{ Creatively Mine }

Until further notice ...

2011-12-10T00:41:00.002-05:00

Well my blogging friends ... here is the plain old truth. I am blogged out. Tired of updating (with nothing to share and no interested is the process of sharing) and have stopped following so many too (sorry ... just blogged out, life stresses and just --- life. Heck. I haven't seen past day 1 of Tim's tags and even that was a chore). So, with that information, my blog will remain stagnent until further notice. I wish everyone all the best life has to offer with days full of creative bliss and fun.

Finally, with the holiday season in full swing, I wish you all love, laughter and happiness with your family and friends.

Remembering Hannah

2011-10-25T06:27:00.001-04:00

AE PageMaps: A Day to Remember

2011-10-02T22:11:00.000-04:00

Do not adjust your computers. No need to rub your eyes. This is not a repeat post. It just seems that I have done two layouts with the same title this year. I didn't even realize it until I went to save the images. Oops.

This months inspirational layout features papers from Basic Grey's Sugar Rush collection as well as one of their doilies. Embellishments are Heidi Swapp, Recollections, Webster's Pages and Making memories. I also used Glimmer Mist as well as various paint brands.

To find out what Auntie Em's monthly inspired sale, and to see Lorena's take on the same sketch, visit the Auntie Em's blog.

In other creative news, it's been slow. Let me rephrase, since it is always slow where I am concerned :) It has been slower than usual. The beginning of September saw my return to work as well as trying to implement my 'no less than three times per week at the gym' routine. So far so good but, with other things going on, it has been slow. I have made some jewellery though and will share soon. Until then:

Happy Creating.

Have you seen this?

2011-08-26T14:32:00.000-04:00

I am a huge fan of Make It & Love It and go there with every entry she blogs. Today she linked to another blog, so I clicked and started perusing where I found ..... this. It is sooo funny. I had a grin on my face the whole time with frequent bursts of pee-in-my-pants laughter. Hopefully you get a kick out of it too.

Sinfully Scrumptious

2011-08-24T23:35:00.000-04:00

I remember seeing a Tim Hortons coupon at some point this summer. It was actually a two-fer ... Timmies and some creamery place. I'd never heard of it so I didn't give it much thinking. It would never apply to me. Boy was I wrong and boy do I wish I had whatever that coupon was.

Turns out it was for Cold Stone Creamery which is attached to Tim Hortons. I haven't seen any in Ottawa but came across a new store in Cornwall ---- with the Creamery inside. Sinfully delicious. All ice cream and cones are made on the premesis and hand mixed with whatever ingredients you want to add. Their waffle cones/bowls are to die for. I was feeling fruity (both times I went) so I got the Berry Berry. Visit 1 was French Vanilla ice cream and visit 2 was cake batter both with strawberries, blueberries and raspberries. So tasty and only one of a dozen flavours to choose from. Enough with the talk ... lets let the pictures show you what I mean.

Regardless, I'm now thinking that I have a new route home from Cornwall and, since I really only make it to Cornwall an average of once a month, I will have to stop there again on Friday just to get my fill. What flavour should I have this time? Seriously .... if you ever come across one, you simply have to try it!

Quick Mini

2011-08-15T16:04:00.000-04:00

Using the Gabrielle Collection from Bo Bunny, along with 5x5 pockets from KI Memories, I created a quick mini album about a trip to Montreal I took with my nieces a few years back. We had so much fun ... but the photo selections were limited, outside to the great architecture around Old Montreal however, the memories stored away are plentiful and priceless. We had a major case of the sillies that weekend as we explored the underground mall, took the subway and explored the streets. It was great to leave my car behind and not have to worry about parking and driving. Especially with a via rail pick up and drop off right in Casselman, I only had to drive 15 minutes away for the journey to being.

With the leftovers from the Gabrielle Collection, I made two very quick cards. I really do enjoy making them and don't know why I don't do it more often. Then again .. I really enjoy being creative and crafty so why dont I do that more often either? (no comment)

As summer winds down, I can not believe I have to return to work in 3 weeks. It is just flying by faster than any other but I have to admit, it has been the most enjoyable summer I have had in a long time. Despite a flipped around sleeping schedule, I have been enjoying quite the social life with some pretty great friends ... new and old. I really dont want it to end ...

Finally, before I forget yet again, blogger just isn't being user friendly. I really do look at everyone's blogs and often drool over or chuckle at the content but I just can not comment. I have NO clue why that is. It will take me to the google log in page after I have written my comment but won't post it. It just keeps asking me to enter my password over and over and over again. Very strange and very inconvenient.

Happy Creating

AE Pagemaps: The Beauty of Friendship

2011-08-01T23:52:00.000-04:00

This month's Pagemap Calendar was a great design to work with. I knew right away that I didn't want to do a layout but something different. Something more art inspired - like a canvas. While it was fun using some of my mixed media 'skills' in scrapbooking, I found that it was actually difficult to do ... mainly because I seem to be gravitating towards creating with more white space and less embellishments. Not so great for the girl who has more supplies than she knows what to do with ... and that was after a partial purge.

I have to say that, although I am not a vintage scrapper, I really enjoyed working with the Bo Bunny Gabrielle line. The colours are so muted and pretty. Timeless. It was a fun project to make and I look forward to hanging it up in my house ... somewhere. Time to paint me a blue room! :-)

What have I gotten myself into?

2011-07-28T04:48:00.000-04:00

It all started with a sleepless night and a you-tube clip. That accidental clip quickly turned into a full length you-tube episode (seriously ... how often do you find 44 minute clips?) and now ... I am shamelessly addicted to the shows I always shook my head at in disbelief. Shamelessly. Guiltily. Addicted.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey

It is 4:47am and I am now 1/3 of the way through Season 2. I started Season 1 on Sunday (or was it Monday? what time was it?) and now I want more and more and more. And now ... I force myself to go to bed wondering 'what happens next?'

Dumb reality tv. Oy vay.

Look what's coming this fall ...

2011-07-14T12:12:00.000-04:00

My Craft Channel

How exciting is that? It's the first of it's kind and will have over 20 shows each week featuring sewing, painting, beading, mixed media, photography and more. Christy Tomlinson will also be on it ... yeehaw! I love watching her work and am in complete envy and the dirty space, dirty stamps and dirty hands. The mark of a true artist. haha. All I have to say is "Move over, you tube. There's a new channel in town!"

AE Pagemaps Revisit for June: Party Like a Rockstar

2011-07-09T15:46:00.000-04:00

When taking photos of my intrepretation of the calendar sketch, I found that the photo of the completed layout was very blurry so I didn't use it. I thought that I had done a post using the teaser shots only but it seems to be non-existent. I am certain of it, actually because I know that I post dated the publish date. Ah well. Clearly I messed it up and nothing was shared ... or I am just blind and cant find the post. Either way and thanks to Lorena, I have the completed layout (as well as my teasers from before) for June's Pagemaps Calendar sketch so I thought I would share. While it is a simple layout, I am rather pleased with the look of the background. I think it's kinda cool! :) {to see July's reveal, check out Life's Delight here or on Auntie Em's blog}

In other creative news ... I had a productive day at Auntie Em's last night. A few kinks in the day had me getting there later than I wanted but I managed to get two double page art journals (almost) made. I liked the concept that I had in my head for my circle art journal (volume 2) front page and decided to apply it to Jenn's journal as well. It was fun to 'assembly line' the art work and actually gave me an idea of another way to do the circle journals. Today I am continuing to work on downsizing, purging, organizing and cleaning my studio (yes, studio ... between beading, sewing, scrapping and art stuff, it's not just a scrapbooking room anymore so i've decided to become a tad posh and use 'studio' dahlings.... now - if I could just get a great big picture window put in with a glorious body of water and mountains in the background, it would be true bliss.) Right now, it is a bonafide disaster zone and complete embarrassment that I will actually share with you in a future post. *gulp* Stay tuned for some "before's" and "after's" before summer's end.

Hope you are enjoying what looks to be an incredibly beautiful day.

AE PageMaps Reveal: Life's Delight

2011-07-07T01:11:00.000-04:00

A quick layout using the July PageMap Calendar sketch and featuring my sweetest and adorable niece, Kristyn. She starts JK next year so I will now get to see her 5 days a week. I can't wait. Oh how I *heart* my fruit salad!

want to see what my DT co-hort Lorena did with her sketch? Check it out here!

Good things come to those who wait ....

2011-06-16T09:01:00.000-04:00

Tim Thomas
Boston Bruins Goalie
Stanley Cup Champions
2011

and thats exactly what happened last night as the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1970 ... or the first time in my Hubs lifetime.

It is a very emotional time in my house right now. He is crazy excited and thrilled beyond belief - actually to the point of disbelief. Anyone who knows him knows he is a hardcore Bruins fan through and through (hey .... we have a dog whose registered name is Neely VonBruin for crying out loud!) and what this means to him. It's like his own personal victory.

Me ... I am a Bruins fan by marriage. A person who has come to enjoy and appreciate the game but rarely watches because my Hubs is just too intense for me. Last night though ... it was an absolute pleasure to watch with him. It was intense for both of us and today I proudly wear my Bruins jersey ... much to the dismay of many colleagues and students.

So with this post I leave the creative behind and celebrate on behalf of my Hubs with a congratulations to both teams for a great series and a great big WOOOHOOOOO to the Bruins for taking the cup. (and yes, I recognize that it would have been great to have had Lord Stanley at home in Canada but ... technically ... 17 of their top players are Canadian [including two from Vancouver) so it's not completely American. Thats my disclaimer) You played a strong game as a strong team ... and no one believed you could do it.

Circle Art Journal - v. 1.0

2011-06-14T19:24:00.002-04:00

Over the past few months, some ladies and I have been participating in an Art Journal Exchange. For this semi-type A personality (and I say 'semi' because I really do believe that I call in the middle of both categories in so many ways), it was a great opporunity to try my hand at different things and stretch beyond my creative norm. One thing I learned is that I seem to be okay at doing backgrounds but, for the front runner type stuff, I am seriously lacking. Fortunately however, I will have the opportunity to expand further as we prepare to bring Circle Art Journal v. 2.0. --- both with the front page type stuff and some very cool Pan Pastels. (now I just have to watch Donna's video so I can fully understand how to use them and that they arent just something that you would smear across your page with a sponge. novel idea if I do say so myself!!)

Because I didn't take photos each time I completed an entry, I am not able to share the ones that I did for others - with the exception of two that were taken off Facebook and Rosa's blog. (thanks ladies!) - so I will share with you all the wonderful entries into my journal created by some very talented women. (eta: after uploading photos, I realized that I am missing Katie's second creation. the pages must've been stuck together. sadly, i am way down here and it is way up there and i am just too darn lazy at this moment to put my camera together and go take that second shot, upload, edit then post so I will save that one for a later day.) It was a night of great laughs as we revealed eachothers journals to one another. Thanks again for hosting, Katie. I look forward to sharing after the next round.

Jenn

Katie

Rachel

Rosa

Stéphanie 1

Sharon

Stéphanie 2

Mellisa for Rosa -- my very first art journal entry.

Rediscover: ME!

2011-06-08T11:30:00.000-04:00

There is so much about me that people don't know or realize. Some would be surprised while others might suspect.

This past weekend was very profound. Very eye opening. Very real. Very unexpected .. and from a person least suspected. A person to whom I am grateful to and whom I don't think realized that depth of the impact our talk together had on me. Thank you. So, for now, I am discovering and rediscover me.

Just Do!

The Donna Downey Experience

2011-06-06T11:11:00.001-04:00

This weekend was my weekend with the Scrapbox and Donna Downey and *WOW* what a weekend. I learned more things, became less inhibited with my art and the creating process - something that I have been trying to do - and began a journey of healing and repairing. And the laughter ... omigod the laughter. So much of it from everywhere. Between Donna and her students and solely amongst her students as well. If Ottawa (or somewhere you are or are near) is hosting a Donna Downey event, you simply must take it.

For me, and beyond the creativity, it was a weekend without compare. I've begun a different kind of creative journey and I owe it all to Donna for helping me open my eyes, and begin to repair.

This is the second time I've done a Donna Downey weekend ... and it won't be the last.

Happy Monday.

Signed, sealed & delivered ...

2011-05-26T22:47:00.002-04:00

... I'M YOURS!!!

For a while I've been wanting try the liquid adhesive that Donna Downey uses on her projects - Helmar 450 Quick Dry ... and I finally did tonight. I love it. LOVE IT. Tombo Mono is great but even better. I have to say that this will now be my go-to adhesive ... even with the slightly stong scent. If you have the opportunity, give it a try. Next tester ... Helmar Scrapdots. I will be trying those at the Donna Downey event next weekend at the Scrapbox. Those should be pretty cool too ... cant wait to find out for sure.

On a seperate note, I see that my Three Way video was removed . The one below should work but remember ... if you havent seen Dick in a Box or Mother Love, you should click here and watch them first.

Enjoy your weekend, rain or shine.

Home ... is where our story begins

2011-05-25T00:01:00.004-04:00

I created this layout a couple of weeks ago using the Dear Lizzy line. While it looks like something that should have come off easily and without a hitch, it actually took me a while to do ... and didn't come out as I had pictured it in my mind. This style is very outside of my comfort zone ... but that's okay. It's always good to try new things, right? One thing I need to tweak is the white space to the right of the pictures, in between the titles. Don't love it. It needs something.

Also, once again, apologies for the quality-lacking photo which was taken with what ... my iPhone, of course. I really need to buy a good, purse/pocket sized camera that I can keep with me at all times --- or just take the photos before I bring the layouts to the store.

On a side note, my sister comes home tomorrow after almost a month in Europe. YAY! I chatted with her on Sunday when she called from Luxembourg ... she's having a great time - - no doubt - - but I'm just not used to not talking to her 3 or 4 or 5 days out of the week. Funny how I can go a month without seeing her when she's home and be fine with just talking and/or texting but as soon as she crosses the pond ... i miss my sister big time. haha.

The Golden Rule

2011-05-23T14:07:00.000-04:00

Oh Andy & Justin ... you've done it again. But wait ... if you don't know about the first two SNL shorts, you have to watch this first. Enjoy!

storage solution, please ...

2011-05-14T21:24:00.000-04:00

As I may have mentioned in a previous post, I am really downsizing my space. Not only in size (hopefully) but in products as well. I really just have TOO MUCH STUFF. Some things I have been sitting on for 4 or 5 years so ... bye-bye. That being said, I seem to be increasing in some ways too. One way, for example, is stamps. Despite reducing my collection by half (approximately 25 SU! sets), I have picked up a few cling mount stamps. Not many - just one BG Stella & Rose and two itty-bitty Ali Edwards/Technique Tuesday sets. I have been wanting to make cards again. I mean really make cards again. I would actually like to make them and sell them. Feed my craft by supporting my craft, if that makes any sense. With this pull towards making cards again, I am really being pulled towards cling mount stamps. (hello Unity .. yum!), I have some random ones from Michael's buck-fifty bin and all of Heidi Swapps stamps but they are currently sitting in a shoe box. I have an idea of how I would like to store these (and future) stamps but I am not sure if it is a sturdy enough one. I just know compact and space efficient is a necessity. So ...

How do YOU store your cling mount stamps?

