Free Font Friday | Sep 20

Love this font - would love to take a class on chalkboard lettering for our chalkboard wall!

[Chalk Hand-Lettering font download from fontspace.com]

To see more Free Font Friday posts, click here.

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013

He Colours My World

Another pubbed layout to share today!

Supplies used: Core’dinations and Bazzill cardstock; Sizzix BigKick; Sizzix, Crafts Too, Darice and Stampin’ Up! embossing folders; Making Memories sanding block; American Crafts Thickers; Stampin’ Up! piercing template; TüL pen.

I love this sweet photo of Connor from July 2005.  He was about five and a half here - still my baby boy, but I can now see the glimmer of the man he is becoming.

I wanted a simple layout to showcase the photo so I chose to use rainbow hued squared of Coordinations card stock, which I embossed in 8 different patterns (clockwise, from top left:  Layered Hearts Background, Twinkle, Dot Matrix, Chevron, Argyle Background, Honeycomb, Modern Mosaic and Woodgrain) and then sanded lightly.  The heart was cut free-handed and embossed with another embossing folder (Bricked).

Just to keep it real - if you look closely, you can see where the embossing folder slipped when I was embossing the purple square.  I didn't notice it until after the layout was done, photographed and shipped off for publishing... Just goes to show you that perfection isn't all it's cracked up to be! ;)

I love these American Craft Foam Thickers (Sketchbook, I think?) - perfect size for titled, but narrow enough to not take up a lot of space:

I knew I wanted the "colour" word in the title to be a flowing handwritten type of font.  Because I created this at CropFest in Oshawa in May, I was limited as to what I had available (i.e. no access to my Silhouette Cameo and favourite fonts.  So I took matters into my own hands.

Literally. :)

I wrote out the word in pencil on my cardstock, thickened the lines by sketching lightly and then hand-cut the word out.  It's not perfect but it suits the distressed feel of the page:

Now I'm off to bed - Connor has his first football game tomorrow night so I have to get into work early so I can make it home to pick up Aili and head back into town to watch him play!  Stay tuned for photos!!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013

Inspiration Elevator | Challenge 17

You may recall that the purpose of this challenge group is to take our scrapbooking to the next level, to stretch our creative process and to grow as artists by embracing challenges that make us think, work and grow. You can view all of the challenges our new Inspiration Elevator Blog, here.  My individual challenges are found on my blog here.

Our challenge this month comes from the very talented Cathy Harper. Here's what she had to say in her very own words:

"I want to know what inspires you to create. As I was driving home the other day from my trip back to Black Hills, I saw a really cool billboard...clouds, the sun, and a few hearts. I immediately thought how great the design was and how I could transform it into a card or layout. (No, I didn't get a picture of it as it was the week of the annual Sturgis Bike Rally and no way was I pulling off the side of the interstate with all of that crazy traffic.) Even the other day, as I was walking through Target, I saw a couple of cute Baby gift bags that had great design principle that I could use as inspiration to create with too! Then it hit me that this would be a great challenge for my IE teammates. We recently had [a] challenge where we were inspired by another teammate and lifted their style..but I want to know what else inspires you besides other designers cards and layouts. Are you a Pinterest addict like me? And find great design ideas there or in a magazine with a brilliant ad!? Find something inspires you, pin it or take a photo and create your work from there...you must include a photo of your inspiration and a link (if there is one) with your project for the challenge!"

What a great challenge!!   I often use advertising for inspiration in scrapbooking.  When Cathy first posted her challenge on our DT board, I immediately had several ideas pop into my head!! Here are a few of them:

[source]

[source]

[source]

Now I'll admit - I'm a strive-on-pressure-last-minute-creative-genius type of girl.  And I'm not so sure the "creative-genius" part, but you know what I mean.  My mojo just seems to flow better when there's a deadline looming.

However, this month, Life has certainly chewed me up, spit me out and kicked me to the curb.  At the risk of turning this into a pity party, here's just a little of what I have going on:

• I have 3 stores with inventories within a 5 week period
• Connor has made the football team and is now practicing almost every night at school, meaning that I have to leave work earlier to be home for Aili.
• We also have Connor's cadet meetings and piano lessons thrown in, for good measure.
• I am slated for surgery on Sept 23 - surgery that I thought should only keep me out for a day or two but in reality, may be closer to 7 to 10 days.
• I have a crop coming up next weekend that I'm REALLY excited to go to (but haven't packed a thing yet!)
• I've been asked to contribute to the Oshawa ScrapFest this year (pretty excited about that too!)
• I have three articles to prepare for the next issue (more excitement!)
• Gary and I have been asked by my nephew, Cory and his fiancée, Taunia, to be emcees at their wedding this fall (remember the invitations I shared?) !

I know everyone is busy. In fact, I often cringe when I see people and ask them how they've been and they bemoan the fact of how busy they are.  I certainly don't claim to be any busier than anyone else, but I catch myself doing the same thing!  But I am also trying to fit in time to eat clean (which takes planning) and exercising (which required motivation! ;)) and still be the best mom, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend and employee that I can be.

Boo hoo. Having fun at my pity party yet? :(

Anyhow, to make a long story short a bit less long, I have decided to step back from the IE team for a few months until the craziness passes.  September to December are always CRAZY around here but this year, with trying to get healthy and fit, I just need to take a break from some commitments.

So sad that it had to be the IE team for now, because these talented group of ladies certainly inspired me and pushed my creativity to new heights.  I will certainly continue to share their challenges each month, if not my own designs so that you can benefit from their talents.  I will be back in a few months!

Cathy Harper

Lisa Spiegel

Laurel Seabrook

Joanne Burton

Jodi Wilton

Michelle Hernandez

Ann Jobes

Laura Whitaker

                 Sue Sykes - that's me!

Lisa Moen 

Christa Uttley

If you feel inspired to play along with my challenge this month, please share it using the linky tool on our Inspiration Elevator blog and/or our Inspiration Elevator Facebook page. We'd LOVE to see what you made!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013

Her

I just realized that I have several projects published in the Fall 2013 issue of Canadian Scrapbooker magazine that I haven't shared yet!

I know.  You're just beside yourself with anticipation, aren't you? :P

In honour of my Mom's birthday yesterday, I thought I'd post this one first:

Supplies used:  Bazzill and Bo Bunny cardstock; Melissa Frances patterned paper and sticker; Basic Grey letter stickers; Cricut die cutting machine and Songbird font; Martha Stewart Crafts border punch; Prima paper flowers and bling; Stampin’ Up! wood buttons; Robin’s Nest Dew Drops; The Twinery twine; Tim Holtz Distress Ink; JilliBean journaling tag (hidden); Ranger Glossy Accents; vintage lace ribbon; unknown buttons.

This photo was snapped literally moments after my mom stepped into my room, after delivering Aili.  Having been diagnosed with lung cancer just two weeks prior, her proud smile tells the story of how happy she is to have the chance to meet her.

The title is both a play on that, as well as from Aili's perspective - I didn't think my mom would get a chance to meet her final granddaughter.

Hidden journaling reads:

"Aug 13, 2004 - Facing cancer, my mom wasn't sure she'd get the chance to meet you - especially when you were two weeks late!!  We were blessed to have her for four more short months.  I'm glad you two had a chance to meet..."

And what's a feminine, frilly girly page without flowers and bling!?!

I just picked flowers, buttons and bling in coordinating colours and went to town!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013

Free Font Friday | Sept 13

In honour of my late mom's birthday today, I thought I'd share this font by one of my favourite font creators, Kimberly Geswein:

[KG A Little Swag font download from fontspace.com]

To see more Free Font Friday posts, click here.

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013

12 Years

[source]

Words can't express the depth of emotion felt around the world, twelve years ago.  But this epitaph comes close:

Time changes the heart 

But the heart never forgets

 The memories within.

We remember.

Watch Me

[source]

con·fi·dent* [kon-fi-duhnt]
adjective
1.  having strong belief or full assurance; sure: confident of fulfillment.
2.  sure of oneself; having no uncertainty about one's own abilities, correctness, successfulness, etc.;self-confident; bold: a confident speaker.
3.  excessively bold; presumptuous.
4.  Obsolete . trustful or confiding.

