So I guess I have a Blog

Balance

2010-04-02T15:28:00.001-04:00

Why do "we" as people, so often forget to appreciate the things we have in our lives, big and small? It seems that life and it's lessons are certainly not on a linear path(I guess this should be obvious??). Lessons keep needing to be relearned. Things always go in cycles. I am constantly amazed by life(all of what it entails) and the dichotomy of it, how it is all so simple, yet mind-blowingly complex. I think that ultimately, everything comes down to balance, yin and yang sort of thing etc., from the most complex to the most base. I think it is the answer to every problem in some way. The trouble is, it seems, that things can always, and at any time go out of balance fairly simply.

This, makes me wonder if wisdom is really just about getting better at re-aligning when things go off course. Can we ever really get to a place where we are always balanced, or don't often need re-learning of seemingly the most basic of life's lessons? Can a person get to this point in a lifetime? I wonder if anyone really gets to a point where they always remember to use every moment in a way that they are proud of, in a way that if given the chance, they wouldn't change or take back. I wonder all of this because I get frustrated with myself when I feel like I have slipped backwards or regressed in ways that seem to happen over and over again. Like, for instance, I have a really hard time through the winter...every winter. Every fall I think I am prepared and in a "good" place. Then slowly weird winter me creeps in and I don't even realize the moment when this happens or really that it even happens until Spring comes and I feel so good. Then I'm like hey, I haven't been good. A part of my consciousness seems to hibernate in the winter. Just checks out.

Anyway, I am so thankful right now for the sunshine and how nice it feels to have it on my skin again, how lovely it is to hear the birds chirping all around me, how romantic and light it feels having the windows open in the house and the warm breeze pouring through the house. I have been really letting the moment sink in again. I forgot what that felt like for a little while. Like usual. But you know what all of this contemplation brings me back to? Balance. In everything. I wouldn't appreciate this sun nearly as much and the sound of those chirping birds so much, if I didn't have the long, cold winter every year. See....balance.

Here's a picture of Ella from yesterday:

Also, this is my favourite song of the moment, "Be Okay" by Ingrid Michaelson. I'm not sure why I have never heard of her before. I got one of her albums last week and I am totally loving the whole thing.

Happy Easter long weekend!!!!

~Tricia

New products in my shop!!!

2010-03-29T09:55:00.000-04:00

I am really excited about my newest kit that I added to my Etsy shop today, flag banners!!! Ya, I have been seeing them everywhere and I just had to make my own. I really like how they turned out and I already made a layout using one of the banners.

Here is the kit preview:

And here is my layout that I made with one of the banners, which also happens to be another ScrapMuse layout with my March kit. This layout is about Ella and some of the things that are unique to her right now. Everything is from the kit and the add-on except for the black cardstock, the black acrylic paint, the bling, the embossing powder, the sequins and the brass wire, which are from my stash. The pps are all MME.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

~Tricia

Dentistry@Arnprior and BEST find ever at Buck or Two!!!!!

2010-03-26T14:54:00.004-04:00

I brought both my kids to the dentist for the first time, this morning. Contrary to what I expected to happen, Owen was quite comfortable with going in and the whole process where Ella was much more fearful and had to be coaxed into every little thing. Owen even went into the room by himself with the hygienist. Ella was completely fine until it was her turn, at which point she stopped dead in front of the door and just said "no". SHe wasn't angry or screaming or lashing out. Just saying no. SHe said it probably 4-5 more times following that, before we were able to talk her into the room. Then we had to talk her into the chair. The we had to talk her into agreeing to have the chair move up and down and back and forth. It went on like this for every single part. When it came time to us "asking" her if the dentist could come in and see her now, she was ready to burst into tears. I reassured her and she allowed him to come in. He was very sweet and gentle with her and she liked him right away, so that was great. He told us that he has 2 little girls, one, Ella's age almost exactly. Anyway, we got over this hurdle which is a big relief. Especially since the dentist said that they both have very healthy mouths.

After the dentist appointment, I obviously had to go to the Buck or Two that is in the same mall. SO glad I did, because I found the best find EVER! A bunch of 8x8" Cosmo Cricket paper pads for, wait for it............., you won't believe it! $1.00 each. I bought 7, 1 each of 6 different packs and a second "Hello Sunshine" pack, cause I love it. I'm kind of thinking I should have bought them all for gifts and RAKs and such, even just for paper for the kids, or loot bags. Whatever, $1.o0. I am SO going back and buying them all. There were probably like 40 there. Hopefully no Arnprior ladies read this post before I get a chance to get back there. Anyway, here they are in all their glory....and please feel free to leave any and all comments about how jealous you are and how lucky I am below! Hehehe.

Happy Weekend!

~Tricia

Pictures and Layouts to Share

2010-03-25T11:24:00.003-04:00

First off, I will share the last of my March ScrapMuse projects.

This first layout is called, It is the little things that matter the most, and I created this one for our theme at ScrapMuse this month. Every month, one of our layouts has to be based on the theme that we have picked. This month the theme was the title "It's the Little Things". I learned how to make the spiral flowers on this layout by following Chiqui's instructions in this month's newsletter. Her article this month is on how to make a variety of awesome easy flowers. Everything on this layout is from the March kit and add-on, but the white cardstock is from my own stash.

This next project was super easy. It literally took me 5 minutes to put together and it features a couple more of Chiqui's flowers. I found this 5x7 frame at Dollarama for $1.50!!!!!! Crazy eh? All of the pps are from the March ScrapMuse kit, Spring Has Sprung.

This next one is a layout about Ella playing at the park last week. She can finally climb up the tire ladder at the park which is pretty momentous for her and I both. Now I can do a lot more relaxing when I am at the park!! Yay, they actually grow up! Everything on this layout is from March's kit and add-on, except for the little bits of black, white and orangey-red cardstock, which are from my stash.

And my final layout to share is of Owen, called Mr. Personality. The last few months he has taken on quite the comedic flair. He loves to make us laugh any chance he gets and I thought these pictures really picked up on his personality. All of the pps and tags are from this month's kit. I added the 2 red brads and the white cardstock from my own stash and the chipboard letters are actually from the December kit.

Now for some pictures:

Here's another of Ella at the park that day, looking pretty proud overlooking the park from her perch.

Funny one of Owen looking mildly distressed:

Ella telling stories instead of eating her lunch. In case anyone is wondering what the gross looking blob of food is, it is tuna salad. The kids like it straight up, without bread. I'm not going to argue, straight protein without the carbs, done.

I caught this cool pic of Ella looking out the back door and you can see her reflection so clearly....I definitely see a scrapbook page out of this one:

Ella cranky on a time out:

Sitting on Daddy later that day, seconds after she farted on him. HAHA!

My wackadoodle children trying to get a laugh as usual, it worked. Excuse the HEAPS of laundry in the background...guilty:

That's about all for now on the homefront here, just been enjoying the chance to be outside again. We have been spending every spare moment outside. This week is a little cooler than last, but still dealable.

Oh and before I forget, I wanted to say that you should all check out the March Newsletter from ScrapMuse this month. I think it's the best one since I started with them.

There are articles on 10 uses for baker's twine, Chiqui's handmade flowers, ways to use your old deco-edge scissors, using bleach on your paper, how to host a crop and much much more.

Check it out. DO IT! Lol.

Have a great day, it's almost the weekend! YAY!!!

~Tricia

Thank you Spring!

2010-03-16T11:42:00.002-04:00

I cannot believe how fast and furious Spring has come on around these parts this year. Spring is not joking around. Almost ALL of our snow is gone, today it is supposed to reach a high of 16 degrees celcius, which is unheard of for this time of year. Anyway, it's a perfect week for March Break and we have been spending every spare minute outside. Plus we got to put the clocks ahead an hour this weekend, which sucks to lose an hour, but is amazing, because we have another hour of sunshine every day!!!!! I can't begin to tell you all how happy this makes me. We have been barbequing up a storm and cleaning up our disgusting yard. We don't pick up the dog poop over the winter, so there is a LOT, I mean a LOT of poop on our lawn come Spring.

Here are some photos of Owen and Ella making the best of the weather and going at it on their bikes.

Ella dare devil-ing it up:

Owen biking like a mad-man:

Well that's it for now, have a great day and hopefully if you have weather as lovely as us, then you get a chance to go out and enjoy it!

~Tricia

More "Spring Has Sprung" March ScrapMuse Layouts

2010-03-15T23:18:00.002-04:00

I have 2 more layouts to share from this month's delicious kit from ScrapMuse, appropriately called "Spring Has Sprung". It features beautifully coordinating papers from My Mind's Eye and Scribble Scrabble, which are perfect for so many themes. It works great for Spring, Summer or Fall layouts and can be used to create both feminine and masculine layouts. That is always a plus for me, because of the versatility.

As soon as I saw some of the colours in this kit, I knew they would be perfect for scrapping some of my vacation photos. I managed to ram 6 pictures onto this layout, which might actually be a first for me. This layout is a collection of some of the photos of the resort, to try to capture some of the magic that I felt when I was there. Here it is, called: My Time in Paradise.

The next layout, I knew I wanted to do something with this photo as soon as I saw the adorable umbrella pattern paper by MME. I love the look on Owen's face in this photo. This photo managed to capture the look of pure joy and surprise on his face as well as immense downpour of rain that happened spontaneously, you can tell by his shirt, how immediately this happened. I just so happened to be taking pictures at the time. Yay!!! I wanted to do something fun so I didn't think about this layout much, I just kind of put it together. Which is a fun, no pressure way to scrap. Kind of similar to the feeling of doing arts and crafts when you were really little. This one is called: Too Bad it Didn't Rain Umbrellas!:

Have a great week, I will be making a real attempt to keep up with my blog more regularly from now on. It is good for me, I find. It is another way to feel connected, if you know what I mean?

~Tricia

ScrapMuse layout to share!!! Finally!

2010-03-12T21:34:00.002-05:00

So I wanted to share my first layout with you that I created using this month’s kit. The kit is full of wonderfully delicious colours that mix so well together and are perfect for scrapping Spring and Summer layouts.