NSD/Mother's Day recap

2011-05-11T21:50:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned before, I spent National Scrapbook Day creating a mini album but, what I didn't share, was that it was actually a gift for my Mom for Momma's Day. Sometimes she finds her way here. Sometimes she doesn't ... but I couldn't take the chance. I actually used an ATC sized 7 Gypsies Carousel and what a fabulous process. I really loved making this mini album. It housed about 90 ATC sized photos as well as about 12 dividers and sentiments throughout. There is even room left for those family members that I didnt have photos of as well as room for photos taken in the future. This is definitely a mini I will be making again and for myself. Did I mention that I got (almost) all of it done in a day and a half AND while at a crop, no less? Thanks to Jenn from The Scrapbox, she hooked me up with a sweet lady who had the ATC punch since one wasnt available for purchase and this was somewhat of a last minute gift idea. (i knew something creative but didnt know how until Wednesday ... talk about last minute). Not only was Luce SUPER helpful in letting me use her punch, she was sweet and kind enough to let me take it home in order to finish the project. I mean, we had just met and here she was providing me with the tools to get the job done longer than I had needed Thanks to her, I was able to put those finishing touches on the sentiment and divider cards then add them to the album before giving it to my Mom .... 100% completed. The best part ... my Mom cried. That made it all perfect! (pictures to be added soon. i didnt get a chance to take any before presenting her with the gift and forgot my camera to get photos afterwards. most likely saturday)

Life is finally getting back to normal ... almost. We have been running on one vehicle for two weeks and it absolutely has not been fun. I hate not being able to do what I want to do when I want to do it. I hate relying on others to get me places or bring me home. Regardless, it should all be rectified this week and I will finally be able to establish my routine again and get to the gym. Ooooh the gym. How I miss you so. I am going tomorrow for volleyball and am wondering if it smart to go a few hours early just to get a nice, long workout. If volleyball is anything like the first week it may be a good idea because I wont be able to move my arms and legs for days. haha.

On a seperate note ... if you are interested in going to the movies, I have done two movies in two weeks. Last Tuesday we went to see Limitless. Better than I expected but hello ... Bradley Cooper. Yum. Yesterday I went to see Something Borrowed and let me tell you .... funny!!! What a good movie. Definite chick flick but alot, alot of humour and lingering giggles. Not to mention the previews ... our movie marathons are going to be good this year. Plus *shudder* there is a new movie coming out with none other than the future Mr. Ross ... Justin Timberlake. *sigh* Best part of that is that it looks like a good movie too!

Until I blog again ... all the best for the sunny week. I hear that the weekend is calling for rain but my Friday will be spent scrappin' at Auntie Em's with my fave Cornwall gals. Can't wait!

Happy Momma's Day

2011-05-08T12:30:00.000-04:00

In my family, Mother's Day isn't "that big of a deal." Actually, for the first time in a few years, my Mom is actually letting ME cook supper for her. (she has this idea that, as our Mom, she is celebrating us as much we are celebrating her. She's so wonderful!) Like Valentine's Day, we all feel that there shouldn't be one specific day to honour and love that special someone's in your life. That love should be celebrated daily (and not in big ways ... it's the small subtle moments that count the most) and acts of sweetness should be done because you want to, not because society says today is the day to honour that person. Despite all of that, Mother's Day is still a day where I want to be no where but with my Momma. It's low key and quaint and the perfect way to be together. To talk. To laugh. To share time with my brother and sister. To just be together ... as we often do through out the year -- thankfully though because for the first time in 37 years, my Momma won't have all three of her children with her. My sister got it in her head that she would be in Europe with her boyfriend this year and is actually spending Mother's Day travelling to Barcelona after three days in Paris. I mean really. EUROPE??? I'm thinking that home with Mom is a much better place to be! *wink* So today, on behalf of my brother, sister and husband (yes, my husband. he and my mom are fortunate to have an incredible relationship with eachother) I want to take a moment to wish my Mom a

** Happy Momma's Day **

No four people are luckier to have you for a mom/mom-in-law than we. Thank you for your never ending guidance, support and readiness to let us fall to learn from our mistakes but wipe off our knees when we get back up. Thank you for being the person we know we can always count on through anything life throws our way. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being ours! ...xox...

On the creative side, I spent the Friday and Saturday scrapping with my friends at The Scrapbox while my thoughts often on the ladies at Auntie Em's. It was National Scrapbook day and I did just that. Would you believe it if I told you that I 98% completed an entire mini album? Yup! I did. Close your mouth now before the flies get in ... haha. I am just about to add a few stamped images to it, a couple of tabs and some brads then I am all done. Done like dinner. This was a really fun project to make and I will definitely be making repeated albums in this style. I will take photos later tonight and post them here.

Until then, enjoy this beautiful day - - hopefully without the smell of fresh manure like at my house - - and enjoy your Mommies. For those if you without you Mommies or for those of us Mommies without our babies, may your day be filled with warm memories and sweet smiles. Happy Mother's Day.

AE PageMaps Reveal: For the Love of Shoes

2011-05-03T22:33:00.000-04:00

Happy Spring, everyone. Sort of. There hasn't been much in the way of sunshine but the weather is warmer and the socks have been off for about a month now. Now all I need is to get in the mental mindset for crafting again and I am good to go. April was a busy month. Between my sister's birthday, the flu, Easter and the Hubs grandmother passing, there hasn't been much time for creating. Unfotunately it has taken a bit of a tole on my mojo but that's bound to change with Saturday being National Scrapbook Day and a weekend of creative fun. *crossing my fingers* I have big plans and need to have big accomplishments that weekend too.

On the Auntie Em's front, it's that time again and let's just say May's pagemaps were fun to work with. I saw many different possibilites for this sketch but opted to focus on the more non-traditional photos. Featuring Basic Grey's 'Marjolaine' line, I added some Making Memories, Maya Road and a few other embellishments to finish it off. I also added photos using three layours of dimension - flat plus two thicknesses of pop dots. A great way to get depth easily. Finally, I created my own raffle tags using lined paper from Scenic Route which I then turned into a journally strip - - - and used my own handwriting. *gasp* I don't particularly love it (or like it, for that matter) but I do call it 'done' and, at the end of the day, that's what counts!

There was so much versitility in this paper line that it was hard to decide between the accent and focal colours. Thankfully, those colours decided for themselves and away I created. Regardless of the great papers or the inspiring sketch, there is one thing that creating this layout had me craving .... more and more shoes. Shopping anyone? *wink*

Journalling reads:

It's amazing what a great pair of shoes can do for a woman's self-esteem. How a casual flat can make you feel hip and trendy while a sleek stilhetto can leave you feeling beautiful and sexy. Whether they are shows that I wear daily or a special pair that I only get to wear once a year, one thing is for certain ... I can never have too many pairs of shoes.

The Greatest Show on Legs

2011-04-21T13:04:00.000-04:00

The Naked Balloon Dance - circa 1982.

Ahhh those Brits! :o)

She's coming! She's really coming!!

2011-04-07T09:57:00.000-04:00

While there are many scrapbooking 'celebrities' I would love to meet, spend time with and/or create with, there are only three people that are at the top of my list. I couldn't even place then first second or third ... i just want to meet them. So far I have been lucky enough to meet two of them - Donna Downey and Tim Holtz. Their classes were inspiring and fun. So much learned, knowledge shared and techniques applied.

While the third one has yet to be met, I am so excited that I get to spend another weekend creating with Donna Downey at The Scrapbox. Sooooooo excited. Sooooooo thrilled. As always, her projects will be awesome and full of wonderful mixed media techniques. My promise to myself is to let go. Just let it go and enjoy the process. No analyzing. No well thought out plans. Just letting the paint fall where it may. So easy for others - so hard for me. I am definitely a Type A who is trying to become well acquainted with the Type B I know is hiding within me.

The project teasers are so tempting. Can you be tempted enough to call the 'box and join us?

Beloved

Butterfly Moments

Heart's Intention

PS - if you're wondering who the third person is, it's Ali Edwards. I love, love, love her too.

AE PageMaps Reveal: U & I

2011-04-03T21:43:00.000-04:00

I am a bit late posting this as I was waiting for the pictures to be e-mailed. Seems my iPhone quality photos just don't do it for everyone. hahaha. Alas, better late than never, right?

April's PageMaps Calendar sketch was created with the oh-so-lovely Stella & Rose collection by My Mind's Eye. Not at all the colours I planned to focus on, I decided to pull out the greens after finding this picture of my sister and I. We have many like this. It's actually one of our quirky traditions - taking photos at an arms length. Even when people say "would you like me to take that for you?" we decline. It's just one of the things that make us 'US.' One of the best things about this paper line is the ability to work with so many different colour options. Blues, reds, pinks, greens. It really has alot of versatility.

As with every page maps calendar layout, it means a monthly Inspiration Sale at Auntie Em's. Check out the store's blog for details. Also, don't forget to take a quick visit over to Lorena's blog to see her intrepretation of this months sketch.

In the meantime, I leave you with happy and scrappy thoughts. May is still weeks away and my mind is already spinning with ideas for May's sketch. Can't wait to do the layout ... and get out and get the photos I'm going to need for the task. Should be a fun one.

Inkessentials Foam Storage

2011-03-28T23:20:00.002-04:00

As I'm sure everyone reading this is, I am a HUGE fan of Tim Holtz and his wonderful Distress Inks. In an ideal world, I would own one blending tool for every colour family and have one of those cool vintagey stamp holders too. That's the ideal. In the real world, I just won't justify spending approximately $75.00 on it. Maybe one day. Not today.

I saw this idea whilst You-Tubing and thout it was brilliant and definitely much more cost effective than 8 or 9 blending tools. The only downfall is that my distress inks no longer snuggle together, one on top of the other but really that doesn't matter because I tend to keep them bunched in an elastic since I don't trust the lid to stay on.

Here you go. My new storage method a-la-iPhone photos:

Materials Used - Distress Inks, Ink Blending Foam, Velcro (rough side)

Place velcro (rough side) on under side in ink pad

adhere foam to velcro

and *VOILA*

You now have an ink foam piece for each and every Distress Ink colour you have ... and all for pennies to do, moments of your time and just a bit of unsteady-ness in the stacking once completed --- which is easily remedied in various manners, elastic included.

Have a happy, creative day.

{ In Love }

2011-03-20T00:32:00.000-04:00

Wondering who won the trimmer poll? Check it out here.

I had a good, albeit is super long day (thanks to a wake up time at 4:45am for no apparent reason), at Auntie Em's yesterday. There definitely wasn't a shortage of laughs, that is for sure. Of course, no time at Auntie Em's would be complete without some after hours chat. Serious talk about life and the events in it. Tears shed, more laughs shared and bonds deepend. I also learned yesterday that someone had spent two years of her life in discussion with her husband about doing something so incredible for me. An ultimate sacrifice. I was floored and touched beyond words and from the bottom of my heart I can not thank her enough for even just for the considerations they made. It just goes to show you that, when you least expect it, you can be knocked off your feet with just simply the knowledge of an act of kindness ... even if it didnt transpire. The sentiment and appreciation is just as much there as if it did.

On a scrappy note ... I did manage to get a whole layout completed. Yup! One whole layout. Just short of my goal of two layouts and two cards. Uh huh. Why do I try? haha. As it was pointed out to me by Michelle, "you scrap those photos alot." Why yes, I do. :o) It's called lack of anything else to scrap and no recent photos. She did bring up a good point though and my goal over the next few weeks is to go through all my photos, find new ones that I have never scrapped before and put copies of them together in a folder. In the meantime, I will leave you with more wedding pictures (taken with my iphone so poor quality) .... again!

PS Michelle .... you will be happy to know that the next month will see me on a trip to visit family in Hamilton but will also include a reunion with my very, very best friends from my short years in Hamilton. The first friends I ever remember having and have memories of. After moving to Ottawa 30 years ago and losing contact a few years after that, we have much to look forward to and I am quite certain it will include a photo or two. *wink*

Happy Creating

And the Winner is ...

2011-03-18T06:51:00.000-04:00

So it's not Sunday .... but better late than never, I say. Honestly, I really havent been on the computer all week and anything that I have done via computer has been limited to what my iPhone allows. What a crazy busy March Break. I havent stopped since last Thursday and won't stop until I go back to work. Something every single day ... and long days too. Not just a couple of hours on this day or that day. I miss my house. I miss my studio. (formerly known as "the scrapbook room." Studio sounds more 'artsy,' n'est pas?) On the plus side however, I have managed to hit the gym every day but one since last Thursday. Absolute bliss. I'd live there if they let me. (hmmm... maybe thats because they have maintenance staff so it would be like having my own cleaning service. maybe....). To see what I've accomplished, check out my journey to a healthier me ... and yes, this was definitely a week of accomplishment in Mellisa terms.

Now ... the moment you have - or haven't - been waiting for. ** drum roll please **

CONGRATULATIONS

You are the winner of my Trimmer Prize Pack.

Please take a moment to e-mail me so I can snail mail your goodies out.

To everyone else, thank you for your comments. I am still undecided but am leaning towards the Fiskars Rotary cutter. Reason being - I want to get more into card making and think having those edge blades may come in handy. At the end of the day, what I really need to do is sit down with three or four trimmers and play. Until then, old faithful will be by my side, providing loving if not slightly crooked cuts.

Today marks the last day of March Break. Back to the grind on Monday. I actually think I am looking forward to it just to put an end to this non-stop week. Today I will be cropping at Auntie Ems with get togethers with friends on both Saturday and Sunday. Until then, here is to a speedy and dry March with a quick entry into April and the fast arrival of Easter weekend .... just so I can have time off where I dont have to do anything. Oh wait ... i already have a Friday sleep over date with my sister. May long weekend... ? *wink*

Happy crafting.

Trimmer Poll

2011-03-05T23:16:00.000-05:00

For years I have used the Fiskars Triple Track. Since day one actually. I haven't fallen out of like with my trimmer yet but sometimes I wonder if it is time for a change. Antonio tickled my papers for a while alas ... Antonio turned out to be a dud. What was Making Memories thinking? I've also never been one for a rotary trimmer. In all honestly, I have no clue why that is or what has ever stopped me from buying (or even using) one. At Auntie Em's last night I was surrounded by a Fiskars one. A couple of the scrappy gals couldn't believe I hadn't made the switch to rotary ... but they have me thinking about it.

So, what trimmer do you have? What trimmers have you tried? What trimmers have you avoided? I would love to hear about the trimmer(s) you tried and hated, the trimmers that just aren't too shabby and what trimmer you just cant live without and why.

For taking the time to offer your advice by commenting, I will offer up a small prize pack of mixed goodies. All those who comment will have their name entered into a random draw. The winner will be annouced next Sunday. Can't wait to read your trimmer reviews.

I started off with this ...

before switching to my beloved Antonio who let me down tremendoulsy...

so off I went back to old faithful....

and now ... what's next?

AE PageMaps Reveal: A Day to Remember

2011-03-01T00:48:00.000-05:00

This months Auntie Em's Page Maps s calendar ketch challenge featured some very yummy papers, delicious embellishments .... and my beautiful sister. I seem to be leaning towards to 'less is more' side of scrapbooking but am really hoping to kick it up a notch over the next month. I really want to develop a versatile style takes me from the simplistically minimal Barb to the creatively cluttered Stéphanie. Both ladies have their own destinctive style and create such great work. I would love to be able to scale from one end of the spectrum to the other with ease. I guess it's just another way of rediscovering myself even further.

In taking photos of this layout, I learned a very valuable lesson. Stop travelling without a camera. Sure. The iPhone is a great 'quick-fix' but, at the end of the day, I have to live with the blurry results. Fortunately, it's still visable for you to understand what is going on. In the meantime, check out the Auntie Em's blog to see what specials Emma will have for the month of March and, if you haven't done so already, don't forget to *like* us on Facebook. Finally, don't forget to check out my partner in crime's blog to see how Lorena & I created layouts using the same sketch and paper line.

Who's Interested??

2011-02-26T19:10:00.000-05:00

I'm in the mood for some "assembly line" type projects and thought I would put this out there for my few blog readers to see if there was any interest. If you'd like, you are welcome to repost on your own blog, share with your friends or link them here for more information. The more the merrier.

