Ave and I at ACH

This is a scrap page of Ave and I on her first visit to the Perinatal clinic up at the Children's Hospital. She was only about eight months old here...little did I know how much time we would spend there in the years to follow!

Positive note of the day: Went to a Spring concert for T on Thursday and last night I crashed at 8:30 (after a very busy day at work...I did enough work for two days!). Rested now but unfortunately I think I have to tackle the yard and the toy room today...yuck!

Fun Thing I Found on the Web:

Newly Discovered

• ............My-Scrap.Ru...........
• Катерина Помухина
• moitvorilki
• я на блогспоте :) 
• HOBBY24 и я
• Мир цветных фантазий
• Мамины сказки 
• Ручная работа 
• У Сергевны
• DIDELIS (GELE) -мои творческие порывы 

Playing in Paradise Challenge Thirteen

Today's Playing in Paradise challenge is a fun one - to use scoring in a unique way to decorate your card. I scored this piece of vellum to subdue the DP underneath it. All the materials I used follows below...

Products Used:

• Plum CS.
• Little Paper Shop sentiment stamp.
• Basic Grey Kioshi DP and stickers.
• Martha Stewart butterfly punch.
• Worldwin Vellum Packs - InkJet Printable Vellum 40 LB 15 Sheets
• Sakura Pen - Gelly Roll Clear Stardust 2 Pack
• Spellbinders Nestabilities (Petite Scalloped Ovals LG)
• EK Success Corner Rounder - Large
• Miscellaneous brads from the dollar store.

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Here are the rest of the team's sites for more creative inspiration!

• Julie Dinn: Kreative Jewels 
• Carla Peicheff: Moralia’s Weblog 
• Allison Cope: Your Memories
• Dana Nelson: Aspiring to Creativity

Positive note of the day: Had some "drams" at work today (initiated by a team on another project). My boss impressed me with his resolution of it and gave me some confidence that I know what I am doing (at least after four days of employment!).

Fun Thing I Found on the Web:

 

Newly Discovered

• Big Time Stamper Want to Be 
• Houses Built of Cards
• Missing the Muse 
• ** Smooches Stampin'! 
• Two Pink Peas
• Fun 4 Me
• 4 Crafty Angels 
• A Day in the Life...
• A Little Bit of Detail 
• Amanda's Crafts and More

T's Birthday Card

I received this Snoopy IRAK forevah ago and finally found a great use for it...Tristan's birthday card! Tristan has read his dozen or so Peanuts books several times over and he loves Snoopy. I colored it rather simply, used this busy DCWV DP and relied on the circles to give this card its focus.

I also made this tag to attach to T's party favours (that image is clip art I found on the web).

Positive note of the day: Found these super sweet dresses for the girls at H and M today (like the one on the blonde girl. It has cherries and blossoms all over it but I bought it with a dark blue BG). They were only 5.95 each and they look so cute (esp. since it is rare I can make them "matchy"). Will have to get a pic tomorrow when we go to T's spring concert.

 

Fun Thing I Found on the Web:

 

Newly Discovered

• Sandi's Samples 
• Stamplified
• PinkScrapper99
• SCRAPOLOGY 101
• Anne's "Cards 4 U"
• The LONG and the short of it 
• The Way I See It Through My Lens
• { My Scraptastic World } 
• RoxandRo Scrap
• Meesh's House of cards

CAS Baby Boy Card

This card was largely an experimental one (for me at least). CAS with the simple footprints but lots of patterns going on which makes it unconventional. C'est ca.

Positive note of the day: Today was good. Kids are progressing nicely with the changes. The bus is truly a pain in the but for the nanny but she knows it is short-term. My job goes at a break-neck speed but I feel like I am already getting an idea of the scope of my job. I have to coordinate training for next week already...yikes!

