Scrap Gram

Olympic Photos

2010-02-22T13:52:00.000-08:00

We braved the crowds yesterday and took a bus to Whistler to snap a few photos and get into the spirit of the games... the bus was a double-decker so the trip up was a little longer but very scenic since we were on the top deck! We wandered around the village and took in the sights for about 4 hours before heading home... here are a few photos.
We're not sure if he is real or not... there have been so people all made up to look like statues...!

The empty chair is where I should be sitting by this time....
It's hard to see but there is a flame burning on top of this torch!

And here is a torch carrier who was posing for photos with people - I caught him just as people left.

Such a beautiful day here.. and snow where it should be... on the mountains!

Time For a New Post!!

2010-02-17T20:41:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that it's been so long since I've posted to this blog... time to fix that I guess. I do have three blogs on the go (oh I know... crazy eh?) so what isn't on here... should be on there!!

I've been working on layouts doing a challenge day (on the 12th) at the Sisterhood of Scraps website... we have such a good time there.
Here's what I've gotten done:

this is a card for my Valentine!

A Little Digi Scrapping

2009-06-27T20:43:00.001-07:00

I am working on a challenge using one photo so thought I would do some digital scrapping.

This layout uses paper by Nancy Wilkins & Jessica Sprague (the yellow one); the circular narrative is from a Pick Of The Patch digi kit; the yarn and tag I believe were by Holly Van Dyne.

This layout uses paper by Tracy Turchin of 2 peas; the flowers and the pink ribbon are by Ann Langpap.

This one is a little different! It took me a long time to get that photo just the way I wanted it but I like how it finally turned out. The paper, flower and title are by Tia Bennett.

Cropped Out!

2009-05-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

I have been doing an online crop this weekend... and it's still on till Thursday. Here is something I made for a challenge - it was great fun doing something totally different.
First I got an old hardcover book and cut out the 'book' part... then got out the inks and paint and layered it on... did a little crackle too and some metallics as well... then found that some of the ink just wouldn't dry good enough so had to coat it with some clear finish.
The inside pages are a mix of cloth and paper... the right page is cloth... an old sheet I liked... and the photo is sewn on as is the word 'mom'.

this is the other side of the sewn page... I covered up the stitching with a journaling page and pinned it with tiny blue pins.

This is a paper page on the left and is still being worked on... the cloth page on the right is still waiting for some buttons! I still have to do the rest of the book (there are 8 pages altogether) but I want to work slowly so I can make it unique. I found that I had to take it apart to work on the pages so they could be sewn easier if that is what I wanted to do but all in all, this was a really interesting challenge! Then there was dealing with the guilt of wrecking a book... ha ha ha!

Some Of My Favorites!

2009-04-18T23:15:00.000-07:00

I've been looking over some of the projects I've done over the last year and thought I'd post some of my favorites here. The first one is using an "Ethan" paperboard book grow chart and Scenic Route "Metropolis" papers available at: http://www.dragonflyscrapbooking.com/shopping.html

This is how it tucks into the box and can be stored like a book on a shelf or hung up and used to measure the child as he or she grows.
This is the beginning... the clear ruler is also included so you can track growth right on the chart!
I loved all the little cut out places to insert a photo.
I've used an arrow on the upper 'page' to point to his height at 4 years old.

and a few more arrows here too!

On the last page, which is at the top of the chart, I've left room for a few small photos to add later and pointed out his height at 10 with two die cut photo corners. When he outgrows the front of the chart I may add his age and measurements onto the back... just for a record. I've also punched two holes and added eyelets to hang this up with a ribbon or other fiber.

This was a fun project and I am intending on giving it to him when he graduates!

It's A Birthday!

2009-03-06T14:19:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I've posted a layout or made one for that matter!

Oh... to be 25 again...the things I'd do differently!

Here is a close up of the 'flower'. This layout uses Bazzill 'Maraschino' cardstock; Basic Grey's 'cupcake' line of papers which are 'celebrate', 'clown nose' and 'frosting'.

It's been awhile

2009-02-17T20:46:00.000-08:00

So... I thought... why not update my blog and try something new! So I did and I love the change, the only thing I am having trouble with is editing the html to make three columns instead of just the two...I followed the steps but for some reason it just isn't the same in one of the steps so I wasn't sure what to do and it wouldn't work! Darn... it would have been nice to have one more column to bore everyone with!!

It's been almost a year since my cousin (who is in the header with me) died and I have been running across a few photos of us... so I am going to share.

Here are the cousins - most of us in 1998 at a family reunion.

and here we are on my birthday 4 years ago before things started going horribly wrong. We had such a good time just being silly together.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-17T01:34:00.000-08:00

Well... we are running out of time in this year and soon it will be 2009. My wish for everyone is for a happy and warm holiday season; a Merry Christmas and a great beginning to the new year. We will be having our annual tea party with our grandchildren and toasting in the New Year with tea and goodies.

I am so excited!

2008-12-06T23:53:00.000-08:00

I was recently contacted by another member of my birth family... a cousin! And, then her sister, that I'd met years ago... and they are very nice and are providing me with photos and information for my family tree!! It's so nice to be able to fill in the blanks and I am grateful.

How Time Flies!

