She... designed a life she loved

new blog

2008-01-24T17:09:00.001-08:00

hey gals...this blog is not repairable so all my January stuff is here, please change your link. Looking forward to your comments FINALLY! Thanks Renee:)For those of you who can't click on the link here's the addy: http://www.shedesigned.blogspot.com

Denver, happy mail 52 weeks and 365 days!

2008-01-24T12:52:00.000-08:00

This is a serious photo post! I have almost finished my DENVER album! So check out the lovelies! I still have some pages to finish but wanted to share what I have so far.

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This is the front cover and first page. I used a hambly transparency and my CIRCLE (I know u love it Karla!) punch to put one of everyone in each circle. The facing page is all our shoes at the front door. The little journal circle says:
Paradise found: there was no beach or fabulous tan but I found paradise amongst the shoes for it meant I was surrounded by friends.

This first one is of Amber, I funked it out cuz this lady has some funky style!

This is Chrissy, supermom and world traveler, and who cares what they boys say Chris, we love your sunglasses and your hair! Boys are silly heads!

Jude played along and "Requested" a kissy face picture! I was so honored!

Karla...you make me pee my pants!The kids are always asking for a Karla story.

And ...you're so beautiful, I snuck a 2nd page on this little transparency in here right in the middle of the other two! The rest of you all are beautiful too...sorry I was being shy (ha ha I know!) and I got a chance to talk to some more than others.

Kim is fabulous and my page says so! This photo was taken the day we all found out about her fab news...go check it on her blog and our prayers are working cuz her little miracle is coming on just fine!

The one and only who put it all together, the hostess with the mostess...hey what was the deal with the cup cake photo? I forgot to ask then I loved it when I was going through them again so sorry for posting a pic of you eating, but no one ever looked better eating a chocolate cup cake!

I also didn't get a lot of time to chat with Vee but I visit her blog and I am telling you this hunny has scrap mojo like nobody's business! I have jacked a few things!
So that is it for Denver so far...funny Jessi and I must see each other too much cuz there was only ONE pic of us ha ha! Almost done that page!

for 52 weeks I am a couple days late posting the quote but better late than never and I loved this photo so I thought I would post it with it:
While we try to teach our children about life, our children teach us what life is all about. Angela Schwindt.

and one of my pics for 365 days...I loved this cake stand I bought for Ireland's birthday so i keep trrying to find ways to use it. I treated myself and 2 lucky recipients to some costco roses. They were so pretty I had to buy them!
So happy scrappin...if you want some happy mail, go here!

Happy mail and holy scrap!

2008-01-15T15:12:00.000-08:00

Well, for some reason blogger doesn't love me! I am having so many issues with the comments section! So hopefully (once again) I have the problem corrected.
On to bigger and better things.
Does anyone besides me love getting something in the mail besides bills? Well if you do go here. SHe is starting a group for happy mail. Each month you get a goodie bag from a secret pal and there are no bills included! Sounds like fun to me!
I have been trying like a banshee to catch up last year's UFO's so I can make a whole new pile this year lol! So I finally completed Vaughn's first year book. I will post another day. I am having it bound. I love how it turned out but I am so sad that my new little babes is so big! Time for another one.....NOT!!!
I have also been in scrap mode. I actually did myself a favor and packed a scrap bag with certain "pages" and used only what i had packed...amazing myself, I completed every layout I had taken with me and I LOVE how they turned out! WHat do you guys think?

Also, I have decided to partake in the 365 DAYS but pondered how in the heck I was going to get that many photos in one album.I thought of buying the cheesy album from Wal-mart but then I found a fabulous album from Making memories It has room to place one photo per square and serves as a calender. I am going to scrap my favorite photo from the month on the top. You can fit 3 4x6! The side of each calender has a lovely journal spot where I can summarize the highlights etc. I have a couple photos missing as Vaughn decided to rip off a few ( little stinker!) but here is the outside cover and the first part of January

She said she has something amazing in the works for this dilemma as well and though I haven't checked it yet, i am sure it will rock so check her out too!
Last but not least here is this week's quote for 52 weeks:
Well behaved women rarely make history, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

about a dodge...

2008-01-09T09:18:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I know there was no horse shoe in my butt when I was born but seriously some days I wonder how crazy things happen to me. Today is a story about a dodge. Once upon a time I had never owned a new vehicle. Being pregnant with my third child, my husband bought me a lease buy back mini van that was a year old. After being left starnded on the highway several times, we did convince the dealer that the vehicle was a piece of junk. Maybe that was their ploy...sell us crap so we come back and exchange it for the brand new 10 thousand dollar more van.
So all preggers we have a freak freezing rain storm and I get in an accident with my new van. I jump out and I'm like oh my gosh, my husband is going to kill me...then the other driver is like OMG!!!! YOu're pregnant! I was a little in shock then I thought oh crap! My baby! Porter arrived via emergency cesarean...fat and healthy.
So the van gets fixed. Then shortly after we get it back all pretty our foster kid takes it out for a joy ride...minor damage but its fine.
Six months later it gets taken again and written off! My 48 months of payments loom above me as I watch it get towed to the wreckers. So then I buy (my third silver dodge caravan)van I have now. I am pregnant with Vaughn and take it to his God parents wedding as I did the wedding cake.
When I wake up in the morning prego brain grabs me and I can't recall where I parked. After a fruitless search I think oh crap! I never checked in with the desk...maybe they towed it!
So I check with the desk and they don't tow but she casually says maybe it was stolen. HUH??? ANd after frantically arriving at the church on time and then getting back to the hotel, security knocks on my door and takes me to see a video...of my car being stolen!
Maybe it is the silver color I don't know. So anyway, we get it home with a screw driver for a key, plastic on the windows and no stereo but insurance fixes it but it never runs the same again.
Yesterday, I am coming home after dropping the kids at school after the dentist and some guy rips through the school zone and turns right into my lane side swiping my silver mini van...writing it off.
Up side, I get a new van and was looking at one at the dealer's anyway. SO this guy kind of did me a favor lol!
I hope everyone else finds themselves as lucky as I have been!
please join in 52 weeks and don't forget to post. A day late due to my accident but week two is:
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal. Henry Ford

52 Weeks

2008-01-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

Well I am one day late but I am so excited for this new year! I took a spin off Emily's art cards and Ronna's 21 day challenge and came up with 52 weeks of quotes. You can do anything goes! This year I chose to do a book that I repurposed from an old vendors catalogue instead of the playing cards. In the end I will have a beautiful book of quotes that I can add to, I can take out and display etc. I hope you all join in this challenge.
I will tag each weeks quote so you can easily find any that you miss.

This first photo is my first quote: it says "Life isn't about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself"

This second photo is another view. You can write the quote and scrap book how it relates to you or what inspiration it invokes or you can just do the quote itself and make it pretty. Make it your own!

My daughter on new year's eve decided to pop all the poppers before her bedtime and she was so tickled by the huge mess of sparkles and glitter. I love the look of sheer delight on her face!

Vaughn was excited for an almost empty cone to chew. We had no big brothers as they were at sleep overs. Anyone wanting to get your Christmas pictures squared away, I have a few sets left for $25 (see previous post for photo and list) if anyone would like one let me know via email.
I hope everyone has had a fabulous Christmas and a great start on the new year! For those who had trouble posting previously, I have made some changes in the comments section etc so please post and then I will know it worked! Thanks for looking.

Christmas week 2

2007-12-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

Hello! This is a picture post if you ever did see one so watch out!

Photo one is a little envelope and tag I sewed. My best friend of 15 years came to shop and it was awesome cuz I rarely see her.
day 8- unfortunately the picture wasn't great but I went to Whitecourt to see my boy for his staff Christmas party
Day9- just journaling and apparently I have the only kids on the naughty list the last few days! What is up with that?
Day 10-A little mini envelope by ek success contains journaling
Day 11- we spent outdoors as the weather has been gorgeous!
Day 12- yummy! Christmas cookies with royal icing is a tradition every year. This year I did mittens with a design I stole from Vaughn's baby gap pj's
13- New sleds compliments of Aunt Jeanette! We barely left the hill all day!
Day 14- Family and friends gathered for some Christmas cheer. The best part? Jeanette and Darcy kissed and made up (they are brother and sister)
Day 15- was a rough day. Kids and cleaning and everything seeming to go wrong hten there is a ring at the doorbell...my sweet boy drove 3 hours to surprise me and got up at 3 in the morning to drive back to whitecourt in time for work! Gotta love him!

this is my layout for one little word. I love doing the challenges but a birdie told me I can't ever win as I know too many of the judges so I'll post here. I loved this picture of Kian, he is looking so grown up.

The 2nd one is the perils of a growing baby. Vaughn is too big for 12-18 month clothes but too small for 18-24 so he has a cute little plumber crack bum!

These Christmas goodies retail for about $48.00 but the entire kit is available for $25.00 from ALbums From the Attic, email me if you would like one. It includes
one box of 6 coordinating ribbon daisy d (retail 7.99)
one box of chip board letters daisy d (retail 9.99)
one box of 72 buttons daisy d (retail 7.99)
one 8x11 sheet of Christmas rub ons daisy d (retail 5.99)
one 6x6 24 pack of paper daisy d (retail 11.99)
one maya road chip board album (retail 5.99)
It also includes step by step instructions for anyone wanting them.
I'm sure everyone will be away from blogs as christmas nears so for those of you MERRY CHRISTMAS and all the best in the new year!
Check back here January first for scrappy goodness!

२५ days

2007-12-13T13:56:00.000-08:00

as I am sure you all know, this is a crazy busy time of year! So here is my first week of Christmas. I am on top of things and this week is almost ready to go so my post won't be behind! I hope everyone shares their books via Ali inspired or wherever. I love Christmas!
The first pic is my cover page
day1- Ireland's first Reconciliation
day2 Photos with Santa but holy crap batman! 20 bucks for a 4x6! I remember back in the good ol days when Kian was a baby it was a twoonie!
day 3- Kian gvae his brother and sister some of the money from his paper route so they could go Christmas shopping and he took them in the stores so I wouldn't see what everyone was getting. What a great big brother.
Day four- Vaughn saw his first snow fall and was so excited. He kept pointing out the window saying was zat was zat! He loved it even more when he got to play in it.
Day 5- I let the kids decorate their tree and unfortunately Kian had a chip on his shoulder but we managed to sneak a photo of him anyway :)
Day 6- yummy! I made a bunch of basic gray paper boxes and filled them with goodies for a cookie exchange.

The next photo is some bottle caps I did up to make napkin ring holders for christmas. I filled them with patterened paper, glitter glue and little beads. I used a mm sticker for each persons initial.

Last but not least I spent yesterday making the traditional ginger bread cookies and royal icing. The kids pick a few of their best friends and give them one of these in a pretty bag in lieu of a card cuz you can't eat cards right?
Last but not least, on a more serious note...my little dayhome boy's uncle was killed in an accident today. He is the father of five. My prayers are with their family at this time but also
you never know how much time you will have with those you love, so make sure in this bad weather and everyday, you let those who are close to you know how much you love them, think twice before getting angry with someone over something that won't matter a week from now, take the time to do something special "just because".
Leave an I love you note in a lunch box, catch someone being good. Hugs for all you bloggers out there!

Christmas Photo Shoot

2007-12-03T12:47:00.000-08:00

Well we took about 150 photos so I will have plenty to pick from when making christmas cards. Enjoy the sneek peek...and :( my surprise guest could not make it so you will be in suspense!
There is something fun coming to this blog in the new year inspired by Emily

I hope you will all join in the fun. Rhonna also inspired as she taught a class using the quotes that was in Homespun magazine. She had students scrapbook what the quote meant to them and how it pertained to their life. I will try and post the ad if I can get the mag back from jessi! It may be hidden under a sea of boxes.
Some gals are doing journals and some art cards. Check out Chanel in my link list, she had some great quote cards mailed to her using the Heidi Swapp cards and I love them! You can display different ones on a little easel on your desk or after the year mail them to a friend who needs inspiration etc.Anyone wanting a set, I sell them at Albums from the attic for $10 per pack. Email me if you would like some.

In the Christmas Spirit, I am posting my first week of "25 days of Christmas" on Friday. I love this idea of taking meaningful photos and journaling each day, not just Christmas day. SInce I am in a Christmas mood, I am sending a random Rak to a poster so they can join in the 52 weeks of quotes and have some goodies to get started with!
Happy holidays...and YES I am all done Christmas shopping yay!

Madness

2007-11-16T08:41:00.000-08:00

Well, it feels like Christmas already! I haven't meant to be a slacker but I have added 3 more kids to my dayhome and I am BUSY!!! Don't get me wrong, still lots of time to scrapbook lol! So for everyone who was wondering...someone won a pageframes prize. My blog settings have been crazy and some people haven't been able to post. I did include those who emailed and YOU can kiss Porter as he chose your name!Please send me an email with your snail mail addy.
Yes, I know it is the 14th of November but hey, these made me smile so maybe you will smile too.

you know he is my kid, this little chicken noodle always steals everyone's cel phones

again, the prize for best photo goes to auntie Jeanette! This is so hilarious! Ireland had just finished chewing an aero bar and J wanted her picture so she smiled...lol!

Spidey was winding down at this point but he was still cute. Our big trick or treater was out scoring some candy.
Okay, unofficial poll...anyone putting up decorations or do you wait until December first? I can't help my bad self! I love Christmas! Ireland and I found a gorgeous star to hang above our baby Jesus and it is so pretty.
No I am not knocked up or anything but you know how when youre preggers you get this urge to clean and clean? I have it bad! I have been spring cleaning like a crazy person and rearranging furniture and stuff. Maybe I will be ambitious and post pictures. We have a little photo shoot this weekend for Christmas cards so we will see how it turns out and I swear I will post pics...we even have a surprise addition that may be in a photo or two...until then you will have to be in suspense.

Puke and more puke and puke oh my!

2007-10-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

hello! It seems there is a bad link on my blog and no one is able to post.My kids decided to get the 24 hour flu but they made sure to get it one after another so I had to clean it up four days in a row.it has been almost a month since i posted! Maybe that is why I feel all out of sorts...I miss my blog sistas!
I could whine and moan but it seems I can't catch a break. I have listed my house and I don't want to move but my world is upside down! Upside...I have been scrapping like crazy! I completed three mini albums and am half done my England album. If the camera cooperates, I will upload some pictures.
For you local gals, I received my new shipment of product including the 7 gypsies interchangeable stamp sets and new Maya road clear stamps.Also...da da da- I will soon be in a small supply of page frames albums! I am posting a sneak of the one I started and i love them! they are gorgeous!

This is the cover and keep in mind...this album isn't completed but I wanted to share

I did a layout for each of the kids and then in the coordinating envelope, I wrote them a letter on a matching Hambly transparency telling them what I learned about being a mom from them

I included a picture of each of them at birth and one recent one. All of the pics inside the album are on transparencies. If you haven't seen these amazing products, go here

I also finally finished a mini album from my golf weekend.

I stole this album design from the talent rusty pickle people. I wasn't able to complete my projects at Crop for Kids so I bought the kits and am making them my own at home.
Since I have had such bad luck, I figure hey, I am going to brighten someone else's day. So anyone who posts in my comments section between now and when I post next (promise it won't be so long next time ha ha) gets their name put in a draw to WIN a FREE page Frames album!!!
Go here to find out what is coming and how you can pre-order yours.Also-apparently my blog is blocking comments sometimes, if you can't post but want to be in the draw, email me your name!

Back in good ol Canadia!

2007-10-03T14:00:00.000-07:00

ok first up...Keith Urban was amazing! I can't believe this picture actually turned out! What was better than Keith?

Being there with all of these rockin gals!

This was my official "i'm outta here photo"

and check Stacy's necklace! I am going to jack it when she isn't looking!

yes...we could almost smell him sweating...but we liked it! At the end, he said wait I wanna love someobody like you, and i think he was looking right at me. Now I'm no home wrecker but SORRY NICOLE KIDMAN!
My favorite knocked up gal had a gorgeous babe named Alden Justice...just in case you haven't checked him out or if ya have and love seing cute babies...go here.
I have been mia and not cuz I don't love my blog friends...I made it to London, Bath and Manchester England. It was so freaking amazing. Who did I go with you ask? Well, with someone who has a face only a mother could love...luckily I AM a MOTHER!

I didn't miss Jessi one bit...ok, maybe a small amount cuz I saw this poster and risked life and limb to take this picture for her in the underground!

I took this photo for Jude. This is milk in a stick and apparently it expires next year! Is that seriously possible? I drank it! It tasted awesome!

Our plane wasn't real reliable...some electrically challenging issues. We rigged up the headsets so we could watch t.v. On the way home we had a three hour delay cuz of an electrical problem....hmmm. I didn't die, which is always good.

and since I don't want to kill you with a million pics, there are more on my facebook account but here is Robin and I in St. James park which is just a 2 minute walk from Buckingham palace. It was fabulous. I am coming to check up on all you bad girls! I hope you were behaving yourselves!

ya ya sisterhood

2007-09-17T09:08:00.001-07:00

okay, I officially feel like I should be an episode of the Divine ya ya sisterhood! I had the worst week ever! It has been raining like crazy so we have not got a whole lot done around here! I still have no fence in my back yard. I was being nice and said- cement the neighbor's first and so when it came time to cement in my posts, I had to scoop three feet of water out of every hole with a kiddie pail...super fun, don't be jealous!
We get posts in and the boys move the hot tub (onto the sod) so we can dig out a space for it and it has rained and rained...I am talking Noah's ark kinda rain people, so I still have a hot tub leaning against the fence and it is not hooked up.
I wait 2 months for a hair appointment, figured I would go darker for winter(don't know if I love it yet)

and i get a phone call that one of my kids broke their arm, passed out from shock and needs to be taken to emergency. But wait...the school didn't want to "bother" me on my cel phone so they left a message on my house phone. ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING?????
It was Porter, (I didn't think it would be anyone else) and the Principal calls me the following day as Kian told them how Porter had to have surgery as he had an impacted fracture. I think they were scared of a law suit or something. I took him to emergency and waited 2 hours but they never told us how bad of a break it was. He asked for a snack and a "nice" (sarcasm here people) nurse told us where to find snacks and drinks, so he eats half a bag of cheetos before another nurse comes and says NOOOOOOOOOO! So they sent us home, no cast no drugs and we came back the next day. By the time he gets his surgery it has been 24 hours no food, water or pain medication.

baby, next time you want to spend the whole day with mommy watching return of the jedi 17 times...just ask!
I am envisioning being in the wal-mart when he says, "mommy, remember that time when you didn't feed me for 24 hours?" and he will forget to add that time I had surgery and people will be evil eyeing me calling CFS!

So I went to my first golf tournament ever! Actually, it is the first time I golfed ever! I got some fabulous prizes...for sucking soo bad!

good thing it was best ball or I would still be there. Someone knew how to golf (way to be part of the team Robin!) and he got to put his name in for the longest shot from the putt or something like that, anyway he nailed it!

my favorite part was putting and using the driver when we tee off! I look so serious lol!

I tried not to notice I was in text message hell and I got a cuddle from my boy!
I came home to a sick babe, cranky kids and to top it all off, Vaughn poops in the tub! I sat to ponder...is there a God? So aftre scooping floaties, scrubbing the tub and such I come to put his pj's on and he has pulled the entire tissue box apart while his older siblings watched him with glee...some days you just can't win!
After all the crap, I did some scrapbooking and made some things for Vaughn's birthday

I never did get to make a cake cuz I was at the hospital. I do love how the goodie bags turned out though. i used a red lollipop and alphabities MM to spell stop and I put little cars in the bags that the kids could drive on their placemats.
and i have to give out big sloppy blogalicious kisses to the one person who helped to make me saner...

in case I don't tell ya enough..I LOVE YOU TO BITS! you are the best sista from another mista that a girl could ever ask for and I want ya to know I would be lost without you! So that is all. i doubt I will post before I leave. When you give birth to my God Daughter, txt me or something and I will do a dance of joy in trafalgar square! Off to England on thursday with Robin, offf to see Keith Sexy pants Urban tomorrow and Renee is coming tonight yay! Things are looking up!

Birthday

2007-09-06T05:44:00.001-07:00

hello blog world! I have been a bad "rocking girl blogger"! Today my baby bear is one year old! How in the heck did that happen?I have been so busy with summer, back to school and trying to finish my courses by the deadline that the computer's other lures have been hard to ignore but I have been pretty good.
I have tried to visit everyone's blog and now that school is in, I will be better. I think we are all in the same boat. I have spent a little too much time scrapbooking and not enough time on schoolwork! SInce I already bear the guilt...I may as well share right?

a pic I caught of my babe sleeping

my other babe, hee hee and all the three's are meaningful but too mush for blogger so I am not sharing but that is why no journalling on this one

these are two of my art cards and the one that says no regrets says: don't look back and regret anything because everything that has happened so far, has led me to where I am right now...and it is a pretty good place to be. A friend told me that and I thought it was very fitting and also true.
For some reason my quota of uploads for the day is complete...not to my liking but my computer feels differently about it. damn!
So last but not least: could ya get out of them there pajamas and get to the hospital and have a baby already! Dying to check what she looks like ha ha ha!
And finally, I am giving a BIG FAT HUGE SHOUT OUT TO MY GIRL WHO FINALLY DISCOVERED WHAT THE REST OF US ALREADY KNEW:
You are AMAZING girlfriend! Keep up the good work. We are all so proud of you for all you have achieved!

scrappy Jo

2007-08-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

does anyone know the "lunchlady song" by Adam Sandler? I totally am feeling it except I changed the words to scrappy jo instead of sloppy jo cuz I am telling you this girl has been on a roll! (Jessi don't be telling everyone about the fat reminder I got from school saying my assignments aren't in yet!)
But on a more important note: check my layout for embracing my inner Elsie! Hope you gals like it.Andreanne and I went on Elsie's site and her and her gals have the best pics! So we had an impromptu photo shoot and this is how mine turned out

Better yet though...check out this one! wow is all I can say!

this is Andreanne's and I think it turned out so awesome for a beginner. I am going to try and get her to post at SIStv so I can see what she is up to!
there was a big tear fest here people cuz she left on Saturday. I don't know what is going on but I have been crying a lot lately! MENOPAUSE????LOL! just kidding but I am not the hallmark commercial get the kleenex kinda gal. Who knows. I am also caught up on my cards so here are the latest two.
Ok- for some reason blogger won't post my pictures! I will have to post my art cards, AYTR layout, mini albums and such another day:( Totally sad about that cuz I have been one crafty gal!oh I tagged some gals in the previous post so i will rename you and you can see what it was for. Renee, Kelly, Sarah, Chanel and JEani

2 seconds

2007-08-13T17:34:00.002-07:00

okay, a quick update, I am in Whitecourt and have been for days but I want to say a huge THANKS to Linda for tagging me as a rockin girl blogger! Thanks lady!
Thanks to Stacy for Tagging me in this fun little way to spread some sunshine.
The "rules" are:1) Send ONE card to someone you know within 7 days! (family, friends, associates, cyber people, etc.) ANYONE!!! Doesn't matter who... just do it. Can you imagine the smile on their face when they open their mailbox and see a card from you?2) Tag (yes, I know, but this is the only way to spread this) 5 people you know to do the same thing (Tag means tag them to send their own cards to their own people).3) Proudly display this on your blog to spread a little sunshine and pass it on.If you get tagged again (we can all hope, can't we), send another card! So I am tagging Renee, Kelly, Jeani, Sarah and Chanel!
I have more scrap mojo to post but am away from my computer so I will check everyone then. That's all take care girls!

passionate blog kisses!

2007-07-31T08:20:00.002-07:00

well well well! Since arriving home from Denver, I have been in scrap haven! I am cranking out the projects, finishing UFO's and my desk is a blissful mess! Thanks girls for getting the mojo rocking. In fact, I am feeling so effervescent that YOU get your very first RAK my dear so email me your addy and i will get it in the mail!If anyone else wants to see what her RAK contains go here
This is a long "scrappy" post with pics too. First up is the 6 x 12 layout I did in the Phunktography -scrapbook division class (Has a nice ring to it "eh" sweetie?)I also used some thin green stuff over the photo to give it a cool shimmer

Then I have been dishing out the Emily Art cards so here are my last three

my goals right now

perfection

and blessed, I am feeling so blessed right now that I made a little envelope and filled it with a bunch more cards and written on them are a ton of things I am blessed with right now.
I completed an awesome little mini album for someone special

and Hey girl! I found the perfect txt message rub ons for my little impromptu txt mini album. Thanks for rawkin your mini album and inspiring me to crank one out in a short span of time!I have started it but I will be sure to post the finished product.
Are you all about to throw up in your mouth yet?So in the spirit of one who posts kids songs and lymmerics: That is not it, no that is not all...I have been scrappin and having a ball! So if you're all turning the color of green, i am not posting just to be mean, visit this chica, and that, you will become like me and the cat in the hat! New found energy, up at 6, to sand and paint and sew and fix!
Here is this month's calender layout from AYTR

I converted this beauty (taking self pics in the mirror and everything!)

to the world of scrap, and she is hooked how about that? Up until one with ink and pens, posting layouts for her friends!
I completed 3 cj's and loved your topic and how my pages turned out!Anam dear, it is in the mail! I took the cj for you ALL THE WAY to Denver and realized it had to go to Edmonton!
So I could talk your ear of about the fabulous weekend I had with my gals Connie, Jeanette and Andreanne but what will you read about the rest of the week? Off to finish at least one essay then visit everyone's blog. MWAH!

Denver is amazing!

2007-07-23T01:47:00.000-07:00

well I am in Denver with the blogger girls. My dear sweet J J is up to her elbows...in pooh! As i pull into Ronda's drive I get a txt message of Kian cleaning bb poo off Ireland's carpet and Vaughn pooped in the tub! I am hoping JJ doesn't give her notice and call it quits before momma gets home.
I had to have the ever present kissy face and who better to do it with than Julia Roberts? I mean...Jude. I swear if you just hear her voice, you think you are back in Smyrna Georgia!

we took a quick group photo and were so stoked to be here we felt inspired to:

and last but not least on this quickie post, to all the blog sisters who aren't here...

also go here to find out about some new things in our local Red Deer scraptivity

fabulous!fabulous!

2007-07-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

I am posting a ton of pics here but there has been a ton of good things going on!

making my daughter's birthday cake was a real task! I always seem to get everything down to the wire. In the end, she was thrilled with the party.

here is the table of all the goodies
all the friends share in singing happy birthday

her favorite present? Her ROXY sunglasses. Mommy fibbed and said we were buying them for her little friend's birthday...oh the puppy dog eyes. Please can i get some and I said no that they were too expensive but maybe if she saved her allowance etc. She was not impressed with my sensible logic until she opened the box at her party and found them. It was a million dollar smile.

The greatest outdoor show on earth should be called the most expensive show on earth! I took Andreanne as she was excited for the concerts etc. Unfortunately, you had to be 18 to see any of them! Total bummer! We wanted to see the Tom Cochrane concert but they were serving alcohol.

Facebook is also a fabulous way to hook up with old friends! My buddy from St.Francis School ( count back almost 20 years ago! am i that old???) Works at stampede and hooked us up with FREE passes! Tim Gleason, you are a godsend! How sweet. Good thing too as a bottled water cost 4 bucks! I was feeling kinda violated because it was scorching hot and we needed plenty of water to prevent heatstroke! So I spent about 80 bucks on water and basic food! It wasn't even really good. But, there is always an upside....

the thrill seeker in me spotted this bad ass ride! It is 165 feet in the air, goes 70 miles an hour which is about 4 g's and luckily, gravity is probably all that prevented me from WETTING MY PANTS!

this is just after the ride and I seriously had to wipe the tears from my face! After the first loop, I was like yeeeeehaaaaaw! Poor boy beside me, said I could hold his hand if I was scared....I don't think I broke any fingers and luckily he smiled after rather than saying hey crybaby! you broke my hand! He is so sweet. Chivalry is not dead people.

Andreanne settled in on a "girly" ride. Bummer, she isn't as adventurous as me but she still had a good time.
I hope summer is keeping all of you busy, smiling and enjoying the sunshine.Update on the health situation, my surgery is tomorrow and then I am taking a little break.
do tell where this break will be....you will have to check back on friday and see cuz I am telling ya it is pee in your pants, jump up and down, and shake your booty great! wait for it.....

blissfully tired

2007-07-09T10:27:00.001-07:00

It has been crazy and I am tired but I have had an amazing time this last week or so. So much going on! I made sure to catch up on all the action before posting. Good thing cuz I was tagged! Wait for my response to that...below.
Free scrapbooking stuff! Yes, that is correct. Want to know when, where and how I know...check this out and see you all there! This will be the first all day crop and I am so excited! Any commuters, you can crash at my place and Jude...I have three bathrooms so you can come too lol!

Anne Geddes in the making! You take the best photos of my babies!Thanks for kid sitting...no matter what Kian says, they love ya!

Photo from Porter's birthday. In the end it rained but not before we had a ton of fun! How did my kids get so big so fast? I blinked and holy crap! Porter will be in school in September! What will I do with all that spare time??? lol!

...maybe try and teach Vaughn the difference between edibles and non edibles. He thinks everything is food. Poor child of a scrapbooking mom, gets the picture then explains we can't eat sticks, dirt, rocks etc. It totally cracked me up! I can't believe I even had time for photos as life has been so busy!

my other "baby" never seems to be able to eat without getting something on him! Do they make bibs for ten year olds that are stylish? Actually I worked at my mom's golf course this weekend and I coulda used a bib for this guy there too. We razzed him so bad...he went and bought a new shirt! It was pretty funny though! So this is Kian's "mr.Mustard" lick from Canada day. We went to Bower Ponds then to Jessi and jason's for BBQ...and the asparagus was good J...i ate it!

Haillee and Ireland with some sparklers...theya re much more sparkly though. Cuties huh?

and here she is...Andreanne! Our adopted daughter for the summer. We are so happy to have her back! She will be with us until mid august. I am showing her the Stampede, we are white water rafting and momma is teaching this girl to cook! SHe can't even make a grill cheese but by summer's end we will have an honorary "Martha"!

what is this besides a nasty pic of myself? It is a before photo of my back yard! Hence why I have been MIA! I am trying to get everything done before Ireland's party on Thursday.My best gal...

came to visit but she dove right in when i asked if she would help pull weeds and sod the back yard. "WE DON"T NEED NO STINKIN BOYS"!!!! We had this laid out in the wink of an eye! We know, women are amazing but every once in a while we have to prove it to in case the guys forget!

this is an after and it was getting kinda dark but we finished at about 11 p.m.! I will post pics of the whole deal all purdy on Thursday! In my defence, I was a little knocked up last year and did not a scrap of yard work. I am sure my neighbors like me more now because I think they were starting to wonder when I was going to clean up this eyesore. My handyman is working on the play center that is yet to be finished and i am not sure if everything will be painted by Thursday because of the rain, but at least it will be built!

This is the pic I took at 5 am just before i ran out of gas! I drove to Fort Sask to work, then to Whitecourt (saw a comedian who just happens to be fine to look at too!) then back to fort and worked etc....and so it went. In my haze of four hours of sleep per day, a girl forgets to check the gas gage! I'm rockin with my chicks and I see this orange light...yep! No gas! I go to one station and it is closed!I drive a bit further and stop at this shop and a guy tells me the station doesn't open until 7! I had to work at 7 so that wouldn't do. Then this old guy with an accent comes along and tells me there is another one up the road and I could follow him. I had a total flashback of this scary movie....but I followed him. Obviously he didn't hack me up and jack the soccer mom van, cuz here I sit but hilarious what goes through your mind so early in the morning! I made fat cash at work and we will be doing some serious shopping so get out your stash! Only ten more days until I get my scaredy cat cousin on a plane...yes, there may be adavan and funny photos...wait for them. (hey guys, Don't tell Jess if I post them k?)

weekly catch up

2007-06-26T08:28:00.002-07:00

WOW WOW WOW! what a busy week i have had. I'm sure everyone has read on Jessi's blog that we booked a trip to England for September. Gotta love the Travel zoo website. For those of you who don't know what it is, they email you the world wide best travel deals every week. Yes, it is free of charge.
Only one more day of school before summer holidays! I am in shock. where did the time go??? Andreanne, our exchange student from Quebec, arrives on Saturday. We are so excited to see her again. I made her a cute welcome banner ala heidi Swapp as it was one of our art assignments for the month. We were supposed to make one for our scrap space but I figured Andreanne would enjoy it more. It turned out pretty cute,although I have a few finishing touches to do check it out:

Also, this project was a quick and easy little way to showcase some pics. Want to make one? Go here

Renee and I scrapped some little projects with Kim and Stacy on the weekend. Kim ran out of creative juices, she let the rest of us have some, so she scoured my stash and made me one of her "kits"! It was so awesome! She found a stash of goodies that i had hoarded for some time and made me re-love them once again. Thanks girlio!
I was thinking about Emily's art cards and i was struggling with this one. You are supposed to choose ONE photo that brings emotion or that you totally love. How do you pick just ONE???? I love photos! I did find one though!
I was also tagged. This will be the longest post ever! SO for those of you who are hard core bloggers, read on!
. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Tanya Tucker...I know, how embarrassing!

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Last night thinking please for the love of God can Vaughn sleep already!!!

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
love it! I love changing it up all the time

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
ham, and black forest ham, and smoked ham,oh and did I mention ham??

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
LOL! Almost a whole soccer team!

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Of course, who doesn't want to hang with Martha? JK

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
me? no...never ever

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes but I would love to have them out, they bug me a lot

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
in a second! anyone up for that?

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
oatmeal and brown sugar mmmmmmm, I had it this morning!

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
no because you can't untie flip flops

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
for sure! I just pretend to be all girly but I can hold my own!

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
fat free? as ifffff! I love turtles ice cream YUMMERS!

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
their teeth, then I was always jealous how white people's teeth were, not anymore!

15. RED OR PINK?
is this an actual question? PINK of COURSE!

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
sometimes, i talk too much, but it is also my favorite thing at times cuz I meet great people!

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Connie:(

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
definitely

19. WHAT COLOUR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
no shoes and brown track pants

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
rice cake and tuna with fat free mayo- curves diet going good still

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
crying baby, Chris says he can't hurt himself crying and i have run out of patience in this whole teething department!

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE?
Pink with sparkles in it

23. FAVOURITE SMELLS?
a clean baby washed with gerber oatmeal soap, i almost want to lick him he smells sooo good!

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
telemarketer

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
yes, and I would love to meet her in person
26. FAVOURITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Gymnastics, cheerleading, and very little else

27. HAIR COLOUR?
Dark blonde with lighter blonde highlights

28. EYE COLOUR?
brown eyed girl baby

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
nope, can't stick my finger in my eyeball, gross

30. FAVOURITE FOOD?
tough question...I like so much stuff! crab cakes and aoli dip

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
scary scary! so hard to find a good one these days though

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
I am sam, tears and i don't cry at movies. I had to buy this one!

33. WHAT COLOUR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
white with pink butterflies on it

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
summer, but not in alberta cuz it only lasts for five minutes

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
depends on who's giving them to me

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
not sure

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
.................

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Rich Dad, Poor Dad

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
baby slobber, Vaughn loves chewing it

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
I can't even remember when I watched t.v. last period.

42. FAVOURITE SOUND?
kids laughing with one another or them saying i love yous at night
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Sshe said yeah yeah yeah, I love the beatles

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
I don't know because I am geographically challenged. I think maybe Cuba or Dominican

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I think I am a good cook but please don't ask my kids lol!

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Brooks, Alberta

47. WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE?
to be able to go back in time like superman to save people

I am going to tag Jeani.
whew!
I had fun this weekend Renee. I may be up to see you friday to scrap one last time before you go.

I'm going to miss you:(
okay, off to go check you gals out

Remember when...

2007-06-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

side a of the cards

side b

i know this pic is blurry but it basically says the same thing as my post does

yep, this one is a bit blurry too but maybe that is a good thing lol!
here are my last seven art cards. Thank goodness Morgan doesn't read my blog or this would probably swell his head. When I saw Emily's post, I immediately thought of the Alan Jackson song, Remember when. I couldn't find it to upload so i uploaded lightning crashes, the first song Morgan and I ever danced to in 1994.
I know our relationship is crazy, (be quiet peanut gallery) but I do have to say that we are giving an honest effort to do what is best for our kids. We all had dinner out yesterday before Kian's soccer game and we both bathed the kids and tucked them in for the night. We have our moments of crazy but moments like last night I want to remember and sometimes I do..."remember when". anyhoooo, enough with the sappiness!
I am almost done painting my deck. Note: if you ever buy a house, make sure all the landscaping etc is done or that you have friends who are hands on! I am doing all this crap with almost no help and when I do get a hand it is a quick and fleeting moment.Hey Todd, time management is an issue but please for the love of GOD, can ya work on that? Ya do good work when ya show up to work!
I can't wait to post some before and after pics! I visited almost everyone's blog today and sorry if I missed anyone.
I am going to back away from the computer to paint while the babes are having a nap. Thanks for everyone's kind words about Albums from the attic For you local gals, I have a bunch of great new product that arrived yesterday including Basic grey's precision files set, 7 gypsies book knobs, gem brads and maya road stash. I am building an ark to hock my wares from this weekend's farmers market. I hope you can make it Noah! After, there is an impromptu scrap session at my joint Saturday at 3- til whenever you fall asleep! See ya there.

updates, good friends, good things

2007-06-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

Whew! I have a whole lot of updates! First off a big thanks to you amazing gals!
My layout was chosen as one of the favorites so thanks to those of you who chose mine! I am honored to be part of your success. I met some great new friends especially Kelly, when I was in Whitecourt for Renee's going away party.

Grande Prairie is far...but not that far so make sure you keep the spare room open for me!

what is this? This is the sign for my booth at the Farmer's Market. Look here to see what I'm up to. Although I love all my non-Canadian gals, you have amazing supplies at your fingertips. So, I had to even the score for the Canadian artists...I opened a scrapbooking business! I am offering classes and supplies until I can get a leasehold space ready for the stampede of shoppers.There were a few bumps in the road but I am committed to following through with this goal I have set for myself. After classes run, there will be a limited number of kits complete with supplies and detailed instructions,for sale.
I am looking forward to this new adventure. Once the store is ready I will be looking for local talent to teach classes,design projects, and a DT team. I love some of the USA gals who totally rawk the creativity, so there may be an email in your inbox asking for your amazing presence in way of a project idea.
With the business that this brings, I may be out of blog land but I promise to check up as often as possible and see what you are creating. Thanks to you girls who supported me thus far, you know who you are and I love you bunches!
Off I go to price the giant boxes of product...Maya Road, 7 Gypsies, Urban Lily, Hambly....and much more not offered at the LSS. See you at the market!

i am in yard work hell....

2007-06-04T18:26:00.001-07:00

Here is a catch up on the mundane. I have so much yard work to do before the first weekend in July that i want to hide under a dirt pile and rot with the wormies! It is looking sooo pretty. Hey mom, I planted some real live plants and everything!!! So boring yes but here are some after and during shots.

this is the front walk so far, I have another flower bed to plant but I thought I would forgo the heatstroke and save it for a cooler afternoon.My grass is all dead because the crazy people who designed the house had the downspout draining there and across the walkway so you have to walk overtop of it...WHY???Why?? So now, see that pretty tree? It hides the downspout from view and it drains there and out onto the sidewalk, no tripping. TOAD_ you are a god with a little "g".

and of course...we have the camera you-know-what. This gal never misses a photo op. I am signing her up for modelling at CMAC where I modeled. She is a natural!
Also- health update: my problems with the tumor/cyst that I had are still giving me trouble and the bloodwork came back and i am on yet another round of drugs. Good news they say, I have an appointment with the specialist in August/ September unless something more serious comes up and they have to bump me...I am like what the dum@ fruck? (thanks Emmerson) Hmmm...I am sitting there thinking gee haven't I waited for 6 months to get the appointment, I have to wait 3 months to attend the appointment but they may bump me???? I am also waiting for my "second opinion" appointment. Okay, so thanks for the appointment I hope the tumor isn't something that's gonna kill me cuz I kinda am a single mom of four. 17 prescriptions for my so called "bladder" infection since Vaughn was born. I'm no doctor but hey if ya don't know, say "i don't know" and find someone who does!
Moving along.
Remember this pic?

okay, I can't find the original, i think Jess may have posted it on her blog. I scanned it, printed it twice the size in black and white then cut out my eye, lips etc on some basic grey paper. I used punches, Heidi rub on words etc and came up with this cool layout. STOP reading and pat me on the back cuz I may be a contender for some free goodies! I seriously got up at 7 am and worked on this until it was done.The arrow is pointing to the word breathe but you can't see it well from this pic. Stacy and jess saw it in real life and maybe they were being nice but I did the little dance just for my bad self! Thanks for the inspiration gal cuz you rock! I also got this idea from an ad, I think it was tampax! Ha ha. You know you're a scrap booker when you notice the ad design and not what they are advertising! We are a sad little bunch, but who cares I am inspired. Also- I am planning the schnizel of birthday parties for my daughter in the back yard so off I go for yes, more yardwork. Tomorrow I am going to visit blog sistas and see what you gals have been up to. And hey lady, I am workin on something just for you-get your camera out cuz it's pee your pants funny!

2007-05-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

I have been Mia! Sorry, i try to dish out my blog love yesterday and I will finish the rest today. I want to catch up on everyone cuz I miss you gals. I have been creative for the last night or two and I am suffering from lack of sleep. I did this layout of my daughter and though it's simple- I LOVE how it turned out!

This is a clock I made from a little AYTR inspiration. it reads "She always made to dream". It is hanging in my scrapbook room.

Here are my dusty old art cards that i haven't posted. I am almost caught up and will try posting them weekly. I am on this big organization-time management thing.

Here is the other side.

Okay Kim, a big thanks for tagging me.
The game is SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks! Here are the rules: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following. They MUST be real places, names, things...NOTHING made up! If you can't think of anything, skip it. Try to use different answers if the person before you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.

Your Name: Tannis
1. Famous Singer/Band: Tanya Tucker- also how I got my name which is really "TANYA"!
2. 4 letter word: time
3. Street: Taylor Drive
4. Color: teal
5. Gifts/Presents: tiara-with diamonds please!
6. Vehicle: toyota tercel
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: t-shirt
8. Boy Name: Tim
9. Girl Name: Taylor
10. Movie Title: The lake House (the counts as a word right?)
11. Drink: tequila!
12. Occupation:tulip
14. Celebrity: Tim McGraw-yummy!
15. Magazine: Time
16. U.S. City: Topanga
17. Pro Sports Teams: are you kidding me? Toronto Blue jays
18. Fruit: Tomato
19. Reason for Being Late for Work: Toe broken- but the high heels were pretty!
20. Something You Throw Away: trash ha ha- hey kim: Ketchup bottle after it's empty
21. Things You Shout: TIM! TIM! OMG! IT's TIM MCGRAW!
22. Cartoon Character: Timmy Turner

I am not sure who has been tagged on this yet so I am going to tag Sarah, Amber and Bethany. Now I am getting away from the computer. I have to go to the doctor. Don't you love how they call you up and say come in we have news but they wont tell ya? If it's bad, why do I want to drag my butt down there with four kids in tow, and then drive home being a complete wreck! Wouldn't it be safer to tell me the bad crap so i can be at home feeling miserable rather than sitting in a parking lot composing myself wondering if I will make it home without having a meltdown? Anyway, I love the stuff you gals have been pumping out and today is the new word at OLW so check it out!

Long weekend wasn't long enough

2007-05-20T18:12:00.000-07:00

Renee and Stacy

this is a teeny sneak peek at my circle journal that is heading your way Chanel

this is our sad face cuz we had to say bye bye to Renee
I vowed to meet all the amazing gals I know from blog land and......RENEE MCDOUGALL is the first supestaaaaa I am shouting out to! She came and scrap booked with us Red Deer girlios! Stacy and Kim came over and we got all jacked up on pepsi!!!! I really have to lay off this stuff. It's all good for the first 20 minutes until the caffeine headache sets in.
We had our mojo going until about 3 in the morning when we finally had to shut it down! We were kinda tired.
Well...the long weekend isn't over and as promised Renee, I never posted the pic of you and jess. jessi was sick so she didn't get in on this scrap book action. Check you gals later.