YMBD CROP!!

The first pre-crop challenge has been posted at Your Memories By Design !!

This is going to be a FUN-filled crop that will last until Sunday!

Most challenges and games will be posted over the weekend!!

So come join us! There's loads of fun ad great prizes to be won!

...and don't forget to tell them that Susan sent you!!

More Photos

I'm just playing catch up of some photos!

Oh...and I added a slide show of all my January photos for the project 365! I'm so proud of myself that I've managed to post a photo EACH day this year.

I'm hoping to add a new slide show for each month.

Jan 22
A photo of a Cabbage Patch doll, that my dad gave me for Christmas over 20 years ago! It's fun to see my girls play with her now! Her name is Katherine Darlene (one of those pieces of information, I'll never forget. lol)



Jan 23
I have a wonderful husband who goes to the grocery store ever two weeks, and I NEVER have to step foot into the store, EVER! Another reason I love him. Here's the load of groceries he came home with this week.



Jan 24
My daughter after she got out of the bath! I love how she looks with her wet hair her 'just bathed' smell!




Jan 25
Emilee and Sara playing a game of Chess. They can actually play it quite well.


That's all for now!!

Purple Fish

Here's the story of our purple fish!

When older dd was just 2 1/2 years old, she started talking about wanting a purple fish. We really don't know where she got the idea, but she asked for a purple fish just about every day. It was really cute at first but soon became a little too much since dh and did not know where we would EVER, or would ever want to, find a purple fish, or even if we were ready to take on the responsibility of taking care for any pet, even a little purple fish.

This constant request lasted for about 6 months - a year. Then one day, we decided to take a family outing to the local pet store, just to look at the cute little puppies, kittens, and skinny pigs. (you see, the most we could do is look since we are an allergy blessed family, and would never survive with any type of hairy creature in our home).

We arrived at the pet store all ready to "oooohhh" and 'awwwww" at the adorable little animals, but we somehow ended up in the BACK of the pet store where all the fish tanks were. I thought it would be neat for the girls to look at the different sizes, shapes and colors of fish.

We looked a gold fish, red fish, black fish, orange fish, and then we saw it!!!

I think I saw it first...and how could I NOT say anything!

It was a PURPLE fish!! A purple Beta fish! I gave dh the look, as if to say, 'should I tell her?'. He just shrugged...like a man...not wanting to get involved in what would end up being MY responsiblity if we got it...since...well...I was the one who told her!

I HAD to tell her....and her excitement was all worth it!

Long story short...we ended up buying that purple fish, along with a little tank, and fish food.

That was almost 5 years ago, and that purple fish (named FLOWER), has survived being tipped over, and flying across the room when Emilee tipped over her dresser (now THAT was a moment I'll never forget, and she hasen't either), fingers being poked at her, and going weeks without her tank being cleaned becasue I kept 'forgetting', even taking a trip to the neighbors more than once, while we went on vacation.

I'm not sure what we would ever do, if Flower died, but dd seems to understand that fish only live for so long. I still know she will be distraught, when Flower passes on. She has even started talking about funeral arrangements, because she thinks it may happen anyday. YIKES!!

But....as I tell her...we need to enjoy each moment that Flower is still with us...and cross that bridge when we get to it.

So, that's the story of the purple fish.


And before I go, here's a picture of Flower. She really is a beauty!

New layouts

Today I just wanted to share a couple of layouts I created recently.

This one I created for a scraplift challenge at Just Cre8

And, here's an all about me layout. Created for a DT call at Serendipity Scrapbooks There is some stiff competition out there so I'm really not expecting to get it...but we shall see.

This was created using the January kit from Scrap My Memories

Gorgeous kit!!

Random facts about me

My sister, Deanne, posted a journaling challenge on Sisterhood of Scrap on Thursday. She asked everyone to answer these random questions.

Here the questions and my answers

1. What color are your socks you have on now?

White

2.Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?

My husband

3. What did you have for lunch today?

Chinese food (YUM!!)

4.Name someone you admire.

My mom

5. How many cars have you owned?

We own a van

6.How many homes have you lived in?

About 6???

7.Are you left-handed or right-handed?

Left-handed

8..Do you wear shoes around the house?

No

9. What was the last thing you took a photo of?

A layout

10. Do you like hot chocolate?

Yes!! YUM!!

See? They are definately random!

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Here are some photos from the last few days

Jan 20

One of the many toys my girls have been playing with lately. I don't remember what they are called.