2008-11-26T15:46:00.000-08:00

I was just reminded that there is only a month till Christmas... ack!! I am so far behind with my shopping and have no baking done at all! I have been making mini albums for gifts this year and will get some cards done and mailed out next week. For now, I am helping my friend Colleen do an inventory count at her store... http://www.dragonflyscrapbooking.com/shopping.html - we should be done by the weekend - there's lots of great paper and embellishments so it will be an interesting job - I seem to 'resee' things I just have to have when I'm there! And... I just have to mention my other friend's store - Pick of The Patch... now is not just online! Check it out - the monthly kits are the best I've seen... #107-250 Schoolhouse Street in Coquitlam.

What a great time of year!

2008-11-10T23:40:00.000-08:00

Oh, I know...everyone hates the rain! In spite of the rain, just go take a quick little walk around your neighborhood - look at the leaves, walk in a puddle and just enjoy the fresh air. On Sunday I was out taking photos with my bf Margaret and even though things looked dead or dying, there is still a lot of life out there! Here's some of the photos I took.

Mini Album Again!

2008-10-30T18:08:00.000-07:00

I was doing a challenge recently - to use all different shapes of chipboard and make a mini album... wow, I thought, why have I not done this before!

Here it is:

These photos are from a crop I went to - we had a great time!

An Unofficial Crop

2008-10-25T20:56:00.000-07:00

We are holding an 'unofficial' crop over at pickofthepatch.com - just to get ourselves in the scrapping mood. This is totally put on by us members - check out the rules of the crop and you'll get the picture. Sandra has generously allowed us to do this - thanks Sandra!

Back from our cruise & a laugh for the day!

2008-10-15T15:42:00.000-07:00

What a great trip... and a total get away! I didn't just make some cards! We sailed on Holland America's Oosterdaam... a great ship, lots of nice people and very relaxed. Here's a few photos: This is the welcome aboard get together around the pool area - they were singing and dancing to YMCA!

Every night there was a different little creature waiting in our room along with a nice good night message and some chocolates. Cute eh?

Bruce was getting a little nauseated off and on - and was suffering from vertigo so tried a sea sick patch... he lost it so added another one behind his ear... then later... much later realized that he still had the old one...hiding on his hand! We don't know how it stayed there so long because we were washing at all the hand wash stations around the ship all day!

After our stop in Victoria the pilot was picked up in this little boat...we were just lucky to catch a photo or two!

And finally... the last night of our cruise...no sleeping pill because we had to get up and off the ship by 8:30 am.... Bruce snores... LOUDLY... and after I got too tired to keep telling him to move (he even snores on his stomach!)... I made a little bed in the little bathroom... ha ha ha... he caught me when he had to use it in the early morning! So there's your laugh for the day!

Cruisin' and Vegas

2008-10-09T22:59:00.001-07:00

Just got back yesterday and what a great trip...I'm newly inspired and once I get some photos printed I'll be back to scrapping! I did manage to get a few Christmas cards made on the cruise (I can only sit for so long watching the water... ha ha ha!) - I had a lady watching me 'to learn how to make cards' so I gave her some - she was very nice and complimentary!! This photo is where I first started out but soon found that there just wasn't enough room even for card making!

BC Crop for Kids

2008-09-28T21:34:00.001-07:00

Well, I shocked myself and actually got some layouts done at this weekend's crop for kids! I didn't get the photos too straight but here they are anyway!

This was made for a stamping challenge at the crop.
Page one and two for a competition.

This one is going to be 'tweaked a bit, it's for putting into a frame for a gift.

One of the grandkids when he was just a little guy...so playful in this shot!

And here he is on his 3rd birthday!

My cousin's marriage.

Thinking Back

2008-09-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

Today I thought I'd share some of my earlier heritage layouts. I keep thinking about the past and how I need to get back into doing my genealogy! The young blonde in this layout is my mother with her sister.

The layout titled Rose is my great aunt, I never met her but she was responsible for my mother's family leaving England in 1920. Her and her husband were living in Penticton so my grandmother decided the family should start a new life in a new country.

This is the wedding of my mother & father in 1946 - I love her bouquet and I have her wedding gown.

My two uncles on my father's side - thank goodness there were no twins in this generation!

My father's grandmother on his mother's side - the family was in England so I don't know if he even knew her.

Getting ready for a crop!

2008-09-08T18:46:00.000-07:00

Wow...I've just realized that there is only 2-1/2 weeks till the Crop for Kids! Does anyone else have the same problem I do, figuring out what to take? I always take so much that I am overwhelmed by it all and forget what I actually set out to do and end up with something totally different or not getting anything much done at all! This time, I am going to try and stick to some kits and take lots of photos and hopefully will get some scrapping done along with all the visiting and other fun stuff! I have been working on cards to take to donate but have done a few challenges...here is one I've just done using some Basic Grey Romani papers that I've been hoarding!

Great Weekend

2008-09-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend...the rain held off for 3 - 4 hours so we had some time on the outer deck...then it started to sprinkle so we moved to the covered deck and house just at dinner time... so it was great, lots of moving around and visiting!! I will have to get busy on a bit of scrapping tonight!

It's Raining!

2008-08-28T23:40:00.001-07:00

Good Lord...please take this rain away for the weekend! I am holding a family BBQ here on Saturday - there are about 30 of us and our house will be full if there's rain. I am hoping the weatherman is right and it will start clearing up on Friday for the weekend!

My Space

2008-08-25T22:55:00.001-07:00

For something a little different, I am posting my craft area... it's taken a few years of organizing and then rearranging but I have it pretty much the way it works for me! Not that I won't be reorganizing constantly but the main 'bones' will stay the same!

Take a look under the tables...aren't those small shelves great?! They are from Ikea and are very easy to attach. They swivel out when I need them and in when I don't and are very handy (and cheap at only $5 each).

