Creative Scrappers Reveal

It's that time again!  Another reveal is live over at Creative Scrappers.

My apologies for the less than stellar photo

I just adore this photo of the girls dressed in their Hip Hop costume before taking the stage at CNDC this past spring for their competition.  They look so much like twins, don't you think?  And their expression is hilarious, hence the title of the layout.  They think they look so hard core, haha.

I created the background using my Silhouette and a Silhouette store purchased file.

I moved the cluster from the bottom right of the sketch to the top left

This pennant cluster came in the ephemera package of the Crate Paper The Pier collection.

Here is the great sketch we had to work with.

Wanna play along with us?  Hop over to the Creative Scrappers Blog to see how the rest of the team interpreted the sketch, and check out our sponsor info.  You have until October 31st to link up your newly made creation here to qualify for the monthly prize. Did you know you can also share your creations with us on our Facebook Page, and even on Instagram by tagging #CSsketches.  We love to see your work.  NB: winners will ONLY be selected from layouts linked up to the blog post using the Inlinkz tool, so be sure to link up there too.  Be sure to pop over to the blog to see how the rest of the team interpreted the sketch.  I am so lucky to work with such a talented bunch!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friend!  May you live in an increasing awareness of all that you have been blessed with, in the good, the bad, and all the moments in between.

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Week In Review

It has been wonderfully busy over the past few days as the girls have started Dance Competition Season.  I have been witness to so many memorable moments, some joy-filled, and some accompanied by a few tears.  All of it is proof that we have a wonderful studio, run by two of the most encouraging, supportive, hard working individuals I know.

Here is an unedited snapshop of our past couple of days.

On the scrappy front.  I had this layout up on the Cre8tive Cre8tions blog this past week.  A new size for me.  I thought it would be great to use that fabulous chevron patterned paper as a full background  sheet.

That butterfly was created by using Martha Stewart textured paste over a Silhouette cut file.  I then sprayed it with some Heidi Swapp Color Shine.  All the tags are Chic Tags, my favourites.  Pop over here for even more eye candy from the super talented Design Team.

Happy Saturday friends!


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LCTS Reveal

Natalie created sketch #155 for us to work with.

If you know anything about me, you know that this was about 4 photos too many for my usual style.  To make it my own I substituted tags for the smaller photos along the right. 

I kept the larger photo, and the mats behind it, and moved the large title from the bottom left to the top right.  You can still see the inspiration from the sketch within the layout.

The photo was taken just before leaving for the Canadian National Dance Championships where Isabelle competed (for the first time ever) with her Jazz Large Group.  Their song was called Fiesta a fun, and upbeat rhythm with a real Brazilian flavor. 

Journaling reads: After only one year of taking Dance Classes at KickIt Isabelle was invited to participate in the Competitive Jazz Class.  It was a little challenging for her at first, but after a few weeks, and a added number of classes including Ballet, she looked great.  She loved performing Fiesta at CNDC, and Festival this year.

If you'd like to see what the rest of the DT came up with using Natalie's sketch you should pop over here and to have a peek later on today.

Thanks for popping in today.  I hope you have a fun filled weekend on the horizon.

♥ S. 



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Beautiful Moments

I received the August Scrapbook Nook kit ages ago, and finally had a chance to play with it.  I wanted to make something that I could start and finish quickly, as I only had a couple of hours.  Needless to say I resorted to the style I began scrapping with.  The basic straight lines, with layers and a few stickers.  Simple, but worked great for me with this photo of Théa, and her two little Dance buddies.

Using Carta Bella Beautiful Moments collection

This was taken shortly before they performed at the Canadian National Dance Competition this past May.  Those little outfits were so stinkin' cute, and the three of them looked just gorgeous up there on the stage.  It's amazing to see how far they've come in the mere 5 years they've been dancing.  They're only 10, I can't even begin to imagine what they'll be doing when they're 13 and 15 years old.  KickIt Dance Studio has been such a huge, huge blessing in our lives, I can barely put it into words.  The directors are two of the kindest, most encouraging, dedicated people I know.  Not to mention the high level of talent they share with their students.  They run a fabulous Dance Camp every year, and bring in the strongest and best teachers in each field to teach classes during the Intensive week.  They treat the kids with respect, and challenge them to bring their best all the time.  In turn the kids treat each other in the same regard.  It is especially noticeable as you observe the older dancers (13-17), interact with the younger ones.  We are so happy we've found a home here.

