Christmas 2011

I didn't post much about our holidays in December, mostly because finding fabulous for less was keeping me on my toes.  Getting home each night after a hectic day usually meant unwinding with the family and the mad dash to bedtime.  Then came year end inventory.  Oh how I loathe thee.

I digress,

Christmas was in fact great.  I make it a point every year to be prepared, if not done and ready to enjoy the season before we hit December.  Yes I am THAT person.  I have to be THAT person with my job otherwise I will turn into some sort of female version of Ebenezer and we don't want that to happen do we?  I hear so many people that work in my industry just so grumpy and fed up by the time we get to Christmas Eve that it is just plain sad.  Not me my friends.  I'm that chipper one in the corner belting out Christmas Carols that doesn't care if you can hear me or not.  Chipper because my shopping is done, my home is decorated and I may have a few dozen cookies baked.

You can throw something at me now if you like....

But seriously, it is the most wonderful time of the year so why not be happy. I'm grumpy far to many other weeks of the year, I don't need to be for those four weeks. But I also don't have any time for anything else because I gave all my chipperness away in the 14 hours that I was awake.  No scrapping, not allot of visiting.  Just home and work...home and work.  I'm okay with that too.

But now that it is all over I have  slightly more time to do things I enjoy...like scrapping.  Tina gave me some papers to work with waaaaaaaaaaaay back in October and guess what??  I scrapped!!!


The first one is some funny pictures that were captured on Christmas day.  I love them all because we all looked like we were having fun.

Huge fan of scrapping the 3x4 right now.  so easy to create a collage in Picasa and send to your developer.  You can fit way more pictures on a single 12x12 layout.

Me and the bigs with Santa.  My kids wont go near him alone.  Also, I forgot to put a title on this one so I made the teeny tiny chipboard the title just above the picture.  It says "Have you been good?"  I thought it was appropriate enough...and easy.

And then lastly, one about Scout, our elf.  The boys LOVE him, especially M.  I have been so impressed that he hasn't tried to touch him for the last two Christmases.

I have one or two more Christmas themed pages that I want to do.  As much as I love to scrap the everyday, I love to scrap the holidays.  They are part of our memories that I want to remember.  In the mean time though I'm reading this in my limited spare time:

So far so good.  I got a little emotional within the first three pages of reading it, but that story is for another day.  I'm looking forward to the moments that I can curl up with it.

Have a great day!

December Project 12

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh all done this challenge for 2011!!!

I have to admit I feel a little relieved.  I didn't think I was going to get them all done this year but I did and I'm happy.

Funny thing, I started out this year with a plan  to stick with some basic products and a journalling plan and I  veered away. 

The only thing that stayed consistent was my FB updates.  If I continue on with this challenge in 2012, I think I am going to continue with the updates as my journalling.

Since I like everyday scrapping I think it fits perfectly with monthly recap pages.

So here is the sketch:

Loved this one.

4x6 photos...check

All of them lined up in a row...check, check!

Pretty pink Jilli Bean papers from Tina's to work with...Check, check and check!

Here is what I came up with:

I wish that our skin tones were not all blown out but that's what happens with cheapo point and shoots.

Big news though...mama got a new camera.

A Nikon D3100.

I am still learning how to use it and I think I will be going for some lessons.

I know how to change the settings but I am not applying them correctly...AGH!

I honestly cant wait to really know how to use it though.

That's it for today...be back in a few days with another layout....Shocking!!!

We are hunkered down here enduring what is seems to be the Apocalypse of storms...Im sure I'll have other stuff to share!

Early morning blogging

It has been weeks since i have had a decent night sleep.

It seems as though my body has this internal alarm clock that goes off after I have reached a four hour stretch of sleep. 

Can't say that it is keeping me very sane...

So in an effort to tire my eyes and lull my brain back to sleep I give you some scrappyness of the very scary Halloween variety:

(Designed for Tina's Scrapbook Creations)

Our Halloween this year was interesting.

I was worried that it wasn't going to go well, as M was hesitant to wear his costume to school that day.

He was just being his normal 4 year old self.

The night of, he was still reluctant until I told him we were going to see our neighbours to get some candy.

Well. he was off and running after that.

It was the first year that he figured out and understood the whole ring the doorbell, say "Trick or Treat"  and "Thank You" routine.

It was cool to see the look on his face.

My other sweet, sweet boy was also his normal 2 year old self just rearing to go.

He wanted to go into peoples houses, have a little visit, run through the streets, smash a pumpkin or two...

I took him home a little earlier than M just to save a little sanity.

