Friday, June 29, 2012

Currently...

Happy Friday friends,

I saw this list somewhere recently  (Pinterest maybe?!), and thought I'd use it today.

Listening 
- to the girls  singing the same song over and over while they clean up after dinner
Eating 
- too many cupcakes from the ones I baked for Théa's class treats
Drinking 
- chocolate raspberry flavored coffee from my new Keurig, hope it won't keep me up tonight
Wishing 
- I could figure out why the basement is so freezing cold, while the upstairs is so warm, even though I've blocked, and closed all the vents down there.
Wearing
- capris and tanks these days, it's been so wonderfully warm here
Feeling 
- so proud of my girls for having done so well in their classes this year
Wanting 
- more hours in the day
Needing 
- more hours in the day, ha ha.  a new bed actually, poor D can't handle ours any long.  Old age is kicking in.
Thinking 
- about what fun family things we can do together this summer, that will please all the girls at the same time.  Quite the challenge.
Enjoying 
- having D home after his little road trip
- the fact that this is the last day of school, whoo hoo!
- getting to know the ladies over at Let's Capture These Memories & Let's Capture These Sketches
- the new series I've begun on Netflix called The Listener.  It's addictive, have you seen it?
- sneaking little pieces of chocolate from my hidden stash
Dreaming 
- of so many things big, and small.  It's fun to dream, we all need to do more of it.

It's officially the last day of school here.  We're all thrilled for the change in pace.  We all love movies late at night, with popcorn on the side, staying up late, and sleeping in.  All things better enjoyed during July & August.  Bring on summer!

I'll leave you with this layout I created for the Let's Capture These Sketches Design Team. It was made using sketch #43 and the June kit from My Scrapbook Nook.
Simple Stories Summer Fresh collection
There are also a bunch of new goodies in the shop today, including new Heidi Swapp, Crafter Workshop, and Jillibean Soup.  You gotta check it out.

Thanks for popping in.  Have a wonderful long weekend friends.  Be sure to come back Monday I'll be up at Scrapping Everyday Miracles with Challenge #18 . 



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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Great News!

Check out my new badge ---------------------------------------------------------------------->>>>

I will be designing for Let's Capture These sketches

I am so excited to have been selected to work along side Rosemary, and several other sweet ladies I've been getting to know over at the Let's Capture Our Memories Forum.  I applied on a whim, with some hesitancy given my luck with Creative Scrappers, but this time I got a "yes".  Sure feels good.  The big reveal of the new team will happen on Friday, with photos and bios.  But the announcement was made tonight, so I am free to share it with all of you right away. I see a few other familiar names on the list  too.  I am thrilled to be on the same team as each of them.  I'll wait to let them share their good news before I blab it out here.  The role is  to design a layout every other week using the sketches created by the talented sketch team, as well as participate in the forum which I'm already doing, so, easy peasy right?!

My big box of Crate Paper Pretty Party should be arriving any day now, followed by some yummy Evaliscious goodies, I can't wait to dig into that stuff and get creating.

For now I'll leave you with a random layout I created of my in-laws.  They were here for brunch one day.  After whipping up the whip cream I offered them the beaters.  To my surprise they both accepted, so of course I had to make them pose for a photo.  I love when they surprise me like that.
Using some old and some new My Mind's Eye
And here are the Father's Day cards I created for D and his Dad, I realized I never posted them.
Using My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Two 6x6 pads
 Thanks for popping by today friends, I sure appreciate that you take the time!

♥ S.

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Monday, June 25, 2012

Who Knew

I went to a very small French Immersion school growing up.  So small in fact, that there were only 12 of us in my graduating class.  No, I did not go to school in a small town, it was a city school, but the first French Immersion High School in the division.  One of my closest friends at the time was a girl named Michelle.  Thoughts of her bring back such fun memories.  Going to McDonald's several times a week for lunch.  Driving around in her little red Firefly.  Our weekend shopping sprees to Grand Forks, ND.  Serving together on the student council.  Doing a 'teacher roast' at our graduation.  I have so many wonderful memories of this girl.  After graduation, we tried to stay connected, but I'm sure you know how it goes life just takes it's own twists and turns and one day you realize it's been months since you've seen or spoken to that friend who was once so close.  Well here we are twenty plus years later.  Both married.  Both with three children.  And both with girls who love to dance.  Every year when Dance Competition rolls around, I get excited at the thought of running into Michelle and her girls Madison, and Myah.  Myah, is the same age as Théa, and therefore the two of them find themselves competing against each other in group routines at both CNDC, and the Manitoba Dance Festival.  I have just as much fun cheering on Myah, as I do Théa, and I know that Michelle would say the same.  It may be brief and only twice a year, but I sure love catching up with her and her sweet family at these events.  This year I managed to get a photo of all of us in the same shot (thanks Nicole).  I used the fabulous Lily Bee Design Double Dutch Collection to document the memory.
rest your mouse over the layout to read the journaling
This was my last layout using this collection for Let's Capture Our Memories.  I'm up there today with a post, and a pinwheel tutorial.  If you missed it here on my blog, you may want to pop over there and have a peek.  Next month I have the pleasure of working with Crate Pretty Party.  I can't wait.  Love the colours in that line.  There is still plenty in the shop to be had.  Along with loads of brand new Evalishious, Smash goodies, Elle's Studio and so much more.  Lots of great mark downs up for grabs also.  Please do pop over and check it out.  She has loads to choose from and shipping to anywhere in North America is only $12.

