Seven Sunday Blessings | June 30

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This week, I am thankful:

1.  For BBQ with friends - so great to have out with the Roberts on Saturday!

2.  That we are slowly working through and decluttering our house!  It feels so good to PURGE!

3.  That I was able to continue with the early mornings for most of the days this week - a couple of late nights put a wrench in it, but we're back on track tomorrow again!

4.  That I am almost done designing the invitations for my nephew and his fiancée - can't wait to see them in print!

5.  For convertible days - though they have been few and far between this summer, with all the rain we've been having!

6.  That my doctor scheduled an MRI - and it was done within a week!  Now to get the results tomorrow....

7.  For watermelon season - YAY!

What are you thankful for this week?

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the giveaways/challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
1,000th Blog Post giveaway (deadline:  June 30/13 EXTENDED TO JULY 15, 2013)

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Right Here Right Now | Jun 29

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The Project:  Every Saturday, 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 @ 5:05 pm on june 29, 2013
weather outside: sunny, hot
mood inside:  quiet

listening to:  madness by muse
eating:  nothing
drinking:  tim hortons iced cappuccino
wearing:  black yoga pants, white tank, hot pink hoodie - and pigtails!
feeling:   tired, after working today
wanting:  to lay down for a quick nap
needing:  to get on the treadmil instead!
thinking:  about maybe changing up my hair colour for the summer
enjoying:  a clean house - cleaners came today!
learning:  how to create a split letter monogram
creating:  wedding invitation samples
wondering:  my upcoming consultation/possible surgery with the specialist
procrastinating:  cleaning my studio
loving:  my new magic mouse
anticipating:  our holiday bbq with the R family tomorrow

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the giveaways/challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
1,000th Blog Post giveaway (deadline:  June 30/13)

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Deadline extension!

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Just a quick note to let everyone know that I've extended the deadline for the 1,000th blog post celebration - mostly because I'm still finding cool things to include in the prize!!

I will photograph it this weekend and share a photo.

Cheers,

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

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13) ** THAT'S TOMORROW!!
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Free Font Friday | Jun 28

I discovered this free font via my friend, Leanne, at the CropFest weekend earlier this year. 

[Reklame Script download from dafont.com]

I used it for a layout that has since been sent to the magazine for publishing - and wouldn't you know it?  I forgot to photograph it before sending!  I think I may have to use this font for another layout so I can share it... :)

To see more Free Font Friday posts, click here.

Cheers,

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

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Another Milestone

Seems like I'm not the only one reaching milestones around here... Last night, we attended the Grade 8 graduation ceremony at Connor's school.

It seems surreal that so much time has passed since this chubby cutie was crawling around on our floors.

He looked so handsome in his 3-piece suit and tie - my heart swelled with pride when I first saw him.

He's at such a pivotal point - heading off to high school next year, learning to make new friends yet again.  I hope he fully embraces the magic of high school and will participate wholeheartedly, just as his dad and I did when we were in high school.

I find myself relating to Connor's grade school years.  I, too, was slightly self-conscious, struggling to fit in with the "cool crowd", always worried about losing ground over something I did or said.  It wasn't until Gr. 8, that my best friend and I finally just said, "The hell with you all!" and decided to be ourselves and do what we wanted to do and say.

High school was such a different experience, because of this attitude.  And his vice-principal, Mrs. Bellaire, read a beautiful quote by Charles Swindoll that was so a propos for the occasion:

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important that the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more importance than appearance, giftedness or skill.  It will make or break a company... a church.... a school.... a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing that we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.  I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.  And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.

Connor's come into his own this year in the same way that I did - still shy and reserved, but determined to stick to his beliefs.  I admire him for that.  I hope that he full embraces this passage, takes it to heart and learns to use his attitude to change the course of his life.

His teacher this year, Mme. Fazio, fully supported his creative ideas and encouraged him to use his skills in his presentations and projects all year.

Gary and I were both so proud to hear that he was awarded the Science and Technology award at graduation.  He truly is his father's son!

Way to go, Connor!  You make us proud, not only today, but every day with your compassion, kindness and integrity.  We love you - and look forward to your accomplishments today and always.

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the giveaways/challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
1,000th Blog Post giveaway (deadline:  June 30/13)

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Seven Sunday Blessings | June 23

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This week, I am thankful:

1.  That we are chugging along with our garage sale preparations!  Lots of scrapbooking, electronic and computer stuff to be offered - if you're local, PM me on Facebook and I will send along the address!

