I'm Back!

I know it has been a long time since I've blogged but I have a good reason. I just added a new member to my family - Noah. I've spent the last couple of months enjoying his company and watching my other son, Ethan, entertain and play with his new brother. It's been wonderful. Needless to say, I didn't get around to blogging much.

I have had some time to create some new cards like this one: "Thanks for Sharing You With Me". I made this one for my DH for our anniversary. I can't believe we've been married for 7 years. It's been fabulous.


I'd also like to change my blog a little by adding some motivational things. I've recently found this site called 43 Things. It's a site for people to visit and create a life list of 43 things they want to accomplish in their lifetime. This allows you to have a concrete list to work from, evaluate and strive for. You can also see what other people have on their list. There is a book that you can purchase called 43 Things that goes with the site, to give you ideas of some things you may want to consider for your list. I've found it to be quite inspirational and am now putting serious effort into crossing off things on the list. I finally hired a housecleaner which I've always thought about doing but didn't do until I finally wrote it down and realized how important it was to me. I encourage others to start working on their list. It's been a great motivator for me!

The Sweetest Thing

Where did July go? I can't believe we are into August already. It's been a wet summer in good ol' Southern Ontario but there has been plenty of sunshine and warmth too. We've been to Storybook Gardens, Canada's Wonderland, splash pads and the beach. We've been to see Thomas the Tank engine, had bonfires and plenty of picnics. Definitely a summer to remember.

This here is a scrapbook page for my mom to add to her collection. I think I mentioned that there are a lot of birthdays for us to celebrate and she just had hers. This is her and grandson Ethan (my little guy).

Summer Sweet

The summer is just whizzing by. We have a lot of birthdays to celebrate in my family over the summer months. That means a lot of scrapbook pages, like this one I made for my mom. It's a page of her grandchildren that I created with the Friendship Blooms set from Sale-a-Bration and some of the self adhesive die-cuts from the Build-a-Flower kit. I gave a small embellishment strip of Cutie Pie Designer paper and stamped "giggle" from Warm Words to finish it off.

Hangin' Tough

Hard to believe I am yet another year older. I have a very good feeling about the year ahead. Great things are in store for me and my family.

My birthday was spectular this year. I really celebrated Birthday week - many friends called to make plans so I scheduled everyone in over the days surrounding my birthday. The highlight of this year was the gift of tickets to see New Kids on the Block in concert. I know to many this may seem pathetic but to me it was a blast back to my youth. I screamed like a silly school girl when I opened the tickets. I was completely surprised but DELIGHTED! I am so looking forward to spending the time together with my sister at the concert and to seeing the group that defined my days as a teenager. Thanks Karen.

Also, I want to mention that my DH Cory took very good care to ensure my special day was perfect. He and Ethan had many summer events planned together and gave me an iPod to which I can download all my favourite New Kids songs in preparation for the concert! Love you boys!

This is a card that I made for a friend that celebrated her birthday the day before mine. I cased it from Splitcoast Stampers Featured Stamper Pam Varnell. I have a link to her blog on the right. Please check it out "The Stamping Addict" - I love her style.

Happy Birthday Canada

Happy Canada Day to all. It was a gorgeous day here. Lot's of sun but no humidity. Just the way I love it. I went to the Stratford Festival this weekend with a friend to celebrate our birthdays. We saw "Trojan Women" in honour of the first university production I was in during my drama major at the University of Guelph. Although our's wasn't the same translation as Stratford's, the story was the same - very tragic and powerful.

This card in no way reflects the show we saw but does say "Happy Birthday" which was the theme of the weekend. It was made using the Cutie Pie DP's from Stampin' Up and the hostess set "For a Friend". Happy Birthday Canada!!! I'm proud to call you my home.

Play Laugh

Two of the most important words in the English language as far as I'm concerned. If we all allowed ourselves to play and laugh more, what a wonderful world we would live in. I made this 6 x 6 scrapbook page for my mom and I think it embodies this philosophy. It's both her daughters with each of their children, having fun and playing. I used So Saffron, Pretty in Pink and Designer Stampin' Up papers in Tempting Turquoise. The flower comes a retired Simply Scrappin' kit. It was quick and easy but fun.

Play Laugh.

A Journeyman Amongst Us

It's official. Summer is here. Although we have had some startling hot days here in Southwestern Ontario, it hasn't been consistently warm and sunny. I'm happy that everything is green though. My brother-in-law recently completed his apprenticeship and is now a licensed journeyman plumber. We are so proud of him. This is the card I created for him using Fast & Fun Notes from Stampin' Up along with Old Olive, River Rock, Bordering Blue and Ruby Red colours. The designer paper is from Chatterbox although the title escapes me. Way to go Chad!

Cherish

Inspired by a card creation found in the Stampin' Up Spring/Summer Collection 2008 on page 16, I used my Baroque Motif set to create this simple but classy card that can be great to have on hand for any occasion. I used it as an anniversary card for my parents who just celebrated 36 years of marriage. What better way to acknowledge their union than by igniting reflection of treasured moments with the word "cherish". Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!!

A First

My little cousin Marek turned One today. I made this card for him to celebrate the first of many wonderful birthdays to come. I just love the "Wild About You" from Stampin' Up. It's so fun and I do hope that Marek will think it's fun too. Of course, he was much more interested in the wrapping paper than anything else. Oh to be one again and see the world as such a new and exciting place full of wonderment and awe. Enjoy little one!

Thanks so Much

I don't know what is going on in the rest of the world today but here in Southwestern Ontario, we are snowed in. This has been the worst winter in ages. We've had over 30 cm of snow in the last 24 hours and it continues to come down like there's no tomorrow. I am not a fan of winter but I am grateful that I am safe in my home where it is warm. As this card says it: Thanks so Much!