Stamp Class at Lizz's

I went to scrapbook page class at my friend Lizz's yesterday afternoon and again was able to complete the pages with photos the same day. Got to like it when the pages are perfect for recent photos. Thanks Lizz for the layouts, the extras and the goodies. Eliz, love those egg salad sandwiches and pickles. I'm glad we are going to continue over the summer.

We're having a Wii Party

Aaron has some friends over for his 12th birthday party and it is a Wii Party. We have a couple of games, we rented a couple, he got one as a gift from one of his friends and another friend brought a couple of games. All I have to provide is food and supervision so I will be on the comptuer for a while in the family room. Easiest party I ever put on.

Good News for Meridian

My husband works in the struggling Automotive industry and we have been living with the uncertainty of knowing whether the company he works for will be here tomorrow. Good news is that they have been able to do some restructuring so that business can continue as usual for the time being.

Here is a press release on the company website if you are interested.

http://meridian-mag.com/news/?id=55

Got Sketch 101 Layout for sketch #2

This layout is based on sketch #2 of the Got Sketch 101 class. I didn't have the heart to crop Kally out of this picture as she just nonchalantly walked into my photo. The 2nd page is based on one of Valerie Salmon's earlier sketches using circles. I just turned it to fit the orientation of my photos.

Got Sketch 101 Layout for Sketch #1

Arthur took Aaron and Jenna to visit his sister and her family at their trailer (which they bought from my parents) in Goderich during the May 24th long weekend. It was cold but they kept toasty beside the fire.

This layout is based on a 1 page sketch in the Got Sketch 101 class.

(Someone might get the idea I like green as my last few layouts have been green)

For the 2nd page I just stretched the sketch and had the tags coming out of the side instead of the top of the photo mat. (You'd think I staged the boys wearing orange and blue and Jenna wearing green.)

Sheet Load of Cards

I'm helping to spread the word by Shouting out about SheetLoad of Cards.
Every month you can download card patterns and cutting measurements. Click on the image and it will take you to the June Preview.

Working on Get Sketch 101 class

I spent some time last night working on the Get Sketch 101 class I reversed the order of pre class sketches 1 & 2 to create this layout celebrating family and the love that is shared at my mom's birthday party.

In honour of her creative needlework skills I added crocheted flowers and stitching.

The 2nd layout is a make and take from Memories On Main St. in Lambeth that was perfect for the recent Total Eclipse of the Moon. Anyone who knows us knows that Arthur is a star gazer so we can't help be interested in what goes on in the sky. I added the lyrics to the song done by Enigma on the Voyageur album. I added gold ink to the edges of the layout and the patterned paper pieces. The photos I downloaded from the internet.

Community Quilt

Arthur and I joined Aaron and his classmates at Museum London for their very own art show. Their class was fortunate enough to be able to participate in a 3 session series of art classes and then to attend a show of their work at the gallery.

Refreshments included a candy salad bar, punch and cake. Each group was able to take their community quilt and the other art pieces they created home. Unfortunately their quilt was mistakenly taken by a high school group from Woodstock. The kids are now eagerly awaiting the return of their eagle quilt.

It was a fun morning.

Keeping cool

I am sure glad we put a new central air conditioning unit in our house the end of last summer. It was so nice to come home from working last night to a cool house. Arthur had put it on just before I came home.
The house was nice and cool for him to go to sleep when he came home from work this morning.

June Pagemaps and Cardmaps are available

The June Pagemaps and Cardmaps are available on Becky Fleck's site. Well worth a look!

my vent about computers

Computers like cars are great when they work and a pain when they don't. I picked up Aaron and Jenna's computer from the repair shop today set it up for them again. I found I had to reinstall the wireless network adapter. It was simple the first time I did it, but not so this evening. After many tries, I discovered by going to the manufacturer's website on our other computer that I needed an updated driver after service pack 3 had been installed. I downloaded it and then had to unzip it and transfer it to this computer with my flash drive. I finally got a network connection but no internet connection. After many more tries and reading the help files and the troubleshooting wizards I finally, 2 1/2 hours later got the internet working. Its now almost 3 am and I haven't been to bed yet.

So again computers are wonderful when they work and I think I should leave the rest to the experts.

Long time no see

I was at a stamping class at Heather's tonight and there was a girl who looked really familiar but I couldn't place her. She knew exactly who I was including remembering my last name. Michelle and I had graduated from Fanshawe College E.C.E. program 30 years ago. She is still in contact with several other classmates. How cool to meet again after all these years. It was nice to see her. I look forward to possibly having contact with some of the other girls as well.