2.  That summer vacation for the kids is drawing near - no more lunches!! Yay!  Well, until camp starts up...

3.  For early mornings.  I'm bound and determined to become a morning person - and have been going to bed and waking early all week... Let's hope we can continue this - I feel so much more productive!

4.  For the good feelings that are coming along with purging through our stuff - where did we get this all!?!  My heart feels lighter already.

5.  That we have decided to go ahead and sink some money into the backyard and build an oasis that we can enjoy - not that we are becoming clutter-free, our weekends will be spent outdoors, rather than indoors, tidying!

6.  That both of my kids have inherited my love of reading.  Aili has begun the Clementine series and has completed the first three books this week!

7.  For my family.  I feel blessed to have developed a close relationship with my sisters, which results in a closeness in our families.

What are you thankful for this week?

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the giveaways/challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
1,000th Blog Post giveaway (deadline:  June 30/13)

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Right Here Right Now | Jun 22

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The Project:  Every Saturday, 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 @ 1:02 pm on june 22, 2013
weather outside: muggy, slight breeze
mood inside:  anticipatory, active

listening to:  gary tell connor to get ready to go
eating:  a spinach/tomato omelette, carrots & hummus
drinking:  water
wearing:  black yoga pants, long sleeve black henley
feeling:  satisfied 
wanting:  to continue in the garage sale preparation
needing:  to get out the door to buy connor a shirt/tie for grad
thinking:  about what else I can get rid of - on our way to clutter free!
enjoying:  the sound of giggling coming from aili's room
learning:  to say "no" to the kids less... more flexibility = happier children
creating:  more room for a pool table, maybe?! :)
wondering:  what, if any, awards connor will receive at graduation on monday?
procrastinating:  grocery shopping - truly a hated task, next to lunch-making...
loving:  caramel skor apple dip, right now - so not good for me, but oh, so yummy!
anticipating:  seeing connor in his suit and tie, handsome and proud, on monday...

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the giveaways/challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
1,000th Blog Post giveaway (deadline:  June 30/13)

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Free Font Friday | Jun 21

Nothing like a classic, grungy typewritten font for journaling and mixed media:

[Carbon Type download from fontex.org]

To see more Free Font Friday posts, click here.

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the giveaways/challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
1,000th Blog Post giveaway (deadline:  June 30/13)

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

One thousand

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It's hard to believe but this is my 1,000th post on my blog.

One.  Thousandth.

Back in 2005, when everyone started a blog, I resisted.  I didn't think I'd have anything to say.  (Something with which I still struggle.)  The ironic thing is that every year, since getting engaged in 1996, we had sent out a letter with our Christmas cards, which after a year or two, turned into a full blown newsletter, sometimes four sides long!  Everyone had their own "column", even the dog and it included recipes and brain teasers and photos.  After the first year, I had people telling me in September that they couldn't wait to receive our Christmas card!  Our mailing list grew from about 70 to over 140 and while I LOVED creating the newsletter - graphic design is where my heart lies, I think! - once we had TWO kids and Just Cre8 started, there was, sadly, less time for everything.

So I thought, 'I know!  I will start a blog and everyone can keep in touch with us throughout the year!  Plus it's not such a burden to write about our entire year in a few weeks - I can pace it over the year and things won't get missed!'

But there were many who were not online and we still ended up sending photo cards of the kids anyways! :)

I have noticed that my blog content is changed over the years, now geared more to the designer side of my life, with snippets of family life peeking through.  Either way, I love going back and reading stories of events that I have forgotten, or seeing projects that were created years ago.  And I have decided to make a concerted effort to blog more of our everyday life.

Here are the top 10 Blog Posts, as of yesterday:

10.  Spectrum Noir vs. Copics
9.  Scrapbook Studio Tour | Part III
8.  Flirty Fridays | Sexiest Dads Alive v.2012
8.  Flirty Fridays | Aug 31
7.  Leave Your Legacy | 2011.01.14 I Am...
5.  Scrapbook Studio Tour | Part II
4.  Welcome to the CS Hands On! Photography Blog Hop!
3.  Update on Gary
2.  Scariest.  Day.  Ever.
1.  Scrapbook Studio Tour | Part I

To celebrate the milestone, I want to give something away!  I have a large package of stamping and scrapping supplies, valued at over $100, for a random winner!  Here's a sneak peek at just part of the prize:

[sorry for the photo quality - I keep adding stuff to the prize so I can't get a complete prize photo!!)