Tribute To Nana

2008-08-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

My grandmother on my mother's side was quite a character...I used to go and spend some weekends with her and my uncle and since they were both actors, I was taken to many plays - some they were in. They both were cast in a sitcom called "Nellie, Daniel, Emma and Ben" on CBC... my Nana was Nellie, my uncle played Ben. This little album is a tribute to my grandmother.

Frame It!

2008-07-29T11:59:00.000-07:00

This project uses a paper mache frame. First I painted it with Making Memories 'Sunsoaked' paint and using a dry brush added a little 'Acorn' to tone it down. I found some great Daisy D's paper at http://www.dragonflyscrapbooking.com/home.html and tore it into strips and glued it onto the frame, then added a piece to the middle to mount a photo onto... or not! Lastly I added a sunflower - I love the old country look and it fits right in amongst the chickens and dried corn and greenery in my kitchen.

I've Been Thinking About You

2008-07-09T17:16:00.001-07:00

Mum - Just 'cause... this was made for a challenge due on her birthday, July 15 so it was only fitting to make a layout about her. It's getting close to that time and the time of her death and I have been getting those triggers again that she is around me.

Half Cover Coaster Mini Book

2008-07-06T18:26:00.001-07:00

I've made this for a kit project at Dragonfly Scrapbooking!

A Challenge from Crafty Moments blog

2008-07-04T19:09:00.001-07:00

Here's my little card to help celebrate the American July 4th holiday...(and I didn't even make a card to celebrate our own July 1st holiday!!)

Another place for some fun...

2008-07-01T14:16:00.001-07:00

Check this out! http://craftymoments.blogspot.com/2008/06/40-days-starts-right-here.html

A Wedding Mini Album

2008-06-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

My daughters friend recently got married so I made her a little album of the photos I took. All her friends got together and put the wedding on... decorating everything and instead of gifts (although they still did that!) all the bride wanted were things to put the wedding and reception on. It was a very nice time and full of the love of the couple, her son and their friends.

Ever Wonder What To Do With...

2008-06-13T16:46:00.000-07:00

All those ribbon rolls after you've used the ribbon!?? Well... here's an idea and it's fairly easy to do. First I took the roll apart and covered each section, then reassembled it all. Then I made a small mini album and added some photos. Finally, I added a die cut butterfly and it was done!

Inside the We Are Family Mini

2008-06-10T01:05:00.000-07:00

Here's a peek at the inside of the first mini album. It was a challenge working with this with all of the cut out windows and took quite awhile to do.

Making Mini Albums

2008-06-08T23:17:00.000-07:00

When I was forced into early retirement I never realized how busy I'd be! My daughter introduced me to the world of scrapbooking back in 2005 and a whole new life began. I am addicted to this craft now and the many things you can do with a few sheets of paper, some glue and embellishments - oh, and photos of course! I purchased a Bind It All machine awhile ago and am enjoying making mini albums... many, many mini albums!

Rak to be won!

2008-05-30T17:05:00.000-07:00

Check out my photo blog for a guessing game. All you have to do is guess what the photo is of and you can win a RAK (for scrapbooking!) and have your name put in for a bigger one at the end of August. The link is in the sidebar.

I have been busy....

2008-05-23T21:13:00.000-07:00

Working, working, working...or I should say having a great time making things and doing layouts. I have made this one for a challenge at Sisterhood of Scrap - what a great idea to have a national day on your birth date - go take a look at their blog and find yours! The photo is a bit corny but one day Kate and I and a friend were hamming it up in front of a camera and she snapped this one of me!

Another project

2008-04-28T19:57:00.001-07:00

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted anything here...I have been busy with mini books lately and have just finished this one. It's full of photos of my aunt and uncle's 60th anniversary party.

Sara's Challenge - Paintball...

2008-04-11T00:24:00.001-07:00

Well, using paint that is...I used my paint pen here but around the edges only...

Connect 4 Challenge

2008-04-10T16:12:00.000-07:00

I am enjoying the challenges at Sisterhood of Scrap - here is my Connect 4 layout. I used more of the same papers as my last layout...I love the cheery, bright colors of Scenic Routes Lynden Street collection. The stars were white Heidi Swapp chipboard shapes that I covered. The layout here looks a little dull but it is much brighter in real life. My favorite Bazzill is the Teal background.

My answer to Carla's challenge - Tag!

2008-04-09T23:02:00.000-07:00

This was made from some really bright flowered bags with the three tags attached to larger paper in the pockets. I haven't gotten any photos put into it because it will probably be a gift. The front cover is made from paper that reminds me of a 'popcorn' ceiling!

Challenge for Sisterhood of Scrap

2008-04-08T01:15:00.000-07:00

It's anniversary time and we want to play! The sisterhood of scrap is having a crop all week - hooray! My challenge is to use the game of hopscotch as inspiration and the colors of spring for a layout. Remember those days in elementary school - out in the playground - drawing the squares on the pavement then looking for something really good to use as a throwing piece? This was one game I really liked and here's my layout:I used some of the new Scenic Route paper here - Lynden Dahlia Street and Lynden Parkside Court and my favorite colors of Bazzill cardstock - Green Tea and Teal which I got from one of my favorite places - http://www.dragonflyscrapbooking.com/shopping.html - go take a look, there are lots of colors of cardstock and new papers being posted all the time. The chipboard pieces were from my stash of hoarded goods!

