Christmas Smiles

Over the past couple of years I've have become more diligent about including more "real life" pages into my scrapbooks.  I want my scrapbooks to reflect a good sense of what life was really like for us through these years.  So often it's easiest to scrap the happy occasions, and fun moments and memories.  But, that's not all life is made up of over the course of the 365 days of the year, and I really want to be able to look back over the years and remember all that life was really made of: the good, the bad, and everything inbetween.

This photo of the Darwin and I brings a mix of emotions to my mind and my heart.  This past year was not all that we had envisioned for our family.  There were some ups, and many downs for both of us, but especially in his world.  This photo of us standing strong alongside one another, at this emotional time of year is such an example to our kids of what a healthy marriage is all about.  Not perfection, but love, and respect, and support in all seasons. It doesn't mean everything works out perfectly in the end, but is sure helps to sail the rough waters.

This photo and all the emotions it holds will find it's place among my Christmas pages. The joy of Christmas is ultimately found in HOPE, great big LOVE, and FAMILY, and I am so happy he's a part of mine.

The Silver & Gold Christmas set is such a beautiful compliment to the colours of the Pink Paislee Merry & Bright collection.  

I love how classy, and elegant they are.  The others in the set will likely find their way onto a New Year's Eve page in the very near future.

You can get your hands on these and other Christmas flair, including several new vintage styles in the A Flair For Buttons Etsy shop right here.

This will be my last post before Christmas, so on behalf of me, and my family, I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas season, in hopes that family will be at the center of it all. Pin It

On The Slopes

Who would have ever guessed that the Funks would have become a ski family?  It's only too bad that we live so far from the mountains?  It's one of the major reasons why living in Calgary is a dream we have.  To be able to wake up and be on the slopes in just over an hour would be such a treat.  Not sure if it will ever happen for us, but we can always dream.

I found a way to use us some older A Flair For Buttons badges and combined them with the Oh Deer Collection by Fancy Pants and created a winter themed layout.

Seeing this photo makes me even more anxious to get my gear on and get back out there. here's hoping that we may be able to get back to Banff at some point this year. 

Thanks for stopping by today friends! Pin It

Inspired by Webster's

I had a couple of layouts up on the Paper Issues blog last week using the Ocean Melody collection by Webster's Pages.

This collection is so soft and whimsical, it was super easy to pretty pages quickly.  This is Belle with my mother-in-law just before her Grade Nine grade ceremony at the school last June.  I mixed in a little Chic Tags Get Happy Collection, and buttons from an older Webster's Pages collection, and voila, page complete.

This one is of my niece and her finance on the afternoon that they got engaged.  Super easy, to create a sweet page when you have a couple as sweet as they are.

Love this collection as much as me?  

Have you seen the new Storyteller Collection?

What about the Beautiful Chic Collection?  

This gorgeous sheet is vellum.

You can see all the new Webster's collections in the Paper Issues shop here.  Use code:SHERRI and you'll save yourself 20% off your entire purchase.

Thanks for popping by today friends! Pin It

17 Turtles Guest Designer

Today I have the privilege of guesting for my sweet friend Juliana Michaels over on the 17 Turtles Blog.

I had the opportunity to work with some fun Christmas cut files, she recently designed. Here are the layouts I created.

I just love that holly cut from the Merry, Merry collection.

The Christmas Cheer & Winter Wishes Cut File have these great 2x2 size polaroid frames that were perfect to use on this multiple photo collage depicting what the start of the Christmas season looks like around our home.

With so many different designs in one package, these cut files are a great deal.  You can get your hands on the Christmas Cheer & Winter Wishes cut file here in the 17 Turtles Etsy shop.  The Merry, Merry cut file can be found here.

This was a real treat, I want to thank Juliana so much for having me.  For more close up shots and, more inspiration, and even a few freebies, head over and check out the 17 Turtles Blog.  You can snag these, and the rest of her fabulous cut files right here in the 17 Turtles Etsy shop.

Thank you so much for stopping by today friends! Pin It

Guest Designer - Fancy Pants Designs Part 2

I almost forgot to share the projects I created with the True Friends Collection for the my Guest spot on the Fancy Pants Designs post a while back.

We just all just happened to be wearing coordinating colours to match the collection on the night Isabelle graduated from Grade Nine.

I enjoyed layering several of the tags and photo frames together, and how cute is that button collection.

And for the first time in a long, long time I was even inspired to create a few cards.

I had a blast guesting for them, and really enjoyed the products they sent me to work with.  I was overwhelmed by their generosity.

Thanks for stopping by today friends!

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Paper Issues Sketch Saturday

Did you know that Paper Issues not only has bi-weekly scrappy issues to join in on, but there are now also sketch, and die cut issues also.  Jen Chapin has some great designs, they always catch my eye, and are very easy to play along with.  When I saw her post this one I knew I had to finally jump in.

This seven year old photo of the girls popped up in my Timehop feed recently, and I feel in love with them all over again.  I loved this age.  I remember it so well.  The youngest two, albeit cute as dolls use to fight like crazy, every single day.  And Belle, my sweet first born was such a little mama always ready to lend a hand and try to be the peace-maker between her sisters.  I just had to scrap it, and the sketch proved the perfect opportunity.

