Flying High

or I should say, Flying BY!!

This week, that is. Seems like I just got back from Kitchener and a fun artsy weekend and another weekend is almost upon us!

As mentioned before, our classes with Donna were so worth every penny!  We learned so many different techniques and received lots of goodies.  And not only that, but with it came a new-found freedom to just let go and PLAY!

At one point, during the Inspiration Journal class, she had each of us stand up and go and sit at someone else's spot and create a page using their stuff!  That was a turning point for me, because it was almost like I wasn't working in my book anymore - I lost the fear of "doing something wrong" and just went for it.  The seat I chose didn't have nearly the amount of stuff that I had brought so I'm wondering if the unlimited choices perhaps hinder our creativity, rather than inspire it?

We all managed to corrale Donna into a group photo prior to everyone's departure:

L. to R.: Holly, me, Donna, Lee and Lori

I'm off to take Aili to swimming lessons and then am going to help a friend with her daughter's wedding invitations tonight. 

Watch for an announcement on my blog tomorrow though... :) 

Seven Sunday Blessings

[source]

This week, I'm thankful...

1.  That we're back to scheduled activities.  Our lives run more smoothly when there's a routine.

2.  For scrappy weekends.  They fill my head with ideas and my heart with laughter and giggles.  It's unfortunate that they usually empty my wallet, too... :)

3.  For my Dad - he turned 83 on Thursday!  Still very active and social - he actually gets out of the house more than we do, I think!

4.  That I dared to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.  Donna's Inspiration Journal class on Saturday opened my eyes to a whole new level of art!

5.  That my sister kicked some cancer butt and is strong and healthy and was able to celebrate her nth birthday on Saturday (where n equals an undisclosed number...) :)

6.  For bruschetta.  Yum.

7.  that Amanda and her family have booked their trip!!  Can't wait to spend a LONG time with them this summer...

What are YOU thankful for this week?

Can I just say...

Can I just say...

TODAY WAS AWESOME!!! 

Hanging with my girls, soakin' up the talents of Donna Downey... ahhhhhh!  

I will have photos to share when I get home, but here's a sneak peek at what the table looked near the end of the day:

Leave Your Legacy: Things to Love

Welcome to a new Leave Your Legacy challenge!  If you're new to my blog, well, welcome!  And you can learn more about myLeave Your Legacy challenge here. 

This month, I'm giving away this prize:

The Spring 2011 issue of Canadian Scrapbooker

And your choice of any available 4x6 or prior kit stamp set by Just Cre8, like this one (one of my favs):

Now - on to this week's challenge!

It seems that while my husband tolerates my crazy celebrity crushes, he may not realize just how much I appreciate and love him.  And since we're working on layouts that tell future generations about us now, I thought it would be à propos to document what exactly I love about him, right now.

So here's the challenge:

Complete a layout about someone you love, and list the things you love about them.  Be sure to include a recent photo.  You can list as many things as you like, but at least ten, please.

I chose the number thirteen for my layout.  Why?  Well, in September, we celebrated our 13th anniversary.  Plus, the number has always been prominent in our lives:  both kids were born on the 13th day, my parents' anniversary, my mom's birthday and my niece's are all on the 13th of the month, my in-laws' live at house number 13... always significant in our lives.

Plus in the Italian culture, 13 is actually considered to be a LUCKY number!  And I do feel so lucky for all that I have in my life.

Now, I have my list done, but of course, with preparing for my Donna Downey classes this week, and tax preparations last week, I haven't had a chance to finish my layout, but I am scrapping on Saturday night, hopefully, and will share it early next week!