Mourning Today

2008-03-27T19:59:00.000-07:00

At 1:15 am my cousin, Sherrie passed away. Mandy and I were there with her and she was peaceful and kept comfortable. I will miss her - we grew up together, played together and as adults spent time together. If we hadn't seen each other for awhile, one of us would always be on the phone to check the other out and see what they were up to. She had been ill for many years due to years of complications from stomach bypass surgery but was a real fighter and even when sick still tried to keep smiling - I really like this photo of her taken years ago.

I've been tagged!

2008-03-27T18:59:00.000-07:00

I wasn't sure what this was all about but, I'll give it a try!
Here's how it works: 1. Link to the person that tagged you and leave a comment on their blog, so that their readers can visit yours. Jean Marie tagged me: here's her link: http://jeanmaries.blogspot.com/ 2. Post the rules on your blog. 3. Share 7 Random facts about yourself on your blog.4. Tag 7 random people at the bottom of your post, linking to their blog. Let each person know by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I am always organizing and never done.
2. I have trouble getting rid of things I am emotionally attached to whether I can use them or not.
3. I have lived in the same town all my life and have never really wanted to move somewhere else although I fantasize about it!
4. I love sci fi/fantasy pocketbooks.
5. I love curried foods and spicy things even though as I've gotten older, it doesn't like me.
6. I recently - like this afternoon - ate my grandkids chocolate bunny even though I am dieting.
7. I still miss my mother even after 12 years and even after knowing and caring about my birth mother.

I am tagging: Rae, Pat, Brenna, Erica, that's it...I won't bug anyone else.

Recycle it!

2008-03-17T22:33:00.000-07:00

Here's a great way to use those cardboard ribbon holders. I made a small round album for inside with photos of my children and grandchildren and a few rub ons describing them.

Pick Of The Patch Layouts

2008-03-07T01:58:00.000-08:00

I was chosen to create layouts with the recent kit and am having a little trouble uploading - so here they are: The first layout - Wedding - the only thing not in the kit were the flowers - they are from my stash. I had a great time using the crackle paint and the rub ons really worked well with this layout. If you look closely you can see that there are also rub ons on the scroll near the flower.

I managed to get the other two layouts uploaded at Pick Of The Patch but here they are anyway:The layout titled 1234 uses all elements of the kit with the exception of the red paint from my stash. I also painted the edges of the chipboard pieces with red to make them stand out better.

The layout titled Beautiful used all elements from the kit. I painted the corner pieces with the crackle paint but left the brads red for a little pop of color.

I also had to do a project, I chose to alter a tin I already had. I lightly sanded the metal and then painted it with the crackle paint, then I added a clear coat on top to protect the crackle finish. I punched out some flowers and covered a piece of the chipboard and added them to the top. Then I made a small album for the inside with photos of the Pick Of The Patch retreat.

Another Layout

2008-03-05T23:58:00.001-08:00

This is Nancy - the cat with lots of attitude! I made this layout for Sisterhood Of Scrap's blog. They sent out an envelope with paper and bits of embellishments in it. Not knowing what I was getting was the fun part - trying to use everything well was a challenge but I liked how it turned out.

One Little Word - Time

2008-03-01T20:36:00.000-08:00

Here is my layout for OLW:

TIME .... as in, where the heck did it all go!!??

Check out Deanne's Blog

2008-03-01T20:06:00.000-08:00

Her link is on the sidebar... all the new cards and layouts for March 1st are on there. My card is this one:

She has great sketches!

Still Getting Those Christmas Layouts Done

2008-02-27T15:40:00.001-08:00

Here is another one - finally I am getting back to layouts after so many mini books and altered items for Dragonfly Scrapbooking (soon to be on the site with kits for some). Colleen is still loading things into the store but I expect within the next couple of weeks most or all of it will be there. Then... watch for new stuff in the coming months. It's been fun helping her get things going. She carries lots of things that are unpackaged so if you just need one or two, you don't have to buy a huge package of one thing.

Her store site is here:
http://www.dragonflyscrapbooking.com/home.html

Crop for Cancer

2008-02-25T12:51:00.000-08:00

I managed to get two layouts done (all day) at the Crop for Cancer on the weekend! I love going to these crops and seeing my online friends. We had a great time for a great cause and hopefully Jane will just keep doing it! Here' s the one I actually got finished there! Maria had put out cookies for Santa but never went to bed till 11:00 pm because she was so wound up...then in the middle of the night we heard her playing in her room and blowing a little horn...hence the letter from Santa. It says: "Ho, ho, ho Maria! Thank you for the delicious cookies and milk. I shared them with my reindeer. You have been a very good girl, so I left you lots of nice gifts. Please make sure to go to bed earlier next year though, okay? And no blowing your whistle when you should be sleeping. Promise? Love Santa!! " (see bottom photo in layout for her reaction!!)

A Different Kind of Layout

2008-02-22T01:52:00.000-08:00

For this layout, I printed the newspaper article onto vellum - this was for a challenge I did recently. Then I added the journaling as required for the challenge. A little bit different kind of a layout for me but I am trying new things these days trying to get my mojo happening!

Oh Boy!

2008-02-14T20:28:00.000-08:00

I got the mystery package from Sisterhood of Scrap yesterday to make a layout for the end of the month and it is great. Then today, I got the pizza box from Pick Of The Patch for my guest designer layouts, etc. for March...oolala...what a great kit that is but my lips are sealed till Sandra releases it!

Here is a layout I did at the online crop last weekend...instead! It's all digital.

Another day...another layout!