My layout is called “you are sooo CUTE as a GIRL”. I thought the papers worked really well with this picture of my husband from when he was little. His older sister and her friends enjoyed dressing him up, and he let them, although I think that he was under duress.

This layout was simple and quick to put together. I did a lot of edge distressing and some doodling.

Have a great weekend!

~Tricia

Beach Wedding Album

2010-03-11T12:02:00.006-05:00

This is the beach that got to hang out on last month with my best friends.

FUN! FUN!! FUN!!!

I wanted to share what I have done so far of Steph's (my dear friend who was married in Mexico last month) wedding album that I am doing for her. After thinking a lot about it, and asking Steph what she would prefer, I decided to do the album digitally. Once I am finished and I have the order all sorted out, I will order it as a hardcover book online.

Paper is a more meaningful expression for me, as opposed to digital, but there are several reasons why I thought it would be more appropriate to do it this way. The top of the list for me is the fact that the finished album will fold flat and the pages will not be covered in plastic, which I think will all result in a nicer finished product.

Anyway, I am having a lot of fun creating the pages for this album. I still want to maybe add some more journaling to some of the 'finished" pages. I will have to talk to Steph for ideas.

Do any of you have any comments, suggestions, ideas for my pages so far or for any that I still have to do? Can any of you share some wedding pages that you have done? I have lots of pages to go and need ideas! I would appreciate if any of you share links to your work.

That's it for now, have a great day!!

~Tricia

March ScrapMuse Preview

2010-03-03T13:54:00.002-05:00

It’s March and that means everyone gets a look at the March Kit from ScrapMuse! These colors are perfect for all of us who are anxiously awaiting spring. If you’re a member of ScrapMuse, you will automatically receive this beautiful kit titled “Spring Has Sprung!”. Otherwise, head over to the ScrapMuse Store where you can purchase one. All kits ship on the 15th of the month.

This kit contains NEW paper from Scribble Scrabble and My Minds Eye, not to mention all the embellishments that Missy packs into a kit. The full list of contents is below.

Kit Contains the following:

Paper:

Scribble Scrabble – Nanas Trunk – No. 351

Scribble Scrabble – Nanas Trunk – No. 352

Scribble Scrabble – Nanas Trunk – No. 353

Scribble Scrabble – Nanas Trunk – No. 354

Scribble Scrabble – Nanas Trunk – No. 355

Scribble Scrabble – Nanas Trunk – No. 356

MME- Jack and Jill – Favor ite Thing Colorful Umbrella

MME – Jack and Jill – Favorite Thing Bright Argyle

MME – Jack and Jill – Sweet Thing Yummy Stripe

MME – Jack and Jill – Life is Good Serene Spots

MME – Jack and Jill – Cute Beautiful Blooms

MME – Life Stories – Frequency Grid

Embellishments:

MME – Jack and Jill – Cute Title

MME – Jack and Jill – Cute Alphabet

MME – Jack and Jill – How Sweet it is Journaling Card

MME – Life Stories – Accessory Sheet #1

Endofthedaycrafting(Etsy) – Baker’s Twine Blue (2 feet)

Endofthedaycrafting(Etsy) – Baker’s Twine Red (2 feet)

Basic Grey – Nook and Pantry – Buttons (assorted)

Prima Marking – Daisy Dreams – Lagoon (1/2 package)

May Arts – Velvet Cordoroy – Aqua (1 yard)

October Afternoon – Mini Market Alphabet Stickers – Very Merry Teal and Black

ScrapMuse – Kraft Tags (4)

JujaCrafts(Etsy) – Organza Flowers (2)

Candy Bar

Have a great day!

~Tricia

2010-03-02T15:00:00.000-05:00

I have loads to share right now, but it will have to wait until later today, but I just came across this video and I wanted to share it right away. It is incredible and inspiring.

Thoughts?

I will check back in later to update about my trip to Mexico with photos.

Have a great day! It's sunny here today!! YAY!

~Tricia

Winners of DigiCuts Designs Valentine's Contest

2010-02-08T00:46:00.004-05:00

Yay!!! SO 57 people were in the drawing for this contest and I selected 3 winners. Thank you so much to everyone who became a follower or who joined the DigiCuts Designs page. I didn't think that there would be nearly as much interest, so I am very excited. I will probably hold another contest in a while. I also decided that as a thank you to everyone else who didn't win the Valentine's Kit, who did participate in this contest, I will give you 50% off of whatever you would like in my store, from now until the end of February. Just Etsy convo me if you want to place an order and I will make you a custom order that reflects the discount. Thank you so so much for participating, I totally appreciate all of the interest and the feedback that I have received.

SO....the winners(chosen by random number generator, see below):

#17 Ruth Tacoma....who is my design teammate at ScrapMuse, YAY Ruth!
#18 Suzette Brady Brasel
#48 Julie Harris

Congratulations ladies, I will need your email addresses so I can send you your kits. Also, I would totally love to see what you create with your kits if you use them. i will share them here if you send me photos.

Have a great week!

~Tricia

DigiCuts Designs Contest!!!

2010-02-05T09:41:00.005-05:00

From now until Sunday at midnight, anyone who becomes a fan of my Facebook page , or who becomes a follower of my blog will be entered into a draw to win 1 of 3 of the Valentine's bundle from my Etsy shop.

It is a big kit which includes both .jpeg and .svg files.
The bundle includes:

5 shapes
4 Word... Art files
3 Frames/Journaling spots
7 borders

The winners will be chosen by random selection, with a random selection generator. I will announce the winners here and on my blog. Hope everyone gets a chance to play along!!!

Have a great weekend!

~Tricia

My Valentine

2010-02-04T11:54:00.002-05:00

SO I just made a layout using my Valentine's Day Kit that I made for my Etsy shop and I love how it turned out. I made it instead of a card for David. I have to think of something else to do for him since I will be away in Mexico with my friends on Valentine's day. I still can't believe that he agreed to be responsible for the kids for an entire week. I am leaving next Thursday, one week left. I still haven't done any shopping. Speaking of which, does anyone in Ottawa have an idea of where to find an inexpensive, wide-brimmed hat this time of year???? I am a little nervous that I am going to fry up in two seconds flat in the sun there.

Anyway, here is my layout. Everything is cut from the kit except for the flower, the chipboard circle and the background:

Have a great day!

Tricia

Valentine's SVG Kit and Thank yous!

2010-02-02T10:31:00.004-05:00

First I just wanted to thank everyone who shared their kind words of comfort and encouragement with me in regards to my last post. Reading people's responses actually made me feel much better. Sometimes all you need is to feel understood and not alone. I am even starting to feel less sick and starting to get some energy back. Thank goodness.

Now that I'm starting to feel more like myself again, I am going to try to work on my Etsy shop more. I really love doing it and everytime I get a sale I feel like a giddy little child, like someone actually bought something from me!!!! AMAZING!

Yesterday I got a bunch of Valentine's stuff done that I am selling as four different kits or as one big bundle. Here it is:

I'm thinking about doing some other digital elements, like overlays for photos, masks and maybe some other digital stuff that can wither be printed up and cut out or used for digital scrapbooking. I will see. It usually all depends on my mood.

OH and I have an exciting little tidbit to share: one of my layouts from my December ScrapMuse kit was requested by Scrapbooking.com for this month's issue of their online magazine. They also included my article on how to rebuild the page. If you're interested, here's the LINK!

Have a great day!!!

~Tricia

WARNING: melancholy post

2010-01-25T11:33:00.003-05:00

I will first say that I am alright and that this is just a blip on the radar screen. I have tried to make an effort to be mostly positive on my blog, but after much thought I realize that I started this blog as a way to express myself, to put things out into the universe, to get things off of my chest. So no more rules about positivity. This is my life, and it's not all good. I am sad and not coping well lately. I feel lonely and confused and resentful of people in my life, mainly my family. This is another reason that I didn't want to gripe about family issues here, to respect their privacy. But, I'm kind of over it.

Over the last few years, since just before my first pregnancy, my life has been an emotional roller coaster with my family. The long and short of it is that after several years of feeling like my relationship with my mother was unhealthy at best, I decided that I couldn't be a part of it anymore. After August of 2009, I haven't communicated with my mother. I don't even really have words to describe how difficult and confusing the process has been. I am up and down and all over the place about it. It is a strange grieving process when the person is still around. It is even more complicated due to the fact that I have kids that still want to see her. Harder, still, because Owen thinks that it is because of me that they don't see her. He thinks I am keeping them from her. I don't want to correct him because then they will be even more confused as to why? My mom has seen my kids 2 times since August. Two times. She lives 25 minutes away.

It has been so difficult the disillusionment that came from having two beautiful kids and having a picture of what the family situation would be like and coming to terms with the reality of that picture being so vastly different than what I had imagined. My kids hardly ever see any of their grandparents and it really, really hurts. I realize that this probably affects me more than it does them. I am trying so hard to be okay with the reality. I am a dreamer and a romantic and this is the story of my life. My pictures are always too glossy and vibrant and I always seem to make the process more difficult in letting the real "picture" come in. I fight it the whole way. I am always trying to teach myself to not have expectations, even of myself. I can never even live up to my expectations, I am always letting myself down. But still those expectations fight their way in.

My situation with my father has also gone down the tubes, with my aunt, with some cousins. The problem is, that I have grown to learn that our lives are a reflection of exactly what we have created, what we feel safe with, what we are asking for. People in our lives just line up and give you exactly what you are asking for from them on a subconscious level. Now I need to figure out what I really want, what I would like to feel comfortable with.

My heart hurts right now and I felt like I needed to put that out there.

Does anyone else reading this have any advice re: family messiness? Have you been through something similar? What did you do to make it through the hurt?

