a little ahead of his time. Thank you Arthur for making that Christmas and every one since so special.

Wow I'm blown away

Look my counter is over 11200. So many in the past few days with hits coming from all over the world. I would like to thank my regular viewers and all the new ones. I hope you find something interesting or useful during your visit.

In any event, I think this calls for some blog candy: I'll pull some things together and post later.
Leave me a comment telling me about your favourite seasonal tradition and be entered into a draw. I'll draw the lucky winner's name on Friday evening so you still have a little time to add your comment.

Santa Claus Parade Title Wishblade/Silhouette/Craft Robo file

I created a Santa Claus Parade title for the layout I was working on yesterday at a friends. If you have a Wishblade, Silhouette or Craft Robo and would like to download the file it is available free here.

It has cutout areas to add snow. For this one I added liquid applique but some a little glue and glitter would be pretty too.

If you would like the .gsd file for the Santa Claus Parade title please email me and I will send it to you directly.

4" chipboard planner pages

You girls are keeping me on my toes with your requests. I downloaded the template from http://www.mayaroad.com/new/newsite/retailers_creative_corner.html for the 4" planner pages. I played with the orginal and put it into .doc and .pdf format with 4 pages per page.

When you print on both sides of the paper they almost line up exactly. Some of the lines will be outside of the printer margins but that's ok.

The margins are set to 0.For the .pdf version you will have to set the page scaling in the printer preferences to none and auto rotate/center.

The files are located at Splitcoaststampers http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=306313

or since I have learned how to do this you can download them directly at the download links below.

DOWNLOAD .doc FILE
DOWNLOAD .pdf FILE

Another 4" chipboard calendar template

I've been helping Addicted to stamps at Splitcoaststampers put another version of a 4" calendar template into pdf format. In this one the numbers are smaller and there is a little room at the top to decorate. The corners are not rounded for easier cutting.
Here is the link: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7950019#post7950019. (The updated files are in post 14)

Gingerbread House

We went to visit our "oldest" friends today and the kids made their annual gingerbread houses. Its an event we all look forward to each year and what makes it even more special is the time we get to spend with special friends.
This is last year's layout. I forgot my camera but I'm sure Carolyn got some great shots.
Notice the liquid applique icing around the photos in the layout. Almost looks good enough to eat. The paper is from Basic Grey's fruitcake line.

Extra Chipboard Coasters

I have heard some people asking about where to get the coasters for the Calendar Book and the Address Book I posted earlier. I have some extra 4" round and 4" square coasters. 10 for $2.00 plus shipping. Email if you are interested.

re Posting comments

A friend mentioned that they could not leave comment without having a Google or Blogger account. I don't want to miss any comments so I went into my settings and made sure anyone can comment. After typing your comment just scroll down a little further and it will allow you to use a nickname or to post anonymously.

Another page layout idea site

I don't know about you but at this time of year I can use all the help I can get for page and card layout ideas. Here is another site that has some good ones. I like the way they are organized for the number of pictures you have to put on a page. Happy scrapping and stamping!
http://www.scrap-maps.com/

Printing off those Christmas traditions pictures

I just sent the weekend's photos to Walmart to get them printed. Will pick them up after lunch and maybe even get started on that Christmas Ornament mini album I've had on my mind since seeing the inchies. Not sure if I do it as an inchies album but the Christmas tree one was my inspiration. http://paperfections.typepad.com/paperfections/2007/11/inchie-christma.html
I changed my mind. I also printed off 2 of each ornament with my printer in a 1 " square so now I will have to look through my hardware stash and see if I have things like bottle caps, book plates and chipboard tags to use as ornaments. The kids and I will add some journalling about why the ornament is special and then on the last page have them all on our tree together.
I'll post as soon as I can.

More Christmas traditions

Sunday was a day of Christmas traditions at our house. The job of putting up the Christmas tree has become much easier for me now that Aaron and Jenna like to do a lot of the work.

The kids were very cooperative when I told them I wanted to take a photograph of all the ornaments that were special to them. Even Kally our cat was cooperative. She didn't putl the tree over this year.