 

Fun Thing I Found on the Web:

Newly Discovered

• Dip 'n Dots Creations
• Mindy
• Guylou's Oh La La 
• Mama Mo Stamps
• The Rubber Cafe Design Team Blog
• Kraftywheezle 
• Amy's Bobbles
• Annikarten
• Ardilla's Papers
• LIFE.........ENJOY IT!!!

This gal is tired!

Well, I was super tired but I had a nap so I am better now. I bonked my head on the granite countertop yesterday (washing the Easter chocolate off the floor). When you combine that with a restless night and then a long day, I was wiped (and had a killer headache). I only had about 45 minutes tonight but it was enough to take the edge off.

Work was busy with meeting after meeting. I am trying to get a handle on all the different job titles within this group (and realizing that many of my colleagues have only been with the company about six weeks longer than I) since I will eventually have to coordinate training for all these people (and I don't even know what they do based on their job title!). They have ramped up the staff big time to meet a summer release date...whoa! I hope I even know what the actual project is by the end of the week since there is much "code" to distinguish from the verbiage I read (all these terms like "synergy", "transformation","utilization", etc. drive me to distraction. It takes what may be simple reading into something that must be parsed before it can even be discussed. Ugh.)

Anyway, I am starting to sound like the documents I was reading today. Here's an oh-so-pretty card to totally manipulate another part of my brain...mmm, love that hydrangea.

Positive note of the day: I was quite impressed with a lot of the people I met. Quick thinkers in these meetings - you could see the neurons firing as they talked - nice change of pace from what I was used to (shh!).
 

Fun Thing I Found on the Web:

P.S. Finally picked the Faber-Castell winners: #13 - Crystal and #19 - Helen.  Give me a shout and I will forward your info along to the gal coordinating the goodies!

Newly Discovered

• Bee-autiful Cards by Donna
• Gezzyb's Jots 
• ScrapMatters Blog
• Tillyscraftycorner
• A Part Time Scrappers Life
• Be Present - Be Real 
• fancy that scrapbooking
• εϊз Leticia Seki εϊз
• Zinga's Zoo
• The Joy of a Page!

First Ponytails

As you read this, I am working in an office for the first time in almost ten years (I mean, I would visit my old headquarters periodically but this is a total mind shift!). I am a little nerved up but probably worried more that this family transitions well! To that end, I share with you this picture of C when she was about 18 months old. She is the one I am worried about most...yeesh, here's hoping there are no tears or attitude tomorrow!

Positive note of the day: Nice quiet Sunday. Brad was real helpful getting the house ready for our new work situation (he prepped for dinner for the week).

Fun Thing I Found on the Web:

 

Newly Discovered

• SNIPPITYSNAP'S SCRAPALICIOUS WORLD!
• Purple Pumpkin Blog
• 4ft 9inch creator
• Fred The Needle
• Debby’s Dare
• Living Those Everyday Moments
• Tilda Fans -   
•  Cheeky Twins
• Life Behind The Lines
• WORDS OR WHATEVER

Sketches - Week of April 18th

Okay my pretties, I am going to start working a week from now so things will be a'changing! I am going to pin this weekly sketch link to the top (where you can assume the sketches that come first start on Monday and go from there). Since I will update this in the evening (probably), I really need your help to keep it going! This repository is beneficial for all (and I pay for the InLinkz account) so let's work together now that this mama is going to be downtown everyday, k? TTYS with deets about my new jobby-job!

Robot Tristan

I pulled this photo off an old layout that I hated (truly!). I found these robot stickers at the dollar store this past week so I put it together and made a bright, boyish layout of this picture of Tristan when he was three. I love being able to make super boyish layouts as well as girlie-girl scrap pages too!

Positive note of the day: Had a good day with family yesterday. Paula, Ryan and the boys all afternoon and then Grandma/Grandpa at night!

Fun Thing I Found on the Web:

Newly Discovered

• Crafting Mad: paper crafting from a male point of view
• Little Snippets
• My Inky Hands
• Squiggles and Giggles - Blog for Squiggle Stamps 
• a Lil' Bit of Redrottiness
• ♪♫♥ CHARITY CRAFTER! ♪♫♥ 
• { HappyLittleArt }
• Yogi's place
• xX Jules Craft Blog Xx 
• Wings of dreams.