The great thing about the age that they are at, is that we can do a spin around the block and we are done.

In one hour we were home and M was helping to hand out candy whilst J munched on a Smarty or ten.

I will admit that it was very difficult to get pictures of them this year...all of them were blurry.

I scrapped them anyways, doesn't bother me much as long as I have the story recorded of my little astronaut  and my little Pablo's excellent Halloween adventure.

And on that note, I hear the pitter patter of little feet looking for me in the night.

Must go see what they want.

Nighty Night.

October Project 12

Whaaaattttt??

To project 12 layouts completed in as many weeks???

Not to mention I used some product from Tina's Scrapbooking Creations  for my DT assignment.

Killing two birds with one stone has been my mantra for the past  4 years weeks.

Where did I find the time?

No clue to be honest.

I rushed and because I did I am just mildly happy with my results.

But the funny little stories of my everyday life are told.


The picture of me and the boys....so my life.

One cooperating one not.

Here is Octobers sketch:

And my take on it:

I  was pretty literal with the interpretation.

Anyways...Off to enjoy some more of this unreal weather we are having....14 degrees on November 7th....can you believe it.

Happy Fall!

Inspired by:

As a scrapper I am always looking for different inspirations, whether it be a personal style I admire or a technique that I am anxious to try out.

There are so many talented ladies out there who put pages together that make me run to my nearest LSS and purchase all the latest and greatest products as well as things I wouldn't normally purchase.

Case in point, this punch:

It is a punch anywhere punch.  No more constraints as to where you can punch on the page.

And while I thought it was cool, I'm closing in on about 50 punches so I probably don't really need another punch when I have one that does *almost* the same thing right?

RIGHT?????

Enter Davinie Fiero.

Everything this lady touches turns to gold. 

And after seeing  this layout, and this layout, and heck even this layout  I caved and bought both the square and circle punch.  I have used them both so far and there is a learning curve for sure until you get the hang of it. 

(please excuse the blurry old photos and my apparent lack of photography skills)

I did this one for Tina, using some more Bo Bunny.  I have been hoarding these pictures for years. The journaling is about my deep love and appreciation for the ocean.  Either one that brackets our beautiful country will do.

My layout doesn't look anywhere as cool as hers do, but it is nice to have amazing inspiration out there to get your creative juices flowing.

What is inspiring you to create these days?  Link me up.  I'd love to see what some of your favorites are.

Nighty Night


 

How about some baby...

Layouts that is!

Tina gave me some Imaginisce papers to work with, and lets face it,

I have no shortage of baby pictures right?????

I'm hitting the ground running this morning.

We are launching a new payroll system at work and guess who needs to be there on day one?!

It is also my Mom's birthday today...Happy Birthday Mom!

In the haze that has been my life for the last 4 weeks I totally forgot to book it off...UGH.

We will be celebrating tomorrow with tacos and cake.

Enjoy your weekend!

Oh to be a Beach Bum again...

I'm not to sure if you saw my post down below about  becoming a better me, but I mentioned several things that I was struggling with in reference to my body image right now.

This feeling has been lingering for some time but I think a project that I had to do for Tina really pushed me to make some changes in my life.

She gave me this beachy piece of paper to work with from Paper House Productions:

I'm not going to lie to you, I was extremely intimidated by creating something that stayed true to my style with this piece of paper.

I dug through some old photos from over 15 years ago looking for pictures of me in St.  Maarten.  I went there after completing my first year of University as a reward for doing well.

I don't often daydream about the beach, but lately I could trade in my life leading my team  and bringing you fabulous for less, and hang with the kiddos all day in a tropical paradise.

Anyhow, I came across two of me on the beach, one clothed and one not so much and had a good stare at myself.  Two things came to mind.

1.  I had the best tan that I had ever had in my life
2. At the time I thought I was on the pudgy side.

So silly, really when I think about it because I was no bigger than a size 8, yet I didn't like myself then.

Why do we do that to ourselves?  It is totally and ridiculously crazy.

I used those two pictures to make a page using that paper:

(You can click to enlarge at your own risk)

As you can see I cut the paper in half and used the beach portion of it to go with my photos.  You can't tell in the picture but all the tan areas are actually sand paper to mimic the sand.

I have this Layout above my desk where I think it will stay for a while to remind me to be kinder and gentler to myself and as inspiration of a look that I may like to achieve.

Happy Wednesday Peeps.

Close enough

Before I had my two boys I had these three.

They are not mine but I have shared special moments with all of them.

Before mine, they were what I scraped.

