Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Yesterday was a good day.
Posted by Gerrie at 1:25 p.m. 0 comments
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Fun Stamping Day yesterday
Posted by Gerrie at 11:11 a.m. 2 comments
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Candlelit evening
Posted by Gerrie at 9:08 a.m. 1 comments
Friday, October 26, 2007
Stamp/Scrap Day
After the kids go off to school I'm going to join my friend Carolyn in St. Thomas at the Cat's Kaboose for a day of scrapping and chatting.
Tomorrow is Heather's long awaited stamping fund raiser at Kings' College. Eliz, Lizz, Jenna and I will meet up with Rachel, Carolyn, Shannon, and the girls. I'm sure we'll have a great time.
Posted by Gerrie at 8:35 a.m. 1 comments
Thursday, October 25, 2007
First bottomless box of cards going out today
The tag simply reads:
"Bottomless Box of Cards. Return when empty for a new supply".
I'm giving them out at birthdays rather than for Christmas because I don't want to have to replenish everyone's at once.
This box was a Dollarama find and it and the top card has been stamped with Stampin Up's Baroque Motifs which is must say is one of my current favourite sets. I have downloaded photos of many cards using this set and want to recreate them for future bottomless card boxes.
Posted by Gerrie at 3:30 p.m. 1 comments
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Dollarama finds
I needed a break this afternoon to took a trip to Dollarama. Eliz and I were in Monday and they didn't have anything new. Now I know to go on Wednesday. They just got the packages of 5 ribbon spools in. I was good this time. I picked up some purple for me and some primary colours for a friend.
I took my time and wandered through the store. At the end of the housewares aisle, I found these brads. 40 in a package for $1.00. The stars read Holiday Cheer, the rectangular one reads Christmas and the rounded square one reads Holiday Wishes.
On the same rack they had the prettiest bells with poinsettias on them so they found their way into my cart too. (Traditionally I tie a bell to each Christmas gift we give because I still hear the bells and believe in Santa (Polar Express)).
Next thing I'll be on the lookout for is Acrylic Hampton Art Christmas stamps at Michaels by Studio G. Hope we get some of these. http://www.belscrafts.co.uk/Stamps.htm. I hear some Michaels stores in the US already have them. Hopefully they will be in a separate bin near the checkouts. I also read during my blog surfing that there are new wooden $1.50 stamps too.
As Jenna is fond of saying lately "Oh My!!!!!!!"
Posted by Gerrie at 2:38 p.m. 0 comments
My Wishblade is humming
Posted by Gerrie at 12:40 p.m. 2 comments
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Love my Cuttlebug Embossing Folders
Posted by Gerrie at 7:00 p.m. 1 comments
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Scrapbook shopping in the Windsor area.
I know some of you are dying to know how Jenna and I made out on Saturday on our scrapbook roadtrip to Windsor and area. I guess as a victim to an automotive economy scrapbook stores that had been there for a while no longer are. We were fortunate though to stop at Scrap Therapy on Dougall. http://www.scraptherapy.ca/about.html What a nice store. Friendly staff and lots of cool things. We happened to hit a 25% off sale on chipboard and stickers and between you and me we got some cool finds.
Also bought some Christmas paper and coordinating cardstock. My daughter told me to stop buying. We only spent $44.
Then we went to UWannaScrap in Essex. http://www.uwannascrap.ca
She had some nice things but didn't have time to come away from her computer to greet us. Even after I tried to start conversation she wasn't very talkative. Jenna picked out some chipboard and I bought some acrylic stamps I saw elsewhere for $55 for $39.00.
I think we behaved ourselves. I usually spend around $25 but this time I was buying for 2 right?
Posted by Gerrie at 9:23 p.m. 3 comments
Dad's birthday
It was my dad's birthday party today and it was nice to see everyone. The weather was unseasonably warm and we even sat outside for the beginning of the party.
I gave him the card I made last week at the Rubberroom and didn't really expect the
"nice card" comment he made when he opened it. Dad usually doesn't pay too much attention for cards. He more a get to the gift kind of guy. But what made me feel great was that Jenna and Aaron both said at the same time, "Mom made the card Opa." Guess my handmade cards are appreciated after all.
Posted by Gerrie at 9:19 p.m. 0 comments
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Its a PA Day! Know what that means?
After that we drop Aaron off at Scout Camp and we're off to Woodsley for a barn dance. Jenna and I and maybe we can get Cassandra to join us, get to spend the day scouting out the scrapbook/stamp stores between Windsor and Woodslee while Arthur helps put on new shingles at his sister's house. A win win situation for us all.
Will let you know how we make out.
Posted by Gerrie at 11:33 p.m. 2 comments
Spiders in my craft room
Once upon a time in Germany long ago, a gentle mother was busily cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year - the day on which the Christ child was to come and bring the gifts on Christmas Eve. Not a speck of dust was left. Even the spiders had been banished from their cozy corner in the ceiling. To avoid the housewife's busy cleaning, they finally fled to the farthest corner of the forgotten attic.
Twas Christmas Eve at last; the tree was decorated, and the children delighted. But the poor spiders were frantic, for they could not see the tree, nor be present for the Christ Child's visit. But the oldest and wisest spider suggested that perhaps they could peep through the crack in the door and see Him. Silently they crept out of their attic, and across the floor to wait in the crack on the threshold.
Suddenly, the door opened a wee bit, and quickly the spiders sneaked into the room. The tree towered so high they couldn't see the ornaments on top. In fact, their eyes were so small they could see only one ornament at a time. They scurried up the trunk, out along each branch, filled with a happy wonder at the glittering beauty. Every place they went they left a trail of dusty, grey web. When at last they had inspected every bit of the Christmas tree, it was shrouded in a dusty grey of spider webs.
The Christ Child smiled as he thought of the happy spiders seeing His tree. But as he thought of how brokenhearted the mother would be over the dusty tree, He reached out His hand and touched the webs and blessed them. They all turned to shimmering, sparkling silver and gold. The tree glistened in greater beauty than ever before.
And so it became a custom to have a spider among other decorations on the Christmas tree.
Posted by Gerrie at 2:58 p.m. 1 comments
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Fall Splendor
My friend Eliz and I went to the Rubberoom in London yesterday for Bargain Tuesday (and yes they did let us out again). The project was the card on the right using leaf images cut out and then crimped. You know I had to have a crimper but rarely use it. It does make a nice effect and a perfect card for my Dad's birthday next week. Found a similar card(on the left) in my stash that I made at Stamp Art a couple of years ago using a stamp from the Stamp Barn. That one has dominoes decorated with Alchohol inks on it.
Will just have to get those leaf stamps out again.
ps: Hey Lizz, Jenna says that Eliz and I owe you 3 road trips. She's looking out for you while you are away! See you soon.
Posted by Gerrie at 9:49 a.m. 0 comments
Monday, October 15, 2007
Halloween brads and eyelets.
I have a soft spot for shaped brads and eyelets. Not that I use many of them. It just seems I need to have them for my collection. I just received my order of new Hallowe'en brads from Bargain Pack.www.bargainpack.com
The oval spider, Frankenstein, gold jack-o-lantern and the 3 pumpkin stack are new ones this year and the others I already had in my stash,
Posted by Gerrie at 1:47 p.m. 1 comments
Iris Folding Patterns
http://www.irisfolding.circleofcrafters.com/index.html
Posted by Gerrie at 11:36 a.m. 2 comments
Sunday, October 14, 2007
It was a crafting kind of day
Jenna went to a Hallowe'en class at Heather's and got her own stamp set. http://stampwithheather.typepad.com/stamp_with_heather/2007/09/kids-halloween-.html
No sooner did we get home from lunch and errands than she got her set out and stamped more images for her classmate's Hallowe'en treats. I showed her how to use her markers, some water and a paintbrush to watercolour and in no time we had 24 pencil covers done.
We had the kitchen table covered in craft mats, paper, punches, stamps, inks, and such. What a nice way to spend some time together.
Thanks Heather for the inspiration.
Posted by Gerrie at 11:06 a.m. 2 comments
Friday, October 12, 2007
I'm a little off my game
http://www.pagemaps.com/oct07maps.html
Posted by Gerrie at 6:50 p.m. 0 comments
Watercolour

Posted by Gerrie at 10:12 a.m. 1 comments
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Cropodile Tears
No wonder I was having trouble setting eyelets with my Cropodile. I usually use it as a hole punch. I found out tonight while at a class at Heather's that I am missing the bigger of the 2 pins on the eyelet setter. Guess I'll be making a trip to Michael's to return it.
Postscript. This morning my daughter looked at the Cropodile and saw the pin was there but just stuck. I got it to pop out using a pen tip so maybe I won't have to return it afterall. I'll keep an eye on it though.
Posted by Gerrie at 10:07 p.m. 1 comments
Monday, October 8, 2007
Sunday, October 7, 2007
National Card Making Day
I didn't get a chance to make cards yesterday for National Card Making Day and found these resources online this morning. I figure I should have some time this evening but thought I'd share the resources
http://www.papercraftsmag.com/paperparties/index.ihtml There are free digital card kit downloads and card sketches.
http://www.worldcardmakingday.com/create/ ideas from different manufacturers.
Hope you get a chance to create this weekend.
Posted by Gerrie at 10:37 a.m. 0 comments
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Happy Canadian Thanksgiving
The weather here is sunny and summerlike. What a beautiful weekend to do those outdoor fall activities. Just wanted to wish all my friends here in Canada a
Happy Thanksgiving.
Hope you are able to spend some time with those people who are important in your life.
Posted by Gerrie at 12:11 p.m. 2 comments
Another Name Game
I've was tagged by Allison to play the NAME GAME. The name of the game is to list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life, for each letter of your middle name. If you don't have a middle name, use the name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing you middle name and game facts. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged and to read your blog.
Don't have a middle name but after some discussion with my children we thought Lynn would work.
L ove to stamp and scrapbook. No surprise right?
Y not particularly fond of the colour yellow although my daughter looks wonderful in it.
Now is the time for me to find a job in my field of social work.
Never say no to the opportunity to travel.
I have tagged
Linda at http://ljscrappin.blogspot.com/
Yvonne at http://www.campbellcreations.net/
Nichole at http://www.nicholeheady.typepad.com/
Nancy at http://stampinat6213.blogspot.com/
Posted by Gerrie at 12:04 p.m. 1 comments
Friday, October 5, 2007
Poinsettia version of tag punch starburst by Donna
Here is my poinsettia version of the tag punch starburst that Donna developed here.
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/681251?cat=500&ppuser=126298
The link to her instructions is
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289738
I still like her card better.
Posted by Gerrie at 10:22 a.m. 6 comments
Spooky
Posted by Gerrie at 10:17 a.m. 2 comments
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Great Stamping/Scrapbooking Day
Eliz and I had a great Stamping/Scrapbooking day courtesy of our friend Lizz. Thanks Lizz, next time we'll take you with us (or better still you could take us with you. Remember I'm always game for a vacation). We started out at a stamping play morning at Stamp Art on Hamilton Road in London. Tried our hand at water colouring (still not my favourite technique. I like the look when done well. I just haven't mastered it). Also stamped out some Hallowe'en images to make a layered card. Will post when finished.
We then went for lunch at Swiss Chalet and stopped in at a couple of Scrapbook Stores.
Posted by Gerrie at 8:48 p.m. 2 comments
Aaron is now in Scouts
Posted by Gerrie at 8:42 p.m. 1 comments
Monday, October 1, 2007
Spice up your journalling.
Posted by Gerrie at 9:41 p.m. 2 comments
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Blessings Kit
Bugles: Shaped like a cornucopia or Horn of Plenty,
Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer, a freedom sought by those who founded our country.
Candy Corn: The sacrifices of the Pilgrims' first winter. Food was so scarce that settlers survived on just a few kernels of corn a day.
Nuts: Promise of a future harvest, one we will reap only if seeds are planted and tended with diligence.
Dried Fruits: Harvest gifts from our bountiful land.
M&M's: Memories of those who came before us to lead us into a blessed future.
Kiss: The love of family and friends that sweetens our lives.
Blessing Mix: 2 c Bugles brand corn snacks 2 c small twisted pretzels 1 c candy corn 1 c dried fruit or raisins 1 c peanuts or sunflower seeds 1 c
M & M's Chocolate kisses In a large bowl, gently mix all ingredients except kisses. Place 1/3 to 1/2 cup mix in cellophane treat bags. Add one kiss to each.
Posted by Gerrie at 1:25 p.m. 2 comments
Love this Christmas Card
I think I may have found what I am going to make as my Christmas cards this year. Donna Moore posted instuctions to her tag punch starburst. Ingenius! It's simple elegance is what intrigued me and the fact that it used the tag punches is a bonus. It would be pretty as a poinsettia wouldn't it? Watch for my variation in a few days.
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289738
Posted by Gerrie at 1:05 p.m. 2 comments
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Countdown to Halloween
Posted by Gerrie at 12:30 p.m. 3 comments
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Boo to You Wiper Card
Posted by Gerrie at 8:31 p.m. 1 comments
Hallowe'en Pencil toppers
Heather got me thinking with her Hallowe'en kids class project seen at http://stampwithheather.typepad.com/stamp_with_heather/2007/09/kids-halloween-.html
I found these cool pencils at Dollarama (12 for $1.00) and decided to do it with a twist. Just added a bit of halloween fibres to the top and the kids say cool. Jenna offered to help me with them because she wants one for everyone in her class and thinks Aaron's class should get one too.
Posted by Gerrie at 8:25 p.m. 2 comments
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Emptying assorted baskets
craft room again. This time I've been emptying assorted baskets and bags of embellishments and putting everything away individually. I had so many containers with assorted stuff it was hard to know what was in any of them. Buttons, brads, eyelets, stickers, fibres, bottle caps and other things are out of the packaging and in a small containers with like items. Doesn't seem like much progress right now in but soon I'll be so organized
.
Just think how much more
Posted by Gerrie at 12:44 p.m. 3 comments
Monday, September 24, 2007
Another type of Tag
Mary Beth is playing tag and catchinganyone who reads her blog. Her link is in my favourites so I got caught. I'm game are you?
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) - Canary Cavalier
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) - Heavenly Hash Almond Slivers
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)- grol
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) - Purple Tiger
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (Rietdyk Nkana)-
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) - Rolger
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The”) - Pink Wine
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) - Willem Cornelius
9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) - Obsession Kisses
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names) - Theodora Roberts
If you are reading this considered yourself tagged:)!! Please send me a link to your results or email them to me and I'll post them. Have fun!
Posted by Gerrie at 5:52 p.m. 1 comments
Layouts as promised



Posted by Gerrie at 1:19 p.m. 3 comments
I've been tagged
I've been tagged by my friend Heather. I know its taken me a few days to respond. Was away for the weekend
Four Tidbits about me
Four places I have worked:
1) Towers Dept. Stores my first job
2)RJ Brown and Associates- An American engineering firm in The Hague, Netherlands- while on a 6 month trip between high school and college
3)Various Day Care Centers in London over a 20 year period
4) Scrapaholics: A Healthy Habit
Four places I have lived:
1) Nkana Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia)
2) London ON grew up there
3) Windsor On. both my kids were born there
4) Strathroy
Four places I have been on vacation:
1) Venezuela
2) Mexico
3) Cuba
4) Disney
Four favorite foods:
1) Chocolate
2) Tuna or egg salad sandwiches
3) Steak with onions and mushrooms
4) Mom's apple cake
4 friends I'm tagging who are most likely to respond.
1) Eliz (in comment section)
2) Eileen (in comment section)
3) Lizz (on your new blog)
4) Jules (my new blogger friend.)
Posted by Gerrie at 10:39 a.m. 3 comments
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Home from the cottage
Just returned from a wonderful weekend at the cottage. The weather was great. We even had internet access and a printer. Very helpful when scrapbooking. We had more tools and embellishments than you would find in even the best stocked local scrapbook store and everyone was so generous with their supplies. Lots of creative energy filled the cottage.
Am 0ff and running to a dinner party to welcome Arthur's relatives from England. Will post some of my completed layouts later.
Posted by Gerrie at 4:01 p.m. 1 comments
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The girls were here today

Had fun with our scrap/stamp day. As expected the Name frame took some figuring out. Heather the girls were wondering how you got it all done in one class. Using the stamp a ma jig sure did make things easier.
Posted by Gerrie at 2:59 p.m. 2 comments
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Jenna has caught the bug!
Jenna was so excited to go to Heather's Back to School mini album class. She definitely has caught the stamping bug. This is today's project.
It not only has lots of room for photos but also spots to record things such a shoe size, teacher's and classmates' names, and favourite things.
What a nice keepsake. Hope Heather doesn't mind that we posted it before she had a chance to put a photo on her blog.
I love the Bind It All. May just have to go and get one for myself.
We hear next month's theme will be Hallowe'en. Jenna wants me to sign her up for all of Heather's kid's classes. If you haven't stopped by her blog do so. She has my favourite one. http://stampwithheather.typepad.com/stamp_with_heather/
Posted by Gerrie at 2:26 p.m. 4 comments
The kids can't wait for us to go out for an evening
Yesterday while browsing online I discovered that a dear friend of mine was playing at The Honest Lawyer in London.
I told the kids I'd ask Arthur if he'd like to go out for a drink and they thought it was an awesome idea. The deal is if things go well while we are out they will share the money we would normally pay a babysitter. So its "aren't you going out yet Mom" and "what time will you be home?" All the while they are figuring out how much money they will earn.
We did have a very nice evening out and it was nice to catch up with Mike. Its been a year and a half since we have seen him.
I would highly recommend and evening with Mike Fagan.
Check out his website. http://www.faganonline.com/frame.htm
Posted by Gerrie at 2:19 p.m. 0 comments
Thursday, September 13, 2007
So glad friends stopped over to visit.
I am so glad I had friends stop over to visit today. Thanks Carolyn and Eliz. I really enjoyed your company and having someone to talk to. It made me realize that it really is time to find a meaningful employment. Not just because I miss the little extra money I was making. I miss going to work. I miss feeling needed and appreciated. I miss getting up and not quite knowing what the day will bring. Since the kids have gone to school and Arthur is working days the only challenge that faces me is housework and more housework. I'm the first to admit Molly Maid I'm not. The kids can manage for short periods of time without me and its time for me to do something for myself. Up until now I knew it but didn't feel it. Now the job search starts in earnest. Wish me luck.
Posted by Gerrie at 2:47 p.m. 2 comments
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Double rainbow
We had a short storm last night after dinner and while it was still raining the sun reappeared. A double rainbow coloured the sky. When I took Aaron to Scouts on the other side of town we saw the other side of one of the rainbows. I don't remember ever seeing this before.
Posted by Gerrie at 4:11 p.m. 1 comments
Heather's Christmas Countdown Clipboard
Posted by Gerrie at 4:03 p.m. 4 comments
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Great find at Solutions
Posted by Gerrie at 12:57 p.m. 2 comments
I've been tagged
I was tagged by Jules http://3jjjs.blogspot.com/ to do the following: You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
I don't have a middle name but hypenated my maiden name so my kids say now its my middle name so here goes.
R- I am considered to be a responsible person
I- Some people consider me interesting
E- I'm not feeling very energetic these days. Allergies are getting the best of me.
T- I love to teach
D- I'm devoted to stamping and scrapbooking
Y- I feel young at heart
K- My mother always used to say if you can't say anything kind, don't say it at all.
Don't have time right now to tag others but will later today.
Posted by Gerrie at 12:08 p.m. 1 comments
Sunday, September 9, 2007
A Card For Home
A friend shared this with me and I thought it would be nice to participate:
A Card for Home
Robin Blecker and Angeie Zuber, two military wives currently stationed at CFB Shilo in Manitoba, have designed a grassroots initiative to help Canadians show their support for our troops. Many times, military members miss the important events in their family's lives because they are deployed overseas.
A Card for Home invites you to help them celebrate these special moments by giving you the opportunity to put your talents to use and create a greeting card for them to send home!
Simply, put your scrapbooking, stamping, or other artistic abilities to work by crafting a unique card to be sent home. Our members will have the opportunity to select a card for a special occasion, compose a greeting to their family, and send it home ~ also sending along your support and love through your homemade card. Easy, eh?
We are hoping that by the end of 2007, we will have been able to bring 50 000 'love in an envelope' moments to our troops' families. A big thanks to the Veterans and their friends and family at Parkwood Hospital in London, Ontario for sharing this idea with us.
What are you waiting for? Show your support today and start sending a little love in an envelope!
http://www.acardforhome.com/
Cards can be mailed to:
A Card for Home
P. O. Box 40
Shilo, Manitoba
R0K 2A0
Posted by Gerrie at 9:06 p.m. 0 comments
Too busy relaxing
Just returned from a great weekend in Tobermory. Bonnie's cottage was beautiful with lots of wonderful places to sit and enjoy the sun and the scenery.
We were too busy relaxing to do some serious scrapbooking. I did however scrapbook Sat. evening and a little this morning. I'll post layouts after I do a few finishing touches.
Posted by Gerrie at 8:59 p.m. 1 comments