2008-02-13T01:19:00.001-08:00

This layout was done for a challenge using only white cardstock...no other paper! So I stamped and cut and inked then wove the strips together into a little fence. I just love the flower so I wanted it to be the main focus of a layout anyway!

No Snacking!

2008-02-11T18:00:00.001-08:00

I made myself an 'adjusted' recipe for beef curry...mmmm was it ever good! The photo shows it still cooking but it didn't take long! This no sugar, no carbs for two weeks diet is tough but it's making me more creative and the cravings are almost gone!

I've Been Chosen...

2008-02-10T19:38:00.000-08:00

I've been chosen for a design team position on Deanne's blog... a-scrapaddict.blogspot.com ... hurray! I will have to practice making cards! This weekend I have been taking part in an 'unofficial online crop' (because some of us decided we needed it) at Pick Of The Patch - here is one of my layouts:

The flowers are from my son Chris, and daughter, Kate, for my birthday. How fast time flies!

Rain and Snow

2008-02-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

Today is a dull, slushy, rainy day! I am trying to get my butt off the chair here and get something done...maybe I'll paint - some nice cheerful, clean color...maybe it's time for a ... Laundry Room Makeover!!! Yes, that's a good idea!

Not A Good Day Today

2008-01-25T13:43:00.000-08:00

I had a phone call today from Mandy - the hospital called and told her she should go down there - things are not good. I am so upset, we may be cousins but we have also been friends for 57 years. My half sister Jackie is coming for the weekend so that might help me.

Not a bad day today!

2008-01-20T22:02:00.000-08:00

Maria came for a visit to celebrate her birthday which was last weekend. She loved the clothes and especially the dress we got her. She also loved playing with the playdough set and had a great time making us 'food' with it. She is such a funny, sweet little girl.

On another note though, Mandy called and her mum is very sick... She is stable but what that means at this point I am not sure.

Pucker Power

2008-01-08T20:22:00.000-08:00

I can't upload my layouts to the POTP site right now. I've just finished my first layout of 2008 so here it is. The tab at the top is for a journaling strip in a pocket on the back.

The paper and the alpha are from the December 2007 kit, the chipboard hearts and flowers are from my stash.

Just Chillin'

2008-01-06T22:48:00.001-08:00

Sunday.... a day of rest and relaxation and boy did I ever! I should be ashamed to admit it but, I am still in my Pj's and it's 10:45 or so PM! After all the caffuffle of the holidays I am taking a 'mental health' day (that's what we called them when we played hookey from work!) and tonight I am going to do a little scrapbooking. Poor Bruce had to work!

Last Night Was...

2008-01-04T18:41:00.000-08:00

Awful! I still have my two grandkids here...we have had a great time but tonight was awful! I can't remember the last time I had to clean up after a sick kid but tonight was the night...ugh! Not only did Jacob projectile vomit but he hit the crack of the sliding door...you know, the kind that goes INTO the wall! Needless to say as my stomach was heaving I was mopping it up and praying I didn't add to it! He felt great after that but I am still up trying to get control of my stomach!! I am taking them to meet the other grandma on Saturday morning so hopefully this will have passed by then and the car will be safe from a mess! And then I can relax...and get back into my little routine ha ha ha!

A Little Challenge

2008-01-02T20:15:00.000-08:00

The challenge for the year is on Pick Of The Patch - some are going to take a photo a day, some a photo a week, I am going to shoot for a photo a week but might just make it daily. I will start a new blog just for that so stay tuned.

Christmas Was Great!

2007-12-27T19:41:00.000-08:00

We had a great Christmas! Not only was Pat, Shelly and their three boys here...and Moneta, Kate, Kris and Kelly, but we also got to spend the entire holiday till this morning with Maria. And yesterday Chris, Desiree and Jacob arrived! How lucky to have had time with everyone. Chris is entertaining the kids today with board games and then with a bunch of movies so Bruce and I are taking a little time 'off' and checking our emails. We took a break from turkey and ham and tried out a few things from M & M meats. Tomorrow it's back to turkey and ham!

I received some great gifts...lots of scrapbooking things, clothing, etc. AND...from Chris, a total surprise...a diamond necklace!! He is working at a really good job now so was very generous with everyone.

Now we just have New Years to celebrate and make our unresolutions and we're done with holidays and can RELAX!

Digital Layouts...

2007-12-22T22:18:00.000-08:00

Well...I just couldn't stand not scrapping but I didn't want to mess up my craft/office space with everyone coming tomorrow so I did a little digital work! I was going through withdrawal very badly...you know, napping, going to bed early, actually doing housework! Here are some layouts...just simple ones but they helped curb the craving! The one at the bottom is a layout of my two cousins, Terry & Ric...we had hardly seen each other for years!

Making Gifts

2007-12-17T23:51:00.000-08:00

I have been making gifts for family and friends this Christmas...it's been a lot of fun for me and has gradually gotten me in the mood for the holidays. Now I just have to get that baking done!

Here's a little book I've made lately...

Happy Birthday Chris...!

2007-12-14T00:30:00.000-08:00

If you are reading this you will see that it is 12:30 am and you are probably at work...or maybe sleeping...so I will say HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON now and I will call you later in the morning or afternoon!

I have been busy trying to get into the Christmas spirit so have been making a few small gifts...I just finished one for a friend of mine so I can't post it in case she reads this...! Tomorrow I think I will start on the baking and get myself organized with that...then on Saturday we have a dinner out and Sunday it's lunch out and shopping! Next week there are 3 birthdays in a row...how's that for busy at Christmas time!?!