What I am proposing is an ATC/Artist Trading Card swap. Something fun and artsy. Simple and Sweet. Something made in multiple quantities and shared with others. I have a binder specifically for my ATCs but it is filling up none too fast. Besides, how fun is it to have only my stuff in there anyways? A variety of styles are best really and I would love to include something you made to the mix. Not sure what an ATC is? Click here for a description, here for some samples provided by Google Images, here for samples provided by an ATC Flickr group or here for tutorials on YouTube.

If you are interested, please sign up by commenting below. If I don't have your contact information, please use the 'Email Me' link on the right of the page to send me your email address. (I will need this once the swap is closed to share my snail mail address in order for items to be mailed to me). Sign ups are no later than Friday March 4th with a postal date no later than Friday March 25th. This will allow three weeks for the creative process once final numbers are posted.

How the swap works:

You will make one ATC card, of the same style, for every person in the swap, including yourself.
On the back of each ATC card, you will include your name and date (March 2011). You may also include your blog address and edition information. (ie 1of 25, 2/25, etc. the second number may change depending on the final number of people in the swap.) This part is up to you.
The swap will be capped at 25 participants. (not that I am anticipating that many - but that would be most excellent, I have to admit!)
Items will be placed in the mail no later than Friday March 25th and will include a self-addressed stamped envelope with one additional stamp in the package 'just in case.' - depending on the materials used, the package you receive may be slightly heavier than the one you sent.
It is recommended that ATC cards are placed in a ziplock bag, with a seperate piece of paper that has has your mailing address, in order to provide extra protection should damage come to your mailing envelope. This step is completely optional.
I will sort the ATC cards, repackage and have postal to you no later than Friday March 8th. This allows two weeks for your items to get to me, be resorted into new packages and mailed out.
Note that if all ATCs are received before the deadline, items will go postal before Friday March 8th.

ATCs really are fun pieces of miniature art that allow us to go out of the box, whether it be with our scrapbooking or our mixed media skills. ATCs allow you to create either in or out of your comfort zone - anything goes. It is a great way to try new things and experiment with different ideas and styles. Also, there is something about creating an assembly line of the same that feels almost rewarding and accomplishing.

If all goes well and an interest is expressed, I would definitely be up for doing more ATC swaps in the future.
** crossing my fingers. ** hopefully there is interest.

As always, happy creating and I hope to see the most comments ever on my blog. You know you want to ... :o)

Sweet Angel Baby

2011-02-23T21:07:00.001-05:00

In October 2010, I went to NavCan with some friends. Page kits in hand, I also brought along a little chipboard angel wing album I had picked up a while back. Not sure if I was going to do it or not, I packed embellishments and paints leaving it as an option if I felt pulled towards making the mini ... and I did.

Those who know me, know that I have experienced the worst heartache ever imaginable - the loss of a child. While Hannah's time with us but a mere moment, it is a moment that I cherish dearly and that lives strongly in my heart as if it were yesterday. A moment that I wouldn't trade for the world. A moment that is worth every last ounce of pain and heartache that went with it because, along with that pain and heartache came smiles and laughter and love. Incredible love. Immense love that can only be felt when you look at your new baby, regarldess of the circumstances.

October 25th marked our 8th year without her. It is in all likelihood that those moments I held, bathed, dressed, sang to and loved Hannah are the only moments of Mommyhood I will ever experience. It is not okay, but this is my life and so I live it. And by living it, I celebrate the moments creating and recreating with the only photos I have of those brief few hours.

As always, I toy with posting this album. I worry that I will offend or upset others and if I do, I am truly sorry. Out of respect for my few readers, I have blocked her out. Hopefully that is enough not to upset anyone. With regards to this post, I have actually started and deleted versions of it time and time again, trying to get the nerve to share something that many skoff at --- but the reality is this: I have a daughter. Her name is Hannah Grace. I love her more than I can say and miss her just as much. My heart beams with pride and happiness when I think of her and when I talk about her and, for this reason and this reason alone, I have decided to share album photos. I am sharing my sweet baby girl. My angel baby. The one thing in life I know I almost did right.

Mommy loves you, sweetest angel. ...xox...

Christmas Gifts Revisited

2011-02-13T21:28:00.002-05:00

Before Christmas, I spent some time, with my good friend Marlene, and her delicious beads that she has for her bead business, Licorice Whip Designs. I used a few of her pieces as inspiration for some of the gifts I made for people (why invent the wheel, right?) and came up with some designs in my own. After a beading day at Auntie Ems, I also created a necklace for my sister using something that Laura made in another class she took. I have to say it was alot of fun and, thankfully, everyone I gave presents to loved them - always a worry for me whenever I give anything handmade as a gift. (point in case -- two pieces that I made out of swarovski pearls and crystals that was definitely not liked at all. alot of time and effort went into it - and it wasnt cheap either - for me to take it back. ah well. lesson learned even though i really should have known better. haha) I discovered a HUGE problem with this method though ... I liked everything I was making. I mean, really liked it. Like "I want one too" liked it. So everyone's Christmas gifts because my Christmas gifts too. One for them. One for me. Good theory, right? I'd like to think so.

I am teaching a couple of classes at Auntie Ems over March Break. March Break Madness for kids, to be exact. I have a Lesley Langdon inspired canvas for one and to another canvas project to work on this week alone with a couple of beading projects for the younger kiddies to do. Trying to create for 8+ and 10+ is a bit challenging, I have to admit but it will definitely be fun ... I just hope people sign up! I am also teaching a bracelet class on the 26th as well as another class, yet to be determined. Very exciting.

Speaking of Auntie Em's ... she is hosting a NavCan weekend on April 8, 9, & 10. She will not be bringing her store however, I do believe that a field trip will be planned for those who wish to do some shopping. If my numbers are correct, it is $195.00/person to share a room and $265.00 if you want to have your own room. I know that there are some suites available but those numbers I am not sure about. Will I see you there?

Off to enjoy a creative day in the 'studio' (i dont only scrap there, right? sure!) as well as a creative day behind the mop and broom with dishpan hands covered in laundry lint. Sounds divine, doesnt it?

ETA - I've been trying to add photos for several hours now but it's just not working. Am I the only one having trouble with this new "Google Cloud Picker" thing? I've even reduced the sizes from 6mb to 539kb and it keeps telling me that the feature I have requested is unavailable or the circles just keep turning but the upload never happens. Grr. Beyond frustrating. I guess I will have to try again another time -- or another post. Sorry!

ETA pt. 2 - Looks like lucky attempt number 23 is the charm. Grr.

Go Packers, Go.

2011-02-06T13:34:00.000-05:00

I started this bracelet a while back and finished it on Friday night while at Auntie Ems. We are going to do a class on it at the store so I kept the colours neutral and, in hindsight, there is one spot that I will add another bead. It was a pretty straight forward design that I will definitely make again ... but in a more colourful fashion next time.

Tonight, during Superbowl, I will bead my way through the plays, also making something else for a class that I will teach at Auntie Ems. I have to say ... this design team stuff is fun (and it doesnt hurt that Emma & Laura are pretty awesome too.)

Speaking of Superbowl Sunday ... Stéphanie *ahem* Where are my pictures?? I asked and asked and asked and asked alas ... pas de photo. That's okay though ... this year you will owe ME one when the PACKERS win. Go green!!! Not sure what I am talking about? Each year, Stéphanie and I make a little scrapbooking wager as to who is going to win the Superbowl. The first two years I won and am now the proud owner to two Stéphanie layouts. Last year she won however this year .... I am going to reclaim my title.

I continue to work on my Art Journal Everyday, little bits at a time, and am now doing a page for an art journal swap I am doing too. Yesterday I spent part of the day making paper flowers as well. A couple of them turned out well but there is one style that I just can not figure out and, if I am doing it the right way, the results are certainly not the same. I have discovered that art journalling is way out of my comfort zone but I won't give up. Hopefully it will one be well within my level of comfort ... hopefully.

House of 3

2011-02-03T23:05:00.001-05:00

As promised, here are the photos of my mini album. I am still not sure why I kept getting a rejection error from blogger. Strange. Anywhoo...

Once again, the mini was created with Bo Bunny's Peacock Lane. The embellishments are minimal and the album was quick (well, as far as the word 'quick' works for me.) but it definitely gets the point across.

House of 3

Inside Cover

page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Page 6

At the end of the day, I will very likely go back and add more, especially some journalling but, for now, it's done. (which means no more Peacock Lane ..woohooo!)

My Baby's 12 & a mini

2011-02-02T00:01:00.007-05:00

I see people write that all the time. "My Baby's ___ !!!" but have never been able to nor will I likely ever be. Two legged babies just don't seem to be in the cards for me but I do have my four legged babies. More babies than pets, I have to admit. Tucker, my oldest dog, is 12 today. I can't believe it. No one can. He is still so spry and energetic - it's wonderful. Happy Birthday, my Tucky-luck. Heres to many, many more years together.

On the creative front, I have been busy. I actually did a quick mini with the leftover goodies from Bo Bunny's "Peacock Lane" entitled 'House of Three' (and thank you House of 3 ladies for lending me your company name for my mini. ). Each insert has a title and, when read together, the titles read:

Brother and sister, through the years.

Siblings by chance, friends by choice.

Always and forever, I love you.

I still struggled with this line because it is just not me but it was fun working out of the norm, despite that struggle. I think maybe next time I work out of the norm, I will do it by scrap lifting a layout. Who knows ... it might be yours. *wink*

ETA - okay. we're all outta luck for now. For some reason it wont let me upload any more pictures and I've tried a ton of things. I guess it's going to have to wait until later today - when the bugs are hopefully all worked out. It 1:32am and I need to hit the sack!

Sweet Dreams.

Welcome back, Mellisa

2011-02-01T07:54:00.001-05:00

So the results aren't great but they are just that .... results. I did my first scrapbook page in about a year. Maybe more. It was using the Peacock line from Bo Bunny and very difficult for me. While the colours are beautiful, they are not the ones that I normally to work with. But I challenged myself .... and I am done. Here is a nice little tease to get you interested but, if you want to see the whole thing, then you need to visit me here.

oh miss RENEE (and more stuff)

2011-01-30T13:09:00.001-05:00

Please e-mail me. For some reason my emails you keep bouncing back and I really, really, REALLY need to talk to you. Like "life or death" talk to you. Like "I'm going to lose my mind if you dont get in touch with me soon" talk to you. As in *insert super whiney tone* "Reeeneeeeeee. Wheeeeeeereeeee. Aaaaaaareeeeeee. Yyyyyyyyouuuuuuu ????????????" talk to you. Okay, so it's not that desperate but I have a good idea and was excited to share with you and wanted to see if you wanted to play plus I wanted to hear all about your new digs so now you HAVE to email me ........ right ?????? *wink*

For those of you who aren't Renée .... sorry 'bout that. Now on to the other stuff

Had my first official Auntie Em's Design meeting yesterday. It was great to sit and chat and share and I think we some fun things in the horizon. I met my ~~co-conspirator~~ fellow designer also yesterday and I do believe that Lorena and I are going to have some serious issues duking it out when the Basic Grey comes in. Holy yum! I am slowly starting to look at the CHA releases - a first in years - and its crazy how much stuff there is. Obscene even. But so great to drool over.

In other Auntie Em's news, the not always technically savvy Emma began a blog for the store. It may take a couple of weeks to tweak it and get it going but I do hope that you will come and visit often.

So today I continue to recoup. My fever is pretty much gone but I still feel very run down and ragged with lots of coughing. I pushed it a little too much yesterday just by driving to and sitting at Emma's yesterday for a couple of hours. (on the plus side, i had the best freakin salad EVER from Subway ... thank you for semi-returning appetite. lol) The rest of my day will be spent amongst the flannel gods swathed of the fluffy goodness of my blankets while my hands craft away.

The sun is shining and the weather seems nice. I hope everyone is enjoying these last moments of the weekend. Happy Sunday.

Hidden Gem

2011-01-28T20:28:00.001-05:00

As I posted earlier today, I had big plans while resting. Started off outside for about half an hour working on the first part of my photography assignment. The weather was gorgeous. Beyond gorgeous ... especially after the extreme cold in the beginning of the week. I played around with a few things before deciding on what I wanted to capture ... and decided to use my 50mm 1.8 lens. Can I just say that, as far as lenses go, this is the best $100.00 lense you can ever find. I absolutely LOVE it. I can't believe that I have had it all this time (a couple of years at least) and never learned how to use it properly. It is easy, really. You move yourself .. not the lens. Enough said. Needless to say, I got my photos done and even manage to capture a few faves on my k9 babies ... until the flash card corrupted. *cry*. Fortunately, I am very good at removing images from my memory and was able to get the ones I needed for my assigment. Unfortunately, I lost the ones of my pooches. Hopefully tomorrow will be as nice and the snow as fluffly.

Oh .. those big plans, you ask? Not so big. I survived outside but barely. Once inside and on the computer, fatigue hit as did the upset tummy. Up to bed I went to enjoy some Netflix under the comfort of my duvet, snuggled with my pooches. An enjoyable way to have plans altered, I must say.

In the meantime, here are the photos I took for the assignment. It was all about changing the ISO in 'P' mode and seeing what it does to your subject. Alot of this isnt new to me but it is great to refresh ... in lamens terms this time.

Once again, enjoy your weekend.

PS - it's hard to see the blurred background at this size but there really is a difference between 100iso & 1600 iso, i promise.

Down and Out

2011-01-28T11:38:00.001-05:00

That's pretty much been my week since Tuesday. With fevers ranging from 100.7 to 102.5 consistently, I finally decided that it would be a smart idea to finally stay home from work. I've done nothing but work and sleep ... no creating, no art journal everyday, no workout, no computer *gasp* (disclaimer .. I have used my iPhone for some minor surfing and facebooking lol)

Today, my fever is finally below the hundred mark .. if only slightly. I have some energy - thank gawd because I really need to go my Maggie Holmes photography assignment done today. I am going to craft. Some stuff in my art journal, some goodies for Auntie Ems. I am going to do all of this with the box of kleenex beside me (ohhh - that just gave me an idea), a blanket on my lap *bliss* and movies on the computer.

This weekend is all about laying low, getting better and healing so I can go back to the gym! Oh ... and feel good too.

Happy Friday, everyone.

Art Journal Everyday Rediscover

2011-01-23T00:19:00.001-05:00

I've been doing quite well on my Art Journal Everyday challenge - quite surprisingly too. I've only missed a couple of days but, between shopping for the items to make the journal (yes! that counts) and assembling the actual journal, it's been constant. Unfortunately my first page didn't come out as I had envisioned but I am done ... and thats what matters. I even used an entire package of rub-ons that have been in my collection for years. Good-bye stash. Finally, I have found a creative groove that I am thrilled to have back. From art to scrapping to beading, the ideas are flowing. My mind is full once again ... which works out rather well being that I am now on the Aunti Em's Design Team.

Here are some shots of the first page I did in my journal. I decided to combine my (Ali Edwards) One Little Word with the first page of my art journal. Not the greatest of photos but it get's the point across. The only thing I have left to do in it is figure out how I want to add the date it was made - - or finished. I love, love how Donna Downey uses the shipping tags as her signature date recorder and I really want a signature date piece of my own ... I just need to figure out what exactly that is going to be ... although it is really tempting to incorporate the DD method because I love it so. If I dont come up with something in the next week or so - - - maybe......

Until then, I bid you all creative happiness.

Sew Happy

2011-01-19T21:25:00.000-05:00

Quite some time ago, I lost the backstitch lever and the thread holer-oner thing-a-ma-jig. No clue where they went or what happened. I can only assume they got lost in transit somewhere. Because I have a low end sewing maching that was bought in the States, finding those parts was near possible. Who knew. I finally found a place in the States that didnt cost ridiculous amounts and had normally priced shipping to Canada. Well ... they are finally here. I am so happy to have my sewing machine back. I mean, I haven't had a huge use for it but there have been times when I thought "I would love to do this right now but .... oh darn. No sewing machine" and moved on to something else. Now that I am motivated back to the scrapping world, I can not wait to get my thread in and sew across a piece of crisp paper or tantalizing ribbon. Maybe this weekend, if it frees up some. The hubs may even get lucky and I will finish that quilt for him. Maybe.