13 Things to Love about You:

1. You are so warm all the time - just like my personal warming pan!
2. Your bright blue eyes - definitely, a weakness for me.
3. Your ability to get along with practically everyone - you can blend into any group.
4. Your work ethic - there is no one more dedicated or loyal than you.
5. How you still, after all these years, will come up behind me and sneak a kiss - still makes my heart beat faster.
6. How handy you are - "when you have the right tools, it's easy!", right?
7. Your ability to see what needs to be done and how you go ahead and do it, usually without being asked. (see #4)
8.  That you can cry at weepy stuff like Extreme Home Makeover and not care if I catch you.
9. How we sometimes will say exactly what the other person is thinking.  So in tune with each other.
10. That you love my (slightly crazy) family like they're your own.  Even before they actually were.
11. That you indulge me whenever you can - even if I don't need that Twix bar at 10:30pm on a Thursday night.
12. How, when other women complain about their household workload and how their husbands never help, I have to smile sheepishly and admit that I don't know what they mean... ;)
13. That you know everything about me.  Can predict my moods.  Know my tastes.  Read my mind.  And yet, still love me as much as you do.

If you'd like to participate and be entered into the draw for the Spring issue of CS magazine and your choice of stamp, please share your layout below, using Linky Tools, by 11:59pm EST on April 6th, 2011. Submissions for both March challenges will be entered into this draw.  Winners will be announced on April 7th, 2011.

T minus 2 and counting...

[source]

Look out, Donna - here we come!!

On Saturday, Holly, Lee, Lori and I will be in Kitchener to take an afternoon class with the crazy talented Donna Downey.  Holly and I are actually heading out in the morning for the Life's Artistry class as well.

Karen Ellis, another outrageously talented lady and owner of the Art Studio House in Kitchener is hosting the event.  Donna will be teaching an evening class on Friday (Lee is attending that class, as well), three classes on Saturday and a full day class on Sunday.  I really wanted to take that one as well, but decided that these two classes are the best value for my dollar right now.

By the end of Saturday afternoon, I should have an eight page 8x10 mixed media scrapbook, an inspiration journal (similar to the one Donna uses for her Inspiration Wednesday videos) and a whole lotta mojo!

That's the hope, anyways!

After class, Lori, Holly and I will be kidnapping Lee (bah - party schmarty!) and taking her to dinner with us for some good food and even better beverages!  And hopefully between the four of us and our cameras, we will remember to take a group photo!

I'll be sure to share photos taken during our class, and of the finished (or nearly finished!) projects!

Come and Play!!!

We Scrap launched their new website today and it looks awesome!!  Come and visit us in the forum or share some of your recent layouts in our gallery!  And if you do both, be sure to check out Ally's post for a chance to win a We Scrap Kit!

And speaking of We Scrap kits, have you entered into the draw for a chance to win a YEAR of kits from We Scrap?  You can read all of the juicy details here on the blog!

So be sure to come and hang with us - since I closed down the Just Cre8 forum, I have missed the daily interaction with my online scrappy friends... it's time to reconnect!

Big Giveaway!

Ninabrook Designs is giving away 50 prize packages, consisting of ten titles like these. 

For more details, visit Jackie's blog here!

Seven Sunday Blessings

(source)

This week, I am thankful:

1. For Daylight Savings Time.  Certainly not because we lost an hour this time around, but definitely because the days are now an hour longer - for a little while.

2. for friends.  Thanks to our sweet friend, D, who braved the crazy crowds at Kalahari this week for her kids, and who thought to include Connor on their vacation.  He had a great time, with his sleepover Monday and their trip Tuesday and Wednesday. 

3. for my inlaws.  Thanks for taking our little princess for the week, despite the tremendous battle that they've been fighting.  I certainly hope that she behaved herself and wasn't too demanding.

4. for date night.  With both kids gone, it was nice to go out for dinner and not have to fight for a moment of quiet conversation.  To not have to constantly keep our little one within eyesight (she's a wanderer).  To not have to police the bickering.  To go out and enjoy HOT food and each other's company.

5. that I am ALMOST finished up our accounting records for 2010!  Woo hoo!  That means tax returns are right around the corner... :s

6. for memories.  Last Sunday, my parents would have celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.  Thanks to cancer, my mom lost the battle just 80 days before their 50th.  I'm thankful that despite the years that pass all too quickly, we have photos and memories to remind us of her.