Bruce and I tore the washing machine apart to fix a leak tonight...and now we are ready for the kids laundry and all the sheet changes to come with the change of sleepers!

Thank you Kate!

2007-12-12T18:06:00.000-08:00

What a great daughter you are...shopping for Bruce! And for picking up a few things for my list too! I am trying to get the house in order for having everyone here for Christmas...brother Pat and family are all coming...I'm so happy about that and hopefully all the kids will be here too at one time or another. We are hoping to see Maria on Boxing Day - I think it would take a minor miracle to see her on Christmas Day! Desiree and Jacob will be coming too...I just can't imagine a Christmas holiday season without them, and we will have our traditional tea party on New Years Eve.

It will be a difficult holiday for some of our family... my uncle Russ passed away on December 10 and my uncle Wally in the spring... very tough for my aunt. And...Bruce's cousin Raymond also passed this year - a father of young children - it's very sad. I am always thinking of Mum and Dad but especially at this time of year - Mum was always really into Christmas. I can still smell the baking and remember all the decorating she did. Dad was in his workshop building things and probably just staying out of her way!! ha ha ha!

Got Some Shopping...

2007-12-06T18:38:00.000-08:00

Done...almost! I just need a couple of things and Christmas shopping is done and I can get to the baking and the cleaning and the getting my head ready for the holidays. I am hoping the snow stays away and the roads are clear for Chris to drive down with the kids. I have been busy making things and hopefully all will be done in time. I made one for myself then framed it to hang in my room...now to do layouts of the other grandkids so they are all around me!

Making Gifts

2007-11-29T06:08:00.000-08:00

I've had a busy night tonight...it is now 6 am and I am still up! Unfortunately I had a little nap yesterday after dinner and slept too long so couldn't sleep...I did get lots of scrapping done though! I have been making mini-albums with paper bags for stocking stuffers...here is one I made for Bruce's aunt:

Did the Mummy thing...

2007-11-21T22:59:00.001-08:00

Kate came home from her vacation...sick...so I went and took her some soup and some medicine...unpacked and did some laundry...my poor baby. She can hardly talk...or hear and is sure sick. I am thankful she didn't get sick at the beginning of the holiday and at least her and Kena had fun. Thanks goes to Dave too for looking after the cats and the apartment and for being so good to her and bringing her kleenex and other things.

I got a call from Chris the other night...he is working hard and has been promoted and is supervising his shift...way to go son...so much better to get the working life under control!

Anybody else having trouble getting their Christmas shopping underway...? I am usually all done and this year have barely started.

More photos added

2007-11-16T23:14:00.000-08:00

I've managed to add more photos to the Autumn challenge for Sisterhood of Scrap...now there's only 13 more to go before the end of the month!

A Bad Hair Day...or 6 weeks of hiding

2007-11-16T21:03:00.000-08:00

On Saturday I am heading to Maple Ridge for a crop so yesterday I got the bright idea to dye my hair and cover up some of the many grey hairs. Well...I tried a new dye...sort of the same color as usual but with highlights...and let me tell you...I almost had a heart attack when I took the towel off my head and saw those highlights...BLACK, BLACK, BLACK ones...all my hair is black! Now tell me...does the package match the hair... NO NO NO!

Fridays SOS challenge...

2007-11-10T02:00:00.000-08:00

The challenge for Friday is to tell a story (I'm a little late cause I fell asleep at 7:00 pm) about a photo...so here it is! The story is an interesting one...this is our wedding in October of 1991...put on by our parents at my mother and father's house. We had known each other all through our high school years...but never hung out together even though he was 'the boy next door'. When our marriages ended...our mothers, who were best friends connived to get us together for 'coffee'... I was adamant... no way did I want to get connected to anyone and never was I ever getting married again! My mother worked on me... ' he is a little lonely'... it would just be nice of you to go for coffee' ... he's such a nice man.... etc. Well, she was right, he is definately a nice man...almost like a girlfriend in that he doesn't mind the mall...or shopping...he vaccums and tidies up and actually likes doing the dishes...he is a great 'wife' too not to mention the best husband a woman can have! So...to get back to the story... I went for coffee... we had a few dates and hung around... our kids were friendly and since we had kids...we thought maybe we should get married... ha ha ha... what did I know, eh...so much for staying single! Without him in my life it would be empty ... we have had a great time together so far and I'm not letting him go... I told him he was just stuck with me cause it would cost him too much for a divorce and that I had to keep living to the style to which I'm accustomed ...ha ha ha... if you knew us, you would also know how close we are and that is one of our sick little jokes!! So there's my story... !

Another card is dealt

2007-11-08T13:52:00.000-08:00

Here's my next challenge... a layout

Third Day of SOS...

2007-11-08T01:48:00.000-08:00

Well...today it's where we get inspiration...! I get it from nature...from all the junk mail...from all the wrappers and things...oh it's so hard to toss anything out now! No...really...my favorite site for inspiration is www.pickofthepatch.com - the design team and all the other flower girls are awesome scrappers. Then there is the 2peas in a bucket site...this is where I go for digital inspiration mostly and another totally wonderful site is...yes sisters...your site...The Sisterhood of Scrap site...I love it!

Second Challenge.... a tip!