Jan 21

The basket of mitts and hats and scarfs!! Hopefully we won't have to wear these for much longer. (yeah right...)

I'll catch up with the rest tomorrow!

Wow! I'm behind!!

Ok, so today I'm just going to catch up on my photos from the last few days! (I think I'm behind about 5)

Jan 16

My school bag that I carry on my back each day as I trek to school! Won't be using this for much longer though!! YAY!

Jan 17

You know you're a Canadian when...it's -42 C outside but it does not stop you from BBQ'ing! (that's my crazy dh!)

Jan 18

Sara licking her fingers while eating a yummy cinnamon roll!

Jan 19

My beautiful dd

Oh, and don't forget to check out the next challenge at the Sisterhood! It's a good one!

That's all for now!

Scrappy News and photos too!

I have some exciting scrappy news to share!! A couple of weeks ago, I found a new Canadian scrapbook site. I joined the site, and decided to check it out. I found a lovely bunch of ladies and a very friendly owner and decided to apply for the Design Team call they were having.

The announcement was made today and I am now part of the design team at Scrap My Memories . Here is the link for the Scrap My Memories Store . I will be working with a fantastic team filled with very talented ladies and I am so honored to have been picked! All the links to the teams blogs can be found on in the sidebar!


This is a year long design team position and I am so excited to be a part of this growing community! And the best part, is that Zoe, the owner actually lives in Nova Scotia, which is very close to me! Maybe, we'll get to meet some day!

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Here are my photos for the past couple of days.

Jan 13

Fish Crackers - A favorite After school snack for my girls! Jan 14

Emilee walks home from school each day. The temp was -33, so I told her that she HAD to wear her snowpants to walk home today! She listened!! Jan 15

Another cold day today! I thought the ice on the outside of the window looked pretty cool!! (and COLD!)

YMBD Mid month reveal

Time for the mid month reveal at Your Memories By Design

I managed to create so much with the yummy stuff from Catherine!!


Here are my projects:

This first one is a mini album about my and dh's love story. I don't have it completely finished yet. Maybe I'll get him to write the journaling. (now, that's an idea!) I will be posting a tutorial this weekend on how I did the stamping technique on this.

Other Your Memories By Design products: Chipboard hearts, 4 x 6 acrylic covers, foam alphabet (white)

Products from Scrapbook Star :Pink Paislee pp, imaginesce ribbons and blooms

Other products: Scenic Route stamps (love and hearts)~ Tattered Angels Glimmer mist

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Here's a layout I created called "Cookies for Santa"

Your Memories By Design products: Mini Chipboard arrows (to create the little tree), Chocolate Snowflake Journaling tags

Products from Scrapbook Star : Pink Paislee pp (the Christmas trees), Scalloped Bazzil cardstock

Other products: Scribblz Art (Santa) from Just Cre8, WAMK pattern paper, MM mini letter stickers, Misc ribbon, Photo corner from Color Blok

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My next layout is called "Love is..."Your Memories By Design products: Naked Chipboard hearts

Product from Scrapbook Star : Stickles

Other product: Amy Butler fabric, Jillybean sticker letters, Teresa Collins paper, Chipboard heart and photo corners by Color Bloc
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My last one is a card!!

Inside the cards it reads..."You!Thanks so much"

Your Memories By Design : Crowns - Vintage journaling tags

Products from Scrapbook Star : Pink Paislee pattern paper, Imaginisce ribbon and blooms

Other products: Amy Butler pattern paper, bazzil cs

You can check the rest of the Design Teams creations HERE!!

When you're done being inspired, come check out the forum. There's a lovely bunch of ladies there ready to chat!!

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And...before I go...I have some scrappy news to share...but not today!! (maybe tomorrow!!) teehee!

Sisterhood of Scrap DT call

I have a very exciting announcement for today!!

We, at the Sisterhood, are having our VERY FIRST Design Team call !! Click on the link for all the details! We are looking for one designer each month from February to July!

So..be sure to apply!!

Here's my photo for today! (well, two photos). These are photos of our girls after they had their bath. Daddy is reading them their evening story. A favorite activity for all of them. However, seeing Sara sitting and listening is rare because she's usually the one who wants to be holding the book and reading! lol

Have a great evening!!

A crop...and a peek!

Your Memories by Design is having a crop!! You don't want to miss out the fun!

Join us from Jan 30th - Feb 1st for "It's all about the Bucks"!!!