A Christmas Creation

I have been making scrapbook pages a lot lately. So, before I besiege you with them, here's a card...it may be some time before I make another (my stash is huge!). I need to give some away soon! (P.S. Image is an IRAK...don't know the manufacturer!)

BTW, does any one know of a good blurfing app for the iPhone? If I could navigate them better than my Safari browser, it would be a lot easier for me to catch up (esp. since those kids are letting me nowhere near my computer now!).

Positive note of the day: After much trying on of spring jackets, I finally found one that was neither matronly nor made me look like a kite. That is good esp. since the last time I bought one was before Tristan was born. I am glad I can go downtown a little more respectable now (so long as I keep my mouth shut).

Fun Thing I Found on the Web:

Newly Discovered

• A Year in the Life of an Art Journal
• A La Card Monkey 
• Deanna's Pink Paradise
• **| Studio D. |**
• Afternoon Scrapper
• ♥♥♥♥ Baukje's Cards and Crafts
• Made Marion 
• Color The Way
• Darcie Heater
• Rogue Redhead Designs
   

Playing in Paradise Challenge Twelve

Today is my turn to host the Playing in Paradise challenge. And, not surprising, I made up another couple of sketches (one for a card and one for a layout). Working with the card sketch (which I forgot to follow correctly), I mixed up these Cosmo Cricket items for a card that is not very like me (but I need to stretch, right?). Come play along for a chance at some goodies, k?

Products Used:

• Vanilla CS.
• Cosmo Cricket Material Girl DP and stickers.
• Martha Stewart edge punch.
• Hero Arts Embellishment - Buttons Mixed Sunshine
• Spellbinders Lacey Circle Nestabilities.
• Making Memories ribbon.
• Miscellaneous buttons and embroidery thread from the dollar store.

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Here are the rest of the team's sites for more creative inspiration!

• Julie Dinn: Kreative Jewels 
• Carla Peicheff: Moralia’s Weblog 
• Allison Cope: Your Memories 
• Karan Gerber: Karan Gerber 
• Dana Nelson: Aspiring to Creativity

Positive note of the day: Ave's neurology appointment went okay (well, we had to wrestle her for x-rays). Her hamstring and Achilles tendon (which are prone to tightness) are relatively loose...we just have to keep on top of her exercises!

Fun Thing I Found on the Web:

 

Newly Discovered

• Jackies Stuff
• Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Catherine Evans 
• Мой БЛОГ
• Crafty Girl Designs   
• Strawberry Road  
• Creative Love Affair
• Le piccole cose di Giò
• "MarkaDecor" Магазин-мастерская Марины Чуздюк 
• Iona's Crop Shoppe
• Tuki's Place

Faber-Castell: A Review and a Giveaway

I was approached to try out some of the Faber-Castell products in exchange for a review. Not one to miss out on a chance to play nor get in on some free stuff, I jumped at the opportunity.

In the beginning:

• Since I am a crafter but not an inspiration diva, I would have been at a total loss had I not started out at Ellen Hutson's Classroom (one of the few I subscribe to via email since I do not want to miss out on the ideas there!). For a review of all the ideas featuring Faber-Castell gelatos and the mixed media sampler, start on the search page and then click away!
• I "met" Jill Foster's blog via Ellen's. She has a number of project and links for further inspiration with the Faber-Castell products.
• Along with their blog, Faber-Castell has their own YouTube channel.

Playing:

The first item I played with is the Color Gelatos & Clear Stamp: BLUE/GREEN set. My only misgiving is that the stamp is made from a less than ideal polymer. Of course, since you are buying the product for the gelatos and not the stamp, I kinda expected as much. To truly appreciate the value of the gelatos though, I think a high quality polymer clear stamp or wood stamp works best (funny enough, in every tutorial I found online, they used wood stamps with the gelatos. IMO, I think the medium adheres best to the rubber).

