Just some simple cards I made last week at work
A Joy Fold Card, using Cuddlebug embossing on butterfly card and big petals using an oval punch

Chicken Soup for the Scrapbooker's Soul

I bought an autographed copy of this book at the Mega Meet. I must admit that its been so long since I have picked up anything other than a novel that the children were reading for school or a scrapbook magazine.

Once I started reading I had a hard time putting it down. I could relate to all the stories and it reaffirmed why I love this hobby so much. Not only do I chronical the lives of those most important to me, but I have met so many wonderful people who have similar interests.

Projects from Great Lakes Mega Meet Scrapbook Convention in Novi.

Eliz and I took 3 classes and did several make and takes at the

These are some of the projects we completed:

Quick Quotes All Boy- 1 of 4 layouts and a fridge magnet

Card Carry Out-6 cards, 4 tags & a gable box

2 Cute- a make and take from a laser cut company

SEI: make and take using Velvet Iron ons.

Another Stamp and Scrap Day

Eliz hosted this Stamp and Scrap Day and I must say she is really raising the bar. Our hostess usually plans 2 cards and a scrapbook page. Well Eliz kept us busy with 3 cards, a folded accordian book and matching box. (Which I had difficulty with. They threatened to call my boss and suggest it as a great idea for a class) and supplied a sketch and papers for a 2 page masculine layout. She also provided us with a multitude of pages on how to use Pearl ex and other resources. Thanks so much Eliz it was a great day.
Ps: we really enjoyed the lunch too! Especially the chocolate chip cookies I prompted her to make with my last post.
Acetate Beach Card- not sure of source
Magic Snowflake Card-http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/magicsnowflake.php
Trifold sympathy Card-http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/93596?cat=4124&si=new%20little%20someone&perpage=12

Accordian Book in a Box- by Karen Elaine Thomas at www.crafttvweekly.com

Ps: we really enjoyed the lunch too! Especially the chocolate chip cookies I prompted her to make with my last post

National Chocolate Chip Day

National Chocolate Chip Day
When: Always on May 15th
Chocolate chips are a great invention, and certainly deserve a little recognition. After all, where would chocolate chip cookies, cakes and muffins be without the chocolate chip!?
Chocolate chips are popular in cooking and baking, for a wide variety of breads, cakes, and cookies. There is an almost endless number of recipes. They are also used in decorating. Have you ever had chocolate chip pancakes? How about chocolate chips in trail mix? If you've never had these, then you're leading a sheltered life.
Rare is the leftover chocolate chip. If you don't use the whole bag, you and/or your kids will likely eat them as a snack before they make it to the storage container.

I was transported back in time.

We attended a family funeral in Windsor and after it was all over, thought it would be nice to show the children where we had lived. As we drove by the house on Moy Ave. (1/2 a block from the river) it was as though I was transported over 10 years back in time to when Aaron was born. The house looked exactly the same as we had left it with the exception of a little bit of landscaping. As we drove along Riverside Drive towards Techumseh I was telling Aaron that when he was a baby I would drive with him crying in the back seat at night hoping he would fall asleep on the way. I would then go to the Timmy's drive through for a coffee and we both would return home calmed down. At the exact spot where he usually fell asleep, Arthur looked back to find Aaron asleep once again.

Had a wonderful time at the Great Lakes Mega Meet in Novi.

Eliz and I had a wonderful time at the Great Lakes Mega Meet. We shopped till we dropped and found a few really cool new things. Enjoyed the classes and got some new ideas. It was a perfect few days and I would highly recommend going next year.

Stamp Review Program

I, with a number of others have been asked by the people at http://www.rubberstampingfun.com/ to be part of their Stamp Review Program. In exchange for stamps and supplies they ask that we "write honest reviews, post stamping and scrapbooking projects using their stamps on our blogs/websites to get the word out. That sounds like fun. So stay tuned. In the meantime check out the stamps. They offer "free shipping" and the prices seem competitive.

I'm off to Paris in the springtime

That's right. I'm off to Paris in the springtime for work. What could be better?
Off to Paris Ontario that is. I'm taking Jenna out of school early today, making a quick stop at Scrapaholics to pick up a few things to take to our booth at the Canadian Scrapbook Expo Scrapfest being held today and tomorrow. If you go look for the green and hot pink booth and say hi to Barb, Debbie and Bri.

I couldn't resist

My friend Heather had a link to Judy Morrow's blog http://confessionsofaribbonaddict.blogspot.com/and I took joined her April/May ribbon exchange. I only ordered the gingham and the sheer polkadot ribbon with 10 colours of each. They arrived last night and I couldn't resist getting them out to look at. I separated the colours. Our kitten thought it was fun to play with them too.

ps: I did spend an evening winding the ribbons up and put them in my floss box. Now they are portable and I can see at a glance what I have

More projects from this week's stamp/scrap day

Its taken me a couple of days but here are the rest of the projects from Lizz's stamp/scrap day this week.