I’m a very grateful and appreciative WHINER

2010-01-07T13:36:00.020-05:00

Confused? Yah, me too. Just kidding, I have been sick lately and absolutely tired. Haven't recovered yet from the holidays. I managed to get myself pretty stressed out despite making a lot of effort to simplify the season for our fam. Anyway, I have been feeling sick for a God-awful amount of time now and so I can't help but be a bit complainy. I do have to stress however how much I realize how blessed I am in the big picture, and I remain grateful and appreciative of everything I have in my life right now, hence the bizarre post title.

the "crew":

One major reason to be grateful right now, is my trip to Peurto Vallerta, Mexico with my best girlfriends for one of our "crew"'s wedding. I am very much looking forward to it and I think it will be the beginning of a fantastic chapter in my life and this new year. I just turned 30 about a week and a half ago and I am really certain that it will only get better from here. I think this is going to be a huge year for me on a personal growth level and I am so ready for it. I am stressing a little ( a lot) about being away from my kids and David for that long and the likelyhood of some homesickness. I am also terrified of airplanes and have not been on or around one since 2000. Actually. It was the trip that did me in. Australia. Enough said. Love the country, absolutely stunning, just loathed getting there and back. What I especially loathed, was the fact that not only did we have to take like 4 flights to get to the place, we flew all over the frigging place once we were there. I think I remember taking something like 50 take offs and landings in the month that we travelled. No biggy...if you don't, like, really truly believe that you're going to die every single time you happen to take off or land in a plane. You guessed it...I really truly believe that I'm going to die every single time I happen to take off or land in a plane. Yup, that's me, I'm that girl. The good thing is that it dulls down to a somewhat bearable general sense of dread once we are in the air, but the anxiety doesn't go away because I know about the whole landing thing that is inevitably going to happen. None of this would even be that bad if it weren't for the fact that the low-grade terror keeps me from being able to get out of my seat(even to go to the bathroom, I just don't go), or sleep, or look out the window(it's just so unnattural for this huge machine filled with hundreds of people to be gliding and propelling its way through the air, tens of thousands feet above the ground).

Then there was the "incident" that occured mid-flight over the Pacific, going the opposite way of the sun for the entire flight (ie, pitch blackness the entire time) on our way to Australia. It was an incident that both completely solidified my loathe for flight and proved my ineptness in the face of crisis in one fell swoop that came in the form of a man collapsing. Let me set the stage first, I was actually the only person around me that I could see that was awake for miles on the plane. I was miserable, exhausted, and watching "Ninth Gate" of all things (a horror movie), when all of a sudden I notice a rustling behind the sheet that acts like a second smell barrier(I'm assuming) that is in front of the bathroom door. Suddenly a man falls through the curtain, BAM, flat onto the floor on his face. Doesn't move. Nor do I. It was probably only a few seconds, but it seemed like an eternity that I sat there in sheer terror, paralyzed with fear, both because of the shock and the watching of a horror movie, staring at the man which I believed to be a corpse, at this point. It was then, that rather than get up to help the man(because I was scared he was dead), I clamoured for the attendent buzzer and started whisper yelling "help please!!!!" "help!!!" while frantically pressing said buzzer. They came pretty quickly and it turned out that he had just passed out. Anyway, it was a miserable little lesson that told me that I need to get a hold of myself in crisis. Yikes! HA!

One thing I do have to say is that because my step mom travels a lot, she was at the time a part of the AIR Canada VIP lounge, so we got to travel going to all of the lounges in every airport. Lots of free food, booze, showers, comfortable places to relax, games at some of them. It was awesome and honestly made the whole thing so much more bearable for me.

Anyway, this time I am hoping to get a prescription for something...maybe horse tranquilizers?

Okay so, gazillions of pics and stuff to share:

LO of the fam jam on the beach on Owen's bday:

Boxing Day at my Dad's and Step Mom's:

A blur of hussle:

Christmas Day at my sister in law', David is the freak with his toque on in the background, kinda cute though, because the toque he refused to take off was his new John Deere toque from Owen and Ella:

Christmas morning, 5:30, ungodly:

Cards I made for Christmas:

Christmas Eve, we watched Elf:

December 23, my sister and her bf Alex came over for our Christmas celebration, the kids had so much fun opening the awesome gifts that their Auntie got for them:

After dinner, it was Monopoly time, I was the bully fish that kept cornering everyone's pieces.

Getting pretty serious

Yay, playing outside:

Recent lo:

My birthday dinner, my sister and I:

Then out to a comedy club after, can't explain everyone's weird faces:

Bathtime:

Steph's wedding shower:

My best friends:

Card I made for Steph and David:

Ornaments that I made for Owen's teacher and the kid's babysitter:

Christmas pageant:

Tree Farm:

David lugging our HUUUUGE tree inside:

A little poster I made for my Dad to advertise his jam group on Kijiji:

So finally that's done for sharing old pictures, I have many more new ones and some ScrapMuse stuff to share, but it will have to wait, I am tired now.

Good night!

~Tricia

2010....Tricia 2.0...a list of new intentions

2010-01-07T11:54:00.002-05:00

Start not sucking at emails. When I read it, respond to it. Don't read it if I don't have the time to respond.
Do what I say I am going to do and more importantly don't say I will do something that I can't.
Be more realistic about what I can and cannot do.
Focus....focus.
Balance.
Work on this tired and abused body.
Work out a life schedule. Start following plans. Do not fear schedule. Stop running away from it.
Stop trying to take the easy way. It doesn't exist. Take the time to figure out the proper way, then execute.
Be patient, breath and count to 10 before acting.
Develop healthy boundaries. Build them in titanium so that they are unfaltering.
Take responsibility and accountability in my relationships.
Love my husband and pay attention to him as much as he deserves, he is golden.
Figure out a way to live my life without guilt or shame. Be true to me.
Take on the world.
Give my kids the best of me.

Happy 2010 blog world!!! I want to make 2010 and my 30^th year the best of my life so far! What are your goals?

~Tricia

New Layout, more December Daily, catch up

2009-12-08T09:56:00.009-05:00

It finally snowed here in Ottawa, Canada yesterday and with the snow came my Christmas spirit, thank goodness. It is a perfectly fitting time to share my first layout with you guys from the December kit, which also happens to be a Christmas layout. It is called In Anticipation and it is a picture of my kids and their two cousins last year waiting to open their presents.

Close-ups:

I have had such a wonderful time using this stunning kit. If you havent checked out ScrapMuse, you definitely should. They have great kits every month. I have not been disappointed.

I wanted to also share two more completed pages of my December Daily. I canèt remember now if I shared the first 2, hmmm. I think I will just re-share what I have so far.

For this part, I Cut a window through several pages in order to add embellishments with dimension, but still be able to close the book. An added benefit of this is that you get it for a few pages. I just used a craft knife to cut through the layers. The bottom right corner became sort of weak, so I reinforced it by wrapping it up with ribbon. Lots of embossing too.

I have sooooo many pictures to share from the last month or two that I have just not had the time to share. Here are just a few:

These ones are from back in November, this is a friend and her daughter, Ainslee:

Owen and his friend Wyatt, they had on the same Wolverine t-shirts.

Here's one I took on the beach on Owen's birthday:

Ella:

Owen wouldn't get off the slide:

Barney, excited to run free:

Ella, staring down an approaching neighbour, really friendly face eh?

That's better:

Black forest cake I made for David's birthday, it was deeelicious:

Grandpa and Daddy's combined birthday party:

Gingerbread house:

A current picture of our house, with windows all done, siding, fascia and soffet and new roof. Now we just need to get the steps done and the landscaping, painting the door and garage and putting up the trim around the door and we will be done all of our outside work:

Ella modeling her Christmas dress, $19 at Costco:

I also wanted to give an update about this post when back in October I had asked for some words of comfort for my dear friend, whos father was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. He passed away with his family surrounding him in the hospital on November 28. Needless to say, this will be a very difficult holiday season for my friend and her family. I am once again asking for anyone to contribute any kind words for them by leaving a comment on my blog. I will make sure any comments get passed on to her, as I did the last time. It really warmed her heart when complete strangers left comforting words for her. Sometimes, advice from someone who has been there is the best thing for you.

Sorry for the long post. Have a great day!!!

Tricia

December Scrapmuse Preview

2009-12-01T11:12:00.003-05:00

AMAZING!!! So rich and sophisticated. Perfect for Christmas layouts, but not over the top. I love this month's kit and I have absolutely adored working with it so far. So, here is a first look at this month's kit, aptly titled "Glizmas"

Here is the supply list:

Fancy Pants Designs - Christmas Magic - Good Cheer
Fancy Pants Designs -Christmas Magic - Merriest Tale
Fancy Pants Designs - Christmas Magic - Chestnuts Roasting
Pink Paislee - Mistletoe and Co - North Pole
Pink Paislee - Mistletoe and Co - Reindeer Games
Pink Paislee - Mistletoe and Co - Joyeux Noel
Pink Paislee - Mistletoe and Co - Naughty or Nice
Making Memories - Mistletoe - Flocked Snowflake
DCWV - Glitter Cardstock - Black
Bazzill - Varished Cardstock - Cream Swirl
Bazzill - Dotted Swiss - Red Scallop

Pink Paislee - Fetching - Cardstock Stickers
Scenic Route Paper Co - Capital Hill - Upper Case Chipboard Alphabet
Fancy Pants Designs - Glitter Cuts - Snowflake Oval Frame
Shimmerz - Paint - Angel Wings
Prima Marketing Inc - Raja Centers - Aqua (8)
Tim Holtz - Ideology - Film Strip (1 yard)
Maya Road - Chipboard Key Chain - Anticipation Words
Sky Blue Pink - Punchinella - Black Square (1 yard)
Sky Blue Pink - Gold Heart Key
Teresa Collins Designs - Tear Drop Crystal - Blue
fancy Pants Designs - Christmas Magic - Grosgrain Ribbon (1 yard)
candy bar

Here is the add-on this month:

Also, this month we had 6 new designers join the Specialty Design Team at ScrapMuse to work with Missy's new Specialty Kits, they are smaller than the main kit and they are a great price $25 and come with everything you need to make several pages.

Here are the Specialty kits:

"Family Times"

"School Boy"

Awesome stuff eh??? Have a great day!

~Tricia

Happy 5th Birthday Owen!!