Thanks for popping by today friends!

♥ S. Pin It

Friday, June 22, 2012

LOL

The June Kit from My Scrapbook Nook is filled with the bold, colourful, summery patters of Simple Stories.  I haven't had a lot of time to play with it yet, but I did get this layout created. 
Meet Tara, my scrappy bestie.  The two of us have so much fun together when we get a couple of minutes to catch up.  It could be at the Dance Studio, or even for several hours at a time at one of Kim's awesome crops.  I have never met such a sweet person.  I don't think I've ever heard her say a negative thing about anyone, ever.  Just genuinely likeable, and one funny chica.  We laugh so much when we're together, that I'm sure it works as a fairly effective weight management tool for both of us.  At the last crop we attended together, Grams even threatened to separate us so that we would actually get some scrapping done.
Liking the messy mist look, and the way the chevron looks with the stitching
Lots of layers, and bits and pieces.  The leave are Amy Tan, I just sewed through them
This one's for you my girl.  I hope you've had a fun week in Montreal, and hopefully we can catch up again soon!

I'm off for a sun-filled weekend, hopefully you've got some fun planned for the next couple of days too.  Only 5 more days of school, until we can all exhale, and rest.

Have a great weekend friends!

S. Pin It

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Telephone Scraplift

Do you remember playing the game telephone as a child? 

You know the one where you sit in a circle, and one person comes up with a short phrase, whispers it into the ear of the person next to them.  That person in turn, whispers what they heard to the person next to them, and so on, until the phrase reaches the last person in the circle.  That person then blurts out what they heard.  It is rarely ever the same phrase that began the game, but a lot of fun along the way.  That is what we did recently over at the Scrapping Everyday Miracle.

We used the Facebook Group to play, actually.  If you haven't yet joined up over there, you are missing out.  It is such a friendly, supportive, inspiring place to hang out with the privacy of being a private group.  Ladies share about their every day lives, from the scrappy to the sad, to the very exciting.  Just give me a shout if you're having trouble getting an invite and I will hook you up.

Here is the layout that began it all.  My dear friend Wendy  created this beauty.  It was used by both teams to start us off.

Roulien's was the first person to play on our team, and her is the layout she created using Wendy's as inspiration.  Notice how she kept the disposition, and number of photos pretty much the same, but tweaked a few things to make it her own.
I only saw Roulien's layout, and this is what I came up with as my design.  Again I kept the same disposition, but shifted the balance and added a little bit of my own take also.
Using Echo Park Times & Seasons papers from My Scrapbook Nook November Kit

This was the first time we've played this game over at SEM, there were two teams of twelve.  We all enjoyed it, and I know there's already talk of doing another one.

On a shopping note, Let's Capture Our Memories is still offering some crazy sales.  Like Bo Bunny, including new product is marked down to 60% off.  There is still a great selection available.  Head over here to see what I mean. Discounted product + reasonable shipping = Great Deal.

It's dark and dreary again here today.  I'm off to volunteer at the school once again (almost seems like I've been living there the past 2 weeks).  They put on a wonderful triathlon event for the kids from Grades 3 through 6, and it takes a small army of volunteers to make it happen, so I'll be standing in the rain on the corner of Freeman, and King's drive.  If you're in the neighbourhood feel free to swing by and say hi :)

Happy Wednesday friends,

♥ S. Pin It

Monday, June 18, 2012

Getting Sketchy

I'm up this month with the Sketch Challenge over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  I've chosen to feature a Creative Scrappers Sketch with permission by Kristine Davidson. I thought it would be fun to see all the takes we could come up with this month using this sketch as inspiration.  There are so many possibilities.  You could use multiple smaller photos, or simply use all the squares as inspiration, or use the jounaling as the main focus, by swapping the photo location with the journaling location.  The possibilities really are endless when it comes to sketches.
Creative Scrappers site
By completing a layout using this sketch and linking up to SEM by Saturday June 30, you will be entered to win a series of Donna Downey PanPastel Workshops.  We can't wait to see what you come up with.