Baby card using lattice punch, Can't believe how much the gold peel off sticker line accented the card. Paper clip flower using a circle and slit punch

and Apple using the rounded tab punch.

Thanks Lizz, They were fun to do.

Last month's stamp and scrapbook day projects

Here are the projects we did at the stamp/scrapbook day at my house a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to finish the scrapbook page before I posted them. Sorry about the glare off the photo.

I apologize to the creator of the gamsol technique card, I saw it on your blog, fell in love with it but forgot to write down who you are.

I had to have my husband sharpen my Prismacolour pencil crayons while we were working to get the colours everyone needed. We used the Mona Lisa Odourless Mineral spirits I bought at Michaels and the paper stylus to blend the colour. I went over and blended a 2nd colour on the flower. Nice effect.

It wasn't until I finished the windmill card that I realized I have one less petal than the tutorial called for. I had a barcode on the back of the last petal I cut out and forgot to cut a new one when I was putting it together. Here is a link to the tutorial. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=241183

Another Stamp and Scrapbook Day

Our Thursday stamp and scrapbook group met today instead of tomorrow and we had an awesome time. It was Lizz's turn to host and she came up with some neat projects.

Here is my scrapbook page. We used iris folding on both frames. I added some hidden journaling using the same techniqe as for double slider cards. Stamps are Stampin up Doodle It and Title box was done with computer printed words inked and layered.

Really liked the apple using the round tab punch and the baby card using the lattice punch. Posted these in a new post May 4

My review of Martha Stewart line at Michaels

I had to go and see what all the talk was about. Michaels now has the Martha Stewart line of Scrapbook products. I didn't see anything I just had to go out and buy. I thought everything higher priced than other manufacturers and you can't use 40% off coupons on her line.
Nice punches. $5.00 more expensive
Stamps: very small selection. have seen nicer elsewhere.
ribbons, glitter: nice
paper collections: nice for vintage photos
stickers: left me feeling flat
18X18" album where do you get paper that size aside from the limited number in her collection
storage: canvas boxes nice but overpriced
lots of party favours and decorations.
Overall, I was much more impressed by the new products in other lines such as Making Memories and a new assortment of albums.
My only purchase today was some of the $1.50 acrylic stamps I finally found in a spin tub near the checkouts.

Stamping Birthday gift idea

My niece who just turned 13, often makes comments about the handmade cards I gave her over the years for her birthday. She is on a cheerleading team and when I saw the Its a Cheer stamp set from Stampin Up, I knew what to get her for her birthday. I put together a package with the stamps, navy, orange (team colours) and white cardstock, navy and orange ink pads, blank cards, envelopes and ribbon. I made a card using the stamps and told her to invite 3 or 4 friends and I would show them how to make cards and a scrapbook page using her stamp set. I decorated the box with a cheerleader die cut I cut with my Wishblade and tied the card to it with ribbon. I couldn't be there when my husband and children gave her the gift but I hear she loved it.

Scrap Weekend in Collingwood

Wow what a wonderful boss/friend we have. She took her staff on a Scrap weekend to a friends' chalet in Collingwood. It was more like a ski lodge for the 7 of us. Lots of room to scrap but also lots of room to relax.




My preliminary planning and supply gathering paid off. I worked on 19 double page layouts. Some I had already started and then finished and an equal number I started and just have a few minor things to finish on them. Here is my favourite of the weekend.


The weekend could not have been any more perfect. We shared good food, good drinks, good company and did what we all love.
Cropped til we dropped. Bonnie is not in this photo as she left the chalet to measure up her new cottage. Would have loved to have been able to stay longer but plans are in the works to go to Bonnie's cottage in Tobermory in September.

Where does the time go?

It feels like I just got home from Niagara and now am off to a scrapbook weekend with the girls from work in Collingwood. Have lots of page kits ready. It could be a very productive weekend if I get this nasty cold under control. Will post some creations next week.

Weekend In Niagara Falls

We had so much fun in Niagara Falls. Visited a wax museum, Lego Brickland, Harley Davidson store, the Hershey store and of course enjoyed the weather and the scenery at the Falls itself.

Sakura Glaze and Souffle Pen Class

Had a great time at Elaine's (from Heinz Jordan) Sakura Glaze and Souffle pen class. We used a sheet of Peel off stickers, Identipens, Glaze pens, Souffle pens, Quickie Glue pen and glitter on dark cardstock, watercolour paper and transparencies. She had us write cheat notes on each card so we would remember what we did. Awesome class. Can't wait to play.

Remember the shape and letter templates?

While reorganizing our craft room yet once again, I came across a box full +++++ of shape and letter templatesIf the truth be known there are more than one of these treasures that have never been used. So here is my challenge to myself and to anyone else who wants to participate. Create something using a template or texture plate that has not seen the light of day for a while. You'll feel better that you used something you had instead of going out an buying new. In the comments section let me know what you used.