2009-11-29T09:27:00.004-05:00

Today is our son's birthday and we decided to buy him his own Nintendo DSi. I really struggled with the decision of whether to spend this kind of money on a child. Honestly, it goes against the grain of what I feel comfortable with. My husband loves to buy the kids whatever they want for special occasions, which I do too, but I have a hard time stomaching spending that much on a 5 year old. I'm not sure that he will take proper care of it so that is mostly where my issue lies. David is not going to be the one who will always have to be like "Owen put your DS away, Owen don't put it there it will get ruined, Owen move your DS it's going to fall" That will be my job. Anyway, watching him open the present was quite a joy. Don't get to see smiles that big very often. I wanted to share some pictures right away.

So, the jury is out on whether this was a good present for a 5 year old or not. This is yet to be determined.

i dare you not to fall in love with this song. double dog dare you.

2009-11-28T11:51:00.004-05:00

I'm in love with it. Gorgeous. I know she's weird at first, she's hard to take for a lot of people. If you look past the artistic(? questionable for some) "look", this woman has talent. The kind that comes from a passion for her art. It can't be faked. The real deal. If you look past the exterior, she has an inspiring dedication to what she does.

Here are some quotes from an interview By DJ Ron Slomowicz, About.com Guide::

About having the opportunity to write for the Pussy Cat Dolls:
"There's something that's very humbling about being able to write for a powerhouse group like that. Probably the biggest influence that they've had on me is making me want to be a better writer for them."

About working with Akon:
"So it's been an incredible influence. It's like every time you work with somebody that's better that you are, you become greater."

About working with RedOne(a producer):
"I met him and he completely, one hundred and fifty thousand percent wrapped his arms around my talent, and it was like we needed to work together. He has been a pioneer for the House of Gaga and his influence on me has been tremendous. I really couldn't have done it without him. He taught me in this own way – even though he's not a writer, he's a producer – he taught me how to be a better writer, because I started to think about melodies in a different way."

On filming the video for "Just Dance":
"Oh it was so fun, it was amazing. For me it was like being on a Martin Scorsese set. I've been so low budget for so long, and to have this incredibly amazing video was really very humbling. It was really fun, but you'll see if you ever come to a video shoot of mine one day – I'm very private about those things, I don't really talk to everybody. I'm not like the party girl running around. I might even seem to be a bit of a diva. I'm sort of with myself, in my work head space worrying about costumes, and if extras look right, and placement. I don't just show up for things, you know."

On explaining something she'd been quoted on, 'I make music for the dress.'
"I mean, I don't write records and then decide what the video will look like. I instantaneously write things at the same time so it's a complete vision, the song and the visual, the way that I would perform it on the stage. It's something that all comes to me at once. So when I say I make the music for the dress, the dress is a bit of a metaphor for 'I make the music for everything,' for the entire performance vision. "

On attending high school with the Hilton sisters and whether it had an affect on her:
"They're very pretty, and very clean. Very, very clean. You know, I never saw Paris, she was older than me, and it's funny that the press always write that I went to school with the Hilton sisters, but I actually only went with Nicky. Paris, I believe, left and went to Dwight. But, you know, it's impressive to be that perfect all the time, these girls. I was always a weird girl in school, who did theatre and came to school with lots of red lipstick on or my hair perfectly curled, or whatever I was doing to get attention. It's funny as it's almost like they were there to make me aware, because so much of what I do now is that I try to twist my world into the commercial community. So I guess they've been quite an influence on me. Not them in particular, but the idea of the self-proclaimed artist."

Just wanted to share because I respect her artistically, you know?

Have a great weekend!

~Tricia

December Daily Day 1/2

2009-11-23T10:04:00.004-05:00

Last night I got two days prepared for my December Daily album.

Here they are:

I gessoed the whole background of the two pages and then I plyed around with paint. I painted red acrylic paint bordering both of the pages. While still wet and adding some water, I added a little bit of black paint around the edge to make it look more distressed. I ripped some of the paper when it was damp in the upper right corner. Something got stuck to it and then it tore the upper layer off. I love the texture that it gives the page, so I will probably be doing that on purpose from now on. Then I mixed some green and gold paint and dipped a piec of embroidery floss in it and dragged it around the page wherever you see green. I then painted the central part of each page with a gold acrylic paint. Then I painted the edges white to brighten it all up just a little bit.

Close up of glass flat backed marble (the kind you find in vases):

I cut around the marble until it fit into the page flush with the surface so that my book will close properly. Plus then you can enjoy it on many pages. I backed the marble with a little piece of graphic 45 paper, Child's play, Playtimes Past collection.

Close up of flower:

The little girl and boy faces were cut from the same G45 paper and outlined with stickles. The flower center was made from the pieces that I cut out of the book for the marble enclosure. This was another happy accident/experiment. I glued a few of the circles together, then I put a couple of rhinestones in the middle. Then I decided that I wanted a black edge so I decided to heat emboss it, so I did. Whist setting it with my heat gun, I noticed some bubbling in the rhinestones, so I thought to myself, wouldn't it be cool if I could melt the rhinestones. So I tried to/did, also resulting in a beautiful burnt paper look (and a very annoyed, paranoid husband, who hates my experimenting on the best of days, whom I woke up when the fire alarm sounded, no joke). This I will definitely be doing again, but next time I will disable the alarm first or do it under the hood fan. Please, if you are going to try this, take proper precautions and don't do it with my endorsement. I am not recommending anyone trying this.

Well that's it for now. Have a great day!

~Tricica

December Daily Numbers Cut Project

2009-11-21T21:46:00.003-05:00

I haven't added anything new to my Etsy shop in donkey's years but I just added something that I think might be of interest to some people. Earlier this week I showed you my progress so far with my December Daily album. Some people were asking me if I could make the numbers available as a project. So I have them available in my shop now. For $4, you get an actual "project file" in .scut format, which you can just open up in Sure Cuts A Lot and hit cut, easy peasy. I also included the .svg files for the shapes that are in the kit, which means that you can use those shapes for whatever you would like, again and again and again, the size limited only by your machine. The shapes are great as journaling spots or as a mat for title work, etc. etc. You can check out the listing HERE.

Mojo MIA? Four Alternative Sources for Inspiration

2009-11-18T09:30:00.003-05:00

I wanted to share my article I wrote for this month's ScrapMuse Newsletter here so here it is:

For this article, I thought that rather than share the obvious scrapbooking sources that we are all used to going to, i.e. The challenge sites, the sketch sites, perusing galleries, checking scrapbooking magazines etc., I would share with you some of the “alternative” sources that I go to when my mojo needs resuscitation.
Here are my top 4 “Alternative” Sources for Inspiration:

#1 Kuler

Kuler is a free web-based application by Adobe (http://kuler.adobe.com) that allows you to explore and create different colour schemes that can be used for any project. Any of these color “schemes” can be downloaded as well which can serve a multitude of purposes including loading them into your working color palette in Photoshop.

My favourite feature about Kuler is that you can upload your own photos and Kuler will pull colour schemes from it based on basic colour theories. Again, these “schemes” can be downloaded as swatches.

Think of the possibilities in terms of inspiration. The use of color on your layouts makes all of the difference. You can even just browse their community gallery of swatches to find unique and unexpected color combinations that you might just love.

#2 Home and Decorating Magazines

My personal favourite magazine to look through when I am in need of scrap-spiration is, believe it or not a home improvement magazine, called do it Yourself ™. I find the colors used in projects in this magazine divine. Not only that, but so many of the spreads in this magazine help inspire me with print and graphics combinations and layout design, or even ideas for unique embellishments. They also have a great blog that I like to visit as well http://www.diyideas.com/blogs/teamdiyblog/.

#3 Fashion Anything

Looking at anything to do with fashion can also be ultra inspiring as well and might just be the thing that kicks your mojo back into action; might help you dress better too(not for me L). Fashion can inspire for the same reasons as the first two sources, but for a couple of others as well. I find inspiration in the textures that you see in the variety of textiles that are used as well as the combination of textures. The other major thing that I find particularly inspiring about fashion is the way things are put together can often be replicated with paper. For example the way something is pleated, ruffled, draped or stitched, for example, can be transferred to paper. My favourite source for fashion inspiration is a site called Polyvore (http://www.polyvore.com/), where you can browse, shop and create looks created by a global community of stylists and want-to-be stylists. It is very cool and so much fun to create your own sets.

#4 Etsy

Another place that I frequent when I am fresh out of ideas is Etsy (http://www.etsy.com/). Because there are so many categories on Etsy that I would find inspiration from, my favourite way to browse Etsy for inspiration is to use their “pouncing feature”. You can have this pounce feature randomly select from shops that are undiscovered (haven’t made a sale yet) and from shops that have just made a sale. Each time you hit the pounce button, three shops come up with several of their items on display. I find that this is a great way to see a good variety of the kinds of things that are out there.

Here are some of my favourites that I found with the pounce feature. Ideas that can easily be crossed over to scrapbooking, again through colours, textures, embellishment ideas, design ideas etc.

So, why don’t you try stepping outside of your inspiration box and try out some of these or other sources for inspiration when your creativity needs some revitalizing? If you have any neat ideas for places to get inspiration that aren’t mentioned here, please share them with us in the ScrapMuse forums.

My December Daily Album...FINALLY

2009-11-18T09:08:00.003-05:00

So last year I discovered Ali Edward's December Daily concept too late, so I really REALLY wanted to get organized to do it this year. A couple of weeks ago I got all my numbers ready and last night I finally decided on an album and got started prepping it. I didn't get too far, but I got started and that's a big part of the battle.

SO here are my numbers, I created them with a combo of Photoshop and SCAL.

I decided to use an old book (my granddad's from the cottage) and alter it for my album, I love the look of altered books and this is my first one and I really love how it is shaping out so far. Here it is initially after I cut a window out of the cover:

Full view of finished cover:

Close up of the title window:

First inside page:

I think that I am going to love doing this this year and I think I am going to love having something to work on through the holidays that isn't necessarily as big a commitment as sitting down to a new project every time. If you are doing a December Daily album and are sharing it anywhere, please share with me!!!

