Challenge Layout

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill. Patterned paper is Scenic Route. Misc Magic Mesh. Chipboard lettering is Scenic Route. Hidden Journaling tag is Creative Imaginations Creative Cafe. Large Eyelet is We R Memory Keepers. Rub-ons in Title are Making Memories Heidi. Ink is Versa Colour Lagoon Blue.

This was another one of those layouts that just seemed to come together so quickly and without too much thinking! I pulled out some things I thought would be useful as I had a bit of time here and there yesterday. Then, I sat down last night and it came together in about 45 minutes. It was for a couple of challenges too, so even better!

Well, it's going to be a busy weekend for us! I work 6-midnight tonight to start. Then, tomorrow I'm going for high tea at The Secret Garden with mum and Tracy. This has become an annual tradition that we started a couple of years ago when Tracy and I were both pregnant actually! In the evening, George's mum is coming over to watch the boys so we can go to George's Christmas thing. Sunday is going to be be busy for me too since I work all day and then we have out staff Christmas dinner (staff only) afterwards! A fun, but very busy and social weekend!

Have a fantastic weekend! They're calling for more snow here tomorrow!
Cheers,
Colleen

Gratitude album - another layout

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill. Patterned paper is MME. Sticker is 7 Gypsies. Scalloped frame and button are Creative Imaginations Creative Cafe. Title stickers are Doodlebug and title rub-ons are L'il Davis. Misc ribbon from October kit. Flourish and journaling stamp are Autumn Leaves. Ink is Palette Burnt Umber.

I've been enjoying playing with the small Gratitude album I started based on a challenge by Janet at Scrapperie. Of course, I didn't exactly get it done by the deadline, but I'm still doing it because I'm enjoying the size and freedom of this little photo divider album.

I have some pictures to post later of the kids playing out in the snow today too - fun! Not much snow, but enough to make them happy and get them good and wet!

Well, dinner is almost ready, so I'd better run! Have a great Tuesday evening!
Cheers,
Colleen

First Snow Day

This is what we woke up to this morning after having a few hours of snow last night. Nothing much especially compared to last year at about the same time - see the picture below!



I think we're going to get everyone bundled up here shortly and go out in the backyard for a bit. It's cold, so I don't expect to be out there too long, but the sun is out and there's a little snow, so they seem to want to get out in it!

We have a little different day in that Kyle doesn't have school today. Well, he does, but he's going tonight! They have "Special Person's Night" where they can take whoever they like to school with them (generally the non-participating parent) though Kyle announced this morning that he didn't want to take Daddy, but that he wanted to take Grandpa! Poor Daddy! Needless to say, Daddy is going!

Since Kyle is going to be up late tonight, we're going to see if he'll have a nap this afternoon, so if I get lucky, all three will nap at the same time! I'd love to be able to have a little quiet time this afternoon and maybe scrap or make a few cards! I really need to get on that - so much for having them dome early this year!

Better run for now... Enjoy your Tuesday!
Cheers,
Colleen

Another layout...

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill. Patterned paper is Daisy S. Stickers are 7 Gypsies. (all of this was in the October Scrapperie kit!) Extras - Transparency is MME. Rub-ons are Creative Imaginations. Journaling block is Making Memories.

I don't play with a lot of transparencies, so that's what I decided to do last night. I layered the sticker and rub-on lettering on top of the transparency! This is another layout for my gratitude album.

Hope you're all having a great day! I'm off to get ready for another shift at the store! Hope to scrap and make some cards tonight...

Cheers,
Colleen

Layout Tag!

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill. Patterned papers and sticker are Bo Bunny. Misc small brads and larger brads are making Memories. Felt is Fancy Pants. Distressing Ink is Palette Burnt Umber.

I had fun with some of the ladies at Scrapshotz playing layout tag. One person starts by choosing a layout and sends it to the first person, that new layout gets sent to the next and so on and so on. Now the key is that you only see the layout done before you and not all of them until the end. It's so amazing to see what came out of one layout. It's sort of like "Telephone", but with scrapbooking! You can see all of the layouts HERE!