On an Art Journal Everyday note, things are progressing and I have't really missed alot of days. That is what I actually love about this challenge, I think. That I can spend two minutes sticking down a rub on and I will have met my daily quota. No pressure. I havent actually started creating art yet, but I did make my art journal from scratch.

I went from this ....

... to this ...

... and this ...

... and this.

I used everything in the paper pad except the front cover. The back made the perfect sturdy base for the front and back of the journal. Each signature was hand sewn seperately then added to the album. I painted canvas in turquoise and bright magenta using water to allow the two colours to mix before adhering it to the front and back inserts. Topped off with some glimmer mist, elastic added and a button for closure and I was done. I was going to decorate the front but decided not to. Not right now, at least. Maybe down the road when it is complete. So, now that my journal is created, I can make art inside. Hopefully what I have in my mind will look as good on the paper. That all depends on if my trip to DeSerres tomorrow is successful or not.

Redisover: Design Team

2011-01-16T03:06:00.002-05:00

There had been some talk quite a while back about Auntie Em's Scrapbooking (in Cornwall, ON) possibly starting a design team. I had expressed an interest in it but nothing really transpired. Before the holidays it came up again but nothing really concrete .... until today. I spent the day there, with Emma, Laura, Marlene & Sue, beading away into the wee hours of the morning (meaning 1am) and, at some point in the evening, I was invited by Emma to be a part of the Auntie Em's design team. I am very excited for the opportunity to inspire others as well as the push I need to get back into the craft that I love so much. I have always had many ideas floating around in my head so it will be nice to execute some of them in the process. I brought home some paper and embellies tonight and let me just tell you that there isnt anything more daunting than re-entering a craft that you havent done in quite some time with a product that is out of the box and not in you normal comfort zone. Either way, I look forward to the challenge which, with any luck, will begin tomorrow after a major cleaning of my space. Yes, the one I was supposed to do weeks ago. oy!

On a creative note, I assisted Marlene today as she taught two "Beading Boot Camp" classes at Auntie Em's today. It was fun to help others learn and a bit confident boosting to know that I am developing my skills in beading nicely. Afterwards, a few of us stayed and created away. I made a bracelet for colleague as well as began the foundation for a second bracelet that I am going to do. Marlene was nice enough to let me play with her oh-so-yummy camera and is going to pass on the photos to me soon. I will also take photos of the things I did for Christmas gifts and share those as well. Fortunately, many of the pieces I made were made in twos because I liked them so much I had to make a second for me.

As for my Art Journal Everyday, I am actually doing pretty well with the exception of Friday and Saturday. Unfortunately time didnt allow because, after leaving the house at 7:30 Friday and coming home at midnight only to leave again at 8:30am Saturday and return at 2:15am, I just wasnt journalling. I plan to make up for it today by doing multiple components. So far I have all the signatures attached and the album cover started. I will have more work to do before beginning my first Art Journal Everyday entry but, in my head, it's all looking good.

Hopefully everyone enjoyed a snowy Saturday. Here's to a restful Sunday with a great week ahead. Happy Creating.

Pretty

2011-01-15T00:42:00.001-05:00

A little something to tie you over until Sunday when I will post on more details that random nothings that I've been up to. It gives me goosebumps each time I see it but, for those sensitive to language (which I am not), please note that there is one *f* bomb dropped in it .. otherwise, all good and very true.

Enjoy your weekend.

I did .... what????

2011-01-11T18:44:00.000-05:00

I did ..... THAT !!!!!!!!!!!!

You'll have to check out my other blog to see.

Vote for ME!

2011-01-07T16:36:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that I am doing this ... but I am.

As you may remember, this past summer I had the opportunity to be a second shooter for Oya Anzan of Anzans photography. I absolutely love her work and, after working along side her and seeing her in action as well as coming to know her a little bit, I adore her.

On her facebook site, she is having her 3rd fan photo contest. After much deliberation, I decided to submit a photo of my sister (see below). Of course, this isnt always about the best photo but often a popularity contest. This is where you come in ... all three of my blog followers *wink* .....

If you are so inclined, please join Oya's Facebook page and go the photo album titled Fan Photo Contest - photos submitted by fans. After looking at all of the enteries, please 'like' the photo that you want to win. It's as easy as that. Deadline for voting is Friday, January 14th at midnight (EST).

In other news, I didnt actually work in my journal yesterday but I did buy things to make the album so that counts. lol I am also enjoying another book which I have added to my side bar. I am loving this iBooks concept and I didnt think I would. Its just way too convenient. Now if only they had a battery saving mode.

Enjoy what's left of Thursday.

Rediscover: Reading & Art

2011-01-05T14:23:00.000-05:00

I had two *rediscoveries* yesterday and I have to say that I am so happy those are the ones that I started with.

The first of my two rediscoveries was my art. My space is a mess and I hate creating in a messy space but there was just enough room for a small project so I decided on a few ATCs. One for me and a few to share. I was only a few steps in when the space got to me and I had to stop. It was then that I realized that I just started my Art Journal Everyday challenge too. Two concepts with one brush, so to speak. I also realized that De Serres won't have the kind of journal I want to do so I may have to make one --- or just order one from Donna Downey. I love the inspiration journals that she uses for Inspiration Wednesday. So today, I continue my ATC/AJE only after I get this uninspiring space cleaned up but first --- I must induldge in about an hour of rediscovery number two ...

After looking around the house yesterday, I realized that I didn't have any unread books here but for one that I bought last year during out schools book fair. After a second look I thought "why did I buy this?" Oh ya .. it was a dollar. Then my mind went back to a gift card I had seen at Future Shop and a conversation I had with Marlene on Monday night. iBooks. I mean, it's better than nothing and I guess I could suck it up for one book, right? Well ... I can not put my damn phone down. I just want to read and read and read and read. While I will never, ever fall out of love with the feel of turning crisp pages or the sound of a spine being gently creased, I have to say the convenience of iBooks is going to be a huge plus. Once the kind of person who was almost never without a book in her purse, I remember often reading at home only to leave the next day, forgetting to put it back in my purse and being caught in a position to kill time with no book. Or bringing it to work to read at lunch only to forget it on my desk. *gasp* It was torture for me. Well ... I never forget my phone. Almost never. I can count on two hands the amount of times I have forgotten my phone in the many years since I have had one. So, as long as I am reading iBooks, I will likely never be without something to read again. *bliss*

The first book I purchased was Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. Having only ever seen The Notebook, it was good to learn how great his written word is. I am on pg 256 of 1095 and that was only after downloading the book at 1 am and not reading anything today. Before you are overly impressed, keep in mind the side of an iPhone screen - there are only 17 lines on each page. lol On the downside, I was a little disgruntled over the price. I paid $14.99 for the book - which is the same as if I went to Chapters and bought it there. An electronic book. Shouldnt those be cheaper because there is no use of paper or ink? I thought one of the upsides to doing thing electronically was a slight reward of lower pricing. Where is the incentive to encourage people to be more environmentally conscious if it is the same price either way? I don't know. Maybe I am just in the wrong frame of mind and just the knowledge that you did something is the kickback. Anyone care to comment on that?

So, as I close the end of another long post --- dont worry. i go back to work next week. they will be neither as long, nor as frequent --- I will leave you with a photo of my first Art Journal Everyday step. It's nothing more than cut paper (which is already labelled on the back) with tissue and gesso. I have a few ideas for what comes next but you'll just have to wait and see. *wink*

Art Journal Everyday

2011-01-04T15:48:00.001-05:00

I was over perusing Rachel's blog where she posted and linked to this "Art Journal Everyday" challenge. An art journal a day ... not a chance would I be signing up for that. Seriously. Thats just as good as signing my name on a failure contract for sure --- or so I thought. Then I read more ...

The concept is to do something in an art journal every day NOT create an art journal page a day. It means that you complete the challenge by simply adding one element each time. Maybe one day you paint the background. Then the next day you add some photos. Day three finds you sticking down 2 letters for the title "ME." And so on until you are done. It may take 3 days. It may take 8 but its something every day. I think I am definitely going to give this a shot ... now to find me a journal. Maybe have to take a trip to DeSerres tomorrow (yum) which is just double fun because I can get the watercolour paints and crayons I've been wanting PLUS workout at my new gym. Yup! Sounds like a good day planned for tomorrow.

So ... who's joining me on this challenge?

One Little Word 2011

2011-01-01T14:45:00.002-05:00

Welcome to 2011 and this years One Little Word. I love that Ali Edwards inspires many to do this every year. I love that I embrace it for the first few months but hate that I lose sight of it as life happens. In the past, I used the word 'Baby' and 'Change' but this year, after much thought and mind changing, I have followed my heart to my one little word ... rediscover.

2011 will be about rediscovering all things. New and old. Simple and complex. Creative and uncreative. While I have a few items on a short list, there really are no bounds. I can and will make up the rules as I go. I think that is one of the highlights for me. I'm in charge of how it plays out. No waiting for fertility appointments to see if the connections between injections, ultrasounds and the big S were made like my 'Baby' year. No concrete course of action needed to see evidence of 'Change' like last year. Some rediscoveries will be well planned out - like a get together with a long lost friend to reconnect. Others will be spontaneous and impromptu - like travelling somewhere for a day trip on a whim or rediscovering that one facial I enjoyed many years ago because I have two hours to kill before going somewhere. This years word is what I make it and, for the most part, requires no one else to make it happen. That peice of knowledge feels not only enlightening but empowering. Not used to feeling empowered but I have to admit, I quite like it.

In the meantime, I have created my short list on paper for those rediscoveries I have planned and may also put them in a sidebar to check off as I go. My goal is to journal them somehow. I will use my blog as a way to capture them as the happen, of course but I really do want to have a tangible momento to relfect on for 2012. While I would love nothing more than to say I will scrapbook this journey, I am not going to commit to that. I know better. What I will commit to is simply chronicalling my journey in a binder where anything can be added. It may be a layout I created or something I wrote down on a lined piece of paper. It may even be something as quick and the bag of a store I went to with the rediscovery date written on it. Going with the flow will be my motto for this journal.

As I bid everyone great things for this New Year, I will leave you with my quick list of things I hope to redicover. I am excited to tell you that I already have one item checked off ... wooohoooo 2011.

rediscover the gym - i started this 'change' in September of last year and fell in love as i found my inner athlete, swimming my way to a healthier heart, lungs and body weight. unfortunately, it became victim of the december schedule and it is a few days shy of one month since i have worked out. monday ... i swim! i have even a goal in mind thanks to a friend. only 9 months to prepare. eeks
rediscover my blogs - yes. blogs. i do have more than one. i have this one which i hope to update once a week as well as my photography blog for the business i hope to one day have. i also started a fitness blog to capture the journey to a smaller me but have only shared it with two people thus far so i figured new year, new start ... time to share. so i am!
rediscover art - not just scrapbooking but art in all forms. paint, paper, die cut machines, canvas, mini albums, photoshop editing and more. maybe something once a week. doesnt sound like much but, if you know exactly how (un)creative i've been, you understand that this goal is really huge. i might even pack up and go to a crop every other month. maybe.
rediscover photography - my camera has become dusty over these past months and the passion of capturing life in photos has dwindled as other things took over. i need to make it a point to start taking it with me when i go places because you just never know when that inspiring moment will present itself
rediscover learning - at the beginning of last summer, i made the decision that i wanted to take the steps required to become a photographer as a (side) profession. with so much to learn, i signed up for a course at algonquin but it didnt deliver as i had thought it would. missing pieces of the puzzle stopped me from being able to progress as i wanted to but guess what? i get to add my first check of 2011 here. a couple of hours ago, i registered for an online maggie holmes photography workshop. i have been looking at this course for several months and now ... here it is. did i mention this is my first check of 2011. i'm excited.
rediscover reading - simply put ... i love it, i miss it and its been way too long since i curled up with a tea and a great book.
rediscover marriage - i always joke that i'm living the married single life as the wife of a self employed man who works very long hours, too many days in a row and is too tired to do anything when he finally has time off. truth is i joke about it ... but i hate it. we never go anywhere. we never do anything. we hid behind excuses that sound logical to us but really are only that ... excuses. well not any more. i understand that he works like a dog. i understand that he really does just want to veg at home. i understand that it needs to change and the both of is need make the committment to make it happen ... even if it is only once a month. date one starts tomorrow. brunch. i love brunch but never go because that really is alot of food. tomorrow - - i eat. monday - - i work out. :o)

It's time to take life, life it and REDISCOVER it ... one day at a time. xxoo

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T07:07:00.000-05:00

Yet another year gone by and once again I question "where did the time go?" So much not done. So much missed. So many thoughts and feelings come, gone and lingering. While this year was better than the last, there is much room for improvement in so many ways. Most ways, really. I look forward to the end of 2010 for many reasons and hope that 2011 brings much more enrichment and pleasure to the lives of K and myself. If life is a circle, I am hoping to be at the top sometime soon again.

Thanks to an error in dates with our New Years crew (he thought they had a wedding on New Years Eve. Oops. It is New Years Day) we are not doing the annual loud and crazy laughter night in Glen's garage full of yummy food, silly card games and great friends. We made secondary plans with another set of friends for a low key, quiet evening at their place alas those plans seemed to fall through when the couple got another offer so it is just K and I. I was a little bummed at first but am actually quite thankful for it now. Just him and I. The way life intended, I think. We are going to do some reno pricing this morning followed by a movie. The afternoon will be spent with a short nap since I have been up since 1:30am and it is now 7am with a late night ahead. Our evening will consist of a trip to Upper Canada Village where we will have supper and enjoy the spectacular light displays before heading home for a quiet evening. Our New Year will be rung in quietly. Likely with him asleep on the couch, in front of the television and me creating in my scrapbooking room. A little sad sounding, I know but really a perfect evening and the best way to ring 2011 given my word choice for the year. That being said ...

... another thought that crosses my mind this time of year is Ali Edwards 'One Little Word.' This will be the third year that I ~~am doing it~~ started it and am really, truly going to try not to lose track of it this time. My first year was 'baby' and well ... we know how that ended. More heartbreak. 2010 saw me embracing the word 'change' in the beginning months and then losing sight for most of the rest of the year before finding my way again in September. The chanage has been slow but it has been there and I look forward to working towards change in 2011. Fortunately 'change' ties in with my 2011 word but, as always, I will wait until January 1st to share it.

In the meantime, please enjoy the holiday and embrace the friends and family you are celebrating with regardless of how big the party or how quaint the gathering. Here's to great memories and a wonderful journey for 2011. Happy New Year. xxooxxoo

Happy Holidays.

2010-12-11T19:42:00.000-05:00

Hello! Hello!

It's been a while but I am still around. Lurking quietly, keeping the distance. Much going on in life and trying to work through things with our heads above water. So far so good but it has definitely been tough. At the end of the day, K and I still have eachother and that is what matters most. I have been working out an average of 3x/week at Carleton U. I try to swim anywhere from 2-3kms a swim but sometimes have great difficulty because I try to walk in between and often overdo it. 6.7 kms is the longest I have done. Swimming the next day was definitely a challenge. haha.

On a Creative note, I have spent some time at Marlene's house making some jewellery for my Secret Santa at work as well as a few Christmas gifts for some random people I have to buy for. One more day and I should be all done. Who knew beading takes so much time. Oh yes. Right. It's the design that takes forever. Seems I keep picking the complicated ones. Oopsies.