7. for opportunity knocking when we need it.  This week, my associate/owner at work offered me a job at his second store.  While I will have to learn to be even more productive in my free time, the extra income is always welcome!

What are YOU thankful for this week?

Sketchy Saturday

WeScrap has been undergoing an upgrade so the site has been unavailable for a few days, but it should be up very soon!  (You're gonna love it - it looks awesome!)

Today was Sketchy Saturday so I thought I'd share it here!  Once the site is up, we will post it in the forum, as well, but you can get a head start on it now... :)

Ally provided a great sketch for this week's challenge.  And because Ally's sketches are so awesome, I didn't stray much from the original:

Here's my take on it, using the yummy Hot Chocolate kit from WeScrap:

Supplies used:  Bazzill Basics cardstock; Fancy Pants patterned paper, alphas and cards;  Little Yellow Bicycle clear transparency; Dazzles stickers; Favorite Findings gems; American Craft Slick Writer; Maya Road velvet ric rac; Ranger Glossy Accents; unknown kraft tags, twine, buttons.

The transparency from Little Yellow Bicycle matched the kit, but was too long for my purpose.  So I trimmed it down by cutting out part of the middle and covering the seam with ric rac:

The bird was fussy cut from one of the papers and its' wing was accented, using Glossy Accents.  I also did the same with a few random stars on the red paper:

The photos were matted and attached using dimensional adhesive, for added texture and focus.  The journaling was handwritten on strips of leftover paper and attached to the lower left corner of the layout:

Thanks for looking! 

Webisode #16 - and a chance to win!

Canadian Scrapbooker has another Webisode up - this time, we're learning how to make some beautiful gauze flowers!

You can check out the video on their website here.

Be sure to leave a comment before midnight on Sunday, March 27th, 2011 for a chance to win this great prize pack from Quick Quotes:

Make sure you leave the comment on the video page, in order to be eligible for the prize!

Good luck to all!

Date Night!

With both kids away for a few days for March Break, Gary and I decided to enjoy an evening out tonight.  We went to the Mongolian Grill for dinner and I'm STUFFED!

Thanks to my inlaws for taking Aili for a few days, and thanks to Dawn, for including Connor in her visit to Kalahari!!  We owe you guys!! :)

Now to get to bed early... I was offered a position at my associate's second store this week and I'm heading into town early to sit with the current administrator to review everything!  It's actually the same store I was at, before I quit working full time to start Just Cre8 - my associate took over about a year after I left so it will be nice to see old friends, and to have some extra money coming in, too!

And because no post is complete without a photo, here's an sneak peek of my layout for this week's Sketchy Saturday at WeScrap:  

The site is still down as they perform an upgrade, but will hopefully be up in a few days.  If not, we'll be sure to share it on the blog!

Giving Thanks

via ThxThxThx

I came across this blog in my random surfing one day and loved the tongue-in-cheek approach Leah uses to document her random day occurences.

And for the record, I think that Jimmy Fallon TOTALLY copied her idea!!

At any rate, over the last few weeks, my nails seems to be cooperating (touch wood!) and are all relatively the same length, give or take.  This NEVER happens - they usually all get really long and then BAM!  Two will break, right to the quick!

But as Leah writes above, it's been years since I've worn polish on my nails (always have my toes done though!) and I feel so much more feminine with it on - even if it is a nice vampy colour! :)

'Til we meet again, polish...

Seven Sunday Blessings

Artwork by Steve Hanks

This week, I am thankful: 

1. that we were able to pull together a birthday party for Connor that he really enjoyed!  Even if it did take us almost three months after his actual birthday... :s

2. for the opportunities that this hobby has afforded me.  I received another happy email on Monday and I'm looking forward to sharing the news with you soon!

3. that Spring is almost here!  Even if we did get snow again on Friday... I'm holding out hope that Shubenacadie Sam and Wiarton Willie are right this year!!

4. for avocados.  I picked some up on the grocery store and had forgotten how yummy they are on smoked turkey sandwiches.  Yum.

5. for Paczki Day.  It's really the only time that I eat donuts!  Yum, lemon...  time to break out the Turbo Jam video again...:s

6. that I am nearing completion of my scrap studio!  As the weather gets nicer, we'll be able to take the French doors out to be stained and re-hung.  And this week, I will get the 12x12 frames to hand my favourite layouts (or just the super bulky ones...)

7. for family time.  Took the kids to see Rango yesterday afternoon... Connor liked it but Aili kept asking me where the birds were??  It wasn't until we got out of the movie and she pointed to a movie posted of Rio and said, "I thought we were going to see THIS movie!!"

What are YOU thankful for this week?

Little Artist

Last month, I picked up a pack of seven 11x14 canvases, intent on using some of the skills used at my last Donna Downey class to make something to hang in our home.

Aili came into my studio as I was taking out my paints and wanted to "play" with me.  So I set her up with some paints and a canvas and let her go nuts.

This is her result:

It was her idea to paint the still life - when I asked what she would be painting, I was prepared for a pony, a princess or even a castle.  But not a "bowl of fruit"! LOL!

You can easily make out the banana, orange and apple - and to make it more "girly", she added sparkles:

Today, the hallway.  Tomorrow, the Louvre! :)

Leave Your Legacy: The List

Welcome to a new Leave Your Legacy challenge!  This month, I'm giving away this prize:

The Spring 2011 issue of Canadian Scrapbooker

And your choice of any available 4x6 or prior kit stamp set by Just Cre8, like this one (one of my favs):

Now - on to this week's challenge!

I love my husband.  I really do.  I can't imagine myself married to anyone else.  He's the yin to my yang, the bow to my arrow.  He completes me.  There's no one else in the whole world with whom I'd rather spend my life.

But if we're just talking a few hours, or even a week?  Well, enter my celebrity crushes.  Now I'm sure that everyone I know has "a List" that they've discussed with their significant other.  You know the one - the list of people that would potentially entice you to leave your happy home.  My hubby has one.  He calls it his "Don't Worry, Honey - I'd Only Leave You For..." list.  His includes supermodel Elle Macpherson, beach volleyball player Gabrielle Reece and actor Emily Blunt.  

My list is a bit longer, but just as distinguished.  Over the years, it's changed.  Tom Cruise used to be high on the list.  Until he went all Scientology-crazy.  Colin Farrell held a brief spot - more so for the dark broody looks and Irish accent than anything else, but he started to look kinda oily so he fell off the list.  Others have included Gerard Butler (an accent AND a mean set of abs!), Michael Jordan (sigh), David Beckham (until I heard the high-pitched voice... no set of abs is enough to make me tolerate that!).  Bruce Willis was on it - for a LONG time.  And he's still an very attractive man.  But at this moment, three blondies hold my heart.

Pretty impressive for a confirmed lover of men with dark hair...

So here's your challenge this week:

Complete a layout about your celebrity crush(es).  Include his/her/their photo(s) and journaling about what makes them so attractive to you.

Here's my layout:

Supplies used:  Bazzill Basics cardstock; KaiserCraft and My Mind's Eye patterned paper; EK Success punch; Making Memories letter stickers and crystal brads; myStamp Box Mini Pennants clear stamps; Tsukineko Versamark; Stampendous embossing powder; American Crafts pen; The Twinery twine.

The photos were digitally added, because I didn't get a chance to print them in time.  My journaling that explains the reasons these handsome boys are on my list (as if the photos weren't enough explanation?) will go on tags behind the photos.