There is a hidden journal tag on this layout.  The half scalloped journal spot pulls out to reveal the following journaling: "These 3 are so fortunate to have found each other as dance mates at KickIt. They push each other, and genuinely love each other.  Competition is even more fun as they dance as friends.  May 2012"

I'm up over at Let's Capture Our Memories today with a little tutorial on how I created the hidden pocket if you'd like to have a peek.  The LCOM store also has the Carta Bella paper line in stock and ready to ship.  You can check it out here.

Thanks for stopping by today friends.  Hope you're in the middle of a great weekend.

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Daughter of Mine

A quick just for fun layout. 

This one was made using a Nook kit featuring the Echo Park Graceful collection.  The colours in the collection were so easy to work with.

I used my Studio Calico butterfly mask to create a layered vellum butterfly.  The edges are inked with Tim Holtz Spun Sugaar distress ink.  The gorgeous kraft doily was a scrappy gift from my friend Nicole (best little envelope to ever arrive in my mailbox!).

I used the trim in the kit to create the flower and pined a My Mind's Eye brad through the center.

Et voilà, one fast and easy page to remember a quick photo captured on the day we spent 12.5 hours at the Canadian National Dance Championships.

Thanks for stopping by friends!

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Where I've Been

I've mentioned before that my girls and I all dance competitively at KickIt Dance Studio, here in Winnipeg.  We love it.  We love the location, the studio layout, and especially the directors and all the teachers.  We consider it a real blessing to be involved in a sport that we all enjoy, and have teachers that respect both the sport and the dancers to the highest degree.  There is no mud slinging toward other studios, no scantily clad dancers young or old.  There is, however wonderful support and genuine care and nurturing of dancers by both the teachers and the older students toward the younger ones.  This sport is becoming quite involved for us as the kids get older.  We spend several hours a week at the studio, and during this time of year those hours increase in preparation for competition.  But it is so worth it.  My girls absolutely love to dance.  We really see them come alive as they practice and perform.  We will forever be indebted to Adam Boge for introducing us to his brother Rob, and sister-in-law Lori who have made KickIt a place that has become part of the fabric of our family.  So that's why I've been MIA over the past week and a bit.  The girls and I have been competing, competing, and competing some more in two different Dance Competitions.

As promised yesterday, I do have some photos to share with you.  These were all taken at the Canadian National Dance Championships (or CNDC as we call it).  The competition itself lasts for five days.  We were there 3 out of the 5.  The younger two performed all their dances on the first day, (which resulted in a 12.5 hour day at the Convention Center.  Long, but fun.  To be honest I prefer the long day over the back and forth we did the following two weeks for the Manitoba Dance Festival).  Isabelle competed the day after them, and I competed the day after her.

Théa competed in a Tap Small Group, a Jazz Trio, a Hip Hop Large Group, and a Jazz Large Group.  Eden competed in a Jazz Trio, as well as the same Jazz Large Group as Théa.  Isabelle competed for the first time in a Jazz Large Group this year.  I also competed for the first time in a Tap Large Group number.

This is the Tap Small Group number.  They danced to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.  Williams' parents are so committed, they actually went out and bought a second hand bugle just for these performances!  They received gold for this performance, and also won first place overall for their category.

Théa: far right

Eden's Jazz Trio danced to Pink Cadillac.  They were so cute on that great big stage.

Eden: center

They received High Silver

Théa's Jazz Trio danced to Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair

The received Gold

I competed in a Tap number to Miss Ottis Regrets.  It was such a blast.  We are 16 women and one gentleman in our group.  Our teacher choreographed a super fun, and fast number for us.  I think people just really enjoy seeing all us 'mature' dancers still enjoying the sport.

We even received a standing ovation after our performance.

Our performance earned us Elite Gold

 The younger two are in the same Jazz number, they performed to Greased Lightning, and earned High Silver

Théa front left, Eden front right

  The Hip Hop group dance was by far my favorite of all her dances this year.  Rob is a phenomenal choreographer, and has been recognized for it at the highest level of the sport.  These kids were such troopers.  This was the last of the 4 dances 3 of these kids had performed that day.  They took the stage at 10:35 pm, and brought the house down. Hoodies on Hats Low is such a fun song for this age group.  They received Gold for this performance.