As far as scrapping goes, nothing is happening right now. I need to make some cards for the students at school because I am playing Santa Claus. With french immersion, the kids are split between two classes. .5 of the day, they are with Mrs. Dawson. Then half to to Mme. McGinnis for french while others go to Mrs. Beaupre for english. Seems all three teachers decided to have their students write to Santa and sent it to the Canada Post North Pole. Nervous about form letters (are they form letters? I have never seen one from there), I offered to be Santa and write them back. Of course, they cards have to be homemade because, with all those elves, Santa would never, ever buy cards from the store. *sigh* how do I get myself into this stuff?

Holidays are fast approaching AND I CAN'T WAIT. For once, my school board has finally gotten it right. Normally we finish work the Friday before Christmas and go back two weeks after that. We are usually back around the 4th or 5th or, like it would have been this year, the 3rd. (that year was the worst). When planning the school year calendar, the lightbulb seemed to have come on and someone said "why don't we work until the Thursday before Christmas ... the 23rd ... and have two weeks off from there, going back on January 10th? HELLO! How awesome is that? I am so excited. Hopefully some home renovations that first week and maybe a new scrapbooking room (yes! I am still holding on to that pipe dream lol) and a trip to Hamilton in the new year. Regardless of what I do, I just hope those two weeks pass by really slooowwwwlllyyyy.

In the meantime, I wish all of you who are reading this all the best for the holiday season. May it brings love, laughter and happiness to you, your family and friends. Happy Holidays.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T14:33:00.000-04:00

What a better way to spend Halloween

than with your best friend

at an

80's Halloween Party.

(if you don't have kids, of course)

There is a God in the Post Office

2010-09-18T22:18:00.002-04:00

This is one of those emails that circulate and circulate and circulate. I really have no clue as to how long this one has been going around but I got it probably 6 or more months ago and just came across it again. I hope this is a true story because it is what the world should be. Enjoy.

PS - the stuffed peppers weren't too bad. Loved the concept, not the recipe. Will make again but tweaked, for sure.

====================================================================

This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could, so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog, even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith, and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, "To Meredith" ....in an unfamiliar hand writing. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, "When a Pet Dies". Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day, and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love, God

Stuffed Peppers

2010-09-09T16:55:00.000-04:00

This is something that I have wanted to try for at least a year now. I am T minus 5 minutes from making Stuffed Peppers for supper. I'll let you know how they turn out ....

Shhhppppppffffft

2010-09-03T16:29:00.000-04:00

That's the sound that of the first pickle jar being opened 10 minutes ago. I couldn't resist and I had to go against my nature .... I tried a room temperature dill pickle. I hate warm pickles. I was going just for the flavour and had only intended on eating a bite of a small one until I heard it. That delectable and delightful crrrunch of my teeth biting into the delicious pickled cucumber. The dill flavour is strong and the garlic is definitely present .... perfection! My sister-in-law and I nailed it. I can't wait til they are cold and I will eat them as a tasty treat tonight. Maybe ... just maaaaybeeeee ... I'll even share with you one day. ;o)

Enjoy your long weekend. Summer will officially be over.

Who sleeps this much??

2010-08-30T22:59:00.000-04:00

Apparently, I do!!!

K and I went to see HairNation play at Greenfield's on Saturday night. We got home around 3:30, I was in bed around 4:30. I literally slept all day Sunday, less 5 mins here and there for bathroom breaks. Come Monday morning, I was still exhausted and wiped out and there was no physical way I could stay awake.

My eyes were heavy and my head was whoozey. I slept until about 6 pm tonight, less bathroom breaks here and there when I finally forced myself to get up. Although not as bad, my eyes are heavy and my head is whoozey ... but my body wont let me sleep anymore even though my head seems to want to. Worst three things of all about it ... I slept away one of my last days of holidays .... I missed supper with my Mom, brother and sister ... and I didnt get to do what I have been craving for a week now - - work out. Very sad, am I. Hopefully tomorrow is a better day.

Enjoy your last days of summer. The trees are already changing colour.

A tasty K9 treat?

2010-08-28T08:05:00.000-04:00

So it's allergy season and my nose blowing is in full swing. Just out of curiousity ... does everyone have a dog who is koo-koo for kleenex or is it just me? The mere sound of a piece of kleenex being pulled from it's box is enough for him to raise his head, from a light slumber, and watch me. If I pick one up, he just stares at me and watches and waits, hoping for the moment when I accidentally drop it so he can swoop in for a tasty treat. Oh, and watch out if I dare let a few gather on the side table until I go to a room with a garbage. He will skulk over and *boom* just like that grab it and hurry away. What a strange, strange bird, my sweet Neely is. I just wonder if he is alone in this obsession...

Chompin' at the Bit, I am.

2010-08-25T21:09:00.000-04:00

After becoming pregnant last year, everything stopped. All of the dieting (i was always hungry) and the working out (high risk pregnancy, wasn't allowed) went to the way side for work followed by evenings and weekends on bed rest. When yet another pregnancy ended, I met with depression for the first time. What an awful experience. Again, more eating and zero working out. When work started, so did school which left no time for working out and, if I am being honest, I still had no interest in starting again. Interest, yes. Motivation, no. Well, it's a year later and where am I now ... CHOMING AT THE BIT to get back in to a pool again. Even though I had been thinking about it, I believe that my day at Calypso filled my body and mind with a desire and pull that I haven't felt since I was in the height of working out last year. My goodness how I love being in the water!

This past weekend, I put my mind to it and have created a fall schedule that works for me. I have made a list of all that I need to buy (swim cap [5hrs/wk in the pool turned my hair to straw last time. disgusting.], waterproof mp3 player, etc) and planned how I am going to go to work, school and hit the pool 3x per week and guess what? I'm excited. I can not wait. If it wasnt for the fact that K is on holidays this week, I would already have a few workouts under my belt. I need to be active again.

Know what else I rediscovered in these past two weeks. Drinking water. I had forgotten how much I love it. Super icey. Super cold. Along with my bad habits came my obsession for Caffiene-Free Diet Pepsi. That, along with Crystal Light Iced Tea, was about all I was drinking .... and I do drink alot to begin with. I suppose I could have been drinking worse but it feels good to get back to basics and enjoy water again ... with lots of ice, of course.

Back to basics ... I like the sound of that.

Boy oh Boy, I must heart them.

2010-08-09T22:09:00.000-04:00

I went to Calypso Waterpark today. What I should actually say is "I finally caved and went to Calypso today." My nieces, who have season passes and are staying with us for a few weeks (or indefinitely. depends on whether I return them or not), have been telling me over and over again how much they want me to go with them when they go - which is often given I live no more than 15 minutes away. As always I say that I am just too insecure and self conscience. I remind them that I work in the community and the likelihood of me running into current and past students is very high ... and I will be in a bathing suit. In public. Where people can see me.

It was 3:30, overcast and later in the day so I decided why not. Let's make them happy. And it did. Given my fears and overweighted-ness, I chose not to do any of the slides however, I did spend a great deal of time in Jungle Run while they went on other rides and we had a blast in the wave pool. It actually drove me insane not going on the slides. They looked like soooo much fun and, if you know me (I mean really know me), you will understand what this decision was like for me and how loathesome I felt in the body with these limitations. I am truly more in my element when I am in water than when I am on ground. (or so I think) I adore swimming and being in the water and wet and playing and just hanging around. I am certain that I was a fish of some sort in my past life given my history with swimming pools in this one.

What today has taught me is that next year I will be getting a season pass of my own. Even if its just to sit and relax with a book with occassional visits to the wave and lazy pools, or to get off my ass now and get myself in a comfortable place so that I can ride the hell out of the slides next year, I will be there quite frequently. I cant think of a better way to spend my summers off. Neices, friends and water!

I learned a valuable lesson on Saturday ...

2010-08-09T00:42:00.000-04:00

i DO NOT want to be a wedding photographer EVER. ever, ever, EVER. I hated it every moment of it. Sure, it was fine those couple of times for friends but Saturday ... how nerve wracking. I finally fell asleep just after 7:30am (which is late even for this night owl. I am usually pushing 4-4:30 these weeks) and had to be up for 10. I pushed it off until 11. I got to the venue 20 minutes early. The tent was still being decorated inside. The aisle and the archway were still in progress. Bridesmaids and family members scrambled to get the cake set up, the tent secured and the tables set. The groom was rushing around, unready. He finally went in to get shower and dress around 3:45 - - - we were supposed to have pictures at 3:30. He arrived around 4:15ish ... 15 minutes before the ceremony was to begin. The pre-wedding photos with the bride and bridesmaids never happened. After the ceremony, I had approximately an hour and a half to take photos of the bride and her bridesmaids, the complete wedding party, the bride and her family, the groom and his family, the bride and groom and then the bride alone. Keep in mind that, of this approximate hour and a half, friends and family were approaching them to wish congratulations (naturally), the bride had to find time to pee (of course) and last minute discussions were taking place with regards to the reception. The mood was pleasant and happy but I was a bundle of nerves and felt so very rushed. At the end of the day, I am happy neither with the quality nor quantity of my work. My camera isnt working it's best, I am learning and I think it's time for maintenance work. Even in the auto mode, the pictures werent the best they should have been. I guess after 10,000 clicks that happens. Never thought of it before.

So ... now I sort. Now I reflect. Now I know that me doing weddings will not happen. Studio and on location work only. Families, babies, toddlers and pregnant bellies only please!

Can you believe it's tomorrow?

2010-08-07T02:29:00.002-04:00

Or today, technically, since it's past midnight.

It's the day I fly solo for a wedding. I am scared beyong all belief. So afraid that things will go wrong. That they won't be happy. It was different when I was doing it as a 'favour' but, now that money is being exchanged, the pressure is hard core and much more intense than it was with the other two. I don't think I am ready. What have I done?

In the meantime, I am taking a break from making a cheat sheet of poses from the past weddings I did. I have a list of the poses that the bride and groom want that are out of the norm. You know, that aunt who is something special or the old college roommate that you havent seen in 5 years? I am new at this. They know I am new at this. This should be okay ..... right? I just want to be thorough and quick so I can capture as many poses as possible. I am even toying with bringing my youngest niece (13) as my assistant just to carry things around for me. I need to stop second guessing myself. I need to be full of confidence. I can do this!!!

Recapping this past week, it has been a busy one. In the course of about a week and a half, I took Tanya's daughter out for some photos. I did a maternity shoot. My sister and I went to different locations trying different things ... and are heading out again in a couple of weeks for a few more location shots. I was also present at a wedding in which I was invited by Anzans Photography to shoot and observe. What an experience. It took place at the Westin Hotel where my day began in a penthouse suite. Seriously, it had a living room, a massive bedroom, a conference room the length of my house and 4 bathrooms. The view of the Parliment Buildings was nothing short of perfect. Unfortunately, due to transportation issues, there was no room for me to join the bridal party at the location shoot but I got to play around in the grand ballroom, taking pictures of decor. It was also an opportinuty for me to play around with a speedlight. It was way harder than it looks. I am completely oblivious to how it truly works but I did manage to get a few shots despite my lack of abilities. It would have been most helpful if they had the lights turned up but that didn't happen until after they were done prepping. Well .. so much for that. Another "so much for that?" My battery died and my spare was at home. Can you believe that??? I was sooooo mad!! I have never, ever left without my spare battery charged and, of all days, this was the one. I had it in my hand. Put it down by the front door to pack a few things, then walked away without picking it up. I missed so many photographic opportinities but, on the plus side, it did leave me free and clear to help Oya. I got to hold the reflectors, fluff the bridal dress for her, smooth the lumps in the bed, remove placemats and chairs and hold the remote flash when she needed it. Watching her in action was amazing. Seeing how to transition from one pose to another. Hearing those key words to use to get the bride to look exactly where you want them to but not too far that you lose the colour in their eyes. And the results ... wowsa! This is one talented woman. She captured the bride's beauty flawlessly. There was even one shot, where the bride was laid out on the conference table and in between two massive chandeliers, that I swear looked like a couture pose you would see in a magazine. Unfortunately, none of the images can be shared on the internet because of religious reasons and at the bride's wishes. So sad. I only got to see a few through Oya's camera display and can only imagine how beautiful they are on the computer and in print.

The wedding itself was an experience. I knew going in that it wasn't a traditional Western wedding but I still wasn't prepared for what the day brought. The bride and groom are Somalian and let me tell you, they do it in style. I learned that night that a traditional Somali wedding actually happens in 3 parts. Week 1 is the wedding ceremony. Week 2 is the reception (this was my week) and week 3 is something else. All equally lavish and festive. On this particular night, imagine my surprise when I walked into the reception about 97% of the guests were women. There were about a dozen men there. This is their custom. Sometimes the men and women celebrate in different locations. The music was loud. The dancing was non-stop - literally. I would say that well over 50% of the tables were on the dance floor at all times, dancing to both traditional Somali music as well as some good ole dance tunes that had me shimmying in my seat. (or I was just glad to finally understand something that was being said ... LOL) The hospitality was a treat. I was welcomed by many groups, invited to join them at tables and forced to eat, eat and eat. And the food was good, good and good. I stayed right til the end that night and got home at 3am. I think I smiled the entire drive. I can not thank Oya enough for inviting me and allowing me the opportunity to experience this day. Just meeting Oya herself ... well ... let's just say it was an honour. This is a woman who knows what she is doing and captures it flawlessly and, to top it all off, she is one of the nicest people I have ever met. So warm and friendly. She made me very at ease when I was feeling most overwhelmed. I was actually quite sad when my time with her ended. Hopefully our paths will cross again one day.

Alright ... another long post --> procrastination over. Back to planning for tomorrow/today.

ETA: it is now 6:33 am and I haven't slept a wink since yesterday morning. Can someone please have Mr. Sandman check his GPS the next time they bump into him? He keeps forgetting to visit me. ugh!

Happy Weekend to all.

Old Name ... Mellisa

2010-07-28T23:37:00.000-04:00

New Name ... Pickle Sista!

Yesterday, after driving my Nana, Mom and her husband to the airport, I headed over to my sister-in-law for our pickle making date. We almost thought it wasn't going to happen but, just as we hit the last vendor at the Parkdale Market, we found them. The perfect, grade A cucumbers all ready to be jarred. The only vendors that sold cucumbers by the bushel, I might add. We purchased the cucumbers (a bushel and a half), fresh dill and fresh garlic and headed back to her place. Now, we've both assisted my mother-in-law, at different times, in the process but never made them on our own. While we didn't go in blind to the process, we certianly went in nervously.

The venture began and continued and continued and continued. It seems that a bushel and a half makes alot of pickles. After a quick stop for lunch, Dana and I were well on our way wtih pruned fingers from scrubbing (her) and intensely smelling garlic fingers (me). Then, a vinegar steam facial and 11 hours later, we had 68 jars of pickles. Sixty-eight. That's a whole lotta pickles.

Now all we do is sit and wait about a week to see how yummy they taste. I am crossing my fingers that they compare to my mother-in-laws because seriously ... no one can dill a cucumber like her. Not even Bicks themselves!

It's Really Happening ...

2010-07-19T08:30:00.000-04:00

I am a business owner. I never, ever thought I would own my own business. It should have felt real to me when I registered with the government but it didn't. Designing logo options 1, 2 and 3 done ... but it didn't It should have felt real to me when I met with my clients (thats right, I have clients teehee) for a pre-wedding consultation, but it didn't. What finally felt real to me was designing my business cards last night. I got the back done. Began the front. Wanted to cry when it came time to create flourishes ... but lets not even go there because I have to attempt to figure it out again today. Skipped over to entering the information and then .... then it felt real. I am a business owner. Excitement turned into panic turned into doubt turned into a smile. Even if I don't succeed, i tried and that's what matters most.

