Treasure the Moment

This layout is a scraplift of a Ninabrook layout. I spent some time with a great friend at the Great Lakes Mega Meet in May. We had so much fun we are saving for next year.

Finally some pictures from the latest and greatest Basic Grey Class in Buffalo

These are still not quite finished but they are far enough along to give you the idea.

Love: My husband is not usually romantic but once in a while he will come home with a bouquet of roses when I am least expecting them. Thanks so much Arthur (sorry for the glare on the main photo)

If you haven't seen the new Bazzill Bling cardstock you are really missing out. Wonderful sheen on it. Too pretty to cover up. It was used as the main photo mat here.

Another Stamp and Scrap Day

This time it was Eliz's turn to host. She's been ready for a month with her projects. Love the Sunflower stamp. We made 2 cards, a fridge magnet and a scrapbook page. Notice how I used the fridge magnet idea as an accent to the page. Now all I have to do is add photos, a title and some journalling.
Thanks Eliz, you never disappoint us. Great lunch too!

Whole family working with paper.

I had my whole family working with paper this evening. No we weren't all making cards or scrapbooking. We were stripping wallpaper {I never liked} off the bathroom walls. Had to stop though because the boys went to cubs and it was so hot in the bathroom with 4 of us in there and the air conditioner not working the wallpaper wasn't coming off very well anymore.
Tomorrow we'll take off the mirror and finish taking off the paper behind it. Probably won't be able to get it done by the weekend but I'm sure I'll like it when we are finished. All because I wanted a more energy efficient light fixture.

I'm being spoiled this week

Wow this is turning into a nice week after all. Enjoyed last evening at Lizz's. Great stamping/scrapbook projects Lizz and Mary. Barb, thanks for sharing your ideas too. Eliz the coffee was perfect.
My rose bush is flowering. (sentimental significance*My rosebush in Windsor was in full flower when we brought Aaron home from the hospital at 5 days old)
My new bathroom light fixture has been installed. Still need to rip off that ugly wallpaper and repaint but that's ok.
My hubby is taking me out for lunch and a movie this afternoon for a belated anniversary celebration. Tomorrow is a stamp/scrap day at Eliz's and Friday I'm taking Carolyn out for her birthday lunch.
I get to spend time with all my favourite people this week. Who could wish for anything more.

I should buy a lottery ticket

I think its time to take my chances again with a lottery ticket. Friday Jenna and I won some Pearl ex as a door prize at Heather's Stamp Camp and last night I won a stamp set as a door prize at Lizz & Mary's Open House. If 3's a charm I'll have to try my luck.

Scalloped circle punches

I've had my eye on those scalloped punches people are using on cards and was able to get both the giga and mega scalloped circle ones today at http://www.scrappingreatdeals.com/ just outside of Kilworth. Sheila still had a good selection of them in stock. I know they've been extremely difficult to get. Her prices are awesome too. Thanks Heather for letting us know she had them in.
When we got home I showed Eliz how to do a spirelli circle {do you remember string art using nails in a board and string}and while blogsurfing this afternoon saw someone else had the same idea. Check it out! Too cool http://parisestates.blogspot.com/2007/02/giga-scallop-circle-punch-alternatives.html

Here is a video tutorial of the technique http://craftingdirectcom.drct2u.com/page?pageId=597

Now that's my kind of camp!

Jenna and I went to Heather's Stamp Camp last night and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Now that's my kind of camp! No bugs or smelling like Smokey the Bear. A camp where I was able to stamp with my daughter and other lovely ladies. Made 6 projects and Heather I must say Jenna's favourite was the Udderly Exhausted project. She really enjoyed what was inside the bandaid tin. My favourite was the coaster post it note holder. Thanks for changing up the papers a bit too so we didn't have exactly the same projects. Nice touch!
Jenna was talking about your kid's camp idea too and said she would like to join you.

Becky Fleck posted new page & card maps

Check out Becky Fleck's new page & card maps and samples
http://pagemaps.com/june07maps.htm

http://pagemaps.com/june07cardmaps.htm

I need my Perfect Glue

I didn't realize how much I liked my Perfect Glue until I ran out and we didn't have any in the store. While I was at the Creating Keepsake Convention I tried several other adhesives I had in my bag. They seemed to work ok while I was there but now since the projects have been in and out of my bag and handled by others the adhesives are not holding as they should. We all have our favourite adhesives and this experience just proved what I say. Perfect Glue will glue anything.

You Are: 60% Dog, 40% Cat

You are a nice blend of cat and dog. You're playful but not too needy. And you're friendly but careful. And while you have your moody moments, you're too happy to stay upset for long.

Are You More Cat or Dog?

Baby its cold outside

We've had a real change in the weather and even Kally is finding a comfy spot to curl up in.

CKC Classes

This was not a class but a real bargain. Lisa Bernstein's All About Me book kit was being sold at the Creating Keepsakes booth for $10. I put it together at Friday night's crop



My first class was by Card Creations: We received a box to keep our swap cards in and made 5 cards using Crate Paper, Daisy D and Cosmos Cricket papers and embellishments.
I will post photos of the swap cards in a separate post.



