What an incredible day in the Gatineau's. I was awe struck by the beautiful colours that surrounded me. I honestly can't imagine what it would be like to live on a country that didn't have 4 seasons. To not see or know the true warmth fall colours bring. A day like yesterday is the only thing that makes me sad about my August wedding day. I had always wanted a fall wedding but, being my first year working in the school system, I didn't think it would be okay to take off work. I also knew that I didn't want to take off Friday and go back Monday only to honeymoon at a later day. Now, I wish I had. What a magnificent season.
Originally, I was supposed to meet up with Marlene and her Flickr friend, Helen but that didn't work out so well. I drove around for 1.5-2 hours trying to find Pink Lake, where they were, with no luck. The only thing I can think that happened was that it was one f the 3 parks I drove by that were closed. The Parks people were flagging everyone by. I didn't look to see if maybe those were one of them .. I just kept on driving. All in all, I think it worked out for the better as Marlene had to leave earlier than expected and I wound up not feeling so well so I didn't do any trails. Desite that, as you can see above, I did manage to get some photos taken, thankfully. Meech lake was my favourite and all I could think while I drove around it was how lucky these people owned homes/cottages on such a perfect place. Definitely something I too would want.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Yes. It is true. I have decided to join the ranks of musical blogs. It is only recently that I am no longer scared out of my wits when I music suddenly appears and I scramble for the mute button trying to find the source. I still have a habit, though, of opening multiple blog windows at once (I tend to go to my blog and link to everyone's from there) which means I am bombarded with a variety of sounds creating an interesting musical mish mash. I still have many songs I want to add to my playlist but, for now, you are going to have to settle for about 50 songs from the 50's to now.
On a photography note - - - the bride and groom received an album filled with their photos and were thrilled with the results. Phew! Until the final product was approved of, it was hard to rest and relax about it all. I have some more photos I want to play with just for fun, still. Hopefully I can come up with some interesting looks. Now that I know they like them, I can honestly say I had fun with it all on the actual day ... despite my nerves. Thank you, Ronda & Lou for your easy going and relaxed demeanor .. it settled me more than you know. Congratulations again.
On Saturday, September 20th, I attended the wedding of Kevin's business partner, Lou. Months ago I found out who Lou was marrying - a woman by the name of Ronda. Ronda, it turns out, was a classmate of mine in grade 7 & 8 at Glashan. We hung with the same crowd and were in the same class in 7 but went to different friends and different classes for 8. Fast forward 20 years. We start talking creativity - which she has none, she says - and wedding plans. I planned all the decorations for the hall. They did all the decorating. It was beautiful. Thousands of white lights everywhere. Black toule. White toule. Thick tree branches painted white and strung with toule and lights. (A touch from my wedding/my Momma's idea 9 years ago). Not only was a the decorative planner, I wound up being the photographer as well. How nerve racking. I felt alot of pressure and alot of stress. What made it easier was that none of this was coming from the bride and groom. They had complete faith. I was putting the pressure on myself. Despite those feelings, it wound up being alot of fun. They were so easy going, happy and in love. What a great time. I didnt hit the nail on the head with every shot but I think I was able to get my point across and, hopefully, they will have memories to look back on forever.
This is my entry for class two of Bad Girl's Top Designer. The goal was to use a minimum of two patterened papers.
For me, this layout was all about simpliticity and letting the moment speak for itself. It was a reflection of a time and age - when life was so simple and sweet and wonderful and innocent. Because of it's simplicity, I doubt it will be the one to get me to round three but at least TD got me scrapping again. Let's hope it sticks!
A total of 4 patterened papers were used - 2 of which were home made. I used a website template to create primary paper in which I attempted my very best school-worthy writing to journal with. The second home made pattern paper was also downloaded from the internet and printed on cardstock. I then had my nephew colour the animals and write his name. He was given two papers 'just in case' and wound up doing them both. I cut out the animals of the second paper (I even cut out where he went out of the lines) and used pop-up dots to add dimension to the page.
So the demand is only from two people but it is so. Rachel and Barb want me to blog again so blog again I shall.
Nothing much going on here. Been in a scrapping funk for a while. I just look and look and look and nothing comes to mind. Hopefully that has all changed now and the creativity will pour though my veins.
Being that I am not the joiner of these things, I was threatened by Rachel (hmmm - that seems to be a trend, come to think of it! haha!) to join
Bad Girls Top Designer Challenge. Thinking I had many hours left to create for my class, I found out that I actually only had a little over 3.5 hours. Because I was at Katies, I was at a loss. Of course, she was willing to open all of her supplies to me but I just wasn't feeling so I made the executive decision to go home. An hour later, I shut myself in my studio and began creating. Surprisingly, I did it. I created a 12x12 layout in an hour. A definate first for me. I have to admit that I felt like Katie looks when she creates. She just slaps it down and goes with it. I had to fight my natural instinct to plan but it paid off. I made it to Round 2 along with my 4 other talented Ya-Ya's. Congrats to us.
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While my blogging hiatus continues, I do feel that it is important to breach it one last time to share one of the layouts I have created as of late. Because of the inspiration, among other things, that I felt to create it, I also felt compelled to put it out there as well. Done in my gawd-awful handwriting, I felt it was more important to use that than the computer as it is more from-the-heart and personal than the other way. It is not the greatest of creations nor is it the greatest of representations but I think - - - I hope - - - it is the greatest representation of how I am feeling.
I belong to an awesome messageboard called Bad Girls. (yes girls, even though I lurk, I am still there ... lol) where a Secret Sister's Swap was organized. As you can see by the pictures, my sister totally OUTDID herself:24 pcs of patterened paper and cardstock
Maya Road sheer scroll frame album
Thickers foam letters
Amy Butler Glitter Rub-obs & Gems
Bling word & scrolls
Making Memories mini shimmer alphas
Felt Flowers
Chipboard album
5 rolls of satin cord
SU! embossing powder
A mini beach scene canvas to paint
and much, much more.
One element of the swap was handmade items. Look at all these goodies. Embroidered sayings and gorgeous flowers, hatpins ... oooohhhh the hatpins! I can't wait to get home and dig in!! (Did I mention that I am doing respite work today with a former student and we went for a drive to kill some time. I stopped by the post office, got my box of scrapping goodness, and opened it right there on the front seat ..... then I got in the van! lol)
I love it all, my Secret Sistah. You made my day.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
(PS - I now return to my hiatus status. This one was for you, cherie. I hope you had a happy read, Stéph! teheehee)