In the meantime, my website is no longer a random results page ... it is officially 'under construction'. Things will become more concrete with it next week when my web people come back from holidays. Business cards will be ordered next week too. I have a practice maternity session on Sunday and am completely excited. I will finally have something to put on my facebook group that doesn't belong to my nieces.

My life isn't how I want it to be but, all in all, things are definitely good!

Happy Monday. Here's to an enjoyable week

wow WOW wow

2010-07-12T23:59:00.003-04:00

Really. Seriously. **WOW** I can not stop grinning from ear to ear with that opportunity the that has just been presented to me but first, I must digress ...

On May 29th, K and I attended the wedding of a person who we know because K's cousin's husband is the grooms brother (you follow?). Through his cousin's wedding process, we met and bonded with the Bradley/groom's family including his brother - the May 29th groom. They have such beautiful souls. While at the wedding I was in awe of the photographer. She was everywhere and it was click after click after click. My kinda gal. I am definately an over clicker. Poses, candids, guests, decor .. everything I try to do when I am at an event or even just with my nieces or sight seeing. The following week I joined her Facebook group and looked at every gallery on her website. The week after that I saw Scott and Jess' wedding photos . Love. I wrote her a quick note to tell how how much I loved her work (and watching her work) and guess what .... she invited me to be a second shooter at a wedding. Eeeks. It's her way of giving back to aspiring photographers ... and I am so happy that she is giving to me. Well she contacted me tonight to finalize everything and, on Satuday July 31st, I will be joining Oya Anzan of Anzans Photography as her second shooter at a wedding to be held at the Westin Hotel. *gulp* The Westin. I mean *wow.* Talk about ambiance and romance and stairs and backdrops and ... and ... and...

The timing of this is perfect because yesterday I got confirmation that I have been hired as a photographer for a wedding on August 7th so it will give me learning and practice time. It's going to be a small backyard wedding in the country and a wonderful opportunity too. Plus the opportunities I am making for myself with my friend and her baby belly then newborn, my sister, my nieces and Tanya's girls. This is how I love to learn. I was expecting a good summer but it is turning out to be grrrrrreat!

Yup. Pretty much stuck on *WOW* right now. So much to do and try and understand and learn and process. Upon my return to work in September, I had planned on upgrading my camera to something more professional than my loveable XTi. In the meantime, it's off to Henry's to rent something more professional and of the D variety as well as a lens better suited for weddings. I currently have three lenses but not one that I feel comfortable shooting with in low light and at a wedding of this caliber. (if anyone has a money tree, I would be happy to plant a cutting in my yard. -insert eye roll by all who have the same wish-)

Thanks for reading and sharing in my excitement ... or pretending to, at least. I know this stuff isn't for everyone but I am good with the false pretenses in this case. TEEHEEHEE.

Enjoy this fabulous week!

Done, done & done.

2010-07-10T06:54:00.002-04:00

Business registered - - - check
Domain name registered - - - check
Email set up - - - check
Blog started - - - check
Facebook page - - - check
First job pending - - - double check

And so begins my journey towards being a business woman. I have finally taken the plunge and made it official. Studio H Photography is in full affect. Only thing left to do is create a new logo (would you believe that there are several other Studio H's in business and three that I found boast a variation on the same logo I created for myself. So much for that 'original' thought), develop a website and start selling myself (the easy part ... uh huh). I have some fun things lined up photo wise. The next few weeks will see me trying different tidbits and ideas starting with my sister, a maternity session and then the hijacking of a certain someone's kiddies. August will see me trying my hand at newborn photography (cant wait!) and maybe a few other things too. I will know more in a couple of days.

I am excited and nervous and crossing my fingers for success. How cool would it be to have not one but TWO jobs that I love? I could get use to this...

Perfect Start to Summer Vacay ...

2010-06-30T09:53:00.001-04:00

first it was the last day of school for the kiddies then it was off to the Triple Bill - Twilight, New Moon and

*** ECLIPSE ***

Can you say "humina humina humina." I am in love with the characters all over again. It's the best one yet.

On a canvas note, thank you for your kind words both here and/or on Facebook. It has made me feel better about it after the Hubs declared "heh. not your best work" Thanks, Babe!

Finally, I just want to wish our wonderful country a very happy birthday. While I take where we live for granted, I know how lucky I am and happy I feel to be a Canadian.

Happy Hump Day.

Completed Canvas

2010-06-28T22:34:00.001-04:00

Finally posting a canvas that I finished over a month ago ... and took me about as long to do. Flowers were a labour of love, that is for sure. It took about 14 hours to create the flowers, less the Prima stem, of course.

Merrickville

2010-06-22T10:14:00.000-04:00

My Mom asked me to take some photos for her new cottage in Merrickville. The last photo is my favourite Merrickville store ever. It oozes cottage warmth. All photos are unedited.

On the school front, I finished my class last night. I had so much planned for the portrait part of my project but my sister had to cancel at the last minute. Couldn't be avoided. Thankfully my niece came to the rescue on Sunday night. The photos aren't anything spectacular but it allowed me to complete my assignment. I had also wanted to do alot of Photoshop stuff but a 2 day migraine kept me off the computer. Migraines ... not so fun. I have never had one that was that long before. It was exhausting.

In the meantime, I am going to start putting myself out there for business. One low fee which includes a cd with edited photos. I am just not sure where to start or how to make people know that I am available. I started a Facebook group but that is very limiting. I haven't figured out pricing although I think I am on to something. My goal is to keep it affordable both as a beginner and after I have gained experience. So much to do but I need to stop being timid and self-conscious. Until then, I have a few things coming up just for practice. Hopefully all goes well. This summer will find me taking courses, scouting locations and taking lots and lots of photos.

Happy Tuesday.

Goodbye Eclipse Ticket ....

2010-06-17T10:51:00.000-04:00

My friends and I returned our Eclipse tickets to the Empire 7 in Orleans. I mean hey ... why see one movie at midnight when you can go to Silvercity Gloucester and watch ALL THREE in a triple bill. This mean that I will be seeing, beginning at 7pm on the 29th, *Twilight* followed by *New Moon* followed by *Eclipse*.

love, Love, LOve, LOVe, LOVE

On a Positive Note

2010-06-11T18:44:00.001-04:00

after my super depressing blog post yesterday - for which I am super, super sorry about - I thought I should share some happy news that I received earlier this week:

For those who read my blog but don't know, I am an aspiring photographer by night but spend my days doing a job that I absolutely love (less the pay cheque part ... way too low). I am an Educational Assistant in an elementary school. For the 4 school years prior to this one (I have 12 years total), I worked with a boy who was mildly autistic with no real behaviour concerns. This year however, I am working in a grade 2 class with an autistic boy who definitely falls in the realm of behaviour. I love this.

First let me digress for a moment to explain ... there are two varying degrees to working with students who have special needs. On one end of the spectrum you have those who require total care. Some are non-verbal, non-ambulatory, require feeding tubes, diaper changes and serious medical care while others kick, scream, pull hair, bite, spit and have nasty tantrums. While I love all these students, my comfort zone has me in a place where I would rather have a chair thrown at my head than change a diaper. Special Needs or not, I prefer working with behavioural students. Now back to my story....

My young fella, whom we will call John Doe (or JD for short), was new to our school this year. We had heard about him from one of our teachers who went to the case conference at his previous school and she came back thinking "omigod. what on earth are we in for?" There were reports of kicking, spitting, biting, pinching, screeching (not screaming ... screeching) and more. It was very overwhelming. In September, JD came to the school to meet us. What a cutie. Because the family with whom he lives has three children that have graced our hallways previous to him, I knew what I could comfortably ask the to help me get to know JD but alas ... they were still learning too.

The first month of school came and went without a hitch. We had NO clue what this other school was talking about. He was wonderful. That being said ... we also know very well what a honeymoon period is and waiting for the day when it was over. It came. OUCH! I don't think my ears have rang so loudly or have my shins hurt so much from being kicked repeatedly (yes .. i let him kick me over and over a couple of times but i promise ... there was a method to my madness and it worked!!). He had complete and total control as we tried to figure out programs that would work with him and let us take it back. God bless the CHEO lady. She came on a consultation and, in just those few hours, changed the course of JDs days. The second she made a suggestion, I used, tweaked it, altered it and made it my own. It's like my brain shifted gears and I started thinking and creating and working in a whole new way. It paid off. Not only is my JD a cutie patootie (he really is ... it isnt a biased thing, I promise.). He is a pretty darned good student too. Naturally, there are good days and bad but they are so far and few between now.

A couple of months ago, some of my colleages and I participated in a a structured learning workshop. It was us and about 9 other schools. At the end we had to do a presentation. Because the idea of talking made us all uneasy, we made a slide show presentation. Everyone loved it. The experts were *wowed* with us and the students we work with. (there is myself and JD and another EA and her Jane Doe.) Literally. I had some programming tools that I created and they announced to everyone how awesome they were. For the first time in my 12 years as an EA, I knew I was doing a good job. I mean really and truly. It has been a good thing for me.

I found out on Monday that the CHEO people, along with members from our school board, will be coming to the school to video tape myself, my colleage and our two JD's in action to use them as training videos for other professionals who work with students on the Spectrum. What an honour. I am pertrified of this but still .. what an honour. I am very, very proud of us. The whole team. We did good.

My Reality

2010-06-10T13:58:00.003-04:00

Katie was inspired by reading Stephanie Howell's blog. A blog that I don't follow and had never read until today. I went to Dorrie's blog after reading Katie's blog. Another blog I seldom visit. Maybe every few months or so. She too was inspired by Stephanie Howwell's blog. A blog that discussed the realities of life. More specifically, the realities if YOUR life. It touches on our role as scrapbookers (more those directly involved in the industry) and do we feel that it is our responsibility to scrap only about the happy places we've been and the postive experiences we have had. This got me thinking. I do only scrap about the good. Yes, I have had a few of layouts where I touch upon some trying times in my life but it is literally just that. A few. It's not that I avoid it, it just never really occurs to me but, when I really think about it, isn't that what this craft is supposed to be about? Capturing your art, your legacy, so your children - your grandchildren - have memories of their lives and the legacy you leave behind? Why not post about the REAL events in life? After reading these blogs and seeing the conflicting layout that Dorrie did, I am going to make a conscious effort to capture the real me ... not the sugar coated me. To get me started, I am going to list some of my realities like the others did. I challenge you to do the same?

My { REALITY } is ...

I am fat. I am fat and I hate it. I am fat, I hate it and I have absolutely NO comprehension as I why I can not wrap my head around the need to lose weight and execute it. Especially when it impacts such a huge area - I just don't get it. I often wonder if food can be considered a mental illness.
I love scrapbooking. I miss scrapbooking. I have no ambition to scrapbook. This frustrates me.
I will never be the Mommy to a living child. Hannah will be my only link to motherhood and our two hours together singing, laughing, bathing, dressing and loving my sweet baby girl is all I have. I am defeated and devastated.
My soul is broken. I have lost who I am. Events of these past few years, as well as my miscarriages, have left me in a lurch. I am doubtful and suspicious in ways that I never was. I am insecure and question if I am being overbearing, too needy and just a pain in the ass to the few friends I have. I have no identity.
My marriage is struggling. Has been struggling. Not make or break struggling but definitely making us fight hard for eachother. Our roles are being redefined. I am neither comfortable with this nor to I like (or appreciate) the new role that has been placed upon me.
I no longer talk to my in-laws (less one sister). After finally speaking my mind to my mother-in-law and making her accountable for her actions (and she for mine), they don't want anything to do with me which "is okay because we never liked her anyway." Despite the way I have been treated for the past 19 years, this saddens me to no end. It hurts that they don't like me. It hurts when I tried so hard to be accepted. To be respected. If I had done something wrong, I wouldn't feel this way. I would own my behaviour and understand why it was this way but I have been blacklisted from the moment I walked through the front door with their son. Yes, there have been laughs and memories but it is hard to see that beyond the indifference I now feel. Because they are a family of taking sides, this includes my brother-in-law and sister-in-law too. The only link I have to my fruit salad (nieces and nephews) is the fact that my nephew is a student at my work. Because of him, I know I have a new niece on the way. Because of him, I know that her name will be Addison. I will never know her personally. Being an aunt the only version of Mommyhood that could be mine. My heart breaks for my husband who is put in this position by them.
My mind is wrapped around becoming a photograher and starting my own business in addition to keeping my job at the school. I want to do both. I my heart and my mind, I feel like I am going to fail.
Since my last miscarriage, I have become very lazy. I just want to waif around and watch tv or dvd's or surf the internet for random nothings. I have no desire to do anything, anywhere, with anyone ... even though I do enjoy myself once I am there. Thankfully.
My sweet dog, Tucker is growing older. You wouldn't know it by looking at him or watching him in action but he is. I know his years are numbered though he has many more, I am sure and hopeful for. I am terrified of what another loss ... this loss ... is going to do to me. I think about it daily when we snuggle and take moments together. My dogs are the children I can not have.
I am crying. Right now. At school. As I type this. I do not like (many aspects of) my life and what it has become. I am grateful for my family and friends but all in all, I am not whole. I (think) I do a good job hiding it from the world and those around me but I am really falling apart inside. I do not like admitting this but alas ... it is {my reality}

ETA --> this is not a pity party or my reaching out for attention/sympathy. It is just simply what it is ... my reality. :o)

Fun with Water

2010-06-07T23:17:00.000-04:00

These past few weeks things have either been very busy .... or very lazy. There has been no happy medium. When I'm not running the roads doing this, that or the other, I am at home watching different shows streamed on the internet or season 1 of True Blood (gawd I hope it gets better. I started it and am committed to it now but ish ... not a good show). Yesterday however, I decided to stop being so sluggish (which is how I am actually feeling) and pull out my camera. I had quite the interesting set up in the bathroom involving chairs on either end of my counters, boxes on top of that, strapping connecting them, water bags dangling over a bowl and two lamps for added lighting. Not to mention the tripod to hold my camera, a stool to sit on and books under a tripod leg to keep it at the right angle. K was a little perplexed when he came home and saw it, to say the least. "Why?" you ask? So I could get the shots below, of course....

I do have some in red but red just didn't capture as well as the green did. Of course, after several hours of doing this (it's definitely not as easy as it looks), my mojo was gone and away things went. Set aside actually. I am going to grab a few things to play with and try again. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, I spent Friday and Saturday at The Scrapbox with Stéphanie. Had some laughs with the ladies and got to spend some time with her dear friend, LouLou. She is nothing short of a sweetheart with a heart of gold. It was our first opportunity to really talk and it was a pleasure. Of course, I created whilst we chatted however, I can not say or post what I did because they are intended as a gift for a super special someone who reads my blog. I do owe you a photo of a canvas I finished about a month ago though - maybe tomorrow ...

Today I had the day off work. I headed out to Merrickville to take pictures as a request for my Mom. She and her husband just bought a cottage there (yay!) and they want to hang photos of the town throughout the cottage so ... off I went. 303 photos later, I packed it up and headed to Ottawa for class. I have to sift through them but will post some in a few days. Hmmm ... I may have multiple posts in the next week. What are you going to do with yourselves? ;o}

Until we 'meet' again, I wish you a wonderful week.

ECLIPSE

2010-06-02T09:14:00.000-04:00

Signed, sealed and printed. Just bought my tickets. Can you say

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKS"

Digital Photography Basics

2010-05-13T01:12:00.000-04:00

I have spent the last couple of weeks attending classes to learn more about photography. Twice a week I travel to Algonquin with hopes of having a positively wonderful experience learning about a form of art that I have come to love very much. Photography truly does make my heart happy. It pulls me in. It calls my name. It screams "be creative and capture life's moments." It makes me want to freeze frame that special time in someone's life so that they can look back and feel the emotion of the day several years later. I want to take photos that make the people looking into the lense feeling as fulfilled as the person behind the lense.

