Stay Tuned

For an update

coming to a blog

near you!

Mesmer "eyes"

Here is a layout that I did while at NavCan with my friends last weekend. The beautiful photo (photographed by Marlene - thank you) is of our puppy, Neely. Thank you to Stéphanie for the scraplift, glitter and pebeo, Karen for the flowers and Katie for lending out her title. (well used that weekend ... by Stéphanie also)

I have a few more projects to share and a couple on the go. Hopefully I will get back to my regular blogging before the craziness of the holiday season hits.

Never Too Old To Play Dress Up

"As the group of us sat around one Saturday evening, chatting and laughing, Stéphanie and I snuck off so she could try on my wedding dress. Veil, tiara and all, it made us very excited for the real deal. We just can't wait for the day."

Now, for a real scrapping treat, check out this amazing creation on Katie's blog.

Interrupting this regularly scheduled blog ...

to bring you photos of our new puppy.

NEELY

As many of you know, we lost our beloved Koda suddenly and tragically in May. Absolutely heartbrokem, Kevin so wanted another puppy when the opportunity presented itself. A dear friend promised Kevin pick of the litter. From 11 puppies, (yes, poor Maggie had to have a c-section because she was carrying 11 puppies), Kevin chose this sweet and lovable chocolate lab puppy. Known to us as Neely, he will be registered as Neely Von Bruin. (after Kevin's favourite Hockey player, Cam Neely who played for the Boston Bruins. Think he was a fan? lol)

We now return to our regularly scheduled blog!

:~)

.......

PS - unbeknownst to me, my blog was set so that only registered users could leave comments.

Thanks for the tip, Tanya. I went in and changed it so anyone can leave comments now.

.......

Super Star

My nephew, Matthew.

10 Things I Love About Us

I began this little mini-album back in May while at my bi-annual NavCan weekend with my Ya-Ya's and Ladybugs. Having only completed the cover plus 1-8, I finally finished the last few pages last night. I have to say that, although I enjoy scrapping 12x12, it is the smaller sizes and the mini projects that I truly find a sense of enjoyment from. Now, on to the next project ...

She - the big reveal

As per my 'Sneak Peek" post, here is the big reveal of the layout I did for Stéphanie. Now that she has it, I am free to share, share, share. "She" was Heidi Swapp inspired first being drawn in reverse on the back of the paper then the dots mapped out using pencil. In order to know where to place the bling, I used a paper piercer to punch through the paper giving me an outline of holes on the front. Dot liquid adhesive and stick the bling et voila. TFL.

School Agenda

Each year schools order agendas for their students. As staff, we are able to take one of these - which is great because I love having it for organization both at work and at home. My one fear, however, is that I will accidentally send home my agenda with a student because they are identical and, at any given time, I have 2 or 3 other agendas on my desk. Not only is mine full of confidential school notes but the tidbits of my life too. (where I need to be and when, whom I am meeting, cycle information, infertility information, etc.) To avoid this, I began altering my agenda a couple of years ago. Now no one can mistake mine for someone elses ... students OR staff!

(Note - the chipboard in the middle of the flower actually isnt as vibrant as this photo makes it look. Maybe because it is glossy and the light from the scan did it? Dont know ... just know that it matches better IRL! lol)

BG Stell Ruby Cards

I made these cards with the leftover paper from my previous layout. Since I have started making cards with my scraps, my collection is getting bigger. I have made the executive decision to only create the bases of the cards first. I will add sentiments and embellishments as the need arises. My thoughts is that this will stop me from having too many of one sentiment and not enough of the other. I guess we will see!

So Smitten

This photo of Kevin and Kayla was taken in May 2007 while we were at his cousin's stag. The pair were in the middle of a dance when I cut in for this quick shot.

This layout is based on a Becky Fleck sketch from this months newsletter.

Materials

PP - Basic Grey (Stella Ruby)

Heidi Swapp - bling circle, flower, arrow

MM - paint x3, ribbon buckle, rub-ons

Ribbon - May Arts, unknown brand

Title - dollar store chipboard (painted)

Prima - flowers

Misc. - button, bling, tag, transparency

Cards

I recently made 10 cards using the scraps from my last two layouts. Here is glimpse at a few. My goal was to use scraps and do it quickly!

Small Wonder

Another layout of my sweet new niece, Kristyn. She is an absolute bundle of sweetness.

~*~ SNEAK PEEK ~*~

As those of you who read my blog know, I am very lucky to have not one but 4 of the greatest friends that a girl could ask for. Even better ... we are all scrapbookers! In yet another attempt to challenge eachother, we have agreed to complete the following challenge:

For the next 5 months, each person will take a turn developing 5 (sets of) duplicate photos which will be distributed amongst us. Each person (including the owner of the photos) must create a layout with those photos then return the layout to the owner of the photos on the deadline date. (follow that?) Due so some scheduling conflicts, the first two were combined with photos from both Stéphanie and myself being due at the end of September. Since I can't show you the layout until the big reveal, I will just say IT'S DONE! Yay! Here is a teaser of the photo I had to scrap.

Sweet Baby Love

"Connor was so happy to become a big brother. He smiles proud when he holds his sweet baby sister, Kristyn. And, even though he doesn't understand what he is feeling, the look in his eyes says it all."