Pure Genius

2009-11-12T16:42:00.003-05:00

AMAZING hair, makeup, costume, set design, plot, performance, wicked choreography reminiscent of Rocky Horror picture , some of the music reminds me of Eurythmics. Love this video, makes me think videos are relevant again!

November Kit and October Sketch Challenge winner!

2009-11-10T10:15:00.006-05:00

So this month's ScrapMuse kit is called Festive Harvest and this is the perfect name for it. The colours are perfect for fall pages but they suit much more than that. I was surprised as I started working with the kit how versatile the kit is. You will see what I mean once I am able to share all of my layouts from this month's kit. I made 5 layouts and a card and I still have plenty left. SO here are a couple of pictures of the kit preview:

Supplies:

Fancy Pants Designs - Trick or Treat - Haunted Mansion
Fancy Pants Designs - Trick or Treat - Candy Corn
Fancy Pants Designs - Trick or Treat - Enchanted
Little Yellow Bicycle - Autumn Bliss - Autumn Stripe
Little Yellow Bicycle - Autumn Bliss - Sweater
Jillibean Soup - Soup Staples - White Macaroni
We R Memory Keepers - Geo Hectic - Ledger
SEI - Moravia - Lisen
SEI - Moravia - Bavory
Bo Bunny Press - Gypsy - Gypsy
SEI - Cardstock - Sandalwood
SEI - Cardstock - Eiderdown
SEI - Cardstock - Stonewash

College Press - Knave of Hearts - Cardstock Stickers
DigiCut Designs - Tribal Flourish - Black
DigiCut Designs - Border Flourish - Black
Little Yellow Bicycle - Autumn Bliss - Chipboard Frames
Little Yellow Bicycle - Autumn Bliss - Brads (assorted)
Prima Marketing Inc - Pearls and Crystals - Purple/Green
Clear Snap - Smooches - Harvest Orange
We R Memory Keepers - Twirl - Grow Glitter Lace
SEI - Chalk Ink Block - Ocean Deep
JilliBean Soup - Bean Seeds - Harvest Medium (2 each style)
May Arts - White Decorative Trim (1 Yard)
Fancy Pant Designs - Orange Ball Trim (1 Yard)
candy bar

Here's a peek at one of my layouts from this month's kit:

I used paint and gesso on the background. This is SEI cardstock which is BEAUTIFUL. I love the texture and the way they are coloured(not fully solid). It reminds me of suede.

I cut the flower (3 layers) with my cricut using SCAL.

Supplies
SEI PP - Moravia - Bavory
SEI Diecut PP - Moravia - Lisen
Little Yellow Bicycle - Autumn Bliss - Chipboard Frames
Little Yellow Bicycle - Autumn Bliss - Brads
Clear Snap - Smooches - Harvest Orange
Prima Marketing Inc - Pearls and Crystals - Purple/Green
College Press - Knave of Hearts - Cardstock Stickers
Thickers - Fabric Letter Stickers - Leaf
May Arts - White Decorative Trim

Not in kit:
Paint
Brown embroidery floss
Brown pen
fern leaves

I also hosted a challenge this month using my October ScrapMuse sketch and here is the winning layout by Berta, she actually used the October kit to make this layout!

Here's the RAK that I sent Berta, some stuff from my etsy shop (flowers, mask, corner border), couple of buttons, trim, stamps and printed out instructions for how to make the flowers:

I will be hosting a challenge this month as well using my November sketch from ScrapMuse, but not until mid-month. I will be giving a RAK to the winner, probably some stuff from my shop and a few other things from my stash. Check back later for more details on that.

I will be back a little later today to share some pictures of the last few weeks since I got my baby back. Have a great day! The sun is shining here today so that is a great start in the making of a great day!

~Tricia

2009-11-08T10:48:00.003-05:00

I know it's been waaay too long since I have posted. I have so much stuff that I want to share, but I don't have time at this moment, but I DO want to share this little piece of comic gold. WARNING: you may hurt yourself laughing.

I will check back later today probably to share a gazillion photos, new work, new ideas, new kit, new lo from new kit etc. etc. I have been putting it off because I knew it would take a long time to post so don't be surprised if I post like 57 times over the next couple of days to do it in pieces.

~Tricia

ScrapMuse Design Team Call

2009-10-26T13:47:00.005-04:00

Calling all Scrappers. ScrapMuse is growing and as a result we have the need to add four additional design team members to our company to design for our two additional kit offerings each month. We are looking for motivated scrappers that can commit to daily participation in both our message board and gallery. We are looking for a variety of Scrapbooking styles.

Design Team Submission Deadline: November 15, 2009

Design Team Duties to Begin: December 1, 2009

Please Send all Submissions and Questions to: melissa@scrapmuse.com

Guidelines for Submissions:

1. ScrapMuse is an exclusive kit club. You may not design for any other kits clubs. Challenge blogs, manufacteurs websites, sketch blogs and magzines are permitted and encouraged.

2. International submissions are welcome. International design team members pay actual shipping cost minus $10.00.

3. Applicants must maintain an active blog.

4. Please submit 4 layouts. Two must be newly created for this call only. Please show us your best work. More than 4 layouts are welcome per entry.

5. Please share a link to your blog and online galleries.

6. Please answer the following questions

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? Any kids? Pets? We want to get to know you!

Are you or have you been active on another Design Team, challenge blog, sketch blog, or manufacteur website?

How would you describe your scrapbooking style?

Do you participate in any other scrapbook sites? Please share a link and your username.

How long have you been scrapbooking?

What is your favorite product?

What is your favorite candy bar?

7. Participation in our message board and gallery are encouraged and recommended during this call.

8. Currently we do not have terms for our designers. We only ask that you give us a month notice if you need to leave the team.

Design Team Duties

1. Create 4 layouts or projects each month using only the ScrapMuse kit.

2. Post your layouts to our monthly gallery on the 15th of each month.

3. Participate daily in our message board and gallery.

4. Promote ScrapMuse on your blog and other sites where allowed.

5. Create one step by step instruction for one of your layouts each month.

Designer Compensation

1. One of our new smaller kits each month to use for your designs.

2. Generous Design Team discount on additional kits and add-ons.

3. Featured on our Blog and Design Team page.

4. Additional products and freebies are occasionally sent to our Designers.

Pencillines Collaborative with the Next Step and DT Call

2009-10-26T11:51:00.006-04:00

Well yesterday was an exciting day for me!!!! PENCILLINES. The design team at The Next Step collaborated with Pencillines this week and we got to contribute a layout each using one of Anna's sketches. I can't tell you all how thrilling this last couple of months have been for me. I am amazed by what can happen when you are filled with passion and when you learn how to channel it. I am learning more and more how accessible things can be when you just r-e-a-c-h.

This scrapbooking thing has been such a blessing for me. I honestly believe that it's effect has been incredibly wide reaching in my life. I am changing because of it. It has sparked belief in myself. That alone is life changing, but it doesn't stop there.
When I was struggling after the birth of my children, and feeling more and more alone and isolated in my own mind, I fell into scrapbooking. It has helped me with anxiety problems. It helped make me feel less "broken". I was able to fully focus on it with the magic of passion and art, something that I have always had issues with(focusing, that is). I was able to prove to myself that I can stick to something. It has been a bit of a struggle to convince others of the fact it is something worth "sticking with". But that in itself has been very affirming too, because in feeling a need to justify it to people all the time, I (a) had to question why I felt the need to justify it , and (b) really reflected on just what it's merits are/have been. The biggest thing I think that I have gotten from all of this is that you have absolutely no control over what people are going to think of you, say about you, treat you. All I have control over is myself, and that is a struggle itself. What matters is having a clear view of what is important to you and the people that you love. It's you and them that you answer to at the end of the day, and mostly just yourself really. So I try to live now in a way that makes me feel good at the end of the day. IE. Have I served myself today? Have I been the person that I want to be? Have I served my children and family? Am I proud of my choices and my actions? The answer isn't always yes to all those questions, but I am also learning how to be more forgiving of myself, more tolerant, and it feels really good. Anyway, the whole point is that scrapbooking has been instrumental in helping me learn to love myself...and others.

Here is the sketch that we got to work with:

Here's Lucy's LO:

Here's Gayle's:

Here's Bethany's:

Here's Jamie's:

And mine:

Pencillines DT:

Anna

Ania

Carina

Michelle

Sue:

Tracie:

Yuko:

I also wanted to share a clip from last night's so you think you can dance Canada. It was Mia Michael's choreography for the top 10 in the finale episode. The quality of the video is not great, couldn't find anything else and the volume needs to be cranked way up, but this dance is stunning. The outfits were amazing. Check it out:

~Tricia

OH and one last thing. ScrapMuse may or may not be looking for 4 new Design Team members, deets to follow soon.

Dollarama wickedness...new finds

2009-10-23T12:04:00.005-04:00

Isn't this stuff adorable??? The journal was $2, but the bling was $1 each. I LOVE dollarama!

And a new layout to share:

A boy is Truth with dirt on it's face,
Beauty with a cut on its finger,
Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair,
and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket.
-- Author Unknown

Lots of distressing on this one. Used watered down Walnut ink around the edges. Used Gesso and glimmer mist on the background.

Have a great weekend!!!

~Tricia

Raking up Life’s Lessons

2009-10-21T15:24:00.006-04:00

We've got to try to remember to acknowledge and appreciate all the ways in which our lives are blessed. It is too easy to take things for granted. If you stay in a negative frame of mind it becomes very difficult to distinguish those ways in which we are blessed. Opportunities to be happy and grateful are always presenting themselves, it takes a positive mind and spirit to be able to harness those opportunities. I have learned the absoluteness of this lesson over and over again over the past couple of years as my life has sort of roller coastered up and down emotionally. I have also learned that it is not a simple balance. Just when you think you've got it right, things rock out of balance again and you have to edit your lessons. The important thing, I think is that they become just that, lessons and that you edit them.