2007-11-06T19:20:00.000-08:00

Well Sisters...this is what I have been doing lately... you know all those ribbon reels and all that ribbon all out in a row ...or a mess? Well...I had all my reels of ribbon on a small shelf I picked up at Ikea...this worked really well but I soon found that I got tired of looking at it and it just always looked a little messy...so one day when I was in Walmart just looking around I wandered into the "Men's area"...ha ha ha...the tool box aisle. I found some really great containers with lots of partitions and really solid closures...and they have holes on the back to hang them. I sat one night a rewound all my ribbon, rik rak and fibres into 4 of them...they are very handy and see through too and if I go off to a crop I can just grab what I want. (and they are only around $5 each)

Sisterhood Of Scrap Texas Hold'em layouts

2007-11-05T21:02:00.000-08:00

Day 1 - all done! The paper around the outside is mounted on chipboard & the edges all sanded. This paper, with the exception of the red cardstock, is from the November Pick Of The Patch kit. I loved working with this paper and it is all double-sided too!

A Challenge At Sisterhood of Scrap

2007-11-01T22:33:00.000-07:00

oh boy ... time for a challenge...just love that...it starts on November 5 so check it out!

It's Halloween...

2007-10-31T21:20:00.000-07:00

Well...not too many kids were knocking at the door tonight. I don't know if there are fewer kids interested in trick or treating or if they just don't like the hike up the hill...regardless, now I have to get rid of the leftovers! I'm hoping to get some good photos of my grandkids...take note Lisa, if you're reading this! Here's a photo I found recently of my cousin Sherrie and I taken when we were about four years old.

I have been working hard on various projects and am now panicking at the thought that Christmas is right around the corner... I just don't feel interested yet so haven't even gotten into the shopping spirit!

On Our Anniversary!

2007-10-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

Today we turn sweet 16...! Since I am the only one home tonight I have torn apart my office / scraproom...it's slowly coming together but I am losing interest...fast! This all started when one of my sisterly flowergirls started making a new space for her scrapping!

Crop for Kids

2007-10-15T21:17:00.000-07:00

Wow...what a fantastic weekend at the Crop for Kids! The only part that was tough was the eating part at a couple of the restaurants but we ended up getting breakfast free on Sunday and dessert free on Sunday night! (good thing we decided to order dessert!) Then Kate got a migraine which was a horrible time for her but fortunately we were headed for home by then.

Leaving My Husband...

2007-10-11T22:34:00.000-07:00

HA HA HA...fooled you... no, really it's only for the weekend! Kate and I are going to the Vancouver Canada Scrapbooking Crop for Kids and I am really looking forward to seeing all the scrapbookers I've met and to meeting some new faces that I've been chatting with online at Pick of The Patch. I've been frantically packing for a day of two...I just couldn't get into that part of the trip but after finishing a couple of projects for Dragonfly Scrapbooking here in Squamish and then visiting the store....I was inspired...it must have been all that paper... the ink... all the goodies on the shelves...anyway, I'm packed and ready to go!

Turkey...what turkey?

2007-10-07T22:35:00.000-07:00

Kate and I went to Kelowna this weekend for a visit to my grandkids and their mum...had a good time there celebrating the youngest ones 3rd birthday. We headed home today and just so we could say we celebrated Thanksgiving, we stopped at Ricky's and had turkey dinner...it was good till I got to the potatoes and discovered they tasted of instant potatoe and milk powder!

The good news is...on the way home we discovered a great scrapbooking store just on the other side of Westbank...great prices and a store full of a mix of things. Needless to say we were late leaving the Okanagan! It was a great trip but I am so happy to be back home again - lots to do in the scrapping world and a crop to get ready for next weekend.

Left My Visa...

2007-10-04T16:32:00.000-07:00

Oh My God...I left more than my cash in Vegas! I also left my Visa card there! The good news is the balance is only $3 so nobody has used it at least but the bad news is that while I was searching for my card and checking with the bank about cancelling it...I left my keys in my truck! I just hate it when I have to call home and ask for a rescue from something so stupid! Hopefully my new one will arrive before the crop next weekend so I can use it.

What Happens In Vegas....!

2007-10-03T14:08:00.000-07:00

Well, today is wake up... and realize there's no more being spoiled by someone else making the meals and doing the cleaning!! We had a great cruise from Vancouver to LA and the flight to Vegas was quick and uneventful...that's my kind of flying! Vegas was hot, but not too hot to walk around and once we found the front desk and checked in, we were ready to load that cash into some machines...penny machines that is! I had won $300 on the ship but that was long gone so I started small and had a great time...pennies are fun if you don't think about the fact that it is only pennies adding up! The last night there I managed to win $143.00 in pennies and shared another win of $163.00 on the same machine! We didn't make it to the Grand Canyon...the older folk we were with were wearing thin, we thought, so we cancelled doing that and when they rested up we went off walking around...we can go to the Grand Canyon next time...that gives us a good reason to go there again. Oh....and I did manage to get a little scrapbooking done on the ship!!!

Okay...So I'm Addicted...

2007-09-22T20:29:00.000-07:00

I found myself having a hard time getting in the mood to take a trip until I found myself packing scrapbooking supplies in with my clothing! Just in case I can't sleep at night and am tired of shows, movies, gambling, reading and playing, I thought why not make a few cards, or layouts, or maybe a booklet!

Went for dinner

2007-09-19T20:59:00.000-07:00

Mmmm...we went for dinner at Milestone's earlier today and I'm still full! Our shopping trip was a good one - we managed to get a great suitcase for $69 and only paid 1/2 price for a carry on. Now I'm home and it's time to play in my scrap room. I have been so busy it's been hard to get something made I can post!