I am happy with the way this layout turned out less the hand journalling. I lost access to my computer because my wonderful 15 year old niece was chatting away and, being the wonderful Aunt that I am, I could not and would not tear her away. (have you guessed that she is reading as I type??) so I sucked it up and used my dreaded penmenship. (shhhh - next time I kick her off!) TFL

Weddings

Kevin's cousin is getting married on Saturday. The images above are of the bonbonnaires/give-aways that I designed (and they help make, thankfully) as well as their wedding invitation. We did 190 invites/reply cards and 100 bonbonnaries. It was a very time consuming, tri-fold card. The photo is of the mock-up so it is a bit mangled but still gives a clear idea of what the card looks like. Also, the yellow and green cardstocked used on the actual invitations are different shades. Naturally, all of the relevant information has been photoshopped out.

The bonbonnaire reads "May your life be like a wildflower growing freeling in the beauty and joy of each new day."

The caption under the photo in the invite reads "Two lives, two hearts. Joined together in happiness, united forever in love."

Tonight I made a wedding card to give them. Stamps and cardstock are Stampin' Up with the exception of the stickles.

Congratulations Derek & Diane

Cosmo Cricket Cards

4 very fast and simple cards made using the scraps from my 'Brother' layout.

Brother

A layout of my brother, Chris. The photo was taken Thanksgiving 2006. He is 21 here and was outside playing soccer with our 3 year old cousin. I love this picture of him. I have few so the fact that he is smiling makes it even better. All details, names and dates are written on the back of the layout as I didn't want to add more to the page but wanted to ensure that (hopefully) generations to come would have accurate information.

Materials used:

Cosmo Cricket - Souvenir

Heidi Swapp chipboard strips & alphabet

Alcohol Inks - cranberry & slate

MM letter 'c'

Ribbon, buttons, safety pin

Becky Fleck sketch (March 2006)

Bath Time Fun

Close your eyes and visualize this ... bright, bold colours, buttons, bling, stickles, flowers, deco scissors and the above pictures (plus two not shown) all in Heidi Swapp's pink-with-white-circles file folder mini album. You will just have to trust and take my word for it -- I really did scrap!! All I have to say is fromage, baby. Trés cheesy! Definately not something I am going to eagerly post on my blog for all to see. :~)

I went completely out of my box on this one. No rhyme or reason. Simply by the seat of my pants. The handwriting went right on to the layout without printing in pencil first or caring about having my 'best' penmenship on there. (I rarely use my own handwriting for journalling and most definately not without using a ruler, pencil and eraser first).

One thing I have definately learned from this project ... I like my box and all that is it in. I like that I measure and cut and am precise. I like that I lay out most of the elements before gluing them to my page. I like that I can be mind-boggling anal about spacing and distance and like things to be perfectly symmetrical when they should be. I think that I will definately stay in my box for a long time to come.

Sourire

In my previous post, I mentioned a Trading Pages swap with my Ya-Ya's. This is a layout I did featuring Tanya's daughter, Abigail. It also features the newly released Ooh La La Designs stickers and rub-ons which were designed by Tanya. The butterflies were Heidi Swapp inspired.

Ooh La La Designs in a new scrapbooking company selling french rub-ons and stickers and is owned by Tanya Gibbs, Brigette Quesnal and Genvieve Wilson. Congratulations ladies. I am very proud of the three of you and wish you continued success.

Cherish Memories

With family priorities, kidlets and other obligations, finding time for all 5 of us to get together is usually not easy. How lucky to have all 5 of the Ya-Ya's together at NavCan in June? Along with the Ladybugs, we laughed and we cried, we created and, above all, enjoyed eachother's company. What a great weekend it was.

To add some spice to our creative juices, the Ya-Ya's decided to try our hand at some challenges - one of which was a Trading Pages swap in which Stéphanie pulled my name. I am honoured to have her talent in my scrapbook - even more so because she did photos of two precious pets that meant the world to us. We truly miss them each and every day and now we have this beautiful layout of Rye & Koda to look at.

Merci, ma belle. Je t'aime toi et mon page de scrapbooking.

Precious Baby Girl

I finally scrapped ... sorta. After many weeks of doing nothing scrap-wise, I finally sat down today to create a layout. Much to my dismay, it seems that, when one doesn't scrap for awhile, they can lose their mojo. This was the case. After looking at layouts for inspiration, I still had nothing. In order to accomplish something creative in attempts to regain a creative edge, I shamelessly lifted a layout from the MME website. Not thrilled with my interpretation but hey - IT'S DONE!! Off to do the next one - hopefully with some mojo of my own!

This sweet bundle of pinkness is the newest member of my fruit salad. Rightfully belonging to the Grapes, Kristyn Amy Carolyn Ross arrived safe and sound on June 29th. She is absolutely precious and adorable and sweet. As per my other creations, please excuse the colours. I think I may in the market for a new scanner because it never translates into the same vibrabt colours that I scrap in. TFL

Materials:

Cardstock - Bazzill Kraft ... Patterned Paper - MME Signature Suite ... Bling - Heidi Swapp, Creating Keepsakes, $ store ... Stamps - Heidi Swapp ... Stickers - Making Memories ... Ink - Bazzinks

Organize, clean and CREATE!

After a couple of months of total chaos, my scrapbooking room is completely cleaned. All the tidbits and items dropped in the corners put away. 103 spools or ribbon wrapped, colour coded and put in their rightful containers. New containers purchased and labelled - it feels great to be organized again. Now ... let the creating begin!!!

eled