Design team reveal...

Here they are...a little early as we're off to the cottage..my first design team layouts. It was such a great kit of products to work with; papers from Basic Grey's Andrea Victoria line, a Heidi Swapp invisibles cardstock and lots of fun embellishments.

For this layout of my friend's little girl, Emma, I used the invisibles cardstock. I rubbed in black and brown ink with a blending tool. It was really fun to work with and I love the effect.

I popped the bottom right photo with pop dots to add a little something to a simple layout. I use the Rose Moka mini letter stickers on a lot of layouts, I love their versatility. The title was done in Maya Road mini chipboard alphabet, painted white.

I could have used this layout for the Survivor immunity challenge at TSF last night!! I cut out the inside of the ledger shape and used it as a frame for a favourites layout. I also used thickers for the title and some black river rubons on the clear buttons.

Last but not least here is the card I created with the inside of the ledger I cut out.

I had so much fun working on these creations..can't wait to get started on next month!

about last night...

Every Monday or Tuesday night over on the TSF forum they run an immunity challenge for Scrapper's Island. Last night's challenge was to scrap yourself along with some jounalling about something you like/dislike. Even though I'm not technically on the island I decided to take the challenge.
The journalling reads:
I prefer to be photographer, not subject.
I took this photograph of myself...
wife, mother, friend
a portrait of me at 33
I stayed up til after midnight to see all the layouts people posted and I enjoyed seeing the glimpses of everyone. It's so much easier to be behind the camera but those who you love will cherish seeing photos of you!

what I accomplished last night

Survivor week #4 challenge was to use pink, distressing and to follow a sketch by Karan.

beach bash crop...

It was a fun night at the TSF beach bash. We cropped under umbrellas and twinkly lights, we ate yummy food and had more than a few laughs. I even managed to get a few layouts done!

Karan and Samantha provided plenty of entertainment and 'raised the roof' at TSF. Thanks for making it a fun fun fun night ladies.

One question though...Do your mouths feel a little bit dry today???

a little teaser of the design team reveal...

July 1st will be the first reveal from the new TSF design team. I was so excited to be working with this amazing kit of products. I can't show too much, you'll have to wait til next week for that, but here are a few detail shots until then. Be sure to check out the TSF gallery July 1st for all of the members' projects.

Survivor week 3

It's been another crazy week over on the TSF forum's game of Survivor. This week's challenge was to create a layout entirely in black and white and to include some stitching, real or faux. It was also a challenge based on a great sketch from Karan Gerber.
I didn't have a lot of black and white paper in my stash but managed to pull off this layout with mostly scraps. I cut the flowers using my Cricut. I was really pleased with how well the vellum cut and will definitely do that again.

I love, love, love black & white and have really enjoyed seeing all the different layouts in the TSF gallery.

love and frustration...

If someone had told me how frustrating it is to raise a 4 year old I think I would have run screaming into the wilderness. Every day I go through a full range of emotions with him: anger, love, exasperation, pride etc. I'm trying my best to parent this 'spirited' child but some days.....

Wyatt actually pressed the button to take this photo and I'm glad he caught us both smiling. It proves that through it all we still love eachother unconditionally.

Can someone tell me if 5 is better or should I put on my running shoes now???

Survivor Challenge Week #2

There's a great game of Survivor going on over at the TSF forum and even though I'm on Exile island I'm still having fun playing along. This week's challenge was to use 'mixed media' on your title and use a fabulous Karan Gerber-designed sketch. For my title I used mini monogram stickers (a current fav of mine), some chipboard inked brown and shined up a bit with some glossy accents. The layout is about Holden and Josie, our friend's retriever. Josie has become our boys' adopted dog on weekends at the cottage. They love her very much and so do I!

Crop for the Cure

I spent Saturday at the Crop for the Cure in St.Jacob's. It was a fun, productive day for a very worthy cause. I had the pleasure of cropping with Carolyn, Joanne, Karan and Audrey from Two Scrapbook friends as well as approx. 60 other dedicated scrappers. I accomplished 4 layouts and had a fantastic time.





I learned that it is always good to co-ordinate your snacks with your layouts in case of accidental spillage.









I cut the 'dog days' from cork using a 'squeeze'












I used a lot of Breakin' Free by My Mind's Eye











This layout was part of a sketch challenge at the crop










I won an amazing prize generously donated by the family of Kathryn Quinn who lost her battle with breast cancer.


I would like to thank 'Mo' who after winning 4 times graciously asked the organizers to draw again which is when my ticket was drawn.








Thanks Ladies for a wonderful, inspiring day!

something happened on the way to organize my supplies for tomorrow...

I just couldn't help myself, had to do a layout right then and there. I loved this photo of Holden despite (or maybe because of) the odd angle. I had the word 'time' in chipboard and came up with the little saying on my own and printed it out on the computer.
So my supplies STILL aren't organized but I did get a layout finished in an afternoon. It'll be a late night now getting ready for the crop tomorrow and who knows maybe another layout will get accomplished!!

Very excited that this layout was selected to be in the BasicGrey gallery! http://www.basicgrey.com/catalog/idea_gallery.php?PHPSESSID=72e21138e0b79510ed074aa2a7d74be2&page=4

Simple things...

Lately I have been opening my eyes more to the simple things around me. I'm amazed at the beauty of birds, flowers, trees, my goofy boys and by the strength that I see in people facing difficulty with grace.
My neighbour has been so amazing to my boys. She just paid Wyatt for cutting the grass, with his plastic lawn mower! She is such a sweet woman who is facing the battle of and for her life. One of MANY baby robins testing their wings and worm finding skills around our yard.

Our gigantic pine tree called Fat Albert is sprouting massive growth this year. It's like having a Christmas tree all year long in our front yard.

An iris blooming along my porch. Irises were my mom's favourite flower and I think of her every time I look at these beautiful blooms.

This is a bird nest built against the wall above my neighbour's front door. We watched these wee little birds build this nest with mud, grass and leaves all day. They certainly are messy!

I've heard that birds building nests around your home signals luck and new life. I hope for my neighbour that this is true.

I am absolutely thrilled!!!

I am so honoured and excited to have been chosen to join the Two Scrapbook Friends design team. I cannot wait to work with new product and collaborate with such a creative group of women.
Here are some of my submissions: