Six for Saturday: the Spring Break edition

1. We've been enjoying a great Spring Break this week! On Saturday, Austin & Sage participated in a curling tournament with their schools. (& can you believe I didn't take any photos?? It was busy in the morning and I couldn't get close to the windows to take any. I figured, I'd taken some later on that day..... but I never went back! It was rainy, so Cameron offered to take them for me--- and I forgot to send the camera along. Ooops!)

On Sunday, after church, Sage & I attended a sparring workshop in Manitou, which was great! I thought I'd just help out with reffing if they needed help, but I ended up suiting up and participating in all of the drills. Hard work, for sure!

Then, in the evening, Cameron & I went to volleyball at my church, which was so much fun! Everyone is so accepting and encouraging and we laugh a lot!

2. On Monday, we went through all of the kids' summer clothes to try them on and see what would fit. I was pleased this only took until lunch! After lunch, Jonah & I jumped on the trampoline for a bit and I got this cool shot:

In the evening, we were invited to join the Manitou club for taekwondo... what a great experience to see how another club trains!

3. Tuesday was a great "stay-at-home" kind of day. I love these kind of days! :)

4. On Wednesday, we drove to Winnipeg to do a little shopping (I ♥ Old Navy!), where I found some things for the kids & a sweater on the clearance rack for me. :) We went to my mom's for the rest of the day (& she took us out to Applebee's for supper.) We spent the night there....

On Thursday, we hung out at my mom's and did a little more shopping before coming home.

5. On Friday, we took the kids to Brandon for the Royal Winter Fair. It was a first for all of us and everyone had a great time! Here are a few photos I took:

And a few more highlights.....

The kids enjoyed walking around the Trade Show, a magic act starring Sean Watson, some acrobats from the Circle du Soleil, a SuperDogs show, horseback riding, a petting zoo, more horseback riding and watching a Jumping competition in the evening. A very full day....

6.  And lastly, I did squeeze in some crafting time this week...... I made some Easter cards based on a card by the amazing Betsy Veldman in the last issue of Papercrafts Magazine. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to make a bunch of them to give away to friends & family for Easter. I used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: computer generated sentiments on diecuts.

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (stamper's select white, aqua mist), stamps (distressed stripes) & dies (mega mat stack #4, clouds). My sentiment is computer generated, using one of my favourite fonts: BlackJack and I used some Martha Stewart glitter on the clouds. Thanks for the inspiration, Betsy!

Thanks for looking!

Scrapbook Stamper's Workshop-- Lesson #3

We've been busy enjoying our Spring Break this week, despite the rainy/cool temperatures.... I thought I share the layout that I made for Lesson #3 of the Scrapbook Stamper's Workshop at Two Peas in a Bucket, where the challenge was to stamp an image onto layered diecuts. For this challenge, I decided to use my new PTI Framed Out #1 and Iconic Images stamps. Here's my layout:

I used Bazzill cardstock (12x12) & PTI cardstock (pure poppy, stamper's select white), stamps (Framed Out #1, Iconic Images, Label Basics) & dies (Framed Out #1, block alphabet, double ended banner). The decorative brad is MME & the strip of polka dot patterned paper is Echo Park.

Here's a close up of my stamping:

And here's a close-up of my journaling, where I've used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: computer generated sentiments on diecuts:

Thanks for looking!

Scrapbook Stamper's Workshop-- Lesson #1

If you've visited my blog before, you'll know that in the past year or so, I've fallen in love with stamping. I enjoy making cards with my stamps and I love using them on my layouts, too. So, when I saw that Two Peas in a Bucket was offering a Scrapbook Stamper's Workshop, I decided to sign up & see if there would be new ideas for including stamps on my layouts.

I've decided to post the layouts I make here on my blog. I decided that I would work through the lessons in order and make a layout for lesson #1 first, then move on to lesson #2, then lesson #3, and so on.... because, well, that's just how I roll. ;)

This worked great for the first lesson, which I'm posting today.

However, when I started on Lesson #2, it just didn't work out for that layout. I was able to save it though, by using lesson #9 instead.

So, I'm going to try to post them in order, as much as I can.... but even this week... it's not going to work. I'm posting lesson #1, but then I'm saving Lesson #2's layout for Sunday, when I'll post April's Pages with Papertrey challenge. But, I completed Lesson #3 today using this week's MIM at PTI, so I'm planning on posting that on Friday..... Oh well, it'll all work out. No worries.

Okay, on with lesson #1..... which was to use embossing powder with our stamped images on a layout.

Now, I own four containers of embossing powder: black, brown, white and clear. None of these seemed fun enough for this challenge, so when my friend, Mandy, came over on Friday night to scrapbook with me, I asked her to bring some coloured embossing powder for me to use.  Here's what I did:

I used Simple Stories patterned paper. I also used Papertrey Ink cardstock (terracotta tile), stamps (wonderful words additions, label basics, boy basics: simple circles stamps) & dies (block alphabet, tag sale #5).

I was inspired by the stars patterned paper that I used to make the tag with my journaling to use the embossing powder with my Boy Basics: Simple Circles stamps. I used the teal and red embossing powders. The green Mandy had wasn't a great match, so I stamped the green star in Versamark and then in SU! Old Olive Ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder.

And here's a close up of the journaling:

Thanks for looking!

Using up scraps

When I was organizing my scraps a few weeks ago, I came across this scrap of The Girl's Paperie patterned paper, with part map and pinked edge. I decided to use it to make a card, in which I also used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: computer generated sentiments on diecuts.

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, spring moss, sweet blush), stamps (happy trails), buttons & dies (layerz mat stack #5, double-ended banner die). The bicycle stamp is Hero Arts, the patterned paper is The Girl's Paperie and the "follow your dreams" sentiment was printed on my computer.

Thanks for looking!

PTI March Blog Hop

Once again, I'm playing along with this month's blog hop at Papertrey Ink. Our challenge this month was an inspiration challenge. We were to create a project using this photo as inspiration:

I was inspired by the bags of candy and decided to make up some Easter treat bags for my kids.

I used PTI glassine bags, cardstock (stamper's select white, harvest gold, hawaiian shores, sweet blush), stamps (BB:Chevron Stripes, Scrambled Eggs) & dies (tag sale #5, Scrambled Eggs, Egg). The patterned paper I used is Crate Paper & My Mind's Eye. The ribbon is Offray.

Here's a close-up of each one:

I was also inspired by the photo to create a scrapbooking layout, by adding a yellow chevron striped glassine bag to my layout.

I used a PTI glassine bag, American Crafts cardstock (12x12), PTI stamps (BB:Chevron Stripes, Wonderful Words Additions) & dies (tag sale #5, super star border). The patterned paper and decorative brads are My Mind's Eye and the chipboard letters are Studio Calico. The text patterned paper is Echo Park.

Here's a close-up of my journaling:

And I slipped our movie ticket stubs into the glassine bag:

Thanks for looking!

For Janelle...

One of my online friends, Janelle, is battling with cancer (you can read more about her here). Laurie decided to organize a blog hop for her to help lift her spirits. I know Janelle has a very strong faith, so I created this card for her:

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (sweet blush, rustic white), stamps (happy day, beautiful blessings), button, twine & dies (happy day, beautiful butterflies, heart border die). I also used Crate (pink polka dots, floral) & My Mind's Eye (on die cuts) patterned paper.

To see all of the people participating in the hop, click here.

Janelle, I'm continuing to pray for you!
Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

1. I'm very excited that our spring break starts today, at 3:50pm! I'm totally looking forward to a full week off from work. We have some fun things planned: like jam-can curling for Austin & Sage tomorrow, a taekwondo sparring workshop for Sage & I on Sunday, a trip to Winnipeg for an overnight visit with my mom..... as well as lots of time hanging out at home and enjoying our above seasonal temperatures. Oh, and Jonah told me this morning that he needs me to take photos of everything we do for a project for school. No problem. :)

2. The menu-planning is going fairly well for our household, with a few adjustments. Because I do my grocery shopping on Wednesdays (our Coop offers a 5% discount on Wednesdays), I decided to change my menu week to Wednesday to Tuesday. I've made some new recipes from the binder, too. A few of them, the kids said I could remove from the binder, but this Easy Herb Frittata was a huge hit! (I just substituted the ham for turkey bacon and used a marble cheese instead.) So far, so good.

3. On Saturday, after our black belt development day, Austin & I went to the theatre and saw Journey 2 Mysterious Island in 3D. It was pretty good. I really like Dwayne Johnson (he's so gorgeous and I love how he can laugh at himself) & Michael Caine (I just love his voice!) A good family movie, for sure!

4. My friend, Kathy, hosted a Silpada Jewellery party last night. I went witih my friend, Susan, totally not anticipating buying anything. But, I fell in love with this ring (okay the direct link doesn't seem to be working, but if you scroll to the bottom of this link, it's the Light Dancer ring), so I called Cameron to see if it would be okay if I bought it and he could give it to me for our anniversary next month. He said fine, but then I wouldn't have a surprise. Yeah, I'm fine with that.... ;)

5. I made a super quick layout before work today (yes, seriously) for the latest My Mind's Eye Blog Challenge. I used some new MME patterned paper that I picked up yesterday at my LSS, which made it come together very quickly.

I used Bazzill cardstock, MME patterned paper, diecut & decorative brads. I used my brand new Papertrey Ink dies (star border) & a PTI Grunge Me Stamp.

Here are a couple of close-ups:

@ thirty-nine...

With the big four-oh looming over me this year, I've been thinking lately about my age and how I feel.

I honestly don't feel thirty-nine, unless thirty-nine feels like twenty-six, because that's often how old I feel.

(Oh and, one of the black belts at our black belt development day on Saturday thought I was 26-- her age! So sweet!)

One of the big differences that I do feel however, from twenty-six, is how comfortable I feel in my own skin. I like who I am. I am totally someone that I'd choose to be friends with.

Sage took this photo of me recently and I decided to scrapbook it & journal about me, at thirty nine... I created this layout on the back of this one, because I couldn't bear for this pretty patterned paper to go to waste....

I used Crate patterned paper & fabric brad, Making Memories chipboard letters & My Mind's Eye decorative brad ("39"). The "@" brad I made using Echo Park patterned paper, on which I printed out the "@" & a SU! build-a-brad. I also used Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic white, pure poppy, raspberry fizz), stamps (pretty peonies, BB:retro (on the red cardstock)) and dies (heart border die-- to make the scalloped edge on the raspberry fizz cardstock.)

Here's a close-up of my journaling:

How about you? How old do you feel?

Thanks for looking!

And another spring card...

Here's the third "happy spring" card that I made. I started it on Sunday and finished it last night.... I tried to do some stamping off to lighten the ink so it would match the patterned paper, but it turned out quite light.... This was one of those cards I'd struggled with, though, and I was happy to say: "Good enough!" ;)

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, sweet blush) & stamps (beautiful butterflies & tag it's #2). I also used My Mind's Eye patterned paper.

Thanks for looking!

Another spring card

I wanted to share with you another "happy spring" card that I made. This one was for my wonderful friend, Marlo.

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, aqua mist, summer sunrise), stamps (pretty peonies, tag it's #2), buttons & dies (heart border).

Thanks for looking!

Hello Spring!

I decided to make some "happy spring" cards for a few good friends this week. The weather has been so gorgeous-- above seasonal for use, for sure! For my card, I used both this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Coloured Kissing and Vannessa's Papertrey Princess Challenge: to include spring colours on my card.