Needed a new look for Spring

I'm tired of the cold and snow and want Spring to be a reality, so I decided I needed a new look for my Blog to celebrate Spring. Even if the weather looks a bit grey my page will be green.

I must have an addictive personality.

Ok I admit I'm a chocoholic, a scrapaholic, a stampaholic and now a blogaholic. On a daily basis I've been increasing the amount of time I check up on stamping/scrapbooking blogs. I don't want to miss any posts and keep finding more blogs I want to check out. Its really crimping my creating time so I have to do something about it. I read somewhere that google had just the thing I needed. Google reader will keep track of most the blogs I want to read on a regular basis to and will show me which ones have been updated since I read them last. So I added my favourites. A few I frequent could not be added to Google so I subscribed to their feed directly.
Edited to say. Wow. This does save time. I only visit the blogs now that have new posts. Works like a charm.

Went out for binder rings and came back with baby Crocs

I went to Just a Buck for some binder rings I needed for my Lil Davis "All Mine" by Michelle Hill kit that I received at the Open Page Retailer Education Event. I almost bought some of the large wooden clothespins but couldn't resist pink baby Crocs for Jenna's Buildabear. They are just soooo cute! Wouldn't you know it! My camera batteries are low so I can't post a photo of the shoes right now.
Anyway on to my original reason for the trip out. Here is my version of the chipboard tag book. The photos were silly ones we took while at Disney. I printed the out in black and white on cardstock because I didn't have any photo paper in the house last night. I sprayed the whole project with a coat of matte finish krylon spray before putting the painted chipboard tags together with the binder ring.

Jenna's cards to her Daddy and Mom

Jenna has been busy making Easter cards. Here are her creations. I only helped her with the braiding of the ribbon. She was so proud to give me mine and leave Daddy's on the table for when he got up to go to work. Nice job sweetie. They are beautiful!

Easter Wishes

Happy Easter

Hope you all have an Easter that will make you smile.

I thought it was Spring!

"I thought it was Spring? What's this white cold stuff coming out of the sky?"

Our kitty is not the only one wondering. She's even decided she's not going outside while this snow is falling. I don't blame her.

Eliz's class

Here are the projects from Eliz's class the other day. A Tulip Easter Basket, Faux Leather background on Easter card and a scrapbook layout challenge. We were all given the same 4 patterned papers and 2 cardstock and told to create a layout. Here's my MGM Studios page. I used my new Stampin up round tab punch and spiral punch. I also used the faux eyelet technique I saw on Splitcoaststampers using the leftover piece from the faux leather. I'll post Eliz and Lizz's versions of the challenge layout if they'll let me.

Thanks Eliz, It was a very fun productive session.

Now I really have to come up with something creative for my turn in 2 weeks.

A little disappointed

I used my new Stampin Up Spiral punch yesterday and had so much fun with it I tried to use it for spiral notebooks I bought but the holes don't line up. Next time I'll have to take a sample piece with me to make sure I buy the right notebooks. Oh well can still decorate the front and did use the round tab punch for the tabs of the books.

You know when your kids are growing too fast!

You know your kids are growing too fast when:
you think you can buy a bike with 24" wheels for them because they have outgrown their 20" wheels.
But actually they needed a 26" wheels to be able to get more than 1 season out of them.
We ended up spending twice as much on them as we had planned but now we won't have to buy bikes for a while.

Its a stamping day!

Today was a stamping day. When I got up this morning and looked out to see all the snow I sang "Should I stay or should I go now?". The weather didn't look good although Jenna didn't see warnings for Arkona on the weather channel. By the time I was ready to go, the sun was shining. It was a good omen when I turned onto Hwy 22 and was following a snow plow. The roads were more wet than snowy.
We had lots of fun at Eliz's today. She had tulip Easter baskets for us to make, faux leather technique and a scrapbook challenge for us. I even used the new punches I just got.
I had to call her though when I turned back onto Hwy 22 and was again following a snowplow.
Someone was looking out for my safety.

Do you know Sleeping Beauty's name?

Do you know "Sleeping Beauty's" name. While at Disney we discovered her name was Aurora.

Cosmo Cricket Rocks

The new Cosmo Cricket Halfway Cafe line was perfect for this Minnie & Me. (Not my idea. Scraplifted from their website)

Love Heidi Swapp

I really enjoyed the Heidi Swapp How to Class I took last week. Those floral masks(bottom right corner) are so much fun. I thought the journalling spots were chipboard but they are actually layers like a post it note pad of journalling spaces. We used paint daubers, chalk ink and stazon. Also got a couple of really nice stamps to use in the store. But my favourite product was the strips of self adhesive bling rhinestones. It was nice to be able to play with these products.