Here's my take on the sketch.

Using My Mind's Eye Indie Chic Collection
For more inspirational layout by several others of the DT, and all the details on the challegne, hop over to Scrapping Everyday Memories.
And don't forget the June Main Challenge has also been posted here.  Participating in the Main Challenge will earn you an additional entry into the draw for the sponsored prize, consideration for our June Top 3, as well as a possible future Guest Design spot with SEM.  To join us in a little chit-chat please come and visit us on our Facebook Group.

Now go and get your scrap on friends!

♥ S. Pin It

Friday, June 15, 2012

Party Photos

Nothing too creative, or fancy today.

Just photos of Eden's little family party the other day.  My brother, his wife, their son, D's sister's family, minus her, and my mother and father-in-law.  We're a small family.  I haven't edited the photos, just wanted to share. If you rest your mouse over the photos you can see a little info about most of them.



























And here is a layout I created about her the other day.

I loved celebrating this fiercely passionate, loyal, funny, and loving girl of mine.

We're spending most of our weekend performing in and/or spectating 3 Dance Recitals.  The first is tonight.  But this is it, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Next Wednesday night, right after per-registration for next year is complete.

Have a wonderful weekend friends.  I'll be back on Monday with an SEM Sketch Challenge for you.

♥ S. Pin It

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Going (Double) Dutch

My youngest daughter loves to be in front of the camera, even more so if she's with me.  One night before bed we caught a quick photo together.  I realized when I printed it out that it was a perfect match for several of the B sides of Lily Bee Design Double Dutch line.  I really wanted to focus on the photo, so I kept the design fairly centered and simple with splashes of color on the contour.  I also tried something else that has been trending in the scrappy world.  I saw it first by my friend Lilith, since then it seems everyone picked up on it.  I thought it was time to give it a go for myself.  I left the threads uncut on my stitching in a few places.  They were a little tricky to keep from looking too wild.  I ended up using a few dabs of Glossy Accents to keep them tacked down to the page.
I also tried a little stamping behind the photo with bubble wrap and paint.  The colour is very faint, but if you look hard you can make it out.  I just love those journal cards in the collection, they are so handy to use as embellishments, or actual journaling spots to record your story.
I covered the cardstock stickers with Glossy Accents.  I love the way it made the star curl up a bit adding dimension to the page.  Rather than use alphabets to create a title, like usual, I made use of one of the sentiment stickers from the collection.  A little dimensional foam adhesive helped it to pop up off the page a little showcasing it as my title.  Add a doily, and a little piece of Maya Road trim, and my layout is complete.  

You can still snag the Double Dutch collection for yourself in the store.  While you're there be sure to check out the brand new Kaiser Craft, and fabulous Evalicious that has just arrived, along with the new Bo Bunny, and Simple Stories collections. There is so much eye candy in there right now.  Tanya does a great job of providing such great quality product for all of us!
Product Used:
Bag of Bits
Glossy Accents
Doily
Mist
Stamp
I'm off to celebrate this girl of mine, it's her 9th birthday today.  How fitting to have her as my subject today.
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Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Let's Capture Our Memories

Let's Capture our Memories birthday celebration is ongoing over on their Facebook Page, and the forum.  There are several challenges to join up with as well as sales in the store, and random giveaways.

Nicole created this great sketch especially for the celebration.

I love her sketches, and just had to play along.  Here's what I came up with.
Using My Mind's Eye, Studio Calico, Sass, and American Crafts
I'm curious to know if anyone else has ever scrapped a passport photo.  Have you scrapped your own?  It's a funny thing to scrap, but when D asked me if I wanted to, I had a sneaking suspicion that he kind of wanted me to.  Of course I was all too happy to oblige.

Are you looking for some DT opportunities?  Let's Capture These Sketches have a bunch up right now, four to be exact.  They are looking for both card, and layout sketch artists, and designers.  You have until June 22nd to submit your application.  Check here for all the details.  The team is sweet, and very encouraging, and the forum is always hopping with conversation, and inspiration. I'm really enjoying myself there, and would love if there was someone else I knew working right along side me at LCOM.  Hope you'll give it a go.

Today I'm off to get a birthday gift for my youngest.  Tomorrow is her birthday, and it's about time I get something to wrap for her.  Being the third girl, she's always hard to shop for.  I also have 51 cupcakes to decorate, wish me luck.

Thanks a lot for stopping by today.  I hope you feel inspired to go and create something beautiful in your world.

♥ S.


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Friday, June 8, 2012

I've Got A Winner

Happy Friday friends,

The Scrapping Everyday Miracles Facebook Group and blog were hopping this past weekend in celebration of our 1 year birthday party.  A lot of fun was had by everyone, lots of chit-chat, lots of challenges, and lots, and lots of prizes to be won.  We had a ton of winners.  You can see the complete list on the SEM blog here.   A huge congratulations to all  the winners.

I was giving away a RAK also.  Mine is a $10 gift certificate to Two Peas for a little scrap therapy.  I used Random Number Generator to help me choose a winner.
The winner of that little shopping spree is......
Congrats my girl.  Contact me here: sherrifunk@gmail.com and we'll get you and Two Peas hooked up.

I'm on Day One of Five of single parenting today, and off to a running start.  First up a walk with my girlfriend to start off the day (as long as it's not raining).  Then home to shower and change.  Then off to the school to help out in Eden's class.  After getting the girls all set up with supper, I'm off to a crop - yay.  I'm both nervous and excited about this crop.  My sweet friend Tara who usually is my side kick, won't be there this time  (insert sad face).  But...my new friend Nic will be there, along with some of her scrappy friends.  I'm stoked to be hanging out with her for the first time, but nervous about being the 'third wheel' in her group of friends. I'm sure it will be fun, but you know what I mean right?!  Saturday, I work, and then things settle down a bit for Sunday.  What about you, what's on the schedule for this weekend?

I'll leave you with a layout I completed at last month's crop.    
Using the Graceful line by Echo Park, that was featured in the last My Scrapbook Nook Kit
It's a little difficult to tell, but I misted the cardstock background by using a die cut paper from Studio Calico and some white Mr. Huey's.  I love how it turned out.  The photo is of Eden the morning after we had been at Dance Competition for 12.5 hours straight.  She was spent.  Both the girls were, so we let them sleep in, and took them to school after lunch.  Eden had asked to sleep in my bed, so I was able to get this sleepy shot of her first thing in the morning.

If you're looking for some scrappy deals, I highly suggest you go and check out the sales over at Let's Capture our Memories.  Tanya is throwing a really great birthday bash, lots of sales, and once again a bunch of prizes up for grabs.  Sales are here, and challenges can be found on the FB page here.

I'm off for now, but I wish you all a weekend of connecting with the people you love and lots of laughter. Pin It

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Wednesday Potpourrie

There's a lot on the go around here, both in my scrappy life, and in my personal life.  I affectionately call this time of year "crazy land".  We are on the tail end of Dance season, school at this time of year picks up with fiend trips, and other small class activities where parental help is required, then there's track and field, and my dear hubby is traveling a little more.  It gets a little crazy.  Good, and fulfilling, but a little all over the place at times.

Let's Capture Our Memories is hopping these days.  They are celebrating 3 years this week.  There are games and challenges, and lots of chit chat going on, on the Facebook Page.  Even the store is celebrating with on going sales, the first of which is a 40% discount off LilyBee product.  Have you seen the new collections, they are so beautiful.  I've been working with them this month, and just love the colours.  I have a new layout coming up next week with the Double Dutch Collection, it's one of my faves, I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Here are some scrappy shares for you.  The first is a layout I created with the new Cosmo Cricket papers.  It's a title-less layout.  I really couldn't come up with one, and there wasn't a lot of room left on the page in the design anyway.  I don't think it affects the overall design, and the story behind the layout is recorded on the tag.
The next project is one that I created on request. My sister-in-law asked me to create a card to give to a  young woman she knows who is graduating this year.  Can I just say this stressed me out a little.  Who knew?  I found it a big responsibility to be making something for someone else.  I was very concerned that she would not like it.  I started one, with an idea in mind, but ended up tossing it, because it just wasn't what I had envisioned.  I started over again, and created the entire design around the pearl flourish this time.  I was happy with the result, and thankfully so was she.
Using Echo Park Graceful collection
 I thought it would be fun to create a coordinating envelope

That's it for me today friends.  Thanks so much for popping by.  Hope you get a chance to pop by LCOM for the Birthday Bash.  You'll be sure to meet some of my scrappy new friends, and fun and welcoming bunch.

** If you're looking for the winner of my SEM Birthday Blog Hop, it will be posted soon, I promise.  We are just getting the final details all pulled together for the SEM blog.  There were a lot of prizes, and a lot of winners :)  Check back here soon to see if you are my winner**

Have a great day all!

♥ S. Pin It