The second item I looked at was the Mixed Media Sampler: BLUE. While I tried out all the products, I confess that I only used the gelato in my samples here.

• The watercolor pencil works nicely (a little more vivid color than my SU! ones). The textured, triangular pencil is quite a smart design feature. I can imagine that this would prove real useful with a whole set of these.
• The pastel gives vivid color...Gina K used this one and smudged it as she worked to create a really neat background - very cool! 
• The artist pen (big brush) applies a lot of ink and allows you the control of a pen. I only tried it a couple of times and wasn't entirely pleased with my results which I don't blame on the product but my inexperience. Will have to keep trying with that one! 
• And the blue metallic pen is such a cool shade (liked writing my name with that one...ha!) but did not find a means to use it in my creations. I will have to get my thinking cap on!

Finished projects:

For my card, I chose to mix two techniques: Embossing Resist and Brayered Batik. (With the gelatos, you can get a brayered look without the brayer!)

1. I stamped my Inspired by Nature coneflower stamp with Versamark and then heat embossed it in white.
2. I then spread my five colors of gelato (the four in the first pack and the additional one in the Mixed Media sampler) going from light blue to dark green in horizontal stripes.
3. Working with my fingertips, I smeared each color so it transitioned easily from one to another. (Note: The creamier the gelato on the page, the easier it mixes. Don't let it dry too much or you will get "finger burn"! Of course, you can always add more if it dries!).
4. It dried pretty quick so I cut it with my nestie and then worked with the other layers to put this card together. Different for me but that's good!

ETA: Use a baby wipe to get the gelato off your fingers (and in my case too, the table). Works like a charm!

For my layout, I chose to color the chipboard piece with my dark green gelato. It is smooth, easy to apply and filled all the cracks and curves on the arrow...love that! (Esp. since covering this with DP would have been much more annoying.) Me likey (esp. mixed with this mix of thickers and Pebbles DP/stickers).

Thing to remember: 

Michael's carries these products (at least in Canada). While I urge you to support inspiring stores (like Ellen's and Gina K's) who pump out lots of ideas to use these products, you cannot go wrong with that 40% off coupon!

The Giveaway:

Two winners will receive a Mix & Match Mixed Media Sampler as well as a Color Gelatos & Clear Stamp kit! Just leave me a comment and I will draw on Sunday, midnight MDT.

Product Overview (From Faber-Castell): 

Mix & Match from Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft makes designing with color simple. Choose a color set that inspires you. Choose a medium. Mix & Match as you create. Color coordinated palettes give you the freedom to design your project knowing the colors will work beautifully together. Perfect for all your design, memory and craft projects.

Mixed Media Sampler Sets in Red, Yellow, Blue and Green encourage you to spread your creative wings and experiment with mixing mediums!  Each set includes a Stamper’s Big Brush, Gelato Metallic Stick, Pastel Pencil and Art GRIP Aquarelle Watercolor pencil.  Experiment with mixing colors and mediums or layer different mediums to create depth and details.  Or try using your rubber stamps with the different mediums to see which effects you like the most.

Color Gelatos are creamy sticks infused with brilliant color.  The color slides easily onto papers and can then be dissolved with water to create watercolor effects, or left to dry for vibrant bursts of color.  Try stamping with the Color Gelatos, or apply a field of color and use a stamp to remove the color.  Color Gelatos work wonderfully on flocked papers and embellishments too!  Color Gelatos are acid-free and odorless.

Newly Discovered

• Cricuteando Con Imaginación
• 'Cause I'm Me 
• frutti di bosco
• After All These Years 
• elaiswhatisay -    
• Pages In Progress -   
• Kim's Kreations
• 4 Goofballs 
• A Scrap Above
• My Ink Pad

How is it I am not working yet...