Aaron and Jenna enjoyed getting their goodies from Sinterklaas.

Sinterklaas

Later today as part of our Christmas traditions, we are going to celebrate Sinterklaas at the Dutch Canadian Society in London Ontario. This probably will be the Dutch tradition my children remember for the rest of their lives. Oma and Opa are away on a cruise right now but Aaron and Jenna still want to go to the annual party.
Aaron wants to proudly sing "Sinterklaas kapoentje, gooi wat in mijn schoentje, gooi wat in mijn laarsje, dank u, Sinterklaasje." It means Saint-Nicolas Ii beg of you, Put something in my little shoe, Put something in my little boot, Thank you little Saint-Nicolas! It is one of the most known of traditional Dutch Sinterklaas songs. Some of you might recognize it from "Miracle on 34th Street". Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn) and the little Dutch girl (Marlene Lyden) in the 1934 movie "The Miracle On 34th Street"
Here is a link to a hip hop version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI3tZgsnq5I
As legend has it Sinterklaas (Saint Nicolas) himself was born in Myra in Western Turkey in the year 364 and is still alive today. He lives in Madrid, but travels to Holland every year by Steamboat. He became a guardian of merchants, sailors and children. Each year, on Dec. 5th , the eve of his birthday, Saint Nicholas arrives by steamer. At night, he stops on the roofs of the houses on his white horse. He drops presents in the chimneys, which fall right into the shoes of obedient, nice children. The children have placed their shoes close to the fire, often filled with straw or carrots for the saint's horse. They sing a few songs before going to sleep, because they know that he likes singing children more than anything.
Some say that Santa Claus is simply an adaption of Sinterklaas. On the way to America he has traded his horse for a reindeer and made some changes in his appearance.

Hope you enjoy the traditions of the season as much as we do.

December page maps are posted

Becky Fleck's December page maps and a new set of card maps are posted at http://www.pagemaps.com/

Making paper lace with my Wishblade

What fun! A kind lady (sorry I have deleted the email so don't remember who) from one of the Wishblade groups I belong to sent me links to download paper lace files. This is the first one I have used.

I cut it out on deep red cardstock. Inked one side using Encore gold ink which does not have to be embossed to be permanent. Then I folded every other cut back and wove the pieces together where they overlapped the next petal.

Haven't made my card yet but wanted to show how pretty it is. It would be pretty with double sided paper too. Just think of the possibilities

Perpetual Birthday Calendar

I made Perpetual Birthday Calendars for everyone last year but didn't keep one for myself so now that I have my Bind -it -All I decided it was time. I downloaded the template from http://www.heartprints.net/gallery/templates/

and printed it out on cream coloured cardstock. Cut the pages in half vertically and put it together using my cool new tool. I used the Santa and decorations from a card kit I picked up at Dollarama and finished it with the light strand that came with an assorted Christmas set.

There is another version of the template with a table and borders http://www.splitcoaststampers.com//forums/showthread.php?t=242555

Another version of the birthday calendar book style by Debbiedee is

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com//forums/showthread.php?p=1368432

Beate takes it a step further made a card organizer with a recipe card size perpetual calendar. May make these to add to my bottomless box of cards

{Wooden box of handmade cards that can be returned when empty for a refill}

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com//forums/showthread.php?p=1368432

Stampin Up's retirement list is out

Just got my copy of Stampin' Up's retirement list. Go here to get your own copy:
http://www.stampinup.com/ca/enc/9270.asp
Went through my catalogue and marked them all. Fortunately the only one I considered was Bundle of Joy so now I can't wait for the new catalogue.

Now that's a Christmas Party

We have just returned from Meridian's Children's Christmas Party and the kids both said it was fun. They had an opportunity to go swimming but were too busy in the foam room, ball crawl and the games room.

Another Spirelli Technique

While doing a search for Spirelli instructions I came across another version as paper embroidery at http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90557

Playing with my Wishblade and Spirelli flowers

I was playing with my Wishblade and "traced" the spirelli flower shape so it can be cut in different sizes using Inkscape software. It was much easier than I thought it would be. Now off to create something with the shapes I cut. If I did it right it should be a layered flower with 3 sized layers.