I feel like I have stories about them that still need to be shared , but for today I will share this:

(created for Tina's Scrapbooking Creations)

If I was not blessed enough to have two of my own, I knew with them I was close enough.

Happy hump day!

Before four

B and I have never really been a couple who travels or dines out often.

Our idea pre kids of eating out, was take-out.

We stayed in our PJ's on Sundays and watched NASCAR.

I had regular haircuts, wore make-up and read often.

B played video games and golfed.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss those days.

Before four we were good.

Now we are great.

I wouldn't change our chaotic life for anything.

(Click to enlarge)

Another layout for Tina, using some more cupcake love.

To say I love this paper would be an understatement.

I love hearts...love them.

I try to incorporate them into most of my layouts.

And an excuse to use pink always makes me happy.

Hope you are enjoying your Sunday!

An ode to yesterday...

Okay so maybe not an ode, but a reminder to myself that I have 2 very good reasons to slow down and maybe look at things more from their perspective.

Originally this page was going to be called "The contents of my heart" to go with all the heart themed products that Tina gave me to work with but after yesterday I needed to write down how I was feeling and the page morphed into something else.  Plus I am totally not opposed to using pink on my pages with my two little guys.

Off to hang out with my biggest while the littlest naps.

Happy Saturday Peeps!

A Tasty Snack

On my last trip up to see Tina she gave me some Doddle Bug goodies to play with.

I was and still am in love with this Bon Appetit Line. 

The little oven mitts make me happy.

I had visions of using this paper and embellies  to do a page about my Christmas baking but pictures where not taken so that idea was scrapped...(HA!)

I pulled out the papers on Monday and after looking through my pictures I knew what I would do.

M has a funny new little request that he uses several times a day.

"Can I have a tasty snack????"

It cracks me up every time.

I find myself saying out load when I am in search of a snack.

This particular day he was wanting a croissant, and proceed to devour not one, but two.

I happened to get this picture, which is far from perfect but was perfect for the memory that I wanted to preserve.

I know I have said it before and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, these moments are why I scrapbook.

Sure I could journal them or blog about them but I love to look through my albums and read the funny little stories that I wrote about and look at the pictures that I paired with them.   It makes me smile.

And because I don't like to waste my scraps of paper, I whipped out two little cards.

Simple, but I like simple.

Off to bed.

Today kicks off my 17 day vacation.

SO excited and Soooooo in need of a break.

Nighty Night.

Christmas Mini

Bonjour!!!

Only 13 more sleeps and I feel more and more festive as each day passes.

Work: busy
Shopping: Almost done
Baking: Tomorrow and Saturday
Tummy:  Full from a wonderful dinner out with the Fam.


In scrappy related news, I finally finished a mini album for Tina last week. 

I don't normally do Mini albums but I have been really inspired by the December Daily concept, started by Ali Edwards and done by so many talented scrappers.

I'm pretty sure it won't happen here so I did a blank album to put my pictures of Christmas day in after with places to journal little memories.

And there you have it. 

Off to let my Dinner digest.

Nighty Night.

Buckle up!!

Just stopping in quickly to share my second layout for Tina.

I love that she gave me the Jillibean soup paper to work with.

Kraft, bright colors, boy themed...uuuhhh...heeelllooo!

Perfect for my little guys,

who BTW love the car.

Stay tuned for another car themed layout.

and on a side note, I started the pumpkin carving tonight.

In case you are new to my blog or need a good laugh, you may want to head to my October 2010 archives and read this and this.

I swear those posts will never get old.

Nighty night.

My First Assignment!

*insert me jumping up and down here*

I went up to Tina's to collect some goodies two Saturdays ago to get started on some design team work.

I left her store feeling really excited and slightly nervous to get started. 

One of the lines of paper she gave me to work with was the Imginisce Birthday Bash.

The colors are right up my alley.  The reds, browns, yellows and turquoise.....ahhhh they make me happy.

It is a rare occasion that any of my layouts don't contain those colors.

I'm pretty sure I wasn't even home and I knew what I wanted to do with them.

Unbelievably I hadn't scrapped M or J's first birthday.

I have scrapped updates but nothing to mark that special milestone.

And it had nothing to do with not having any pictures.  :)

So my first assignment was of M and his birthday cake,

which for the record, he did not like.

It is simple but I really like how it turned out.

I also made some Birthday Banner cards.

I won't mention any names, however someone took a shinning to one of these cards and was running around like a madman with it and it got destroyed.

I now have to make another.

That's it for now my friends. 

I had planned to do more by now, but I had my brother visiting from the great white north last week and the place where you find fabulous for less has been hectic.

More projects to come.

Happy Saturday!!!