To be entered into the draw, simply leave me a comment with what sort of content you would like to see more of around here:  sketches?  layouts?  tutorials?  recipes?  my crazy family's antics?  I will enter a ballot for each person who comments below.

Want to earn more ballots?  You can:

1) Follow me on Twitter:  sugarskyes (1 ballot)
2) Follow me on Instagram:  suesykes (1 ballot)
3) Follow me on Pinterest:  suesykes (1ballot)
4) Follow my blog (1 ballot)

Then leave me a comment (separate comments, please, to make sure I don't miss you!) letting me know you are following!  Current followers are included, so please leave a comment as well!  Feel free to leave your Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest name or blog address so I can follow YOU!  Draw will end at 11:59pm EST on June 30th, 2013 July 15th and a winner will be announced on or around July 16th!

Many thanks (a thousand!) to those of you who have read along through the years, and to those who have newly joined my bloggy family.

Cheers,

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

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

She-Art Canvas, à la Christy Tomlinson

The other night, I wanted to distract Aili from screens.

Note:   In our house, "screens" include all forms of electronics:  TV, Nintendo DS, iPods, iPads, computers, Wii... you get the idea - we are a techie family! 

So I suggested heading into my studio to create or paint something.  She thankfully readily agreed.  I handed her a canvas, gave her full access to my paints and brushes and let her do her thing.

I also grabbed a canvas and decided to try my hand at some She-Art, à la Christy Tomlinson.  I started with these gorgeous Graphic 45 papers:

Despite my love of this paper, I'm not crazy about how the background turned out.  I think it's the painting that went onto the papers.  At any rate, I had fun and will definitely keep trying to perfect my backgrounds!

Here's a quick snap from my iPhone - I will photograph it this weekend and share a full peek!

P/S... this is my 999th blog post!! Check back tomorrow for a chance to win a prize!

Cheers,

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

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Free Font Friday | Jun 14

*this is being posted on Jun 18, due to a scheduling error!

I love this elegant, simple font:

[Xiomara download from fontspace.com]

To see more Free Font Friday posts, click here.

Cheers,

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

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Free Font Friday | June 7

*this being posted on June 18th, due to a scheduling error!

Freebie font, coming up!

[Variada TFB download from dafont.com]

To see more Free Font Friday posts, click here.

Cheers,

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

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

It's Insanity!

I know, you think I mean our family.  And you wouldn't be far off the mark! :)

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But what I'm really talking about is Beach Body's Insanity Workout by Shaun T.  Connor started this 9 week program last summer, in preparation for his upcoming swimming season.  He got to Week 7 and our schedules shifted dramatically once Gary was hospitalized, and he didn't complete it.

It was, and still is, a very difficult workout.  There's a reason they call it Insanity!  However, my nephew and his fiancée have just completed the P90X Workout and started Insanity last week.  Cory came home this weekend and he and Connor decided to start a "friendly" wager.

So tonight, Connor started Week 1, Day 1.  All over again.

It starts with the Fit Test, eight exercises in which you complete as many rotations as possible for a minute, with only a minute rest in between.  I wish I had had the presence of mind to snap a picture during this because halfway through it, he was just drenched in sweat.  I was practically hyperventilating just counting!

Even though he hasn't completed this test in almost a year, he still did quite well:

Switch Kicks:  108
Power Jacks:  70
Power Knees:  106
Power Jumps:  50
Globe Jumps:  14
Suicide Jumps:  15
PushUp Jacks:  22
Low Plank Obliques:  55

If he's up to it, I will add photos tomorrow and then post the results after every Fit Test!  And now, each night while he's doing his workout, I will try to jump onto the treadmill or rower - hopefully I will benefit from this all as well! :)

Cheers,

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

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Seven Sunday Blessings | Jun 16

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This week, I am thankful:

1.  For my husband.  He is much too wonderful of a father to celebrate for only one day.

2.  For my dad.  Seeing him this weekend and realizing how frail and thin he's become makes me realize that we need to make more of an effort to get out there to see him each week.

3.  For the not-so-subtle reminder this week that we received this week about the importance of staying on track.

4.  For creative time.  I have discovered that I need to be in my studio more often, not only to relieve the stress of deadlines, but to replenish my soul.