As the class begins to move past the dry, technical necessities of learning about ones camera, we are now beginning to learn about techniques like 'depth of field' and 'motion.' We are being encouraged to leave the auto mode and shoot in Av as much as possible ... something I am fortunate enough to have been doing from (almost) the beginning, thanks to many outings with Marlene - who is a phenominal photographer. While I have many shots that have captured Depth of Field, they were not all done so by technique alone. Some were just lucky shots. It's time to stop partially relying on luck and focus on making it happen when I want it to.

We started getting our assignments this week. We don't have a bunch of little projects but one big one due at the beginning of the last class (June 23rd). My mind is racing and spinning and full of ideas. I am going to have so much fun reaching these goals and trying different things to create a final product that I am happy with all while boosting my confidence.

I do have an ultimate goal. I know where I want to go with all the knowledge I will obtain as I pass through each course. Sometimes I feel really silly for thinking that this is something I can do. I mean, who does this at 36? Most photographers are established by now. But then I remind myself that it's never too late to learn and that reassures me. Now all I need to do is convince myself that someone would actually want to pay me to take photos of them - especially with the form of photography that I would like to create a small side business with. (can you imaging having two jobs you love? *sigh*) Ahhh confidence .... wish me luck.

On the creative front, I finally finished the canvas I started a while back. K doesn't like it. "It's not your best work," he says. Hmmph. Well then ... For the amount of time I spent making those flowers, I am hanging it somewhere!

Enjoy the rest of your week.

happy

2010-05-04T10:52:00.000-04:00

It's been a few good days - starting with Sunday, of course, when I saw Tim Holtz. Sorry. Did I not say that loud enough? TIM HOLTZ!!!! Nothing short of *wow.* It all started when I was waiting to go into the back of the store. I had my iPhone out and was talking to Tanya about an app (or something) and then, all of a sudden, this guy starts chiming in about these must have apps. holy hell, batman. IT WAS HIM. I did it though. I played it calm, cool and collected. He was just an average Joe who puts his pants on one leg at a time. Inside though, I as screaming and twitching and mentally catching my breath. I mean ... IT WAS HIM! *sigh*

His classes were awesome. He is an amazing teacher. Always happy. Never annoyed. Eternally patient. I have always loved T!m products (and Tim himself) but now I love (and him) them even more - in part because I have lost alot of that intimidation factor. I am itching to get in their and do some grungey goodness getting my hards dirty. What a great feeling of satisfaction. Not to mention that large amounts of alcohol ink and acrylic nails are still allowing me to enjoy that dirty process right at this very moment. I do have some pictures to share but they are still on my camera so I will post at a later date. In the meantime, I will continue to bask in my creative world until I can create again. I am truly inspired.

Monday found me heading off to my first photography class at Algonquin College. Basic Digital Photography. I am complete excited and in love and know I am in the right place. What a great feeling. Of course, the evening was full of that dry and technical but necessary stuff. Aperture, shutter speed, what the icons on the dials mean, etc. Alot of it I knew a little about but now have a bit of a deeper understanding about it although still not 100%. I learned how photographers get those wonderful Canada Day shots and now I am impatiently counting the days for July 1st. I may not even be able to wait. I think I am going to have to run out and buy my own fireoworks to try this new technique. We touched very lightly on our assignment. There is only one throughout these next 7 weeks but it seems like it is a doozy - alot of components handed in through multiple photos. I have a million ideas in my head ... now I just have to hope that I can capture it through the lense. My mind was going so crazy last night that I couldn't sleep and I am very eager for tomorrow night's class. Even as I type this I am full of giddy-ness waiting to see what tomorrow has to offer.

On a software note, I got some fabulous news. When K and I talked about this, we both knew that there was a bunch of I was either going to have to upgrade (or buy) if I was going to do photography as a side job. One of those things being software. I cringed at the thought of spending an upwards of $1000.00 for new Photoshop goodies however, we were enlightened yesterday with some very exciting news. Because we are photography students, we will get to purchase Photoshop CS 5 Suite(have you seen it? I saw it a few weeks ago via Jeni Boisvert's blog and let me just say WOW) for a fraction of the price. Very cool.

So, as you can hopefully feel by reading this, it has been a very excited couple of days. Things are about to get mega busy at work. Between field trips, Jump Rope for Heart (I run it), Floor Hockey Tournament (I run the canteen), our CPS track and field meet. (i do this too) and our County meet (me again) and whatever else pops up, this photography thing may be a great way to regroup and enjoy myself.

Enjoy the day. I know I will.

Twilight meets Dick in a Box

2010-04-30T12:21:00.001-04:00

Love!

Don't know what I am talking about? Only my most favourite SNL skit ever featuring my one and only Justin Timberlake. *sigh*

Seaway District High School needs YOUR help...

2010-04-26T09:42:00.001-04:00

... to win their very own HYBRID school bus.

The following e-mail was sent out today to all Upper Canada District School Board staff. It is for a great cause and they really did do a great job.

Good morning-

Great news from Seaway: A few weeks ago, a group of our grade 12s entered an online contest ("Canada's Greenest School") and- of over 400 submissions- their video was selected as one of the top ten entries in Canada. This now puts Seaway in the running to win our very own hybrid school bus. Pretty exciting. It now comes down to online voting, so we're really hoping we can get your support! We're the only high school in Ontario to make it to the top ten- and, geographically, our closest competition is an elementary school in Burlington- so hopefully the support of the entire UCDSB will give us a shot at being #1 and winning this hybrid bus. As of yesterday, we're 2nd in Youtube views with 920, so we are continuing to try to get as many people as possible to see the video and vote for Seaway! Please take a few minutes with your class to log on to www.canadasgreenestschool.ca and support the only local school in the competition. Voting for the finalists opened April 22nd and ends May 5th. You can vote once per person per day.

On behalf of the Seaway Green Team, thanks for your help. Let's see if we can win this thing!

You can see the You tube video and vote here or, to just watch the You-tube video, click here and see The Seaway Green Team in action.

On behalf of these students, thanks for taking 3 minutes that can make a difference to them.

Happy Monday.

Bonne Fete, Stéphanie

2010-04-22T09:23:00.001-04:00

Je te souhaite anniversaire qui est
aussi merveillex que toi.

Je t'aime.

Stéph et Mell - NavCan 2006 ~ layout by Stéphanie

Can this be any sweeter??

2010-04-19T08:43:00.000-04:00

I got one of those e-mails from a friend this morning. A chain e-mail that has travelled the globe with photos that were taken in 2008. Regardless of when they were taken, they absolutely melted my heart. I couldnt resist sharing them here. So cute. This is the blurb that accomanied the email:

This Dachshund is fostering this little guy for another mom who couldn't take care of him. He had his eyes closed, but by now they are open. He is just a little bigger than her other pups. She loves this little guy as much as the other puppies and she is nursing him back to health.

He is the cleanest pig-uppy ever because she loves him all the time. HIS NAME IS PINK.

Enjoy your day...

**vroom*vroom**

2010-04-18T20:06:00.000-04:00

all leather interior, heated seats, tinted windows and a sunroof. I have always wanted a sunroof. yay!

Back to School ... take 2

2010-04-14T22:22:00.002-04:00

Most of my (small) blog world sweeties likely don't know that, at the beginning of January, I dropped out of Carleton University. It just wasn't for me - starting with something like English probably didn't help either. I struggled with making this decision. It was very hard for me to admit defeat. To not feel like a failure. I looked at the withdrawl screen several times before I was actually able to hit that one button that removes me from the class. Finally, with only hours to spare, placed the curser over the button, took a deep breath (literally), closed my eyes and clicked. After a few more hours I felt better. I realized that it was I that made the decision to drop out and no one else. I didn't leave based on performance. I didn't leave because I was failing. It was an educated decision made knowing that, after 11 years out of school and I was not defeated. I was leaving with a B average. Finally, I was able to hold my head high and remove the shame that I felt. I always felt that university wasn't for me. I am too much of a hands on learner. At least now I will know for sure and, in 10 years from now, there will be no questions. I am happy and content with my decision.

All this being said ... over the past few years, I have always felt a pull towards something but never felt worthy or creative or talented enough to follow through. After going back to school (which I did enjoy) and looking at blogs and links and images, that pull just got stronger and I finally decided to go with it. While I don't feel creative or talented enough, I do feel worthy. Anything that is going to expand your mind makes you worthy so .... I am now registered in the Basic Digital Photography course at Algonquin College. It is the first of 8 classes that will earn me a Photograhy certificate. It starts on May 3rd and I can't wait. I am very excited and inspired and eager to see what I can do when I am not just playing.

Regardless of whether I walk way with only knowledge and the ability to take better pictures of my Fruit Salad* or the confidence to take on some paid work during my summers off ... it seems that remembering my student number after 12 years came in handy!

*Fruit Salad - the name given by me when talking about my nieces and nephews. Beginning with my oldest niece whom I always told "you are the apple of my eye" and continued with her sisters. Then came my sweet nephew, Matthew. Very stocky and plump with a teeny tiny head ... my pears were born. When my daughter was born, we decided to give her the name Hannah. Trying to cram in as much as I could during or short time together, I called her Hannah Banana and teased her about her name. Months later, what I had done hit me. My children (or child) are my bananas. When/if my brother and sister have kids, they too will assigned sweet fruits. And that, my bloggers, is not only what my fruit salad is, but how it originated as well. *sigh* how I love them so ....

Tan - this one's for you ...

2010-04-13T10:14:00.000-04:00

Teeheeheehee.

2 down ... 1 to go.

2010-04-07T18:14:00.001-04:00

If you ask me who my scrappin' faves are, I would say that there are 3 total. I mean, I love many and I admire many but there are really only 3 that I would list as my immediates for wanting to event with. I was lucky enough to scratch Donna Downey off that list last April. I am now lucky enough to be able to scratch Tim Holtz off my list. Oh if you could see me jumping for joy right now. A pretty sight, it is not but the sheer joy is obvious.

On May 2nd, Tanya and I will venture to Scrapbook Quebec in Laval to take classes with Tim Holtz. While there are 4 classes being offered over the two days, we opted to only do 2 of them. We were lucky that the ones that really appealed to us were both on Sunday. Our day will start with the Journal Journey class. Afterwards we will be joined by Meg and Renee for Idea-ology Intrigue. Did I mention that I CAN NOT WAIT?? I am so excited and stoked. Only 24 more sleeps... (surely there is an app for this. eeks)

*sigh* 2 down and 1 to go.

Found a strain that I couldn't beat!

2010-04-06T13:03:00.002-04:00

What a loooooong weekend. I am so in need of another. Thanks to my first ever flu and the fact that I have a uterus, I missed this beautiful weekend because I was in bed for most of it. Bah!

It did start out promising though. My friends and I ventured over to Massena after work on Thursday. Of course, any trip there wouldn't be complete without enjoying the best ever chicken wings. I ate about 5 or 6 of them - - not normal. By the time we got in the van to go to the mall, I looked at the ladies and said "I feel like I have a lead balloon in my stomach." - - not good. We got to the mall, came up with a plan and dispersed. My goal ... just get K was he needs and go sit down and wait. Forget about me. Even walking was painful. I just needed to go to that one store then sit and wait. Apparently my body had other plans. I made it to Champs, picked up 5 shirts for him, went to the cash to pay ... and then it happened. I felt it. I tried to ignore it. I don't do this. Not when I am sick. Not when I am pregnant. Not ever - other than that one time, as a result of alcohol, I havent done this since I was about 8 or 9 ... this can NOT be happening!! Oh but it was. I asked if they had a bathroom .... "no, go to the food court." Fear. 3 steps towards to exit. 3 steps back to the cash. I am not going to make it. Back room and garbage can here I come. Throwing up for the first time in about 28 years ... here I am. It was awful. I was so embarrassed and mortified. They were understanding and empathetic but still ... it was awful. On the plus side, I was feeling a million times better but definitely not a hundred percent. I ventured back to the food court to wait. My friends were great. If it hadn't been for them seeing me carry a garbage bag out of the store into the mall garbage, they would have had no clue what had just happened. They offered to call it a day and leave but I couldnt let that happen. Besides ... I was feeling MUCH better - - right??

Wrong! I managed to gather 2 jeans for K and a shirt for me then had to pay and sit again. The lead balloon was back. Thankfully, we were heading home after that stop. I was going to make it. Wrong again. I got into the van and, thanks the the overwhelming aroma of 150+ chicken wings in the back seat, I was up close and very personal with a Walmart bag in the parking lot. More humilation. Not fun having your friend see you this way ... even if they are completely understanding about it. Thanks to a front seat ride with the air conditioning in my face to keep the smell away, I made it home. Everything was left in the car, bed I went and only woke up twice for some garbage pail and porcelain love. Thankfully - if there is anything to be thankful for - the flu decided to hold off on showing me 'double love' until I got home. Whew ... I cant even imagine dealing with both of those on the road or in public places.

So needless to say, I was sick. I slept most of Friday and Saturday. I missed the car rally. I lived on Ginger Ale. Just when I thought I was going to be good to go for the last two days ... I was plagued by some seriously awful cramping Saturday night (and still going today. oy). Front and back. I mean seriously ... wtf? My uterus isnt good for what it needs to be good for .... does it really have to remind me that it is there, with a vengence, every few months? Oh vay. Can this weekend get any worse? Fortunately, it didn't but I am definitely in need of some time off to get things done now. No room painting. No canvas painting. No photo editing. No nothing. Thanks to my bed, my laptop and season 5 of Alias (GREAT show!!!), I made it through the weekend finding horizontal relief.

So .... how was your Easter?

Enjoy this short week.

March Break Photo Mania

2010-03-28T03:13:00.001-04:00

It's been three years since I gathered my fruit salad for photos. (fruit salad = nieces and nephews. there is a story behind how they became that to me and why each group of sweetness is the fruit they are). I started with my Apples over March Break. With the weather so wonderful, it was hard to pass up an outing with the camera. Fortunately, Megan, Jessica and Brianna were all ready for a day of fun, photography and the antics of their crazy Aunt Lola. (Aunt Lola = another story. we have lots of 'em). Now if only the skies were more blue and the grass was greener .... but I am definitely not complaining. We had a great day and a wonderful time together. Here are a few unedited photos. I want to do some editing in photoshop but have no clue where to start to achieve what I want so, for now, here are a few of the 340-something photos I took during our time together. A couple blurry, a blemish here and there ... but nothing short of special (to me) none-the-less.

On a creative note, I went to the Scrapbox last Friday for of evening of creative fun with Stéphanie. I had this idea to do a canvas using acrylic paints and utilizing what I learned when I took Donna Downey's class a year ago. What does that translate to? Why drippage, of course. I got the 40x16 canvas painted but want to teak my colours and layers a bit. I also made 4 flowers our of canvas but alas ... I didn't love them so today, during another day of creating with friends, I made more handmade flowers. More time consuming than I anticipated, I only got a few done but can I just say "satin & silk + glimmer mist = love, love love" I can't wait to make some more tomorrow. Hopefully I will finish the canvas in the next few days so I can share soon.

Happy Sunday.

March ATCs

2010-03-15T15:45:00.000-04:00

Very quick and simple. I used my Slice cut out the butterflies & the Cuttlebug to emboss them. Easy peasy.

{note - they look different (and better) in real life}

oh my. oh my. oh my.

2010-03-11T16:02:00.002-05:00

Seriously? Three days full of yummy goodness??? First the stampin' up catalogue .. (creating quite the wish list) Then I got my iPhone... (which i *heart* big time. anyone with app suggestions, I will gladly take them, pls and and thx) Then - - - are you ready - - - I see the that they have released the Eclipse trailer. --> insert high pitched squealing voice here <-- I am now booked June 29th and 30th with my work girls. (the release date is the 30th but they always have a midnight showing so I have to be available!) Just one more reason for us to be excited about the end of June. Can't wait!