Théa: front and center

And here is Isabelle's Jazz Group dancing to Fiesta.  It was a fun, Latin, celebratory feel kind of dance.  Just look at those jumps. 

They also received Gold

Isabelle is in the last back row, left side 2nd one in

So there you have it.  Three days of CNDC, and six days of festival; makes for a lot of dancing.  Next up is the end of the year recital, where we will be dancing one show on Friday June 15, and 2 shows on Saturday June 16, and then we close the book on Dance for this school year.  Like I said, we love it, so it is all worth it in the end.  The time, the money, the practice, and commitment have been so fulfilling as we've created some wonderful friendships that otherwise would not exist, and as we've seen our girls really grow and blossom into strong dancers.  It keeps them engaged, active, and busy which will eventually be a really good thing when, and if their friends end up gallivanting the streets and malls, looking for trouble, we'll know where girls will be.

Next week, it will be back to your regularly scheduled programing around here.  That includes an upcoming Blog Hop to begin on Thursday over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  There will be games, challenges, and lots of prizes up for grabs.  So be sure to check back for all the details.

I'll leave you with a layout I completed using the photos my kids took of me the night of our Tap Performance.  This layout also won me a Guest DT spot over at My Scrapbook Nook for the Member Inspiration Challenge.

Have a wonderful weekend friends, and thanks for taking a peek into my corner of the web today!

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Photo Post

Hi there,

I know it's been a while, and I apologize.  Life has been full of dentist appointments, chiropractor appointments, the Canadian National Dance Championships (CNDC), Tap Class, Piano lessons, and all the regular day to day things.  It's a busy time of year, but I really do love it.  I'm so glad I get to be around for all of it.  The girls did great at CNDC last weekend.  Eden's duo earned a High Silver, and third place.  Théa trio earned a Gold, and 1st place (they actually competed against each other, in the same category).  Théa  trio also earned 1st overall for their age category.  The Jazz Large Group routine earned a gold, and 1st place.  And, the Hip Hop Large Group routine earned a Silver, and 3rd place. We are so proud of all the girls for giving it their very best effort, supporting one another, and representing Kick It Dance Studio so well.  We are going to need some sort of cabinet to keep the all these trophies in if they continue to do so well.  You should see these things they're almost as big as the girls.  Here are some pix of the kiddos

These girls are troopers, alll in all we spent about 25 hours total at the Convention Center, with in a 3 day period. 

After the competition D thought it would be fun to take everyone to see...

 

Such a sweet, funny, family friendly movie.  The best line of the whole thing for me was: "you may not have had a nice beginning, but that doesn't have to determine who you become" or something to that effect.  It made me think about the protective love of our God.  If it weren't for His hedge of protection on my life, I truly don't believe that these words would ring rue for me.  If anything, I think the exact opposite would be my reality.  A world full of hurt, hate, and innumerable poor choices.  Praise the Lord for His loving-kindness. 

I've haven't done too much scrapping, but I did manage to get a couple of things done.  This one was for a sketch challenge by Jessy over at The Nook.

Taken on Winnipeg Beach last summer.  I plan on putting a little letter to her in the envelop.

In more Nook news.  The wonderful DT had a great idea for a Card Kit exchange.  Everyone who wants to take part must put together a few contents with which to make a card, or two, or three...  The sender must include certain items like patterned papers, and some mandetory add-ons, but can feel free to add as much as they'd like.  Here's the package  I put together for my lovely friend Danni. 

She received it last Thrusday, and said she loves it all.  Yeah me.  I can't wait to see what she creates with it, the girl is a card godess :)

I made a card of my own for our neighbours two down from us on the cul-de-sac.  They moved in on the weekend.  I plan to deliver some fresh baked muffins to them on Friday, I'll include this with the goodies.

Remember this?

 

That flower got so much attention over at the Nook.  The ever so talented  Ingrid liked it so much that she made one of her own to use on a project she showcased during the Zva Creative Blog hop.  How cool is that?!  And being the classy lady that she is she gave me credit for it all over the place just to be sure her readers (on the Nook forum, and on her own blog knew the idea came from someone else.  Sweet.  Made me feel good, and just thought I'd share.  

That's it for now.  I need to go and practice my Tap Routine, before fetching the girlies from school.  Only 2 more weeks until recital - eek.

Have a good one all.  Thanks for stopping by.

♥S.

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