Look what I found in my stash!

While cleaning up our stamping room I came across these acrylic stamps a friend insisted I buy last week. A whole year of calendar stamps in the $1.50 bin at Michaels. Now I should have something now for every calendar page I do.

Happy Birthday Eliz

For her birthday I treated my friend Eliz to a roadtrip. I took her to All About Scrapbooks in Woodstock, Ontario and gave her some money to spend. Can't take a friend to a scrapbook store and not provide her with resources now could I. She bought paper and I found something similar to a gift my aunt gave us when we were little. It was fuzzy powder and adhesive sheets to create pictures with. Fun Flock by Stampendous is similar. The sales staff recommended using Quickie Glue Pen, or liquid glue to adhere the flocking. I'll play with it and let you know how I make out. I bought blue, orange, green and brown.

Coincidence?

I was driving home last night from work through a torrential thunderstorm. It was so bad at time we couldn't see the road. At other times the lighting came in steady bolts of light. I was thinking it was odd that there were no power outages. Then suddenly a bolt of lightning, green fireworks and darkness.

It was uncanny. I sure was glad to get home to see we still had power.

EK Success Nesting Scallop punches

While Carolyn and I were spending some time together yesterday we of course had to check out another scrapbook store. This time our travels took us to the Memory Mill in Dorchester and found nesting scallop punches that match Stampin Up's scallop punch. Of course they are all made by EK Success. It looks like Stampin Up's is a 1 3/4" scallop. I bought the 2 " one but have not had time to play with it. I went on the EK Success web site and they had this card as one of the projects. They sell 1 1/4", 1 1/2", and 2" punches. There are also a couple of nesting ovals and nesting square punches as well.

2nd time around

I kept my Amaryllis bulb that I received at Christmas time and its flowering for the 2nd time. I just cut it off and left it dry for a while and then voila.

Here is a link with more information http://www.amaryllis.com/pac.htm

Still working on it.

My new china cabinet is set up but I still have the rest of the room to put back together. Just wish I could find another spot for my hubby's telescope but we have to put it somewhere where it is easily accessible but not going to be bumped. Oh well it will have to stay there for now.

Its like Christmas here today

It's like Christmas today. I have been ordering Cuttlebug embossing folders and cardstock packs from Scrapping with Sheila on Wednesdays when she has her 24 hour sale, but hadn't picked up my orders I guess since October. I had paid for them but just didn't get a chance to stop by so Eliz and I went over today. Wow now I can't wait to play. I have many new folders including the script and numbers.

My china will have a home

I'm so excited. Arthur's aunt has been giving us her Memory Lane china because she doesn't entertain. I have been looking forever for a china cabinet to display it in and have finally found one right here in Strathroy that didn't cost an arm and a leg. It will be delivered at 4 pm Tuesday so you know what I'll be doing on Tuesday evening.

Got Sketch 101 Class

I joined the Got Sketch 101 online scrapbook class starting June 9. Got Sketch 101 is a three-week online class designed and taught by Valerie Salmon and Janna Wilson. The class kicks off June 9th and will feature the most creative sketches yet: TEN exclusive, never-before-seen sketches for 12x12 one-page layouts, 12x12 two-page layouts, cards and altered items! As an added bonus, they are also providing the layout sketches in 8 1/2 x 11 format. Sketches & projects will be added 2-3 times weekly during the three-week workshop. With the introduction of each new sketch, examples of actual projects will be shown alongside it to give you ideas on their interpretations. Although you can use the supplies you already have on hand, they are using Stampin Up products and have both a Preferred US (Dawn Rapsas) and a Preferred Canadian (Heather Summers) representatives if you would like to order the supplies in the samples. There is also a message board set up for class participants.

It sounds like a lot of fun and I am looking forward to stepping up my pages a notch. I've been checking out both ladies' blogs and just love the close up photos of the details on their pages. Why not join me and the others in this class?

A couple more layouts

We did these layouts at Lizz's May scrapbook class. I just picked up some photos and they happened to be perfect for the Furry Friend and the

Mother's Day page which I quoted my son for the title.

I have been fortunate enough to have been able to squeeze a couple of daytime scrapbook classes into my hectic schedule these days. The layouts are from Lizz's April class that I was able to use photos from our recent trip to Niagara Falls on.

Who are these children

This photo was on my camera after Arthur took the kids to his sister's trailer in Goderich. I recognize my nephew Colin on the far right but who are the other 2?