The flowers are very close to the size of the Spirelli punches but if I used the middle one to layer you don't see the thread work on the larger one. Each of these flowers were done with green, red and yellow thread. Depending on how it is done they all look very different.

Notice the 2nd one on the bottom is showing you the back of the flower. Its very easy to do. Aaron and Jenna are working on their own. I don't know how many layers Aaron has done on his. Mine just have 3 layers of thread.

Tape the thread to the back of the shape. Bring it forward between 2 of the petals. Decide how big or small you want the center circle to be. The more petals between the thread smaller the circle will be. I often started with 8 petals between and wound the thread around keeping the same number of petals between where the thread comes up and then goes down toward the back. Just keep working around until you have 2 threads around each petal. Tape the thread to the back. Leave it as is or add another layer of thread using a different number of petals between the thread. Sound much more complicated than it is. Sorry. For those of you who are visual, here is a tutorial: http://www.stubbystampers.com/spirellisteps.htm

Splitcoaststampers List of noteworthy links

Who would have thought? My chipboard calendar and address book templates made a couple of lists of noteworthy links this week. Most recently in Splitcoaststampers SCS Weekly Inkling # 84 for November 28. Here is a link to newsletter archives. (the latest one isn't posted there yet. If you want a jest email me and I'll send it to you.) http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/newsletters.php

If you haven't already visited the site, don't say I didn't warn you that it is addictive. You can find the answer to almost any stamping questions there. You will have to sign in but it is free and well worth the stop.

I have picked up so much from Splitcoaststampers over the years its nice to be able to give something back.

December 2007 4" calendar template

Someone requested Dec. 2007 4" calendar template so here it is.

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7853044&posted=1#post7853044

I'm jealous

I'm jealous! Jenna, my 9 year old is going to see Anne of Green Gables at the Grand Theater in London, Ontario this afternoon with school. I had wanted to take her to continue our Christmas tradition we started last year of going to the Theater. I can't even go as a chaperone because I have to go with my husband to the hospital in Newberry so he can undergo a medical test. Oh well, we'll have to skip this year. I told her to enjoy herself. I'm sure I'll hear all about when she gets home from school.

Completed Chipboard Coaster Books

This one is the Chipboard Address Book put together with the Bind it all. Add a beaded pen with the recipient's name on it and you have a cute little gift.

The Chipboard Calendar Book has a pocket on each page where I can put my receipts.

US address book pages for 4" chipboard

I have uploaded the US version of the address book files to be printed on both sides of letter (4)and legal (6) size paper tohttp://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7806797&postcount=5


I have also added the Can. version of letter size to
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7726662#post7726662


Still haven't posted a sample but will soon.

Strathroy Santa Claus Parade

The 1st Strathroy Scouts celebrated Scouting's 100th Anniversary in style with their interpretation of the movie Ratatouillee. The float covered a transport flatbed trailer and went from dining room to kitchen and then Ratatouille in a large chef's hat. (Aaron is carrying the yellow Cub flag.) Awesome job guys!

4 X 4" chipboard calendar template

I took the 2008 chipboard calendar template from http://www.mayaroad.com/new/newsite/...um_insert.html and then transfered it to a word document so that it will print 4 months to an 8 1/2" X11" sheet of paper. I printed them on cardstock. Some of the outside lines are outside of the print margin but there is enough room to cut the calendar sheets 4 X4". The new corner rounder is perfect to round the bottom edges so that it fits nicely between 2- 4"chipboard coasters.

I have also saved it as a pdf file. *please note that to get the correct size in the print window change from fit to margins to none in the print window

I still can 't figure out how to upload the file here so have posted it at Splitcoaststampers at

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7796718#post7796718

My Wishblade is humming away

I'm playing with my Wishblade and its obediently cutting the files I am sending to it. Sure going through a stack of paper. Now I'll have to go and do something with all these great cutouts! Will post my creations.