I grabbed a few sheets of patterned paper from my stash and got to work.  

Here is Jen's original sketch:

The circles beckoned to be made into a cut file, so I did just that. I backed the centers and used my sewing maching to add a little detail to each of them.

I pulled out my old Recollections heart punch, layered a coupled together, and once again used my sewing maching to adhere them to my page.

Would you like to try your hand at this sketch?  We'd love to see what you create. And if you'd like to use the cut file I created you can grab it right here in the Paper Issues shop, at no charge.

If you decide to do a little shopping while you're there, enter my code at checkout to save yourself 20% off your entire purchase.

Thanks for stopping by today friends! Pin It

Guest Designer - Fancy Pants Designs Part 1

I had the privilege of guesting on the Fancy Pants blog last week.  I may or may not have squealed a little when I get the request.  As many of you know they are one of my absolute favourite manufacturers in the industry, so it was a real treat to get to play with both the Oh Deer and the True Friends Collections.  And let me tell you, they are incredibly generous, I more than enough goodies to play with.

Although I am not a traditional crafter by nature, the Oh Deer ephemera package, totally inspired me to create a Christmas project that the girls could use during the Christmas season.

I used my 50% off coupon and picked up this double sided easel from Michael's to create a Christmas countdown calendar for the kids to fill out starting today.  They are pretty excited to take turns using different coloured chalk to write in the number of days.

I used varying layers of 3D adhesive to create a sweet little scene in the bottom corner of the chalkboard side.

On the whiteboard side I did something similar in two corners.

There were so many pieces in the package that I just kept working with it and created this layout.

How cute is that chipboard holly?

Trust me when I tell you that is was hard to use up this vintage looking white button.  I kind of just wanted to hoard if for a season or two.

I'll be back later in the week to share with you my True Friend projects.  Thanks for stopping by today friends! Pin It

Never Say Never

Our little Wilson may be the most spoiled Poodle around.  He is just another reminder in my life, how you should never, say never.  EVER.  I never would have thought that I would own a dog.  I didn't grow up ever wanting a pet.  But..... I am married to a guy who had a dog growing up, and have a few girls in my life who all wanted a puppy.  Needless to say when my sister-in-law's dog had puppies we managed to come home with one.

This little guy hasn't changed much in personality from when he was young amongst the litter.  The reason we chose him was because when all the other little pups were busy running behind us and nipping at our heels, he was just chilling, lagging behind, not really interested in nipping at anybody's heels.  He's still pretty chill, as a rule, except of course when the doorbell rings.  He's a very good listener, and knows several tricks he's happy to perform upon request, especially if you have cheese to offer in return.  But for the better part of the day he can be found right here, on our bed snuggled right up to the decorative pillows keeping warm and toasty.

How cute is that glitter heart paper by Shimelle?  You can get it, and several other items from her collection in the Paper Issues shop.  Use my code and save yourself 20% off your total order.

Thanks for stopping by today friends! Pin It

Tap Solo

For the past few years my girls have all been competing in different Dance Competitions.  I always buy the photos (yes, I'm that mom), as they don't allow you to take photos of videos during the competitions, and I just know how much I will love looking back at these in a few years.  Should they ever have a family of their own, I'm sure their kids would get a kick out of seeing these photos too.

This was Eden's first year competing in the Solo category, she was invited to perform a Tap Solo. She was so darn cute in that little outfit (that her male teacher hand selected for her), she had a bright smile, and performed so well.  She grew in confidence from the first competition in Regina to the last one here in Winnipeg.  What a treat it is to watch the girls perform, and shine with confidence as they do.  We will forever be grateful for all they have learned and how much Kickit Dance Studio has played a part in growing their confidence, and character.

These sweet Shimelle paper from Paper Issues, are so soft and sweet.  They worked nicely to document my girl.

You get your hands on this collection, and so much more in the Paper Issues shop.  Use my code and save yourself 20% off your entire order.

Thanks for stopping by today friends! Pin It

It's a Hop!

Welcome to the A Flair For Buttons/The Cut Shoppe blog hop.  We are so glad you are joining us in gathering some fun inspo using two of my favourite scrapbook go tos, flair buttons and cut files. Both Ashley and Shelley create fun and easy to incorporate designs.

I loved this Cross My Heart background cut file the first time I saw it in The Cut Shoppe Etsy store.  I had this photo of my two guys waiting to be scrapped, and this worked perfectly.  I was itching to create a black and white layout too.  I had picked up these paper from my local LSS a while back so it felt good to pull them out and finally put them to use.

 Needless to say our Toy Poodle is more of a toy than a canine in our home :)

 Ashley created some super fun flair that worked great with my chosen colour scheme and design.

I think I will always be a sucker for camera, and heart flair, and this sweet button has both those elements.

For my 2nd layout I really wanted to use this photo my oldest daughter got of my youngest daughter and I.  it was somewhat of a candid as she was just testing out the settings of the camera before the guest of honor arrived at the wedding shower we were helping to put on last weekend.  The soft, feminine tones of the Girl Flair, and the Freeze Frame cute file were a perfect match.