The pennants were stamped with Versamark on various paper and cardstock, heat embossed and then fussy cut and strung up on twine:

My boyfriends' names were printed on labels cut from the patterned paper and affixed with dimensional adhesive:

If you'd like to participate and be entered into the draw for the Spring issue of CS magazine and your choice of stamp, please share your layout below, using Linky Tools, by 11:59pm EST on April 6th, 2011.  Winners will be announced on April 7th, 2011.

February LYL winner!

This month's winner for my Leave Your Legacy challenge is...

Sue!!

Here's her layout:

Congratulations, Sue - I will pop your goodies in the mail this week!

If you haven't played along with my Leave Your Legacy challenges yet, you can read more about why I decided to start running the biweekly challenge HERE.  

And stay tuned because I'll be posting another one tomorrow morning - there's a chance to win the new Spring 2011 issue of Canadian Scrapbooker and your choice* of Just Cre8 stamps!

WeScrap March Kit Reveal - Her Majesty

This month, it was my turn to create kit layouts for WeScrap, using the yummy March 2011 kit, Her Majesty:

I struggled this month to create my four layouts.  It certainly wasn't because of the papers - they are gorgeous!  I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that a) I haven't been scrapping for a few weeks so my mojo has fled; and b) I have been known to use three or four different patterned papers on ONE layout, so I had to plan out all of my layouts to make sure I had enough papers to go around! :)

As it turns out, I created these four layouts (one is for my Leave Your Legacy challenge tomorrow so I will share it then) PLUS I still have three full sheets of paper/cardstock left and plenty of bits to go around for another layout!

Here are three of my layouts:

Supplies used:  Bazzill Basics cardstock and ribbon; My Mind's Eye patterned paper; Making Memories Slice, Just Chillin' design card, clear pebble and letter stickers; Just Cre8 Going Dotty clear stamp (on heart); Tsukineko Versamark; Sakura pen; staples.

Using my Slice, I cut out the heart from purple cardstock and stamped it with the Going Dotty stamp and Versamark:

My second layout uses my awesome my Stamp Box stamps that I received a few weeks ago from Bettina!

Supplies used:  Bazzill Basics cardstock; KaiserCraft patterned paper; myStamp Box Colourful Companions stamp set; Making Memories teardrop jewels; Jillibean Soup corrugated flower and letter stickers (from Jan 2011 kit); Tsukineko Versamark; Stampendous embossing powder; tulle; embroidery floss and button from my stash.

I stamped my cardstock matte with Versamark and embossed for a deep rich purple.  I pierced the matte and attached the jewels by carefully threading and then tightening the jump rings.

The flower embellishment was easy - I sewed around the edge of one of my tulle circles and gathered it into a tight circle (you can search YouTube for videos on making yoyo flowers for detailed instructions).  I then stitched the button through all three layers of the flower, using embroidery floss and attached to my layout as well!

My last layout uses a candid photo from our wedding by Louise Ross.  I worked with her at the ECBE - she wasn't invited, but as an amateur photographer, she loved to stop at weddings and take photos of the people!  I remember she jotted down our wedding details in her planner and I laughed out loud at the back of the church when I saw her in the last pew, camera in hand!  

After Gary and I were married, we walked out of the church and then snuck back in the side door so we could go out again after everyone had filed out with their bottles of bubbles.  Louise snuck back into the church after us, and caught this photo while we were waiting.

Supplies used:  Bazzill Basics cardstock and ribbon; KaiserCraft patterned paper; Making Memories clear pebbles, resin flowers; Jillibean Soup corrugated flowers; EK Success flower and leaf punches; Martha Stewart border punch; Tsukineko ink; Stampendous embossing powder; Glitz Designs rhinestones; tulle.

I put a Glue dot at each end point of my ribbon and laid a thin strip of Terrifically Tacky tape where I wanted the ribbon to lay.  I affixed each end and then stuck down the ribbon, ruffling it as I went.

I wanted a more uniform look to my cluster of flowers so I inked the back of the corrugated flowers with Chateau Grey ink and then embossed them for a shiny finish.  The tufts of tulle were created by cutting small circles (about 2") of tulle and then bunching them up and sewing them on my layout to fill in the holes.