We will start at 7pm EST sharp (on Friday evening), but keep an eye out a few days early for some pre-crop challenges!

Here's just one sneak peak of one of my challenge LOs.

Here's my photo for today. My daughter rocking it out! She just makes me laugh so much!

And, because I missed Friday, here's another photo! A photo of Littlest Pet Shoppe Monopoly game! One of the many family games we play.

Good night!

Scrappy Dreams!

Got Albums???

I was inspired by Juliana when she sorted her Layouts and placed them all into albums a couple of days ago.

I think the count of her layouts not in albums was something like 150. Wow!! But...I knew I could beat her. (sorry, Juliana! lol)

So, today I decided to count all my layouts NOT in albums. I took them all out of their pizza box homes and placed them in a pile on my floor. This is what they looked like:

A little crazy, hey? I counted them in batches and placed them back into their boxes (because...well, who can afford purchase enough albums to put all of these in? Not me.)

Then, before I added all the numbers up...I remembered something....I had another pile in the shelf (my most recent layouts...oh boy). So this is the other pile....

(ok, don't know why I cannot get this photo to turn, but you get the jist)

I'm a little ashamed to tell you the final count...but I'll do it anyway.

I currently have...

268 layouts that need a home (well...other than their pizza box home!).

I'm thinking I need to start buying less paper, and more albums.

And before I sign off for tonight, I want to share a layout I created tonight. This was created for a challenge on Create My Keepsake The challenge was to create a layout about love without adding any hearts or the color red!

I decided to focus on my daughter's love of icecream!

That's all for now! Goodnight!!

Jan 8 Photo and recent Layouts!

I'm cheating a little, because this photo was actually taken a couple of evenings ago. But, it will still do!

I received my kit from Create My Keepsake two days ago, and was so excited. I got some yummy Amy Butler goodies along with other things! I was anxious and wanted to dig in right away. I looked at my daughter sitting there all cute, wearing her butterfly shirt!

I got inspired right away and here is the layout I created!

Then I decided to keep creating!

(See how I made the cone using stickles?)

Skating

One fun thing to do in the winter time is skating. Although our girls have been on skates before, we decided to officially put them in skating lessons this winter. They go every Monday and Wednesday evening. Today was their second session, and they LOVED it! It's so cute to watch them out on the ice, falling down, getting back up, then falling again.

They always have a smile on their face though...which is a good thing.

Anyway, here are a couple of photos to share after their lesson, since I could not get any good photos of them on the ice. (Anyone have any tips for taking good photos of kids far away on the ice?) lol

On another note...I did not make the Create My Keepsake Design team. Very disappointing, but I guess it just wasen't my time. I still am VERY proud of my entry! Creating my own kit was something I have never done before and I think I did a pretty dang good job of displaying the kit, and creating the projects with the supplies! Here's a link, to my kit in case you want another look: My...'Orange' You Creative

Congrats to Leigh, Sherry, and Charity for making the team!

Happy Anniversary to us!!

Ten years ago today, Sheldon and I were in a much warmer climate than we are today. We were married in Ochos Rio, Jamaica at a Couples resort. What a beautiful wedding we had. It was a quiet wedding for just the two of us, no family, but it was lovely! I remember we asked an older ccouple on the plane ride to Jamaica, if they would be our witnesses. lol

Oh, I wish we were back on that beach right now instead of in the cold climate we live! lol

In our 10 years of marriage, God has blessed with so many things, including two beautiful children, a home, and a great church. Also, we have been blessed financially, so many times over, even as I have gone to school for almost 7 of those years. This year will be full of new beginnings for us, and it only gets better from here, we pray! lol

Here are a couple of layouts I created about 3 years ago. These layouts have photos of us on that wonderful day ten years ago.

(BTW, although we are not going out tonight to celebrate, a babysitter is lined up for Friday) yippee!!!

Jan 5 - What's in a chair?

Here is my chair....

Notice there's noone sitting on it?

That's the way it looked for about 15 minutes, this evening, the time it took me to create my latest layout. Two hours prior to that layout, I had been SITTING on that chair, trying to put together another layout, with little success. The one I made while sitting, I ended up scrapping (and I mean, throwing out) the entire thing. Then the minute I STAND up, I whip up a layout in 15 minutes flat! Go figure.

Maybe the chair is uncomfortable, maybe it restricts my creativity, maybe, I just work better when standing because it's like I need to get it done so that I can move on to the next thing. (does that make sense?) I work better under pressure.

I don't know what the reason, but I'm thinking that I'd better get a higher scrapping table in case this standing gets out of control! lol

(BTW, the layout I created, I can't share yet because it's for a scraplift tag on another site. I will share it in a few days).

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I can share my latest layout created for the first Sisterhood challenge of the new year, though. The challenge was to create a layout with a list of some sort. I had my girls write up a list of things they love about their dad. Here are some photos of the layout!

We will be making an exciting announcement on the Sisterhood blog this week, as well. Keep checking back!

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One more thing. Catherine has some amazing new items added to Your Memories By Design ! Here's what she announced on the Forum today:

We are redesigning our "Embellishments" section with a whole new line of scrolls, flourishes (and more secret goodies to come)! Pick your favorite designs, then choose the cardstock color you wish to have them cut from (all Bazzill Smoothies), including Bazzil KRAFT (you asked for it, and I listened)! We also have some new tags & labels, as well as some old favorites now available in Ivory cardstock and Kraft too!

Check out all the new goodies HERE

Jan 4th - My home

This is a photo of my home (and my dh just finishing taking down the Christmas lights). He thought I was totally crazy for going outside and taking this photo in the cold!

My home is something that I often take for granted. And I'm sure many of you do the same. But...for one family tonight, they are wishing they had their home back.

A dear couple, dedicated members of our church, lost their home in a house fire last night. At 1:30am Sunday morning they crawled out of their bedroom window to save their lives. As far as I have heard, they have lost everything in their home. Thank God they are both ok.

I'm thinking it must be so tough to go through something like this. To loose everything that is of financial, personal, and emotional value. Again, thanks to God that their lives were saved.

I occasionally think about, "what if..." what if that were to happen to us? But it's one of those things that, I don't think ANYONE can prepare for. To make a list of what I would grap first seems smart. Top priority on that list would, of course, be my girls. But then, a list seems so inadequate a preparation for a devastation like this.

So, for now, I need to thank God for His protection everyday, and for the blessings that He provides, including my house/home.

And I need to pray that IF something like this were ever to occur, I would never forget that He is always there to provide comfort and peace in times of need.

So I pray right now, as my daughter prays every time she hears a firetruck siren, for those people all over the world are experiencing this same devastation,

"Please God, help the firemen get to the fire safely and blow the fire out fast. And help the people in the fire so they don't get fired too much".

And I pray for peace and comfort for Marilyn and Eldon right now. Please wrap your arms around them, and let them know that in the midst of the trials, you are there.

In Jesus' name, Amen

Project 365 - Jan 3 and other stuff

See, I'm behind already...but I'm not going to worry about it. lol

This is not supposed to be stressful, right. Just a chance to document more of my life in pictures.

Here are a couple of photos from yesterday when we went sledding. We had a fresh snow fall on Jan 1st and since yesterday was such a nice day I thought sledding would be a great way to have some family time.

We gave the girls new sleds for Christmas too, and they were excited to try them out. The hill we was located at Centennial Park. The hill is not too steep, but it's long so the long trek pulling the sled up the hill is well worth it for the fun of going down! lol

After sledding, we took the girls out for Hot chocolate at Timmie's! (our local coffee shop).

Before I go, I'd also like to share a LO I created on Friday. It was made for this week's Scrappy Formula at Create My Keepsake and also created using the December kit from Just Cre8

Have a great day!!

Jan 1 - Project 365

Ok...so I'm cheating!

Here's my Jan 1 photo...posted AFTER my Jan 2 photo!

New Years Eve we got together for a Fondue party at a friends house! There were about 14 adults and half a dozen kids! We had a great time. We ate all evening, and then rang in the new year with some non-alcoholic sparkly beverage! As soon as it hit 12:00midnight, we toasted, and then packed up and headed for home! It happens this way each year becasue...well, we have young kids who need their sleep...and because...well...we're NOT as young as we used to be and we need OUR sleep!

So, although this photo was taken when it was techniquely still December 31, it will have to count for Jan 1st (yes...posted a day late! ) lol

This is a photo of 1 of the 4 fondues we had going. YUMMY food!

Jan 2 - Trying out Project 365

Here are my photos for today! I'm going to do my best to keep up with this! I like the idea of taking a photo a day, but I'm not to to hold myself to it, just in case I do not succeed in posting every single day! Here the link that tell all about it on Becky Higgins blog .

Oh...and watch for the Scrap Scene post today! I have a calendar in today's post!! YAY!!