One thing that I always seem to forget/discount is the effect that weather has over me (and I believe all people). It occurred to me today as I was out raking leaves and having a fire outside with my kids how happy I felt being productive and engaged outside, living life. Then I recalled how the weather turned miserable here in a hurry. I went backwards in my head through the last couple of months. I don't know about the rest of the world, but here in Ottawa, we had a really unfortunate summer. Not very good weather, lots of rain, humidity but not too much heat, very cool in fact. Then it ended abruptly and we haven't really had much good weather since. I always find the end of summer pretty difficult, still much like I did when I was a kid. It closes so many beautiful chapters here, no more outdoor swimming, no more cottage, no more playing outside until bedtime, no more hanging out outside with neighbours, the list goes on and on. Especially when it is as cold as it has been here. Anyway, we have been cooped up inside way too much. We didn't have any time to acclimatize to the frost that we already have here. So we haven't been going outside much. We've been watching more tv, more computer. At first I'm not even conscious of it because I am so unaware of the connection it has to the weather and how I keep thinking 'tomorrow's going to be nicer'. This allows for a lot less productivity, let me tell you. Then it starts to feel really blah. Today, I realized that I am feeling blah. Now I am equipped with the ability to change it. YAY! Today is a new day.

Ella's 3rd birthday is this Sunday. I am having 2 of her little friends over and her cousin. I wanted it to be peaceful and small. Ella is just thrilled with the guest list. I don't think it's her style to do BIG. We are going to do some crafts, make and take style. One of the girls on the scrapmuse board suggested lacing pages together with ribbon and having them draw on the pages and another suggested lacing beads to make necklaces. I think that that is exactly what I am going to do. I will make the beads out of pretty paper. We will also have lunch and cake. Ella has requested Strawberry Shortcake, so I hope I can find a pan. Anyone know where to get one? For the lootbags, I think I will have the kids line up and take turns "fishing" for their loot with a fishing rod with a clothespin over a sheet. That's what my parents did with me when I was younger. I think that should take up most of the time. Maybe a couple of games too.

Next month I am looking forward to an event that I have in the works. A friend of mine hosts a little group of moms and their little girls to do a "sparks" like thing. It's like girl guides for younger girls. She asked me to do a craft with the kids, there are 8 little girls. I am excited beyond belief!!! I am going to prepare kits for them to make little canvas wall hangings with their name on it and flowers that they make themselves. FUN!!!! I hope I have my camera back by then. I am SERIOUSLY missing my camera. In a way that almost hurts physically. It will be 4 weeks this Saturday. I mourn. When I went to the fair last month, as we walked up to the entrance I said "I wish I had my camera", you know what Owen says? He says "Mommy, it's better to remember it with your eyes than with your camera." WHAT?!?!?! I was near speechless, I managed to say "Owen, you are 100% absolutely right." Can you believe the insight? Kids are amazing. We totally underestimate their intuition and their deep understanding of things that we have no idea that they are aware of. Anyway, my 4 and 3/4 of a year old son taught me a lesson that day. He is right, but pictures are great too! Plus his memory already seems to be sharper and more vivid than mine, maybe I'm just imagining? I'm only 29. Not yet!!!

I have loads of layouts to share finally.

Here are all of my projects with this month's ScrapMuse Kit, Flight School:

October Sketch:

This is a lo of my sil and my sweet baby neice, Mallory.

Supplies
PPs

Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Kiss me Sweet, Floral Melody, Rockin Robin
Jillibean Soup - Lentil Soup - Ground Coriander
Making Memories - Poolside Paperie - Lattice Die-Cut

Cardstock
Core'dinations-Black Magic Amulet, Orange

Jillibean Soup - Alphabeans - Groovy Green
Sassafras Lass - Blossoms - Rascal
Gelly Roller pen: black, white
Prima Say it in Pearls- Flower Centers - Aqua & Green
Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Adage Tickets
ScrapMuse Flower
Stampin Up- Canvas Shapes

Also, you can check this month's ScrapMuse newsletter to learn how to print on your layout background without a wide-format printer.

So this tube of beef pictured in the lo, was my husband's idea of a joke one day when I sent him to get groceries. It was $20 for 15 lbs of beef and he could NOT resist the comic gold that would result from him bringing this home. I can't even share the lewd things that he joked about. I must admit he had me laughing...A LOT.

Supplies

Core'dinations - Black Magic - Amulet
Jenni Bowlin Studios - The Farmers Wife - Die-Cut Label Paper
Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Floral Melody
Jillibean Soup - Lentil Soup - Ground Coriander
Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Die-Cuts
Jillibean Soup - Alphabeans - Groovy Green
Chatterbox Inc - Fabulous - Wooden Brads
American Crafts - Glitter Buttons - Black
Jillibean Soup - Journaling Sprouts - Circle Green
Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Adage Tickets

Add-on

Chatterbox Fabulous Treasures

Not in Kit

Rub-on letters: Dollarama
Dymo Tape
White Signo
Black acrylic paint

"Sister"

Supplies

Making Memories - Just Chillin Boy - Striped Grosgrain
Jillibean Soup - Lentil Soup - Ground Coriander
Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Rockin Robin
Ranger Industry - Claudine Hellmuth - Sticky Back Canvas
Stampin Up- Canvas Shapes
Core'dinations - Black Magic - Amulet
Sassafras Lass - Blossoms - Rascal
ScrapMuse - Yellow Flowers Designed by DigiCuts Designs Etsy
Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Die-Cuts

Add-on

Chatterbox Fabulous Treasures
Prima Say it in Pearls- Flower Centers - Aqua & Green

Not in Kit

White AC cardstock
Black Zig Pen
Font: Vivaldi, cut with SCAL

What I did to the canvas

I printed the tree onto my canvas with a brush in photoshop. I then painted it with watered down blue acrylic paint and inked the edges. I also sanded the edges to rough them up a bit.

In this layout, that I used the canvas scalloped circle from the kit. SO much fun. I sanded it up a bit and then I painted it. I added some stitching and also some stickles to make a custom journaling spot to match my layout perfectly.

I also took one of the Scribble Scrabble papers and cut out the flowers that are above the photo. I cut out 3 layers per flower and used pop dots to give them dimension.

Supplies

Making Memories - Wedding - Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Jillibean Soup - Alphabet Soup - Mixed Veggies
Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Whisper Low
Core'dinations-Black Magic Amulet
White American Crafts
Jillibean Soup - Alphabeans - Groovy Green

Add-on

Chatterbox Fabulous Treasures

not in kit

blue cardstock border
red stickles
red puff paint
green acrylic paint
embroidery floss

A mini-album I made for myself. I cut out chipboard to make the pages. It includes six sections and my goals/dreams /hopes for that category.
The categories are:
Family
House
Work
Personal
Friends
Art

Supplies

Core'dinations - Black Magic - Amulet, Orange
Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Rockin Robin
Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Kiss me Sweet
Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Adage Tickets
Sassafras Lass - Blossoms - Rascal
Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Die-Cuts
Stampin Up- Canvas Shapes

This took me 20 minutes before I had to leave to go to my dad's and I remembered that I didn't have a card. EASY!

Supplies

American Crafts - Glitter Buttons - Black
Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Rockin Robin
Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Kiss me Sweet
Core'dinations - Orange
Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Die-Cuts
Chatterbox Inc - Fabulous - Wooden Brads
Prism Cardstock - Sage

Personal Work:

Here's a wall hanging I made with some frames from Dollarama. I painted them with acrylic paint and then sprayed them with a gloss finish. I used some paper from a DCWV stack that I have, All Dressed Up, and I used stuff from my September ScrapMuse kit to decorate them.

This one, I loved these pics of Ella, as I was looking at them, the title occurred to me. I always see her as some kind of little creature, a wonderful creature, so the title is perfect for how I was feeling.

All the letters were cut with SCAL.

Fonts

(some kind of) Maiandra GD
(Wonderful) MA Sexy

The pink layered flower and the flourish are cut in SCAL with my DigiCuts Designs SCAL files.

WOW!!! LONGEST post ever! Sorry guys.

~Tricia

Funny little story

2009-10-14T18:02:00.004-04:00

SO Owen and Ella are just playing little people right now and I just overheard Owen saying to Ella (he's pretending to be a man coming to Ella's house):

"Hi, my name's Owen, I mean David...can I see all your kids?"

This made me laugh a lot. Imagine if a man came to your door and said that one line. You would back away slowly and shut the door and possibly call the police.

Wanted to share.

~Tricia

Movie plans this weekend

2009-10-14T11:26:00.003-04:00

FInally a movie to fall in love with. This looks magical beyond my wildest dreams. Want to go see it this weekend.

We had a good Thanksgiving weekend here. We had two big dinners to go to, so we have mos def had our fill of turkey. I still don't have my camera back from the hospital so I have no pics to share. I am hoping to get it back within 2 weeks. I HOPE. I have missed out on all of the prime autumn photo ops. The leaves are mostly down here now and the colour has already changed from the super saturated rich reds, yellows and oranges to more brownish. SO yah, I was hoping to get some awesome pictures since I didn't have a good camera last year, what can you do? Next year. Plus I have some wicked ideas for pictures when the snow comes, which it will soon, cuz it feels like the arctic here(I'm exaggerating a bit).

I am super excited for something scrapbook related that I will be able to share in the next couple of weeks. But until then...all I can share is my excitement!!! Can you feel it?

I am also happy to say that I got in some good time with my girls this weekend. We went out for Thai dinner and then back to my friend's house for some more loud, incessant chatting and insane eating. That is what we do, what we have always done. Chat really loudly and eat really monstrously. You kind of have to get rolled home after our girl's nights. It has been that way since high school. Anyway, nothing makes me feel more grounded and connected then when I get together with these girls...minus our friend who is in Mexico, she is the missing piece of the puzzle. Our friend in Mexico is getting married this February, so we are all going down there for the wedding. I am pumped to the max about this. Except for the fact that I have a phobia of flying. I haven't been on a plane in nine years since my trip to Australia, which totally was too much for me. I have worked on my anxiety since then, so I am hoping I will fare better, but I don't know. ANyone know of any really good drugs that I could take that will help...horse tranquilizer maybe? Now to go see a farmer.

~Tricia

So I keep doing my own thing Walking tall against the rain

2009-10-11T12:27:00.003-04:00

Check this adorable version of "Run This Town" by the ps22 Chorus. I am so inspired by this video. I mean really. This man must be an amazing soul, watch how each and every one of those kids is feeling free to be exactly who they are as they sing and move. It's obviously a very tolerant environment. He seems so passionate and listen to the words.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians!!!

~Tricia

Winner of my September ScrapMuse Challenge and Guest designer

2009-10-08T12:56:00.007-04:00

This beautiful layout was submitted by one of ScrapMuse's members, Liezl

Her journaling and beautiful design wowed all of the design team members. Her layout is about one of her favorite teachers who also taugh her husband and now her daughter too. Liezl mentioned how participating in this challenge actually helped her realize how much this special teacher had affected all of their lives.

Journaling reads:

She was my Science Teacher in high school (1982). After 12 years our path crossed again in a nearby province where we both work. warm hellos and stories that bring back the old days made us close again. Even closer and deeper when we found out that my hubby happened to be her former student, too (1984). She's happy to see us – both grown-ups, successful in our chosen careers and happily married. Little did she know we're happier to see her still so passionate to teach & nurture young minds. Teaching was never a job for her. It's more of a mission… a calling! Another 12 years and she's our eldest DD's Science Teacher (2008)! Hey, how come she never gets old! She's the same Ms. D I had before. STRICT…TERROR…DISCIPLINARIAN… (you'll never wish to hear her call your name during classes) yet she's SWEET…A TRUE FRIEND… and a GOOD LISTENER (outside classroom)! Not only she taught us "how the earth moves" and "H2O means water" …but she also taught us professionalism, equality, dedication and how to love unconditionally. If we are to pass the same way again – we'll choose to undergo the same "ordeal" being under her supervision.

(Note: her name is Ms. Lerma Dimaandal fondly called Ms. D! )

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

Be sure to check out this month's challenge that Deanna is hosting. It is called Let's Grunge it up. The challenge closes October 31st at midnight EST.

You will not only be playing for a $25.00 Gift Certificate to the ScrapMuse Store supplied by Missy, but your winning layout will also be featured on our blog and website as the "layout of the month".

The design team will select the winning layout by voting for their favorite layout based on the layout itself and by following the challenge as described.

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

Also this month we have guest designer Laura Vegas joining us at ScrapMuse. Laura is on both the Making Memories Design Team and the Jillibean Soup Design Team. Her work has been published in PaperKuts, Creating Keepsakes, PaperCrafts, Scrapbooks Etc, Scrapbook Trends, Paper Trends, and Cards Magazines. Be sure to check out her blog to see wicked pictures of her work and her AMAZING workspace.

Have a great day!!!

~Tricia

LOVING this song

2009-10-07T14:38:00.002-04:00

Adorable run in at KFC, who'd of thunk it?

2009-10-07T13:51:00.003-04:00

SO I'm a little late with telling this story, but it has to be shared. This weekend, I went into town to pick up KFC(ewwww, husband and kids love it) for the fam. I went by myself. I ordered our 10 piece bucket of yuck and they promptly told me that it would be a 15 minute wait. Like OMG, I am going to wait 15 minutes for KFC of all things? But I didn't want to disappoint my hungry family so I decide to wait it out. I sat myself down in a chair and much to my happy surprise, there was a pile of papers (interview questionnaires, I think) and a few pens on the ledge beside me. I figured, if I have to wait 15 minutes, I'm sure they won't mind me stealing a piece of paper and borrowing a pen. So I started doodling. A couple of minutes later this girl strolls past me slowly, trying to check out what I was drawing. I smiled at her and she smiled back. Then she strolled by a couple more times as she worked up the courage to start chatting me up. Imagine...an adult actually sitting and doodling. I think her mind was blown. So after a few more strolls by she finally initiated conversation:

The girl: "What are you doing?"

Me: Just drawing some stuff so I don't get too bored while I wait for my dinner."

The Girl: "What are you drawing?"

Me: "Just doodling, some flowers, some birds, some words."

The girl: "Where'd you get the paper"

Me: "Right here, but I stole it, I'm sure they won't mind, but don't tell on me, do you want one"

The Girl: "Oh YES!"

Me: "Here you go."

It was so cute, she then started drawing the things that I was drawing and showing me her beautiful cursive t's as you can see in the picture. She proceeded to interview me with about a trillion questions. My heart was seriously so warmed sitting down with this little girl. She was loving it. She wanted me to eat supper with her. Anyway, when I had to leave, she asked if we could trade pictures and she signed it to my kids, which I thought was just adorable. SO I signed mine to her and off I went.

I just love it when you have these unexpected encounters with people. It always makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Just wanted to share!

~Tricia

Appeal for words of comfort and support

2009-10-05T12:14:00.001-04:00

This week, one of my best friend`s dad was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 lung cancer. Her birthday(28^th or 29^th , i forget please forgive me?) was yesterday. Not very good times. The problem is that I have no idea how to help her. This is beyond my experience. I am lost for words when I speak to her and find myself questioning her in a nervous struggle to say the right thing. Questioning her. I can't imagine she wants to answer my questions right now. So I started by making her the picture above to make an image of how I feel right now and what I want to convey. The other thing I thought of was to appeal to you guys, the blogging world and to ask if any of you could please leave her some words of support, comfort, wisdom or whatever here for her and her younger sisters and their mom. Please help.

we got some serious sunshine today!!!

2009-10-03T15:03:00.004-04:00

which obviously makes me feel super happy because the weather has been super crummy here lately, so cold, windy and dark. Blah. It was supposed to be like that all weekend too, so today was a serious gift. It looks like it's getting blah again but we had a few hours of glorious sunshiny autumn weather. It's so nice to feel the sun on your skin this time of year.

So, I get to share my first layout with this month's ScrapMuse Kit, Flight School. It is a seriously gorgeous kit. Totally not colours that I would have picked myself, but I think they're just gorgeous. I LOVE the colours.

SO here it is, aptly titled, "OMG those darn Boogies":

You can see in this layout, that I used the canvas scalloped circle from the kit. SO much fun. I sanded it up a bit and then I painted it. I added some stitching and also some stickles to make a custom journaling spot to match my layout perfectly.

I also took one of the Scribble Scrabble papers and cut out the flowers that are above the photo. I cut out 3 layers per flower and used pop dots to give them dimension.

Unfortunately the kit is already sold out again this month. BUT…Missy keeps a waiting list that you can put your name on in case there are any skips.

Check out the ScrapMuse blog for more design team first reveals. There will be more to come too.

I also got another layout done using September's kit, Called Strawberry Break:

Close-up:

I cut the strawberries and leaves with an svg cut that I created and cut them with my Cricut (using SCAL,they will be available in my etsy shop later).

I added glossy accents to all the strawberries and the letters. I painted the ribbon and the letters and the edge of the paper with red acrylic paint.

Tomorrow we are going apple picking which means we will be having some yummy desserts coming up in the next while. I can already smell apple crumble.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!!

~Tricia

ScrapMuse Kit Preview

2009-10-01T12:21:00.004-04:00

EDIT*Okay, just found out that this kit is sold out already, but if you are interested, you can put your name on a waiting list in case someone cancels.*

This kit is WICKED!!!!! I am serious. Today Missy posted the preview, so I snatched it up to share here too. Plus...if you look down in the supplies list, you will see that Missy used my Layered Rose Flower cut to make the yellow flowers in the kit this month. I don't want to give anything away, but there may or may not be another of my cuts being featured in next month's kit too...

Here's the October add-on:

Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Kiss me Sweet
Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Whisper Low
Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Rockin Robin
Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Floral Melody
Jillibean Soup - Alphabet Soup - Hot Water
Jillibean Soup - Alphabet Soup - Mixed Veggies
Jillibean Soup - Lentil Soup - Ground Coriander
Making Memories - Poolside Paperie - Lattice Die-Cut
Jenni Bowlin Studios - The Farmers Wife - Die-Cut Label Paper
Prism Cardstock - Sage
Core'dinates - Black Magic - Amulet
Core'dinates - Orange

Scribble Scrabble - Lullaby of Birdland - Die-Cuts
Jillibean Soup - Alphabeans - Groovy Green
Jillibean Soup - Journaling Sprouts - Circle Green (1/2) Package
Ranger Industry - Claudine Hellmuth - Sticky Back Canvas 8.5 x 11 (1 Sheet)
Stampin Up- Canvas Shapes (1/2 Package)
American Crafts - Glitter Buttons - Black (1/2 Package)
Sassafras Lass - Blossoms - Rascal
Tim Holtz - Idea-ology - Adage Tickets (1/4 Package)
Chatterbox Inc - Fabulous - Wooden Brads (1/3 Package)
ScrapMuse - Yellow Flowers (2) Designed by Tricia Peever DigiCuts Designs Etsy
Making Memories - Just Chillin Boy - Striped Grosgrain (1 Yard)
Making Memories - Wedding - Stitched Grosgrain (1 Yard)
Making Memories - Great Escape - Faux Suede (1 Yard)
candy bar

Have a great day!!

Tricia

Some spooktakular projects to share

2009-10-01T09:25:00.004-04:00

SO today is a pretty exciting day for me. I have a layout in the October Pagemaps Newsletter: Check that out HERE.

I also got to contribute a project for an article that ScrapStreet Ezine was doing on the Next Step Challenge Blog, you can check that out HERE.

If you don't feel like following the links, here is the Pagemaps layout:
I made those cute little ghosts by ripping up tiny pieces up tissue paper and wrapping them around tiny balled up pieces of tissue paper. Then I tied embroidery floss around their necks and drew on ghost faces.

The title I made a mask with SCAL, I actually took the design from a piece of die cut halloween paper but I didn't want to ruin the paper for a mask so I scanned the paper, pulled out the appropriate parts, converted it and then cut it with my cricut. I used orange paint on the title mask and then I outlined the words with white pen. After that, I felt like it needed more oomph, so I added glossy accents to the letters.

Here is the ScrapStreet project:

The project was called Tricks with Treats and the idea was to use "treats" in some "tricky" way. I just took this wormie cup and turned it into a Halloweent treat jar.

TFL!!

Well, I have to go to work now, so I gots to go!

Tricia

Sneak Peek {ScrapMuse October Kit}

2009-09-28T21:30:00.004-04:00

Here is the colour palette for October's Kit, called "Flight School":

Here's a little corner of Valerie's first layout from this kit:

I got my kit late last week and I can honestly say that I was in total heaven as I rooted through all of my goodies. I've completed one layout so far and can't wait to work on the rest. Check out ScrapMuse next week for the full reveal. AMAZING kit!!

Tricia

Bloggin Ain’t Easy

2009-09-28T18:04:00.001-04:00

Man, it has just been one of those weeks. Not much time or inclination to blog about the goings on. My camera is in for repairs, which means I am without a camera for a month. Not sure what I'm going to do about that. I guess I will try to borrow one or something. Does anyone I know who reads this have a camera I can borrow for a month?? It would be much appreciated.

We had a great weekend. We got tons done around the house. I got to got to an lss with my friend Zohra, they were holding a garage sale and I picked up a few things. I was actually very good, I spent only about $6 at the Garage sale and about $5 in the store. Got a couple of Prima pps. OnSaturday evening we went to the Carp Fair. It's a pretty big deal around here. The kids went on a few rides. They loved the spinning strawberries and this giant bumpy slide. Owen asked if we could do it the exact same way next year, so I think that is a reflection of a good trip out.

A funny/cute story about Owen. It's getting pretty cold here now, so the other day when we were going out to play I got out a sweater for Owen to put on. I said Owen, come put on this "fleece" sweater. He absolutely refused to put it on. I was like, whatever, be cold then. Anyway, the next day when we were packing up to go to the Carp Fair, I grabbed the sweater again and said "we'll bring this fleece just in case, so if you get cold, then we have it. Owen says: "I'm not putting on that sweater with fleas"

I was like "what do you think that "fleece" is Owen?" He was like: "the things that make dogs itchy"

I laughed so hard. It is so cute how their minds work. I was like: "Owen, why on earth would I try to get you to wear something with fleas on it???? I would never do that!"

Anyway, today I really hurt my head. First time since I was a kid. I was wearing my crocs to go take garbage outside and I slipped out the door and smashed the top of my head on the corner of a brick. I cried a lot, partly from pain, partly from emotion and partly from fear of concussion or brain damage. I think I am fine, but it freaking hurt. It even bled a bit and I have a big bump on it.

Well that's it for now,

Tricia

New LO to share

2009-09-21T22:41:00.001-04:00

I just wanted to share my most recent layout.

Here's the journaling:

I'm turning 30 this year. It's happening in about 4 months. I'm starting to get scared. It's starting to stir stuff up.

Mostly, I'm just struck by the ever increasing awareness that this all goes by so quickly. The strange part is, is that as I get older, there is almost a comfort in the process, the absoluteness of it. We are absolutely going to get older, and it will absolutely come to an end. That seems less scary to me now than it used to. The part I have a hard time with however, is in this "ever increasing awareness that this all goes by so quickly", I feel so much more pressure now to make it all matter; to not let it get away from me, wasted. It makes my choices feel more critical.

But: I make hard choices. I find faith in myself. I take the opportunity to grow.

tfl!

Close-ups:

Wow...watching House

2009-09-21T22:26:00.003-04:00

This episode is amazing. Haven't watched in a long time, but am quite intrigued by his therapy sessions. This premiere just roped me back into the show after missing an entire season. Well done. Anyone else, thoughts? I'm also thinking that one of the doctors in the "asylum" might be Caitlin from degrassi, is it possible? Gonna go check.

-totally WRONG about the degrassi thing-

OMG is all I have to say about the dancing in the dark scene at the asylum!!!!

Hugh Laurie, WHAT!?!?!

The Climb...performed by:

2009-09-20T19:39:00.002-04:00

Kelly Clarkson's backup singers and Kelly Clarkson. Amazing! The girl with the guitar is so good.

Kit Reveals

2009-09-15T21:49:00.004-04:00

I am so excited to finally get to share what I've worked on so far with the September Kit from ScrapMuse.

This first one is the monthly sketch that I made up for the month at ScrapMuse.

Here is my LO of that sketch:

Close-ups:

Supplies:

Red Flowers: Made using my tutorial at the Next Step, and my SCAL project

Prima Pebbles: Tropics

Cardstock: American Crafts:

PP: Bo Bunny Gypsy Curry

Prima Flower: Gallery Roses Pierre

Ranger Glossy Accents

Ribbon: Kaisercraft

Thickers: Cricket

Here's one about Ella, called "You've got me under your spell"

Close-Ups:

Supplies:

Peach Flowers: Made using my tutorial at the Next Step and my SCAL project

Chipboard Letters: Fetching Pink Paislee

Little letter Stickers: Making Memories Teal Ledger

PPs: Gypsy Spice and Henna, Bo Bunny, Sunny Days, GCD

Ribbon: Kaisercraft

Journaling Card: Collage Press

This is one of Owen and his tendency to be pretty sulky sometimes:

Close-ups:

Supplies:

Ranger Glossy Accents

PP: Prima Tropics'

Stamp: Prima Marketing - Collage Stamp – Ticker

Little letter Stickers: Making Memories Teal Ledger

Thickers: Cricket

Droplets: Kaisercraft

Hand Dyed Rose: ScrapMuse

This one is one of Owen and Ella with their friend Connor. I tried to get a "proper" picture, like these better anyway:

Close-up:

Supplies:

Thickers: Cricket

PP: Prima Tropics, pink paislee fascinating die cut

Chipboard: Fetching Pink Paislee

Droplets: Kaisercraft

And here is the last one (so far, I have tons of supplies left, YAY!!!). This is just about how lucky we are to have such a fabulous doggy, our Barney.

Supplies:

PPs: Bo Bunny Gypsy Spice, Prima Tropics

Chipboard: Fetching Pink Paislee

Little letter Stickers: Making Memories Teal Ledger

Stamp: Prima Marketing - Collage Stamp – Ticker

Droplets: Kaisercraft

Journaling Card: Collage Press

So, it has been a super exciting month and I have loved my experience with my first kit. Not to mention being on the design team gives good experience writing articles and dealing with deadlines. It's good for me. I am learning what I am capable of and that is very exciting. I always have seemed to have this underlying lack of belief in myself, but that is slowly but surely being stripped away. I am feeling hopeful and positive and although I have had some emotional set backs over the last month or so, I think I am heading onward and upward. It's hard when you get into a bad space for a while, you start to think that you might not get out of it. For the last year or so, I have been ridonculously happy and positive and then some things went down with my family recently that really set me back, way back. It's been a bit over a month since things started going down and finally...FINALLY I am starting to feel like myself again. The whole experience has really just reminded me how we are NEVER done growing emotionally and spiritually.

That's it for now,

Tricia

Recent Pictures

2009-09-12T15:34:00.011-04:00

Haven't posted pics in forever, finally got some uploaded:

Frog the kids caught at a family get-together last weekend. That's ME holding the frog!:

David's side of the family:

New brakes, a very good thing because the old ones were REALLY bad!

Some cute ones I got of Ella watching tv:

Owen's first day in senior kindergarten:

Big smile on Wyatt's face after seeing Mme. again:

Some of the boys waiting for the others, Owen, on the far right was feeling pretty shy.

Finally, more have arrived:

The bunch of them; only 3 poor little girls in this hugely boy class:

The day before school started, we got to go to Walking With Dinosaurs with Nanny. It was an amzing show. The kids were a bit too young to appreciate it fully, but they stayed the whole thing and they had fun. But OMG Owen had a gazillion questions. The whole time I was trying to answer every single question about dinosaurs that you could never imagine...and I know nothing about dinosaurs. If I had have been able to listen to some of it, I probably would have been able to answer some of his questions. But that mos def did not happen.

The kids "chariot:

Cool close-ups:

Tree disease? Moss?

More chariot, ella's in there:

Trying to "help" pull down the broken tree branch, Owen trying to push it up, Ella trying to pull it down, very typical of their team work skills:

Cottage Pictures:

That's it for today. Now we are off to my Dad's house for supper and I have to give my filthy kids a bath first.

Enjoy the last few hours of the weekend!!!

So I guess I have a Blog

Balance

New products in my shop!!!

Dentistry@Arnprior and BEST find *ever* at Buck or Two!!!!!

Pictures and Layouts to Share

Thank you Spring!

More "Spring Has Sprung" March ScrapMuse Layouts

ScrapMuse layout to share!!! Finally!

Beach Wedding Album

March ScrapMuse Preview

Winners of DigiCuts Designs Valentine's Contest

DigiCuts Designs Contest!!!

My Valentine

Valentine's SVG Kit and Thank yous!

WARNING: melancholy post

I’m a very grateful and appreciative WHINER

2010....Tricia 2.0...a list of new intentions

New Layout, more December Daily, catch up

December Scrapmuse Preview

Happy 5th Birthday Owen!!

i dare you not to fall in love with this song. double dog dare you.

December Daily Day 1/2

December Daily Numbers Cut Project

Mojo MIA? Four Alternative Sources for Inspiration

#1 Kuler

My December Daily Album...FINALLY

Pure Genius

November Kit and October Sketch Challenge winner!

**ScrapMuse Design Team Call**

Pencillines Collaborative with the Next Step and DT Call

Dollarama wickedness...new finds

Raking up Life’s Lessons

Funny little story

Movie plans this weekend

So I keep doing my own thing Walking tall against the rain

Winner of my September ScrapMuse Challenge and Guest designer

LOVING this song

Adorable run in at KFC, who'd of thunk it?

Appeal for words of comfort and support

we got some serious sunshine today!!!

ScrapMuse Kit Preview

Some spooktakular projects to share

Sneak Peek {ScrapMuse October Kit}

Bloggin Ain’t Easy

New LO to share

Wow...watching House

The Climb...performed by:

Kit Reveals

Recent Pictures

Dentistry@Arnprior and BEST find ever at Buck or Two!!!!!

ScrapMuse Design Team Call