Go out today and BE BOLD.

*source

Modeling Paste & Stencils...

... go together like peas & carrots, cookies & milk, peanut butter & jelly!

Great.  Now I'm hungry.

I created this canvas earlier in the year and gave you a sneak peek, but just realized that I haven't shared the whole thing yet!  It's a labour of love, using Susan K. Weckesser's whimsical papers and various mixed media supplies:

Supplies:  Susan K. Weckesser patterned paper; ModPodge; LiquiTex modeling paste; Faber Castell Gelatos; DecoArt paint; Unity Stamp Co. and Just Cre8 stamps; The Crafter's Workshop stencil; Ranger Tim Holtz Distress ink; Basic Grey and Bo Bunny rub-ons; unknown canvas; copy paper.

I began by covering the canvas with torn pieces of patterned paper and ModPodge.  Using my fingers, I added some colour, sparingly, using paint.  Once dry, I used modeling paste with the stencil on the canvas for the butterfly image.

Once the modeling paste was dry, I scribbled the canvas with Gelatos and used a paintbrush and water to blend the colours.  I love how the Gelatos give it a shimmery, metallic look!

I then added rub-ons and stamped some images using my two favourite background Unity stamps (Chicken Wire Background and Vintage Handwritten) and Just Cre8 stamp for more texture.

To finish it off, I printed out my sentiment on plain paper, ModPodged it on and finished by adding some colour with the Gelatos, and some doodling.

"Tiaras & things & butterfly wings; that's what little girls are made of."

Aili has since confiscated this and put it on her shelf in her room. :)

Have you gotten messy today?

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013

Seven Sunday Blessings | Sept 8

[source]

This week, I am thankful:

1.  For long weekends.

2.  That I'm able to take the first day of school off each year.  To send them on their way and to welcome them home and ask how their day was.  Now, if only I could do it all year round...

3.  To my sweet hubby, who braved the rain and cool weather to take the kids to Rondeau camping for the weekend.  Me?  I don't camp.  Period.

4.  That, during their absence, I worked from home and managed to catch up on paperwork in preparations for our inventory this week.

5.  For romantic comedies.  And Gerard Butler.  Or more specifically, his accent. *swoon*

6.  For Michaels' coupons.  Which bring their overinflated prices back down to a reasonable level so I can purchase some new Gelatos without the guilt!

7.  That my family is back home, safe and sound - and the decibel level is back up to where I'm accustomed... =)

What are you thankful for this week?

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013

Right Here Right Now | Sept 7

[source]

The Project:  Every Saturday (or some part during the weekend!), at some point, I will post a self-portrait (it won't always be pretty - I'm warning you now!!) and document what I'm doing/feeling/seeing... right now.

dateline:  belle river, ontario, canada @ 1:05 am on sept 8, 2013
weather outside:   overcast, cool
mood inside:  quiet, lonely

listening to:  the lack of noise
eating:  frozen banana peanut butter nutella ice cream
drinking:  nothing
wearing:  pyjamas
feeling:  lonely, with my family gone away to Rondeau Park for the weekend - i had to work :(
wanting:  to get artsy but having no creative mojo right now... :(
needing:  to go to bed so i can get a good night's sleep and be up early tomorrow!
thinking:  about an upcoming decision to be made
enjoying:  the solitude, just a little bit!
learning:  that a house will almost always make weird noises when you're home alone!
creating:  a to-do list for tomorrow
wondering:  how cold my family is tonight, sleeping in their tent?
procrastinating:  bedtime - that king size bed is so huge when you're all by yourself!
loving:  that i have free reign of the tv!  i have watched dirty dancing, maid in manhattan, the ugly truth and crazy stupid love so far... highly unproductive but totally relaxing!
anticipating:  hearing all about their trip!

no selfie tonight - too late and too dark!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)

Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013)

Free Font Friday | Sept 6

Today's free font is a lovely wedding-script type font - enjoy!!

[Bickham Script Pro font download from deviantart.com]

To see more Free Font Friday posts, click here.

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013

RAK Giveaways

[source | artwork by mike giant]

I have been sorting through my goodies-to-giveaway boxes and while I know I've been remiss in sending out some RAKs in a timely fashion (sorry, Rebecca!), I've just realized that there are still several people who have not yet contacted me for their prizes.