I really can't believe how quickly my girls are growing up.  This one looks more like 13 than she does 11.  I've learned that "they" were right all along, it really does go much too fast.

Now for the fun stuff:
1. Just for hopping along with us today Shelley at {aflairforbuttons}is offering 10% off all orders with coupon code:BLOGHOP2014.  In addition to those savings Ashley at The Cut Shoppe is offering 25% off her cut files with coupon code: SAVE25 (both discounts valid between November 21-28).

2. Leave a comment on my blog post and/or any/all blogs posts in the hop and you could win the awesome black and white flair set created by Ashley Horton.

3. Leaving a comment will also put you in the running to win at $15 gift certificate to The Cut Shoppe.

WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THEIR RESPECTIVE BLOG ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH.

You can see more {aflairforbuttons} designs here.   You'll find all of Ashley's cut files in her Etsy shop here.

There is more inspiration waiting for you along the hop, here is the list:

Els Brige

Amy Coose

Diane Payne

Gina Lideros

Sherri Funk <<< you are here

Allie Stewart

Mary Ann Maldonado

Stephanie Strader

Katrina Hunt

Missy Whidden

Daniela Dobson

The Cut Shoppe

A Flair for Buttons

Thanks for hopping along, good luck and happy shopping!

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Pinspire Me Monday

Toni From has a fun and creative "shove me outta my box" Pinspire Me post up on the Paper Issues blog today.  It was so out of my comfort zone that I just had to play along.

Here is my layout using all sorts of scrap bits of paper I've had kicking around for way too long.

This sweet photo was taken on Eden's 11th Birthday.  We went out for brunch, and were waiting for our table of 13, when she climbed up on her daddy's lap for a little snuggle.  I love the way she adores her dad.

Here is Toni's Inspiration photo, pulled from Pinterest.

Okay, so it's not that much of a stretch from this photo, I used strips.  The truth is that I had initially wanted to cut a bunch of thin strips and layer them all willy nilly over my page as a background.  Believe me, I tried.  But I just couldn't do it, no matter how much I wanted to break from from my symmetrical loving Type A personality, I simply couldn't stick the strips down and leave them that way.  Hence the more "yeah, this looks like a Sherri Funk layout" layout.  

What do you see when you look at this photo?  Are you inspired to create?  Link up with us at Paper Issues and you could be our next featured layout.  Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Happy Monday friends!

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Oh Deer **Product Spotlight**

It's that time of the year where the sights and smells and sounds of the Christmas season are making their appearance all around us.  As the Christmas collections were being revealed the Oh Deer Collection by Fancy Pants made the short list in my books for cutest collection.  There are so many sweet elements to it I just had to create a project designed to use as many embellishment pieces as possible on one page.

This page using tiny prints of each of my girls showing off a favourite gift from last year allowed to me use a combination of several pieces from the button set, the ephemera pack, and the 6x6 pad.

How about you?  Have you started on your December projects?  Would you like a chance to win some of this collection for yourself?  If so, hop over to this post on the Paper Issues blog, and leave a comment telling us what your favourite holiday movie is.  One winner will be chosen to receive this collection of goodies courtesy of Paper Issues.

Winner will be announced in my next Product Spotlight blog post on the Paper Issues blog on November 26th. 

This is the first of several Christmas projects I have completed over the past few weeks.  I have been keeping a little secret, that I'll soon be able to let you in on *wink*.

In addition to this cute collection, there are still several Christmas collections available in the Paper Issues shop. Use code:SHERRI to save yourself 20% off your goodies.  And remember all orders over $60 prior to discount ship for free within the US.

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Some Really Good Friends

Although I really think a mini album is in order to document all the our sweet girl went through a few weeks ago, I've started to get some of the event & emotions tied to it down on paper with this layout created for the {aflairforbuttons} blog.

I was really wanting to work with the Pink Paislee Summer Solstice collection for this layout, and discovered that I had not purchased many embellishments for some reason, just the gold puffy stickers.  No worry, one look through my flair buttons and I quickly came up with Cork flair, a perfect match for these colours and patterns.  Cork is an easy texture, and colour to mix into many types of crafty projects.

How great is this arrow from the Cork 1 flair set?  I could have an entire package of just this one button design and I would be a happy girl.

Cork 1 flair set

The love button from the Cork 2 flair set expresses exactly how I feel about each of the girls in this photo.  After several days of our 12 year old being in so much pain, and a failed trip to the emergency room, we finally got Théa admitted to the Children's Hospital where they performed a CT scan that revealed a mass.  This was the beginning of a nerve wracking week, but at least we knew the pain was being managed until surgery could be performed one and a half days later.  The night after she was admitted, her 2 besties came to visit.  It was a most welcome visit for all of us, and an important night to document.  Thankfully she is home and almost completely recovered now.  Someday I'll document the whole thing, as a wonderful reminder of all that is precious, and how grateful I am the the many ways so many of YOU supported us through it

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