A good day today

2007-09-17T23:03:00.000-07:00

After a good sleep in this morning I got onto my computer and there I was, at Pick of the Patch, the Flower Girl of the Week...I am tickled about that! Then we went downtown and walked around...visited Bruce's Mum and went shopping. I played in my office/scrap room all evening between loads of laundry...it's been a nice relaxing day.

Off to Japan

2007-09-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

Finally...my granddaughter got her passport..4 days before her flight when it was applied for at the beginning of June! Everyone was in a panic and I couldn't sleep for days! She left this morning with a friend and the friend's father (they're 13) for Japan...she has been looking forward to this trip for over a year and loves all thing Japanese. I hope she isn't disappointed.

My friend Margaret and I went picture taking today...watched for vultures...and bears but didn't see either...I think that's mostly a good thing. We did take lots of photos of rocks...and saw rotten salmon in the river...and some swimming upstream too but they were too fast to take pictures of.

Travel Woes

2007-09-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

Wow...it's almost time for our trip! I was dreaming last night that we were on our trip and at an airport to come home...and Bruce and I weren't booked on the same flight as his mum and her friend - we were all really upset and then I woke up and felt upset! Anyway...I went to our travel agent today to confirm everything and check for tickets and she was having a problem with our flights!! US Air kept changing them....and after she was speaking to the 8th person and 2 hours later we finally got rebooked to an Alaska Air flight and it was cheaper...so it's a good thing she is a good agent and a good thing I had a dream!

Excitement downtown

2007-09-11T20:34:00.000-07:00

Well...I finally got myself out of the house and ran into some excitement...or a rumor, I'm not sure which. While I was in the local dollar store the clerks were talking about how a buried bottle was found - I think in one of the alleys...not just a buried bottle but a suspicious buried bottle! The police were there and rumor had it that they thought it just might be a bomb! So...I finished what I was doing real quick and got the heck out of town! With all the old buildings being torn down and low cost rentals disappearing who knows what some people will do. I hate to see Squamish become a huge town but some of those buildings are old and ugly and never should have been built in the first place without some sense of style!

A Visit to My Aunt

2007-09-08T22:07:00.000-07:00

It's been much too long since we've been to White Rock to visit my Aunt Lorraine...so we went today! It was a great day for a drive...we dropped Maria off with her parents and then went for a visit and late lunch. I don't know why it seems so far to go...it's really not, it's just the traffic that makes it a drive and a half...I sure don't know how you commuters do it!

Anyway...we had a great visit...Auntie if you read this you should know...you are very special to me even if I don't get there often enough...and I will come for a sleep-over soon!

September Photos for the Autumn challenge!

2007-09-07T15:53:00.000-07:00

1. apple
2. bare branches

3. basket
4. berries
5. birds flying south
6. black
7. black cat (almost!)
8. blue
9. bounty
10. candy
11. costume
12. crunchy

13. cuddle
14. dancing leaves

15. delicious

16. dusk
17. family
18. fence

19. flame

20. friend

21. frost
22. green

23. happy
24. jack-o-lantern
25. jumping
26. moon

27. multi-colored leaf
28. orange

29. pie

30. puddle

31. pumpkin
32. purple

33. rake

34. red leaf

35. sad

36. scarecrow

37. scarf

38. school supplies ( inside the backpack!)

39. sweater

40. teacher

41. temperature

42. thankful

43. tumbling

44. turkey

45. warmth

46. water

47. white

48. wild animal

49. yellow leaf

50. young (or young at heart)

Now I'm happy

2007-09-06T22:57:00.000-07:00

I finally figured out how to 'fix' my computer to enable me to log into this blog and 'work it'...so now I don't have to go back and forth between two computers!

What a day!

2007-09-06T21:33:00.000-07:00

It started off relatively good...slept in, got ready for our grand-daughter Maria's visit, waited for our daughter Kris to arrive, had a big load of wood coming. It went down hill from there...the wood arrived and got put away...and was short of being a cord...but the good news is they are bringing more and free kindling too! Then the cat had to get taken to the vet with an abcess on her head. So before we even went anywhere or did anything we had spent over $300! Anyway...plans change and we didn't get a visit from Kris but we do have Maria here tonight. We have been playing 'angel teddy grandma'...ha ha...now it's grandpa's turn and here I am!

Oh and I almost forgot...I got peed on when we were on the way home from the vet so before I went shopping it was a good wash, change all my clothes and hope I got it all cause I didn't have time for a shower. I thought I did really well till later when I sat down for a break and the cat came and sat on my lap and started licking my ankle...so I think I missed a spot! Hopefully no one else has as good a nose!

Autumn Photo Challenge

2007-09-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

Check out autumnphotos.blogspot.com for a fun photo challenge...we went out today to get some shots and ended up walking 2 or more km without even feeling like we were walking that far! I will have to figure out how to upload the photos now! It was great just getting out as I find myself just sitting and scrapping or crafting too much these days...I'm gonna be just one giant butt (and it's already big enough) if I keep sitting all the time!

Thought for the day

2007-09-04T19:28:00.000-07:00

It must have been an exciting morning for all those little kiddies just starting school and I imagine some sighs of relief for busy mothers who have been baking, shopping and dealing with losing their 'baby' to the school system. Just think of how much they want to go at this early age and enjoy the years because there will most likely come a time when you will look fondly back at this time and wish they were still so excited!

My First Post

2007-08-31T16:58:00.000-07:00

Well...here I am...finally blogging! The pressure was on to get going with the rest of the world and hopefully I won't bore anyone to death.