I'll share my last layout tomorrow with a new Leave Your Legacy challenge!  Thanks for looking!

Spitfires Birthday Party

Because Connor's birthday is so close to Christmas, in the last few years we have only had close family and friends over for cake.  It's always hectic enough around here, but this year he REALLY wanted a birthday party so we make plans to have one for him in January.  And because we didn't have one for a few years, we decided to spoil him and grant his wish for a Spitfires birthday party.

However, that was a great idea in theory - in reality, between his swim meets and our other commitments, we were unable to coincide one of our free weekends with a home game, until this past Sunday, March 6th, when the Spits played against the Guelph Storm.

We had 9 kids, including Connor.  Gary went early to meet the kids in the concourse prior to the game, while I dropped Aili off at a friend's for the day.  That chore in itself turned out to be a comedy of errors, for reasons that I won't share just because of the pure insanity of it all!  

Suffice it to say that I got to the game late, and because I had the camera, we missed the photo opp when the PR rep took the kids down before the game to high five all of the players... :(

We had become accustomed to the VIP tickets that were available to us during Gary's days with Wireless Ronin Canada, so as I made our way to our nosebleed seats, I longed wistfully for the Section 114 Platinum tickets.  

Especially when I sat down, wheezing like an old woman.  Note to self:  Treadmill, first thing every morning!

We were actually up even higher but the PR rep moved us down five or six rows and spread us out over 3 rows so the kids could interact better.

Bomber, the Spitfires mascot, came up for a visit late in the second period and signed autographs.  Earlier in the period, they announced the birthdays on the JumboTron, but Connor was at the concession stand, helping Gary bring back the sodas and popcorn! :(

It was an exciting game.  The Spits started out strong with a 2-0 lead but late in the second period, Guelph scored and came back to lead 3-2 early in the third period  It ended up a 3-3 tie and the game went into an unresolved overtime, leading to a shootout.

Everyone cheered madly!!  And the kids were all pumped up because they were featured EIGHT times on the JumboTron! :)  After the game, we made our way down to the players bench to get autographs - Connor managed to get almost all of them to sign his jersey.  We'll probably buy him another and frame this one for his room.

We shuttled the kids over to Pizza hut for pizza and cake after the game.  Sorry for the blurry photo, but it was quite rushed because of the overtime game.  I literally just passed by Gary with the cake and said, "Camera" and then we were singing!

We took some group shots but to respect the other children's privacy, I won't them here.  In addition to the t-shirt and a birthday card, signed by all of the players, the PR rep for the Spitfires also took a group shot of the kids when they went down to meet the players and Connor received a birthday card in the mail yesterday with the photo included.

Of course, there was one child who had to ruin in by making the "bunny ears" sign behind Connor's head... {sigh}

Sneak Peek!

Sorry, blog readers - my wonderful 2011 habit of blogging every day has fallen to the way side!  :( And although I will try to keep it up, I will apologize now if that doesn't happen. 'Cuz I sat down last night and make a list of tasks that I need to get done before mid-April, and I have one word for you. 

Next-to-impossible. 

(Don't worry - I can count... it counts as one word, because I hyphenated it, right?) 

However, I have set myself up on a schedule and while it means that I may have to PVR my favourite shows (except Glee... I did allow myself that one hour tonight!), I will get it done! 

I have to... because I don't think Revenue Canada is going to accept my excuse that I had to blog instead of doing my taxes. Do you? Because I could be tempted... 

But to show you that I AM in fact working hard, and not neglecting you fine people, I will give you a sneak peek of a layout that I finished on Saturday:

I would show you more, but I'm not sure if I can just yet... :)

I also have photos to share from Connor's birthday at the Spitfires game, a Leave Your Legacy challenge on Friday - as well as announcing the winner!  Did you link up your design yet for the Feb 11th and Feb 25th challenges?? Deadline is 11:59pm EST tomorrow!