Ahhh! The one in the middle is Jenna wrapped up in her brother's school sweatshirt and I seem to recognize the STATE PARK 82 hoodie as one that belongs to Aaron. Could this really be him? All kidding aside, although it was cool they had a wonderful day.

Another Dollarama find.

I found these magnetic metal tins with clear tops at my favourite Dollarama. Not sure what I'm going to put in them yet but I had to have them.
{Notice how shiny my kitchen table looks. It was worth the wait while my hubby refinished it)

Father and Son

Scouting has been keep the boys pretty busy this year with Aaron in Scouts and helping his dad and the other leaders with the Cubs.
Group committee decided it would be nice to have and sponsored professional photos of the individuals, groups and father/son duos. I really like this of my guys

Happy Victoria Day

I only have 1 more overnight shift to go. This one is only an 8 hour one so maybe I'll be able to sleep a few hours when I get home and be able to spend some time with my family this holiday weekend.

Trying to get some sleep

I'm still trying to get used to this working overnights thing and its only day one of a 4 night stretch.
Every time I fall asleep the phone rings. I can be home for days and the phone doesn't ring. Now I turned the phone ringers off and turned the answering machine tape over to make sure there is lots of room for messages.
Oh well, its back to bed to try round 4. Wish me luck! Good night!

You can never have too much glitter

As a young friend of mine maintains "You can never have too much glitter". This At the Beach page includes a glittered monogram, sandpail and a build a brad embellishment. It was a make and take for a nominal fee at the Great Lakes Mega Meet.

Anyone know what this plant is?

We bought this plant for my mom for Mother's day and can't find anything about it on the internet. The sales clerk told us it was a member of the Morning Glory family and is a vigourous climber.

Favourite new product from Novi

My favourite new product is the slider windows by Piggy Tales.

We did this My Firsts board book and I picked up a sliding door kits.

I also liked the barn doors. They have lots of different barn door covers.

Favourite class in Novi.

Our favourite class was the SEI Paper in Motion. The paper was just gorgeous and cool techniques.

{the image is one provided by SEI)

Back from the Scrapbook Convention in Novi

We returned with lots of goodies from Novi. Good thing we received a large totebag to put it all in. I already had the bag we got last year filled with the tools we needed.
3 classes, a few free make and takes and a couple of ones we had to pay nominal fees for and lots of shopping.
We also checked out some local scrapbook stores and found lots of goodies. I'll show some in subsequent posts.

Mother's Day photos

My children treated me to breakfast in bed for Mother's day and were so excited about it. What a nice way to start off the day.

Just a few more Niagara Falls Photos

Just a few more Niagara Falls Photos

Happy Mother's Day

We're daughters and mothers

Not so long ago.

We give and take

And take and give

Along time's endless row.

Love is passed

And love received

To be passed on again:

A precious heirloom

Twice, twice blessed,

A spiritual cardigan.

I'll put it on

And treasure it,

The me I have received,

And when the roles Reverse again,

I'll have what I most need.

So may our love

Go on and on,

A hundred thousand years;

Mothers and daughters,

Daughters and mothers,

Through joys and other tears.

author unknown

Hi from the Great Lakes Mega Meet

Eliz and I want to say hi from Novi. Sorry Lizz couldn't join us but she did win a door prize.
Off to check out Archivers, Michaels, and Joanes after dinner.
Good shopping at the show and excellent first class. Will update tomorrow.

Nothing says spring like the flowers

While in Niagara Falls a couple of weeks ago we stopped at the Niagara Parks Greenhouses for a refreshing dose of spring. What a gorgeous time of year it is!

Great Lakes Mega Meet

Only a few more sleeps and Eliz, Lizz and I will be off to our scrapbook convention at the Great Lakes Mega Meet in Novi.

Can 't wait to see all the new stuff and do some classes.

Lizz doesn't quite know what we have gotten her in to but I'm sure she'll love it just as much as we did last year.

NIght Shift

It seems like forever since I have been able to post. I have just completed my first ever experience with night shift. I did 2- 12 hour and then an 8 hour night shifts on the weekend and have been able to do nothing else. The nights went faster than I thought they would but so did the days when I was in bed. Thanks to my family for being so quiet that I was able to sleep the days away.

A Normal Evening

I just finished working two long 12 hour afternoon shifts and am so looking forward to a normal evening. Jenna and I are going to see the school's production of Bugsy Malone while the boys go to Scouts to have group photos done.

After that we will all have bedtime snack and I can tuck my own kids into bed tonight.