Finish Line scrapbooking by Stacy Julian of Simple Scrapbooks fame
Take 40 photos, 50 black embellishments, coordinating paper from Scenic Route and 2 hours to create a 6X6" scrapbook. Can't be done you say?
Here is mine. Just needed a few more minutes to put in the page protectors and put together with some left over paper and ribbon.








I Can See Clearly Now : Using transparencies and clear buttons to create lovely cards. Greetings were stamped with a specially designed stamp set from Technique Tuesday. I still have 1 card to finish up in this set.

Two separate classes from Little Black Dress Designs. The first one is literally a little black dress mini book complete with unbuttons and gems to decorate the dresses with. The second one for the guys in my life. Using rubber bumper letters covered with some heating/air conditioning metal tape. Fastened with plastic ties and washers. Where is my perfect glue when I need it. Glue dots just don't cut it.

10 X 20" Wall canvas from Quick Quotes. We had the choice to do one on children or grand children. Used their new chalk inks and papers with vellum quotes to make this wonderful wall hanging.

Lots of cool projects to finish up with photos.

Tips and tricks of the trade from CKC

I took a Latest and Greatest Basic Grey class and although the papers and techniques we used were not new to me, Shelby had some great tips.
1)When spacing your elements on your page, lay them upside down so that you can apply adhesive, turn them over and put them down where you want them.
2)When distressing do it in the air. Hold the paper in the middle, chalk or ink around 3 sides and put it down. Do the next piece. When finished then pick up the first one and ink or chalk the final edge. Less likely to get it all over your fingers.
3)When sanding. Put piece on the edge of your work surface and sand there with a coarse sanding block or nail file. To get in the middle of your chipboard letters roll up a piece of sandpaper like a toothpick or use a file specifically designed for the purpose. I bought the Basic Grey Precision file set for that purpose.
4)From the Little Black Dress class Tina taught us that hand sanitizer removes Stazon ink from your fingers. Just clean your hands with a wipe after to get the alchohol off.
5)Stacy Julian, from Simple Scrapbooks fame and author of the Big Picture says we have more photos than we can scrapbook in a lifetime so we have to be selective with those we do scrap.
Instead of getting overwhelmed about how far behind we are getting stop thinking about scrapping chronologically and work on the things that matter most. For instance we could do a book about the people we love or the places we have been.

I know, you are dying to see the photos but my camera batteries are not holding a charge. I will try to get that remedied tomorrow and post photos.

Found an Incredible Stamp/Scrapbook Store In Buffalo

We found a incredible Stamp Store with an awesome selection of stamps and scrapbook supplies. We called from our hotel room to find out the hours and were fortunate to find that they were open til 9:30 that night because of a class. Sharon the owner gave us directions and we arrived around 9pm. Man the store was busy. There were at least 15 people finishing up a terrific project and shopping. The sales people were so helpful and did not seem phased at all by the fact that it was late in the evening and they had to be at the convention first thing in the morning. She even took the time to suggest restaurant choices in the area and came outside to show us a better way to get back to the highway. If ever in the Buffalo area this store is definitely a must to see.
Here is the website http://www.buffalostamps.com/

Cool finds at Creating Keepsakes Convention Vendors Faire

I was careful to buy only what what new or different and

found a few cool things at the Vendor's Faire

Infinite Wisdom stamps from Technique Tuesday.

Crate Paper Samantha Collection

and a Precision file set from Basic Grey

It's been a scrapping kind of day

I spent today scrapbooking at the Cat's Caboose in St. Thomas with my friend Carolyn. It was fun. (kind of nice being anonymous to customers) Carolyn treated me to lunch. She got a lot done on a baby book she is working on and I finished off a layout I had started on Saturday and started 2 more. I also have the design for my card for the CKC Swap in mind. So it was a very successful day. Thanks Dawn, you have a lovely store.
Scrapping in Collingwood: Sorry the photo has a glare on it. Title is welded and matted using my Wishblade. Still have to do some journalling here.
She: still have to do some doodling and journaling on this one too.

Assembly line stamping

Sometimes I don't know whether I'm coming or going. I just realized that I had signed up for a card swap at the Creating Keepsakes convention the first weekend in June and need 20 cards. Panic sets in. As if I don't have enough to do. Thank goodness the cards all should be the same. I still have to come up with a design though and then will be spending some time doing assembly line stamping.

Feels like summer

The sunshine was beckoning me yesterday so instead of staying home on a holiday Monday we packed a picnic lunch and headed off to Port Stanley (our closest beach). I knew the water would be cold so I didn't pack swim wear or towels for Aaron and Jenna. I didn't think they would go in. They weren't planning on it either but I could see them going further and further until Aaron fell into the water backwards. I didn't have my camera. Jenna never got quite as wet as her brother but it wouldn't have taken her much more to go in with him. Sure glad we had our picnic though because the lineup at Mackey's was out the door.

Happy Long Weekend

Its almost here! The first long weekend of the season. Hope you all get a chance to do something you like to do with those you like to be with. I'm going to spend at least some of it scrapbooking & stamping with friends. Have a great holiday weekend whatever you do.

I found this jewellry at http://www.pennymichelle.com/scrapbook.html

Scrapbooking is my thing pin left

Stamping Queen Bead Lady pendant right

Penny has a variety of scrapbooking & stamping charms to choose from. Also many other themes too. Worth checking out. P.s. Penny will ship to Canada.

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.