Either that, or I've completely lost my marbles and missed your email!

So if you are listed below, PLEASE sent your mailing address to me at sue {at} canadianscrapbooker {dot} ca before September 30th, 2013.

May 2013 Sketchy Challenge winner | Karla Yungwirth

1,000th Blog Post draw winner | Alison Day
July 2013 Sketchy Challenge winner | Karen Frobisher

If I do not receive an email from you by the deadline, I will post new winners on or around Oct 1st!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013)

August 2013 Sketchy Challenge Winner!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the August 2013 Sketchy Challenge!  It's time to give away a RAK so a winner was randomly chosen, using random.org...

List Randomizer

There were 5 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. Jen Unger
2. Rebecca Daly
3. Patterned Memories
4. Karla Yungwirth
5. Lee-Anne Thorton

Timestamp: 2013-09-04 012:45:50 UTC

Congratulations, Jen!  Please email me at sue[AT]canadianscrapbooker[DOT]ca with your mailing address and I will get your goodies off to you!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013)

Summer 2013 LYL Challenge Winner!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Summer 2013 LYL Challenge!  It's time to give away a RAK so a winner was randomly chosen, using random.org...

List Randomizer

There were 2 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. Christa
2. FairyRocks

Timestamp: 2013-09-03 04:28:08 UTC

Congratulations, Christa!  Please email me at sue[AT]canadianscrapbooker[DOT]com with your mailing address and I will get your goodies off to you!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013

First Day of School 2013

Well, the first day of school has come and gone - and everyone is still happy!

My alarm went off at 6:16 am yesterday, but Connor was the first out of bed.  He has to leave the house by 7:15 am so he can stop by Bailey's house to pick him up on the way, to make it for his 8:00 am warning so his first-day-of-school photo didn't turn out so great...  I had to use a flash because it was still dark!

And because he was running late because he didn't prepare his clothes the night before, as suggested...

Connor - 1st day of Gr 9 | Sept 2013

As you can probably notice from the final result? *shaking my head, grinning*

I watched him walk away from the house yesterday morning with a lump in my throat and watery eyes.  It didn't seems like so long ago that this was happening:

Connor - 1st day of SK | Sept 2004

Aili was  excited as well, but in true fashion, she had all of her clothes picked out the night before.  Thankfully, there was also better lighting at 8am that there was at 7:15am, so I didn't have to use a flash!

Aili - 1st day of Gr. 4 | Sept 2013

(We set her hair using this method (by the Paper Mama) last night and it turned out in gorgeous loose curls - a definite Pinterest win!)

She has grown up so much, as well - sometimes, too much, I think.  Today's society tempts our girls to lose their innocent looks and ways too soon.  Why can't they all stay like this?

Aili - 1st day of LatchKey | Sept 2008

This year, I took the first day of school off work, which I haven't done in a while.  It was great to be home to greet Aili at the door and hear about her first day!  And to jump into the car to pick up Connor from football practice and hear about his first day and how much he likes his classes and teachers.

And to try not to faint from the potent fumes he was giving off, after a 2 hour practice in the sun! :)

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013

Back To School v.2013

This is me today:

(I'm the one in the middle, in case you were wondering...)

And the reason for my booty dance?  Those of you with children will know the answer...

IT'S BACK-TO-SCHOOL!!!!

The kids aren't doing the mama-happy-dance, but they are excited for this year!  Last year, during the last week of school, Aili got a chance to spend some time in her new teacher's class - they put them on a rotation so they could learn who was in their class and to meet the teacher for next year.  I thought this was a brilliant idea - it lessened any back-to-school jitters about who they were getting and who'd be in their class.  Aili is starting Gr. 4 this year and excited to have some of her besties in her class! :)

Connor is excited as well - in a nervous sort of way... this year, he starts high school!  It's crazy when I stop to think about it!  Time has just flown by, especially the last 10 years.

A few weeks ago, we received a letter with information on an Orientation day at the high school.  I was reading it out loud, and when I got to the part about how parents were welcomed to attend with their child, I looked up at Connor, who was sitting across from me.

Me:  "Um, did you want me to come to your Orientation Day?"

C (looking slightly panicky at the thought): "Uh, no, that's okay..."

Me:  "Good.  Because that would pretty much seal your fate at high school, I think!"

We both laughed and marked it on our calendar.

However, on the morning of Orientation, I was getting ready for work and I noticed that he was pacing around in our bedroom while I was in the ensuite bathroom.  I stuck my head out and mentioned that maybe he could call Bailey (his BFF) to see if Gary could pick him up on the way so they wouldn't have to walk in alone.

C: "No, he's going with his mom..."

Me (chuckling):  "Oh, really?  He's going to be that kid, eh?"

I noticed however that Connor was still pacing around and not really laughing so I stopped him and asked him if he wanted me to come with him.  He stammered a bit and mentioned that I had to work but when I told him that I would go into work later if he wanted me to come, he paused and thought about it for a minute.  Then he said, "Nah, that's okay, Mom - it'll be fine!"

Sigh.

I thought about him all morning and wondered how it went.  Finally, I heard from Gary - all went well, he knew some kids in most of his classes and he started football practice that evening, about which he was really excited!

So it begins.  A new chapter for everyone.  I'll share photos of their first days at school tomorrow!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013

Seven Sunday Blessings | Sept 2

[source]

Sorry for the delay - tied up in the back to school rush!

This week, I am thankful:

1. That we live close to a border city and can get to Target (the US-version) for some awesome back-to-school deals!

2. That Connor has tried out for football and has already been noticed by the coach - WTG, C!

3. That school is starting back up tomorrow and we can get back into a routine.  Early morning workouts for me - that's my goal!

4. For Tassimo and Caramel Macchiato discs... yum!

5. For my nephew, who completed some electrical work for us this weekend - you rock, Chris!

6. That Chris and Julia stayed for dinner on Sunday and helped us polish off the banana bread with cream cheese frosting.... or we would have eaten it all!

7. For my considerate nephew, Cory and his fiancée, Taunia.  For sending a beautiful bouquet of thank-you flowers... totally unnecessary, but wholly appreciated!

What are you thankful for this week?

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)
Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013

Leave Your Legacy | Top Ten Lists (Fall 2013)

Time for another LYL challenge as featured in the Fall 2013 issue of Canadian Scrapbooker magazine!

As always, with each issue, I challenge our readers to participate. (To learn more about the LYL articles and challenges, please visit my LYL page for more info) Each quarter, I share my challenge and invite you to link up your layouts completed for this challenge here to share with everyone. I am even going to throw in a prize for each challenge!

While some scrapbook simply for the artistic expression, many of us enjoy this hobby because it allows us to document the memories that we want to remember, and to pass on to future generations. The goal of the LYL challenge is to share ourselves with them.

If you remember from previous articles, this idea of leaving your legacy stemmed from disappointment in not only how little I knew about my parents’ lives before our family began, but also later in life. I wanted to make sure that I documented not just the events that make up my lifeline, but my emotional responses to them and the world around me.

What better way to describe yourself than by creating a list of your favourite things at a certain point in your life? This is a subject that can be revisited over and over, as your tastes and ideals change over your life span.   And so, my challenge topic in this issue is "Top Ten..."

While I did not publish my own design, choosing instead to publish four talented Canadian designers.  I am working on an art journal page, based on my TOP TEN QUOTES - words that speak to me, represent my philosophy on life or encourage me to live a life worth living.  I will share my design in the next few days.

I encourage my readers to create a project based on this challenge and to please share a link below to your LYL layout or project that is posted in an online gallery or on your blog. I'd love to see what you create!

Because I believe in the importance of leaving your legacy, I am offering up a prize for one lucky winner! The prize will be scrapbooking/stamping gift basket worth $50!

This challenge runs from now until 11:59pm on Nov 30th, 2013. I will randomly draw a name from the entries submitted and post the winner on or around December 1st. Please feel free to email me at sue[AT]canadianscrapbooker[DOT]com, if you have any questions about linking your project.

Stay tuned - I'll announce the winner of the Summer Leave Your Legacy challenge this week!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

September 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Sep 30, 2013)