...but am just as busy if I were (or, even eerily, not as busy as I will be)? I crashed early last night after running around last night "incorporating" myself and didn't get another thing done (which is why I was washing dishes at 7 AM!). We also went to the dentist yesterday for Ave. After battling her (I had to straddle her legs around my waist and tip her upside down so the dentist could see her teeth while she screamed away), I was told that almost every single tooth was rotten. As such, we have a follow-up appointment at the Children's Hospital dental clinic and then she will go in, under sedation, for day surgery for x-rays, extractions, fillings and crowns. OMG. And because of her heart condition, she will be attended by a physician and cardiac nurse to ensure there is no infection nor blood pressure issues. Moreover, we have to change her eating habits from "grazing" (a WJ favorite) to three solid meals and only water to drink when she's out and about. Can you tell me how much fun this will be?

To our credit, this was probably unavoidable. With all the sugar in her heart medications from birth and the extra formula she had to get her weight up, she has been reliant upon sugary supplements from day one. In addition, she has a mouth where bacteria just festers. So what could just be done away with a toothbrush for other kids, requires a whole lifestyle change and major dental intervention. It is really important that we deal with this (even though the extractions will mean that she will undoubtedly have crooked adult teeth) since mouth bacteria is very dangerous on one's circulatory system. Jeez...even writing this gets me all nerved up. And now with a job, I have to worry about balancing that with this new hiccup. Oh my.

Anyway, since I have lots of stuff I created before, I share this one with you today. Off to do more organizing for life away from home!

Positive note of the day: Hmm...well the incorporation went easy last night at the Registrar. The lady had been working a 12 hour shift so I made sure I was extra nice to her. C came with me so her goofy self helped lighten the mood. C is definitely my little shadow since I told her I am going downtown everyday!

Fun Thing I Found on the Web:

Newly Discovered

• Jackie's Stuff
• Creatively Me
• At Home Crafting with Judy 
• *Открытки от БаНдИтКи*
• -AHR- Сделай Сам, творческие идеи 
• You Made Me Ink 
• All That Scrap 
• Adornando Recuerdos...
• Birds i View -  
• Carol's Creative Corner

Scrapping Ave in Basic Grey's Life of the Party

This scrap page is quite a mix of manufacturers but I think it works. The green DP is from SU!, the sentiment is a Bazzill chip piece, and the rest of the DP and stickers are from Basic Grey's Life of the Party.

Positive note of the day: So I am going to be working soon. I have to get all my paperwork sorted out (since I will be working as an independent contractor). The contract ends at the end of the year but can be renewed as necessary (it allows me some freedom too since I may just decide to move on if needs be). I will get paid more but there are no benefits, vacation pay or the like. However, I will get every other Friday off which will help with Avery's appointments immensely. Moreover, my job has newly added responsibilities of project management and training coordination so there will be a dynamism to my work sorely missing in the last ten years. Still nerved up about this transition for the kids (C is not really happy about the change) but I will be working with the nanny this week to get everybody on the same page. Here's hoping I am not pulling out my hair next week (esp. since Brad is starting a new job the week after next...OMG!).

Fun Thing I Found on the Web:

Newly Discovered

• Bottle Cap Co
• Button Planet Enterprise -  
  Дашик's friends (1)

  
   
• Anda's kaart-o-theek
• Life of the BearFamily 
• copic oz 
• Live. Teach. Love. Scrap. Laugh. Life.
• For Scrapping Out Loud
• 'CARDS AND THINGS'
• . Lillemors kreativa sida 
• Lillemor's Magnolior

Super Feminine Card

I made another card with this gladiolus stamp from the Stamp Barn. I fussy cut it and then used it to accent this sentiment from the Little Paper Shop.

Positive note of the day: I had a fun time out Saturday night for my brother's pub night fundraiser...perhaps a little too much fun. Oh my...I have not drank like that in a while (and certainly not wine). Oh well...Brad had much sport with my "condition" yesterday...ha!

Fun Thing I Found on the Web: