Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know,
His house is in the village though.
He will not see me stopping here,
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer,
To stop without a farmhouse near,
Between the woods and frozen lake,
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake,
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep,
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
-- Robert Frost

Its so nice to see the sun this morning. As I look out of my window while surfing on the net, I happened to see a bird sitting on a branch and was reminded of one of the few poems that we had to memorize in elementary school. Although we complain about the snow I have to remember to see the beauty in it too.

3rd Annual Arkona Stamp/Scrap Day

A couple of good friends of mine are putting on:

ARKONA'S
SCRAPBOOK & STAMPING EVENT

Bring your friends, family, neighbours and join us for the 3rd Annual

when: Saturday, April 5, 2008
10:00 am until 10:00 pm
where: Arkona Senior Citizen's Hall
7355 Arkona Rd. (corner or Arkona Rd &Victoria St.)
includes: Lunch, supper & refreshments
cost: $40.00 per person (Proceeds to Cancer)

Demonstrations/Make & Takes provided by:
Stampin Up
Close to My Heart
Creative Memories
(Consultants will be on hand to take any orders you may have.)
We also have Skribbles & Scraps Store from Pontiac Drive, Sarnia (for those supplies you just have to have)

Seating is limited and spots will go quickly
Prepaid Registration is required by March 21, 2008 to hold your spot.

To register or for more information contact
Elizabeth Peters Lizz Vanderkant
519-828-3799 519-828-3850
Box 205, 7357 Arkona Rd. 8061 Tamarack Line
Arkona On. NOM 1BO Arkona On. NOM 1B0

A Little Bit of Fairy Dust Wishblade/Silhouette file

The layout was one I did the other day. Jenna collects Tinkerbell and Fairy things so what more fitting than to add a little bit of fairy dust to the gorgeous fairy which is part of a file by Erika Phillipson entitled Wisteria Fairy. A little Bit of Fairy Dust is a title I created using Inkscape. It took a while to cut but I like the effect. The title file is available for download at my link on the sidebar. Password is happy2008

This post is for my husband to read

I'm posting this here so maybe my husband will find it. Valentines and my birthday are both coming up this month and I am currently taking digital pictures with a camera that has a red and white pipecleaner wrapped around it to hold the battery compartment door closed. I dropped it and lost the plastic cover. Do you know you feel a shock if you try to hold it closed with your fingers. I guess it has something to do with touching the metal. Its also really hard to get the subject in the viewfinder and to take the photo if you are holding the batteries in.

I really would like a new Canon digital camera like my mom and Eliz have. I really would like a 6.0- 8.o MP. I can even shop around and find an awesome deal!

So please Arthur, I hope you find this post.

Found refill pages for Costco Albums

Anyone need refills for the gorgeous leather 12X12" albums that Costco carries. They come with 15 pages but I gave my mom the pages out of my album so she could finish off her cruise album. The albums are made by Memory Stor and you can send away for refills if you live in the US. If not Michaels carries Century Craft refills. A package of 25 for $16.00. 40% off if you use a coupon.

Heather has done it again

Heather has done it again. Jenna went to her kid's class this morning and had an awesome time. She can't wait for the next one. Ps: not all of the jelly beans made it home. Its a long ride to Strathroy you know.

Better day

The trees looked so pretty this morning (this is not my photo but I wish I had taken some on the way to Lambeth.) It was a much better day on the creative front today. Sad though that the snow and ice from yesterday prevented Lizz and Eliz from joining me at Memories on Main today. Will have to take a rain or should I say snow check. So glad Carolyn was able to make it.
Finished the layout I was struggling with and am much happier with it now. I also completed some more layouts that I will post when I put finishing touches on the.
Went to a stamping class at Heather's tonight. Cute projects. Thanks Heather.

Frustrated scrapbooker

Scrapbooking was hard work today. I guess it was one of those days. I struggled on a layout I started yesterday but didn't know where to go with it. I'll take a fresh look at it tomorrow. This afternoon I scraplifted a store layout and am working on a 2nd page. It was nice to see a few people I know come into the store today.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the ice rain and snow are finished so a few friends can make it in to the store to scrap with me. I also want good weather tomorrow evening so I can go to an Easter stamp class at Heathers. That's not asking for too much is it?

Some Layouts to Share

The first 2 pages are the ones I did at Eliz's. Thanks for the Stampin Up paper! They are recent photos of my Mom and Dad on their Panama Canal Cruise and their dinner with my sister and her husband at the Races.

The 2nd layout is one I did for Memories on Main St. It is of my brother, sister and I when we were young. Paper is Melissa Frances Wendell, Ramona and Hazel. Cardstock is Bazzill. Round photo frame is Melissa Frances and the title is a Cricut cut.

The last layout, Limited Edition is of my family. Paper is Tinkering Ink: Humphrey Bogard and Rudolf Valentino. Brings to mind a bit of romance doesn't it? The Limited Edition is a Cricut cut and the flowers and the scroll are Stampin Up Brocade Motif set stamped and embossed in detail black embossing powder. Notice the scallop along the top - cut with the Creative Memories circle punch and cut in half. The hearts are cut with a Creative Memories Punch too.

Happy Pancake Day

Just got home from work so this will be a quick post. Have to go make some Pancakes for Shrove Tuesday.

Have done lots of scrapbook layouts in the past couple of days. 2 pages yesterday at Eliz's and 2 layouts today for Memories on Main. Will post them after I find photos for them.

Happy Groundhog Day

Split Decision.
According to news authorities
"Three of Canada's top groundhog weather forecasters have emerged from their heated, custom-built homes and predicted an early spring, capping a week of snowstorms and bitter cold that kept Canadians burrowed inside their own cozy dens.
However, it seems the country's revered rodents did not confer with their counterpart across the border before making their predictions, as Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil indicated to thousands gathered at Gobbler's Knob to hunker down for six more weeks of chilly temperatures.
Legend has it that if a groundhog emerges to a sunny day and sees his shadow, he will scoot back into his hole for another six weeks. If not, winter's chill will soon be over. "
I suspect though either way there is still a lot of winter in store for us.
Happy Groundhog day everyone. Enjoy your day!

Found a wonderful site for Wishblade/Silhouette Designs

Found a wonderful site , the Latest by Mary. She is very generous with her Wishblade/Sihouette/CraftRobo files. I have a lot to learn to get even close to the level of her files. Gives me something to work towards. Every time I use my machine, I learn something new.

Home Life

I finished up the pages from the other day and here is yesterday's layout.

Was playing with the large 5 petal flower by Stampin Up. and put a rubon

in the center.

The title Home Life is a brown rubon which is hard to see with a black Life rubbed

over it. To make the brown rubon stand out more I went around the edges with

a gold glitter gel pen.

Some basketball Wishblade/Sihouette files for friends

Because of a snow storm some friends were not able to spend the day with us as planned so

in addition to scrapbooking, I played with my Wishblade and created a couple of things for their basketball pages. The players are the first paper piecing I have done with my cutter.

The files are available for download at the link on the sidebar for Gerrie's .gsd files.

Password is still happy2008

February Page Maps are available

Becky Fleck's Page Maps are up for February. She has included a set of round maps.
Had some trouble getting in today but tried later and got them.

What better to do on a snowed out P.A. Day. Spend the time scrapbooking!

Our weekend is starting early

Our weekend is starting early. It's a P.A. Day so have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Heart Month.

Some New Layouts

A few new ideas I got from Memories on Main. The first one
is a kit by My Mind's Eye

The left side is a scraplift of a store sample and the right one is one I saved from a magazine.
I'm working on a title on with my Wishblade

This third one is a scraplift of one of Sue's layouts. Still need to
cut out Birthday girl. Haven't decided what font yet.

This last one is a scraplift of Carolyn's scraplift of a Ninabrook Layout.

I have a Part time job in Scrapbook Store

For the next little while I'll be working at Memories on Main St. on a part time basis. This week I work Tues. to Thurs. 10-2:30 and next week Tues. -Fri. from 10-2:30. This week Sue is having an anniversary sale with 40% off everything except Bazzill cardstock, bling, scallops and magazines. She has a crop area too so if you would like to stop and crop come on in.

Heart Boxes

Found the directions and template for these cute heart shaped boxes at http://www.stampin.com/tips/heartbx.htm

I modified them to be cut by my Wishblade and cut 2 different sizes.

DOWNLOAD .gsd

Password is happy2008

Found another Gerrie

I was doing my blog reading today and came across a note that Gerrie had posted a comment. I hadn't so went to investigate. I found another Gerrie and checked out her blog. I fired off an email and she emailed me back. Its pretty weird seeing someone else with the same name. Not too many of us out there.

Struggled with this one.

I struggled with this one. It did not turn out as I had envisioned it when I set out. I started by stamping and embossing the swirl from Baroque Motifs in red on red cardstock. Then tried stamping and embossing on white vellum. It just got lost when I placed it over the background piece. I ended up putting a piece of white cardstock with torn and embossed edges behind the vellum. Scan doesn't show the vellum but it is still there. Its ok but I couldn't find the right ribbon in my stash.

Jenna is 10

And it is a sweet life. Jenna was showered with Webkins, DS games, clothing and money.
Ahhh to be 10 again.

Just hanging out!

Exhausted after a weekend of partying, Kally is hanging out with friends in Aaron's room. Away from the hustle and bustle.

Pyjama Party with Jenna and Friends

Oh my, It's only beginning. My 10 year old is having a sleepover for her birthday. I thought I had them all tucked into bed and asleep by 11:30 so I went to bed. At 2 am I hear them up. Go downstairs and find all 5 of them up and in the craft room. They sheepishly tell me they can't sleep. I sent them back to bed in no uncertain terms and told them if they didn't go to sleep I'd be cranky and grumpy in the morning.
I'm not quite sure what concerns me more. Them up at 2 or having 5 of them in the craft room which took me days to organize. I'm not even taking a look til the morning.

Scrapping in Arkona

Spent the day scrapbooking in Arkona. Eliz provided the paper and we participated in Cyndi's sketch challenge . Thanks Heather for directing us to it.
Here is my version. And yes the upside down D was an accident but works for the page.

Since it was such a beautiful day we made the quick trip to Canada's "Other Falls" at Rock Glen in Arkona, Ontario to get some winter shots.

Thanks Eliz for a lovely time.

Eliz and Lizz (my stamping buddies)

Why we love Tim Horton's

I have a couple of friends who rescue me with a Tim Horton's coffee and I just received a couple of coffees from friends on Facebook. It reminded me of the Tim Horton's commercials they had last year about why we love Tim Hortons. Well we have our own story.
1) Just after Aaron was born, I was accepted into the Social Work Program at Kings College in London. Great. The only thing was we were living in Windsor. So every Sunday evening I would pack up my little one and head for my parent's house in London, and every Friday after school I would pick Aaron up and head the other way. Invariably before we got home we'd have to stop at Timmy's because he was hungry. Fortunately for me he loved the cream of broccoli soup so we shared a bowl.
2) He always fell asleep in the car so if he was being cranky in the evening I would drive from home along Riverside drive to a drive through Timmy's the right distance from home to have him fall asleep. I would have my coffee and then by the time I got home we were both nice and calm.
3) This same trick worked for Jenna and was a life saver for me.
4) We only had 1 vehicle so in order for me to have the car I would have to drive Arthur to work
It was 1/2 hour away and when Aaron was toilet training we had to stop on the way home so he could go to the bathroom. I remember coming home from my sisters' house with my parents and Aaron had to go to the bathroom. Oma told him we'd be home in a couple of minutes. He told her no. He had to go at Tim Hortons.
5) Now Jenna is turning 10 and we still love Tim Horton's. There is never any hesitation when I ask them if they want to go for coffee. Their favourite lunch out is a bagel.
6) When Arthur is working nights we go for coffee after the kids go to school and that is our time to catch up on things that are going on.
7) What's better than a cup of hot coffee!
So thanks girls for the coffees and I'll just have to scrapbook them.

Someone else is on the same wavelength. Check out this post at Splitcoaststampers for
Jeanne's Timbit box template. It's a cute gable box.

Craft room update

Closetful of Stamps

Overview of one wall

Other side

I've been working for days on end re-organizing our craft room. It is a small bedroom that is packed full of storage and work space. Almost every inch of it has something in it. We also have a table in here but I must admit, usually I drag what I need to the kitchen table to work on. If I had it to do over again all the storage units would match for for now, I know where everything is.

Jenna's party invitations

Jenna had fun at Heather's kid's class today. She used her new stamp set to create her party invitations.

Paper, stamps, inks, markers, scallop square punch, a few gems and clear paper glaze created a look she was happy with.

A Touch of Dutch (Wishblade/Silhouette file)

This is the last layout of this year's Christmas Celebrations so my Christmas album which I started 3 years ago is up to date.

The Dutch comes out in us in December when we celebrate Sinterklaas. This is probably as Dutch as my children can get. I remember going to the Dutch Canadian Society of London's St. Nick party as a child and my children continue the tradition. This year Oma and Opa were away on a cruise but Aaron and Jenna wanted to go. Every year Sinterklaas and his helpers, who throw candy to eager children, are ushered in by the Dykehoppers band playing Sinterklaas Kapoentje.

Chocolate initials are also an integral part of our traditions. This year a mouse enjoyed my niece Lauren's "L" before she had a chance to.

My children do not understand the Dutch language but this little bit of Dutch culture will stick with them for the rest of their lives.

A Touch of Dutch .gsd file available by clicking on Gerrie's .gsd files link in sidebar.

Password is happy2008

Snow fall

This is one of the 3 layouts we did at Lizz's last night. Just love the colours.

I'm hooked

Went to a stamping layout class at Lizz's last night. She had a lovely surprise waiting for us.

A valentine pail filled with cardstock swatches and cherry kisses. They are yummy.

Thanks Lizz for a lovely evening. I'll post the layouts a little later.

Friends layout

For something a little different for a back to school layout I wanted to focus on what Jenna missed the most about school over the summer. Here friends. It was a class kit from a convention I went to. Sorry I can't remember who to give credit to. Paper is by Junkitz.

Exciting morning!

We had an interesting morning. I heard a squeal of tires and looked out to see a blue car on our lawn heading towards the tree and narrowly, I mean by inches missing a car parked in the neighbour's driveway. Apparently a car backed out of the driveway across the street. A blue car which from the sounds of it was going too fast had to go between the lady backing out and a van coming the other direction. The blue car drove across our driveway, lawn and narrowly, I mean by inches, missed a parked car in the neighbour's driveway. The driver of the blue car turned the car around to chase the driver of the car who pulled out in front of him. The crossing guard said he was inches from her bumper and honked the horn. She didn't stop so he pulled along side of her.
He came back to apologize for tearing up our lawn. I told him I was more concerned with the kids walking along the street on their way to school. I checked on a teenager who was walking to see that she was ok.
When it happened all my 11 year old could say was "street racing".
Thank goodness no one was hurt.

Bedroom makeover

It was time for a bedroom makeover. I've been looking at the comforter set at Great Canadian Super Stores for a while now. It was still there after Christmas so I took it as a sign that it had to be mine. Found suede curtains in almost the same colour to match at Giant Tiger. Aaron and Arthur hung the curtains and Jenna helped me vaccuum the room. I love the effect.

Aaron and Jenna folded back the comforter and put the pillows just right.

A perfect room for dad to recuperate in.

Where did the weekend go?

Its already time to make dinner on Sunday evening. Where did the weekend go? I had all these intentions but still have to list of things I wanted to do. Oh well, I'll be tied to home for a little while.
Arthur's having day surgery tomorrow and will be home recuperating. Maybe I'll get some more organizing done and then I can do some creating.

Costco finds

We were supposed to be scrapbooking today but Lizz saw these at Costco on the weekend and so we decided we needed to take a road trip into London to see if we could find some. So glad we did. Had so much fun spending our scrapping budgets.

We each bought at least 1 iris cart, a different package of handmade 12" papers to share and 2 leather scrapbook albums. I also bought a 300 pack of K&Company designer paper.

That will keep me busy for a while.

Lizz treated us to lunch at Swiss Chalet.

Thanks so much. It was just what the Dr. ordered.

Working on my own version of BoBunny's LOVE chipboard word book

I cut my own version of BoBunny Press "LOVE" chipboard book out of cardstock and 2 layers of patterned paper for each page. With my Wishblade I was able to put 1 of the sheets of patterned paper on the cutter patterned side down so that it would fit the back of the letter as perfectly as the one I cut for the front of the letter. Didn't have to cut it at all. To get some added stiffness for each letter because I am not using chipboard, I put a layer of mat Modge Podge on each side of the book. I bound it using a coil binding and my Bind It All. Just waiting for some photos that I am having printed in Sepia and I'll be able to finish it off tomorrow.