(Hmmm - I wonder if there is a twilight app ... i must check that out! lol)

ETA - just uploaded the Twilight: The Movie Game, Scene It: Twilight and the Twilight Saga Movie Tracker. Ahh the life of a junkie...

Quadruple drool

2010-03-10T23:42:00.000-05:00

FINALLY!! I have the phone of my dreams .... and I am in love. I am hooked and I am in love. I am addicted and hooked and in love. *sigh* It is so shiny and pretty. With this post I now state my disclaimer that, if I seem lost or unable to be found, please know that I am safe and am merely in a quiet, secluded place playing with this wonderful new gadget and exploring app after app after app. I guess that means that the ATCs will be shared in a day or two then, eh? But dont worry ... I already used the iPhone to snap the picture! OHHHHH i am in loves.

drool

2010-03-10T10:08:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time since I have been a Stampin' Up demonstrator. It has also been a long time since I have looked at one of their catalogues. Have you seen it lately?? yummy-licious.

A friend/colleague/neighbour is a demonstrator. She mostly does it for the discount factor. Seriously though ... how can she just stop? I am already over a hundred dollars on my wish list and I havent looked at more than a few pages. Hmmm .... maybe a party is in order. Afterall, it is sell-a-bration time. Okay .. maybe not but a catalogue party .. let me know if you are interested. That is something I can wrap my head around.

In the meantime, I made 10 more ATCs (one series, 10 cards) I will take a photo and post them later today.

Pure Sweetness

2010-02-28T21:31:00.001-05:00

As you may recall, I did a digital layout of Pure Sweetness back in January. As a last minute NavCan kit, I threw together a few things that would allow me to recreate this layout. As great as digital is, I am still one who loves the lumps and bumps of the traditional layout.

the colours in this layout are exaggerated some, thanks to the flash. The purples are not all that purple and some of the browns are not so dark.

On a side note - CONGRATULATIONS CANADA!!!

I have always been so very proud to be Canadian for many reasons and now I add another. To all of our Olympians - with a glowing heart - bravo!

You represented yourselves - and us - with pride.

February ATC

2010-02-27T17:21:00.001-05:00

Here are the ATC's I made the other night. Sadly, I wasn't able to drop them off to the Scrapbox for last nights trade so I will just consider myself a month early for the next batch.

I attached canvas to playing cards then gessoed for protection from moisture. Using layers of paint and water, I built up the paint colours before adding the flower and journalling. The background doesn't quite have the depth that I was hoping for but it was my first time so I will just have to try it again. I only made 8 cards and little did I know when I started that it was going to take me 4 hours to complete them. Next time .. something a little less time consuming. :o)

Woohoo!

2010-02-26T07:23:00.000-05:00

well - - a half hearted 'woohoo' at least. While I am finally functioning with a cell phone again after 3 weeks (less a day) without one, the phone that I am using sucks. It took two weeks for Telus to order me a new Blackberry Curve and then , when i went to pick it up, they failed to mention that I was supposed to bring my damaged one so I left empty handed. Then I got it in my head .... lets get the phone I really, really want and have wanted for some time now. An iPhone. So I am holding out, borrowing a friends old Blackberry Pearl (which I hate - pls dont text me. argh) but at least I have a communication tool again. In the meantime ... if you want to sell your iphone at a reasonable price, give me a shout! lol

On the upside, I crafted last night. I was in the mood for some assembly line stuff so I made 8 ATC cards. The looked better in my head - and they werent as time consuming - but they are done and I am not unhappy with them. I will post a couple of pictures over the weekend.

Speaking of which - - HAPPY FRIDAY. Enjoy your weekend ahead.

Cherish each Moment

2010-02-21T14:15:00.001-05:00

My feeble attempt and a digi-layout - - so much to learn.

~ Mom & Nana - Christmas 2009 ~

oh how I love them so

Before & After

2010-02-20T15:15:00.002-05:00

Oh how i ** HEART ** photoshop and it's abilities. The changes are not vast (there are 6) .... but they are definitely there.

Before

After

Family Bracelet

2010-02-16T21:49:00.000-05:00

I was inspired by what I found via a link on Ali Edwards blog a few weeks back. Thanks to a friend in the beading business, she hooked me up and ordered the charm I needed to complete my bracelet. It was the perfect end to my NavCan weekend. I narrowed down the words to my top 10 and K picked the one he thought was best suited for me. I took the bead idea from a chain and added that to my bracelet thus coming up with my new family bracelet. The pink swarovski crystal represents October (Hannah's birth month), the blue represents December (K's birth month) and the last one represents January - me. I love the link chain but it is just not bracelet material although perfect for a necklace. Within 5 minutes and whilst walking to the washroom, my bracelet went flying. Those links just weren't made for walking, it seems. Sadly, I had to give it back to Marlene but I know she will come up with a stronger solution so I can have the look I want. I can't wait to get it back and wear it. In the meantime, I have these photos to share and enjoy.

PS - it doesn't hurt that my best friend's birthday is also in December ... two birds with one stone to carry close to my heart. yay!

My Creative Escape

2010-02-15T08:04:00.000-05:00

I was lucky enough to go for a creative weekend at NavCan. After packing lightly for the first time ever - and thanks to the discovery of the page kits - I was more productive than I have ever been at any other crop. Because I had to use what I had an there were no embellishments to sort through or ribbons to chose from, I completed 7 single layouts and 1 double. That left me with 2 page kits that didn't get completed. Not too bad, all in all ... or I don't think, at least. While my layouts have the simple look, I can't believe how time consuming most of them were. Between the double page taking me all Friday night and a few that took a couple hours each due to time consuming elements, I wasn't as productive as I had hoped but alas ... I am not complaining. I also could have produced on more layout Sunday afternoon but I made a family bracelet with the goodies I had ordered from Marlene the week before. It is simple but effective.

"For the Love of Dogs"

"Then & Now"

"1000 Islands"

"Life is not a destination, but a journey"

"The Good Life"

{one of the time consuming ones no thanks to the hand embroidered dog house}

"Friends"

{product challenge with Tanya}

"Play"

"Canon Girl"

{another time consumer. lots of pictures to cut, organize and prioritize. 'canon' was originally white then hand coloured using india ink and a nib pen. letters covered in glossy accents}

Tanya & I late Saturday nights

{wow - this puts a whole new perspective my hair issues.}

So there you have it. My weekend of creating. If it wasnt for the fact that we are still having issues with our plumbling, I would have hauled out that last page kit and created it. Instead, I crawled into bed at 8:30 and laid their in silence until midnight-ish. Tanya currently has the photo of my family bracelet so you will just have to peek back in at a later day.

Happy Family Day.

I've Been Liberated!

2010-02-12T03:34:00.000-05:00

Tanya and I are going away to NavCan this weekend with some friends. It is going to be my first time scrapping - - really scrapping - - since April 2009 (and even then I wouldn't considered that a scrapping weekend because truthfully, I got nothing done.) I have to say though, I really am a tad overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with the amount of things I have. Overwhelmed with the preparation. Overwhelmed with the process. Overwhelmed with the idea of creating. I feel like the scrapping world has moved forward without me and I have to rediscover myself again. In the beginning of 2009 I felt stuck. Not sure where to go. Not sure how to evolve in my creativity ... or if I even was at all. Today I put some layouts away in their album and took a moment to look back at my earlier layouts. While I can definitely see a change, I see alot of back and forth in my style. Full pages to simple pages to full pages again. Just before my hiatus, I was drawn to the simplier layout and find that I am still wanting to create with that style. I am hoping to be able to make my layouts look creatively complete whilst embracing the white space.

Wondering where I have been liberated yet? In the past, when going away from these scrap-cations, my XXL tote was buldging at the seams. My plastic Loblaws carrier (the purple ones) was almost spilling over. I often had a shoulder bag to hold items. My tool kit was an entity unto itself. Well ladies ... i did it!!!! It may be 3am but I did it, none the less. My XXL tote is packed and there is even room to spare. I have nothing in the 3 side pockets and there are no extra bags to bring along. Of course, the tool kit can not be packed because of the style so I have to carry that. I decided to jump on the "scrap kit express" and sketched out the layouts I wanted to do. I bought some 15.5" x 13" zip lock bags from Zellers and filled them up. I have a total of 8 page kits and one mini album kit. I put my kleenex box, MM Slice (and cartridges), my large cup for bringing icy drinks back to the room, Cuttlebug folders, all of my containers holding my brads, bling, eyelets, etc., and a few random things in my XXL tote. (did i mention that i even have room to spare?) Who knows if I will get through it all but at least I am good to go and completely prepared. I will use what I packed and won't have lugged hoards of stuff for nothing. The preperation is so much more but, in the long run, it really is easier. I am so happy that I tried this and am now completely liberated. From now on, kitting is the only way to go!

Now let the fun begin. I had to take a family day today and have a personal day tomorrow. Monday being Family Day, I don't have to go back until Tuesday. A 5 day weekend .... who could complain about that? Since my cell phone is fried from the flood (don't bother calling or texting ... I won't be able to get it until I get a new phone), I may just turn off the ringers and stay snug as a bug on Monday and create more.

With that I bid you all a wonderful long weekend and Happy Valentines Day to those who celebrate. In the meantime, BRACE YOURSELF, BLOGGERS. My next post will actually contain layouts!

Happy Friday.

In the lingo of today's youth ... FML!

2010-02-08T00:25:00.000-05:00

Okay ... seriously ... FML is a tad overdoing it when you consider disease and disaster but, in that perfect moment last night, FML was all I could think about. (not up-to-date with the latest teen jargon ... read more here to get the just)

Ready to settle down in front of the tv for a movie and supper (not just supper but the supper that I had been craving all week ... spaghetti loaded with parmesan cheese), K calls up to me while the pasta was cooking:

K - what the h*ll are you doing up there? (very loud and urgently)

M - making supper

K - what are you DOING up there? (same tone *sigh*)

M - why are you yelling up to me like that? what does it matter?

(uh oh-what is that noise in the bathroom?)

I quickly run into the bathroom to see my floor completely covered in about an inch of water and still pouring out of the toilet. Then I hear it .... the worst thing possible. (okay .. maybe not the worst thing possible but I was living in that moment when I thought of it)

K - your scrapbook stuff is getting ruined ....

OH-EM-GEE!!! I panicked. "screw the floors," I though. "F*** the hardwood," I cursed. And flying down the stairs I went.

You see ... when a person doesn't really scrapbook for more than 9 months things pile up. I am not a naturally neat person so it piled and piled and piled. (clean, yes. neat ... not so much. i would LOVE tips on how to stay clutter-free, btw. someone help me. ahhhh) The only space that was functional on my large scrapping surface (I admit embarrassingly) was the computer space. I moved fast to salvage what I could, reaching big items first. My Slice .... survived. My Cuttlebug .... good to go but for a disinfecting wipe. Scenic Route paper - not so lucky. So long to my 15 or so fave sheets of lined paper. It was great having you Tim Holtz tickets and goodies. Thankfully, alot of things were in photoboxes for storage so that is all that got ruined. Many things were still in packaging also (which is scary since I havent really shopped since April '09 either) so the product was saved and pakcaging was thrown out. My Donna Downey projects are a little water logged but survived none-the-less. Sadly however, the death of my blackberry was inevitable. I was using it just before I went to make supper and left it by the computer. It really had no chance at all since it was in the line of fire, so to speak. It was completely water logged. My track ball now represented the letter 'Q' before it quit on me altogether. I have dried it out and am hoping that when I go and plug it in, it will be all dry and functional. I am not holding my breath though. Because I am only 10 months into my 3 year term, all I can do is purchase a new one. There is nothing to cover events like this. Bye bye Red. It was fun while it lasted.

In the meantime, we have learned that it was not the septic tank that backed up like we initially thought. (huge sigh if relief since I thought I was full of 'stuff' from hurridly moving things about whilst being drenched from above.) We now know that we can flush the toilet (thank gawd) and have quick showers but can not run the washing machine - as we learned after testing our theory in a controlled environment tonight. Still not sure what is causing this to happen. K is going to experiment more tomorrow and I will hopefully have things at full function soon. Tomorrow's trip to the laundry mat isn't going to be fun. yuck!

On the upside to my weekend, even though we had to cancel our Superbowl party due to lack of facilities, my team won. **WOOT*WOOT** Tonight is the first time in history that the New Orleans Saints made it to the Super Bowl. Actually, it is the first time ever that they even made it that far. What a fabulous win for them and the city if New Orleans. I should clarify, however, that the NOS are not really 'my' team - they are simply the team that I picked for my annual challenge with Stéphanie and was solely picked because I love Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Kim's beau Reggie Bush plays for them. Whatever works, I guess. lol Woohooo Chiqua-bella. Better luck next year (and i missed you tonight, silly girl) I look forward to having another Stay Funny Design to add to my collection.

As for the week ahead, it is a busy one. Trips to the laundry mat, prepping and packing for NavCan, MIL having surgery (which wouldn't be such a big deal but for the fact that she has a really bad heart), TEACCH training at work and a bunch of little, every day things.

Happy Monday to all. Here is to a week of productivity, uneventfulness, and fulfillment.

{ Creatively Mine }

Until further notice ...

Remembering Hannah

AE PageMaps: A Day to Remember

Have you seen this?

Sinfully Scrumptious

Quick Mini

AE Pagemaps: The Beauty of Friendship

What have I gotten myself into?

Look what's coming this fall ...

AE Pagemaps Revisit for June: Party Like a Rockstar

AE PageMaps Reveal: Life's Delight

Good things come to those who wait ....

Circle Art Journal - v. 1.0

Rediscover: ME!

The Donna Downey Experience

Signed, sealed & delivered ...

Home ... is where our story begins

The Golden Rule

storage solution, please ...

NSD/Mother's Day recap

** Happy Momma's Day **

AE PageMaps Reveal: For the Love of Shoes

The Greatest Show on Legs

She's coming! She's really coming!!

AE PageMaps Reveal: U & I

Inkessentials Foam Storage

{ In Love }

And the Winner is ...

Trimmer Poll

AE PageMaps Reveal: A Day to Remember

Who's Interested??

Sweet Angel Baby

Christmas Gifts Revisited

Go Packers, Go.

House of 3

My Baby's 12 & a mini

Welcome back, Mellisa

oh miss RENEE (and more stuff)

Hidden Gem

Down and Out

Art Journal Everyday *Rediscover*

Sew Happy

Redisover: Design Team

Pretty

I did .... what????

Vote for ME!

Rediscover: Reading & Art

Art Journal Everyday

One Little Word 2011

Happy New Year

Happy Holidays.

Happy Halloween

There is a God in the Post Office

Stuffed Peppers

** Shhhppppppffffft **

Who sleeps this much??

A tasty K9 treat?

Chompin' at the Bit, I am.

Boy oh Boy, I must *heart* them.

I learned a valuable lesson on Saturday ...

Can you believe it's tomorrow?

Old Name ... Mellisa

It's Really Happening ...

wow *WOW* wow

Done, done & done.

Perfect Start to Summer Vacay ...

Completed Canvas

Merrickville

Goodbye *Eclipse* Ticket ....

On a Positive Note

My Reality

Fun with Water

** ECLIPSE **

Digital Photography Basics

** happy **

*Twilight* meets *Dick in a Box*

Seaway District High School needs YOUR help...

Bonne Fete, Stéphanie

Can this be any sweeter??

Happy Momma's Day

Art Journal Everyday Rediscover

Shhhppppppffffft

Boy oh Boy, I must heart them.

wow WOW wow

Goodbye Eclipse Ticket ....

ECLIPSE

happy

Twilight meets Dick in a Box

Quadruple drool

drool