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic cream, simply chartreuse), stamps (beautiful butterflies, pretty peonies, tag sale #2) & dies (beautiful butterflies). The patterned paper is Crate Paper (floral) & My Mind's Eye (pink polka-dot).

Has spring arrived where you are?

Thanks for looking!

Happy Birthday, Darlene

It's my friend, Darlene's birthday today (she's a St. Patrick's Day baby!) and I wanted to share the card I made for her. Once again, I used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Coloured Kissing.

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, spring moss, sweet blush) & stamps (turning a new leaf, pretty peonies.)

I stamped the solid image of the leaves first and then I did the technique with the smallest pretty peonies image. I'm sorry it's hard to see in the photo.... it's pretty subtle!

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

1. It has been absolutely beautiful here this week! Our snow is melted and today, it's 16 degrees Celsius! Lovely! I went for my first bike ride of the season on Wednesday (ah, bliss!) and we're going to go for another one this afternoon.

2. I got a happy email today requesting one of my cards for publication in the Sept/Oct. issue of Papercrafts magazine!

3. This week was reportcard/parent teacher conferences which went well.

4. Tomorrow, Austin & I are going to be attending a black belt development day with our taekwondo club, which should be interesting. It's Austin's first one.

5. I wanted to share a card that I made for Leah's Papertrey Princess challenge to use the negative of a diecut on a project. I also used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Coloured Kissing.

I used PTI cardstock (fine linen, stamper's select white, sweet blush), stamps (beautiful butterflies, turning a new leaf, pretty peonies) & dies (beautiful butterflies, mat stack #5).

Thanks for looking!
Enjoy your weekend!

Pages with Papertrey -- Sketch #7

I'm popping in today to post another sketch & layout that I designed for Pages With Papertrey. Here's the sketch:

And here's the layout I made:

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white), stamps (wonderful words additions) & dies (heart prints, double-ended banner, mat stack #4. I also used Crate Paper (background) & My Mind's Eye patterned paper (light teal, striped), Webster's alphabet stickers, some Crate border stickers & My Mind's Eye decorative brads.

If you make a layout using this sketch, I'd love to see it! You can either post a link in my comments below or here on the PTI forum.

Thanks for looking!

literally

I just love Sage's vocabulary! When she learns a new word, she tends to use it a lot. Lately, the word is "literally." And I'm amazed that each time she uses it, it's in the proper context! So, I decided to make a layout to document this.

I also knew that I couldn't let the back of the beautiful sheet of patterned paper that I used for this layout go to waste, so I decided to make another layout on the back. This was tricky, because I'd stitched on the front of the layout. So I created a panel with white cardstock, to which I adhered my patterned paper and photo, then stitched on my machine, before adhering it to the background patterned paper.

I also used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Coloured Kissing.

I used PTI cardstock (soft stone), stamps (beautiful butterflies, bb:retro) & dies (pinking border, beautiful butterflies, block alphabet). I also used My Mind's Eye patterned paper & decorative brads.

Thanks for looking!

A card for a friend

A good friend of mine is recovering from surgery, so I decided to make her a card to take along when I went to visit her this morning. I used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Coloured Kissing, which turned out to be a little more challenging than I'd thought. I tried several different stamps with this technique, all on one of my beautiful butterflies stamps, but I kept getting a splotchy image. I finally had some success with using a stamp from my Lace Bouquet set...

I used PTI cardstock (sweet blush), stamps (beautiful butterflies, lace bouquet, communique sentiments) & dies (beautiful butterflies, limitless layers ovals). The patterned paper is MME & Fancy Pants & the bling is Hero Arts.

Thanks for looking!

She makes me happy

I made this layout this afternoon, using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Die Cutting Partial Images. I decided to try it using my new Beautiful Butterflies stamp set and my new My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline products.