Got to like the strength of the Canadian dollar

I picked up a copy of Creating Keepsakes this morning at Walmart and they charged me the American cover price. Much more reasonable to spend $5 something instead of $8.99. Puts me in the mood to scrapbook on this snowy day.

Wish I was packing my bags tonight.

I wish it was me who was packing their bag tonight. Alas the only trip I will be taking in the near future is going with my sister tomorrow to take Mom and Dad to Detroit so they can start their vacation. They will be going on a 10 day Panama Canal cruise aboard the ms Volendam with the Holland America Line. My Dad was pleased the name of the ship was ms Volendam. He sailed many years ago on a different ms Volendam to a different port of call. He served for the Dutch army in Indonesia.

If only I could go with them. Oh well I'll just have to dream and hope that in the not too distant future I too could be going on a cruise. In the meantime, I wish both Mom and Dad a wonderful vacation. I did give mom an extra 1 gig memory card for her camera so perhaps I can live vicariously upon their return.

Merry Xmas Card

Arthur really liked the let it snow card and asked me to make a card for the guys at work to give their team leader. He wanted me to use my Wishblade because John's wife has a Silhoette and he knew she would appreciate it. I found the file at the same place I found the let it snow card. http://www.ukscrappers.co.uk/

The dark green is just so you can see the card. It is actually a semi circle with the Merry Xmas in mirror image on the red part so when it is folded in half the letters line up over each other. It will fit nicely in a 6" square envelope.

The patterned paper by Basic Grey inspired the spirelli using the pink Marvy lever scallop punch and silver cording. The greeting is by stamping up in silver with clear embossing powder as I am out of silver.

Let it Snow Card

I found this gorgeous file to use with my Wishblade over at http://www.ukscrappers.co.uk/ done by Erika http://www.thephillipsons.net/. Her work is just incredible with all the detail. I hope that someday I will be able to create things even half as detailed.

I cut it this evening and want to add a little glitter to it to finish it off but wanted to share it with you because it certainly is a little different.

The card is actually a 1/2 circle with the words let it snow on the front and the inside back of the white card. (I put the blue behind just because it didn't show up on my scanner without it

My daughter has been stamping

Jenna went to a stamping class at Heather S. http://stampwithheather.typepad.com/

this morning and I must say Jenna is much more creative than I am with her colouring. That's why I've signed up for Heather's colouring class.

Jenna enjoyed using the liquid applique on the snowman gift box. She added glitter snowflakes to her ornament and achieved a cool look on craft coloured tags by outlining the stamped images in white gel pen.

Jenna has a special drawer in our craft room for her own stamp sets. She does let Mommy go use her stamps though so its a win win situation.

When we got home we made 18 beaded pens as part of family Christmas gifts. Its nice now that she is old enough to help me with our projects.

Origami Photo Wallet

Eliz's daughter-in-law, Stacey http://confessionsofastampoholic.blogspot.com/ gave her an adorable birth announcement for Brady. It was complete with lots of pockets which Stacey filled with gorgeous wallet size photos of their adorable son. I must admit I have been doing scrapbooking and stamping a long time and this was something I have never seen before. I did a google search and found it under Origami Wallet but it used different sized paper. Then I did a search through the blogs I follow and have not found it there so here goes: ( To make printing instructions easier, this file is posted as a word document at Splitcoaststampers http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7743674#post7743674

Origami Photo Wallet

Materials required

1 double sided piece of 12 X 12" paper, (I used one sided so it was easier to see)

Assorted wallet size photos,

stamps, brads, eyelets, ribbon to embellish the wallet

Score the paper at 1/2", 3", 6" 9" and 11 1/2"

Turn 90 degrees and score at 4" and 8 1/2"

Turn back to starting position.

Fold in at the 1/2" and the 11 1/2" lines

Fold each corner in so that it meets the next score line

Fold in at 3 and at 9" score lines so the edges meet in the middle.

Flip over and fold at 4" and 8 1/4" score lines

Slip the piece that has been scored at 4" in behind the corner flaps of the 4 1/4" piece
This is the inside of your wallet. Note all the pockets to put photos. Decorate as desired.