Altered Planner

I purchased a Mead 5 1/2 x 8" 2008 page a day planner (with a mauve vinyl cover of course) and was disapointed to find it did not have a monthly calendar at the beginning of each month. Julie to the rescue. I found her daytimer pages a couple of days ago and had a brainwave.

I modified Julie's pages slightly so that they had Canadian holidays on them.

Carefully opened up the coil binding on my day planner.

Measured the pages and cut the monthly ones to fit.

Punched the holes in the appropriate place using my Crop-o-dile to go through all the new pages at once.

Placed the new pages where they needed to go.

I also added pages for addresses and one for birthdays and anniversaries.

Then I had another brainwave. What if I put the covers in a 12 x 12" page protector.

Punched holes in the appropriate place.

I could then personalize the cover and change it with the seasons. I carefully put it all back together using my bind it all to re-close the coil binding.

Then all I needed was tabs for each month so I used my Stampin Up tab punch and added them.

Just need to create my cover page to slip between the page protector and the original cover and I have an altered planner that is a little more interesting than the usual.

I still have to decorate my cover pages and will add photos when I do.

A different twist on the chipboard coaster calendar

Here is a different twist on the chipboard coaster calendar
http://hablandodescrapbooking.blogspot.com/ Nice Job
or for an English version
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fhablandodescrapbooking.blogspot.com%2F&langpair=es%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Canadian Holidays Daytimer Pages

Julie created a great daytimer page file. She also has great Address directory, Birthday/Anniversary reminder, Project Sheet, & Thoughts page to go with them.

I changed the Daytimer calendar pages to include the Canadian holidays instead of American ones. and added it to her thread at Splitcoaststampers at:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76646&d=1199719626 for the .doc file and

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76649&d=1199719721 for the .pdf file.


If you don't want to set up an account you can also download them here.
http://www.4shared.com/dir/5161109/ca9b96d7/sharing.html
password is happy2008

2009 version of 4 x 4" calendar for chipboard coasters.

Here is my 2009 version of the calendar pages from http://www.mayaroad.com/new/newsite/binder_album_insert.html

I modified them for 2009 and put them in a 4 to a page format so it would be easier to print.
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=312929

or you can download them here: password is happy2008

http://www.4shared.com/dir/5161109/ca9b96d7/sharing.html

ps: thanks Eliz for catching the missing Sept. for me.

Christmas Kitty Wishblade/Silhouette

Here is another Wishblade/Silhouette file I did for a layout of our
Christmas Kitty. It is available at the link on the sidebar for Gerrie's .gsd files.
The layout was inspired by one by Ninabrook Designs. More of their layouts can be found at http://www.ninabrookdesigns.com/index.php
To get the mottled effect for our Calico cat's fur I scrunched up part of a plastic grocery bag, got some ink from an orange ink pad and applied it to the beige cutout. I repeated with a different part of the bag with black ink and then again with white. (sorry about the quality of the picture)

Not much happening on the creating front

I haven't been very successful on the creating front the last few days. Life is sort of getting in the way but with any luck things will be on a more even keel when the kids are back in school, my job search continues and my husband's impending surgery is over. In the meantime, I'm trying to figure out a way to incorporate a beach chair and palm tree into my beachy bathroom decor. If I can't escape to the sunny south at least let me escape to my sunny north and pretend I'm feeling gentle warm breezes. AHHHH Calgon take me away!

I have in my hot little hands...

I have in my hot little hands the new Stampin Up Catalogue. Thanks Lizz. Already started my wish list. Nice project ideas in this one.

Another layout from yesterday's scrapping

Haven't totally decided on the title yet so I didn't add one yet.

A Scrapping Day today.

My friend Carolyn was over this afternoon and we spent the time scrapbooking. Here is one of the layouts I did. Notice the Magic Reindeer Container actually used on a page.

Happy New Year 2008 gsd file for Wishblade/Silhouette/Craft Robo

Just created a Happy New Year 2008 file using my Wishblade. This is the first time I combined a dingbat with a ttfont. I'm trying out a file sharing site so that you can downloaded the .gsd file at

DOWNLOAD

Password is happy2008

Files previously shown in my blog are now avaiable for download at the link I added on the sidebar for Gerrie's .gsd files.
Password is happy2008