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday: menu planning

1. I find that lately, I don't enjoy cooking.

I dislike trying to figure out (usually in the mid-afternoon) what to make for supper. I dislike trying to make supper during the most hectic & "mom-attention-seeking" hour of the day (right after school.) I dislike making meals, only to hear complaints from at least one family member (& it's not always the kids...) Basically, I dislike the whole experience.

Which is strange, because I like cooking. I like trying new things. And I enjoy eating. Very much.

So, I was thinking that I need a plan, because really, as much as I can help it, I don't like having things in my life that I dislike.

Enter: menu planning.

2. I figured that to get a handle on this new plan, I needed to organize my recipes. You see, last year, I went through years worth of the Kraft What's Cooking magazines that I get free in the mail each season. I looked through each one and cut out any recipe that I thought I might want to try, as well as the ones I'd tried in the past and liked. Then I put them all in a big pile. Note: not an efficient form of organization.

3. So, this week, I started sorting through my pile and organizing them.

I made thirteen categories: appetizers, breads & pizza, chicken, hamburger (ground beef), beef,  pork, fish, pasta, eggs, veggies, soup, salads & desserts.

I took a large white binder (which I found in my basement) and some white printer paper, in which I punched holes with my three-hole punch. I trimmed each recipe and adhered it (using my tape-runner) onto the sheets of paper. I chose to leave a lot of the photos, because I know this catches my eye when choosing recipes (& because, well, it's nice to know what it's suppose to look like when it's done.)

Some pages got more than one recipe...

whereas others only got one...

I also included recipes that I'd printed off the internet, which I just punched holes and added to the binder.

4. The binder I'd chosen has a clear sleeve in the front, into which you can slide a cover page. I decided to make something pretty for my cover (because things are just all the more fun when I can get crafty with them!)

Since I couldn't picture any "food" related stamps sets or patterned paper that I owned, I was a little stumped. Then, as I was flipping through my sheets of patterned paper, I came across the perfect sheet to use:

See, it's all ingredients! Isn't that perfect?

It`s a sheet of Crate Paper from their Farm House line. I added some sweet blush Papertrey Ink cardstock, which I stamped with my PTI bb:woodgrain stamps. Then, I cut out some PTI canyon clay cardstock using a Layerz Mat Stack 4 dies & this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Die Cutting Partial Images. To this I added a strip of PTI patterned paper (aqua mist), two Crate Paper stickers and my title, which I made using PTI dark chocolate cardstock and my PTI block alphabet dies. I had to keep it thin, since it would go in the binder, but I was pleased with the layering I was still able to do, thanks to the MIM technique and the stickers.

To organize the categories in my binder, I chose 6 shades of PTI cardstock that matched the cover (summer sunrise, sweet blush, canyon clay, ripe avocado, hawaiian shores & simply chartreuse) and diecut them using one of my PTI journaling tab dies (the largest one). I also stamped each one with versamark and a BB:Woodgrain stamp, before handwriting the category.

5. I wish I could say I`m done, but I`m not. I still have half of the pile to finish going through and adding to my binder. Of course, I`m not adding all of the recipes. If they`re unhealthy, or if there`s an ingredient in it that I won`t buy (like Bisquick or minute-rice) or don`t know what it is (like, olive tapenade), I toss it.

So, once a week, I will go through the binder (most likely on Saturday) & plan our menu for the week. The kids have been enjoying looking at the recipes on the table and suggesting we try certain dishes, so I`m thinking that maybe on Saturday evenings, while we`re still sitting at the dining room table after supper, I`ll pull out the binder and take suggestions. Maybe if they have a hand in the meal planning, there will be less complaints. A girl can dream, right?

I`m also open to checking out menu-planning sites for ideas, like this one: Shrinking kitchen.com: Menu plan your butt off. I found a great recipe there this week: Hearty Taco Casserole, which was a huge hit and will be added to our regular rotation.

So, if you`re still reading, do you menu plan? What works for you?

Thanks for looking!