And lucky me - I received more happy news - but that will have to wait until a bit later!

Extended LYL Deadline!

I've decided to extend the deadline for the Leave Your Legacy challenges for February to March 9th, 2011 - more information on my Leave Your Legacy page here!

News to Share!

Have you seen this?

I'm proud to say that I am now on the

Looking forward to working with my new teammates:

Julie Comeau - Canada

Sandi Smith - Canada

Shona Keehn - Canada

Issa Lucido - Philippines

Ria Mojica - Philippines

Svetlana Austin - South Africa

Stacey Rodrigues - USA

Michelle McClure - USA

Mandy Starner - USA

Kimberly Arledge - USA

Krissy Clark-McKee - USA

Danielle Aubroeck - Netherlands

Margreet Westerling - Netherlands

Miranda Wedekind - Netherlands

Nicola Childerhouse - UK

Amelia Wahab - Malaysia

Mazlina Yusoff - Australia

Kanako Sakurai - Japan

Teresa Dieguez - Spain

Thanks, Karan, for the opportunity!

Seven Sunday Blessings

This week, I am thankful:

1. that my dentist was FINALLY able to finish my root canal - and that, despite the repeated visits and Xrays, she gave me a great deal because she knew that Gary no longer has benefit coverage.  

2. for two kids who make me smile every day with the funny things that they say.

3. that Round 3 of antibiotics are done and the infection is gone!!  FINALLY!!

4. for Goodies candy coated licorice.  Because I'm celebrating the end of my dental infection.  Kinda ironic, eh?

5. for the Lakeshore News paper.  Cuz I just found a SWEET job that I have had my eye on for a while... Keep your fingers crossed!

6. my sweet hubby - Happy Birthday to you! "*smooch*

7. that I decided to send in my submissions for a few design teams... I see a lot more scrapping in my future!

What are YOU thankful for this week?

Just a reminder...

That the deadline for February's Leave Your Legacy Challenges is looming! 

You can check out the challenges here:

How Well Do You Know Me?
I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

I'm sad to say that I still haven't finished mine... :*(  This past few weeks has been crazy for me with regards to deadlines!  I have a few more requirements to finish and then will work on them - I promise!

But be sure to link yours to be eligible to win a prize!  This month, I'm giving away this stamp set:

In honour of all the snow we've received this month! :s

I'll be posting my first March Leave Your Legacy challenge this Friday and I'll be giving away a copy of the new Spring 2011 issue of Canadian Scrapbooker magazine!!

Win a Year's Supply of Kits!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, WeScrap has a new blog and to celebrate its' kickoff, they're having a contest!

Here's how you can win:

Earn 1 Ballot for our drawing by:
- Becoming a follower of our blog AND leaving a comment on this post with your email address so we can contact you if you win! 

Earn 3 Ballots for our drawing by: 
- Becoming of follower of our blog AND leaving a comment on this post with your email address AND a link to where you SHARED this amazing contest!! Share it on your blog, other forums, anywhere!

Enter by March 31st, 2011 - and a winner will be announce on April 1st!

And you can view some of the delicious past kits from WeScrap on their Etsy store here!  I'm just working on my layouts using the March kit and all I can say is... YUM!

Another Year

passes and I get to say Happy Birthday to the most wonderful husband!

You are an amazing husband to me and and even better father to our children.  You are my shelter from the storm, my voice of reason in times of madness.  You love me unconditionally, even when I act quite unlovable!

Or when I posted these photos last year. :D

Our life has been one crazy roller coaster ride, with incredible highs and devastating lows.  But we've weathered them together and I think we're even stronger than before.

Wishing you many happy blessings today and always...  Love you lots, sweetie.

ETA:  As much as I hate to write a post without a photo, I'm forced to, since I don't have any photos of Gary!  Unless, of course, you count this one:

Sorry, hon... but it really never gets old! :)