5.  For some awesome family time this weekend at the Leamington Fair.  It brought back memories of my childhood and created new ones for our family.  Well worth the steep price tag!

6.  For my Cameo.  It's been a while since I've used her and I am happily reminded of how much I. LOVE. HER!!

7.  That Lola is back on the road just in time for summer, after needing new brakes and two new front tires.  NOT so thankful for the $1,200 repair bill, though... :(

What are you thankful for this week?

Cheers,

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

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Right Here Right Now | Jun 15

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The Project:  Every Saturday, 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 @ 9:45 pm on june 15, 2013
weather outside: cool, drizzly
mood inside:  happy, sated

listening to:  Pirates of the Carribean - At Land's End
eating:  cotton candy (?!?)
drinking:  diet coke
wearing:  pyjamas
feeling:  happy 
wanting:  for nothing
needing:  to concentrate on the movie or I'll be lost!
thinking:  about when to have our yard sale
enjoying:  this peaceful end to a great family day
learning:  that the fair hasn't changed in 30 years
creating:  a list of things to accomplish this week
wondering:  why I never learn until too late, that cotton candy makes me feel ill?
procrastinating:  laundry - how can four people create so much?
loving:  the look of pure glee on Aili's face today after she conquered her fears over a particularly scary ride
anticipating:  some creative time tomorrow while Connor and Gary head to the movies

(sorry, it's dark in here for the movie - not enough light for a photo!)

Cheers,

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

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Inspiration Elevator | Challenge 14

Welcome to another month of Inspiration Elevator!

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 on my blog by clicking here, or check out our new Inspiration Elevator blog.

This month's challenge is issued by me! Here's the challenge that I gave to the girls:

"I have all of my parents' photos stored at my place.  Shortly after I began scrapbooking,  my mom and I spent hours removing her photos from those dreadful magnetic albums and documenting dates on the back of them all.  So I will often sift through them and marvel at how much things change - and yet, they also seem to stay the same.

This month, I'd like to challenge you all to create a comparison layout or project - THEN and NOW.  It can be any topic; just document the parallels and differences between an event/person/place from the past and a modern likeness.  REMEMBER TO JOURNAL!! :)

Can't wait to see what you all create!"

Here's my layout:

Supplies:  Bazzill cardstock; KaiserCraft patterned paper; Silhouette Cameo, Arial font, Ampersand, &, and collection by Kolette Hall Studio; Stampin' Up! and miscellaneous buttons; unknown chipboard hearts; Stampin' Up!, American Crafts and Bazzill brads; Karen Foster twine; KI Memories icicle tag; Recollections washi tape.

Sifting through older photos, I came across this photo of Connor, taken when he was about seven months old.  I was struck by the uncanny resemblance to one of Gary's baby photos!  I had always maintained that Connor was "all Puglia", meaning that he looked like my side of the family - full lips, dark brown eyes, olive complexion.  However, these photos prove that there is a little bit of Dad in him too!  The journaling, yet uncomplete, will go on the little washi-taped tags that I made, under the photos, and talk about how they are similar in so many ways, not just physically.

I have noticed a trend in what I like to call "sprinkles" on layouts nowadays and have never tried it - so I dug through my dusty collection of brads and just randomly poked holes in my layout wherever the mood struck!  Eek - nerve wracking!  Not sure if I pulled it off, but I will definitely keep trying this look, as I love the random sprinkles! :)

Please stop by and see what our other designers on this adventure have created:

Lisa Moen
Christa Uttley
Cathy Harper
Lisa Spiegel
Joanne Burton
Laurel Seabrook
Jodi Wilton
Michelle Hernandez
Ann Jobes
Laura Whitaker

Cheers,

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

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy:  Pet Peeves (deadline Aug 31/13)

Nearing a Milestone

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This is my 992nd blog post since I started this blog in 2006!

It's taken me longer than normal, because blogging fell to the bottom of my priority list during my Just Cre8 years - the pressures of working PT, running a business and raising a young family left little time for creating and blogging.

But here we are - 8 posts away from a huge milestone!

And to celebrate, I think I should give something away - don't you think?  I have some awesome new goodies to share - I can't wait to get the prize together!  Watch for details on my 1, 000th post in the next few weeks!

Cheers,

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

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy:  Pet Peeves (deadline Aug 31/13)