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!
Cheers,
Colleen

And the winner is...

Sorry everyone, this is a little late, but better late than never for Amy! I'll e-mail you!

Great blog!
1. I do like to know the supply list.
2. Blogs have been an AWESOME inspiration for me!!!
3. I bookmark blogs that catch my eye and go back to visit if they don't have an email list signup.
4. I don't scrap so my fav cardmaking has got to be Card Creme and Heartfelt Greetings, but it is hard to pick just one

Thanks to all of you that answered my little questionnarie!
Cheers,
Colleen

Just a little something...

to get you in the holiday mood! What's better than a Christmas song sung by Michael Buble?! Enjoy...



I'm off to work here shortly. Have a great Saturday!
Cheers,
Colleen

Black Friday

So, according to Wikipedia...

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the United States, where it is the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season. Since Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States, Black Friday may be as early as the 23rd and as late as the 29th of November. Black Friday is not an official holiday, but many employers give the day off, allowing consumers to get a head start on their Christmas shopping. Retailers often decorate for the Christmas season weeks beforehand. Many retailers open very early (typically 5am) and offer doorbuster deals and loss leaders to draw people to their stores. Although Black Friday, as the first shopping day after Thanksgiving, has served as the unofficial beginning of the Christmas season at least since the start of the modern Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the term "Black Friday" has been traced back only to the 1970s. "Black Friday" was originally so named because of the heavy traffic on that day, although most contemporary uses of the term refer instead to it as the beginning of the period in which retailers are in the black (i.e., turning a profit).

The news media frequently refer to Black Friday as the busiest retail shopping day of the year, but this is not always accurate. While it has been one of the busiest days in terms of customer traffic,[1][2] in terms of actual sales volume, from 1993 through 2001 Black Friday was usually the fifth to tenth busiest day.[3] In 2002 and 2004, however, Black Friday ranked second place.[4] The busiest retail shopping day of the year in the United States (in terms of both sales and customer traffic) usually has been the Saturday before Christmas.[5] In 2003 and 2005, however, Black Friday actually did reach first place.[6]

Now, we don't have this in Canada since we have our Thanksgiving in October, but I can assure you that I've talked to a lot of Canadians who are going down. I have absolutely no desire to go and stand in line for hours after being at the border for ages. I don't even shop here on Boxing Day!!

There's nothing too crazy going on here today. It's a cold one out there with it still being -1! I'm not exactly rushing outside with the kids even if it is sunny! I think it's supposed to get up to about 6 degrees today. Nice to see the sun though.




I think Sophia's cold seems better and so far, it doesn't seem as if she's passed it on. She seems to have taken quite a liking to Kyle's hat these days and puts in on numerous times a day and finds his Diego backpack. She gets all ready and than says "Bye" over and over again as she walks down the hallway! She's been in a much better mood this morning and her and Nathan have been climbing all over the small ball house that we have!

I'm hoping to do a little more scrapping at nap time this afternoon and maybe this evening. I have cards to make and a Christmas present to work on as well, so there's no shortage of things to do - as usual!

Have a great day everyone whether you're shopping or not!
Cheers,
Colleen

Thank you Ali Edwards!

So who is a life artist? Do you take photos of your family, yourself, your environment, your world? Do you tell stories? Do you bring them all together onto paper, into your computer, onto a canvas (or some other cool concoction)? Do you create art journals with all kinds of wonderfully interesting pieces of your life and thoughts and emotions? Do you celebrate your life through your art?

You are a life artist.

I am a life artist.

- Ali Edwards

Well, some of you that scrap will know who Ali Edwards is and she's probably my fav scrap personality in that not only do I like her work, but I like her attitude about scrapping. So, I got her new book, Life Artist, a week or two ago and have flipped through, but it's been when I've been tired, or haven't had any time. Today I sat down with it for a few minutes before the kids were going down for naps and got totally inspired!



Anyway, after getting all inspired, I sat down with a picture I'd taken out a few days ago of George (not the newest one, but it was printed and handy!), my October kit from Scrapperie and a bit of stash stuff. I just started playing - without thinking about it and it's the most fun I've had scrapping in ages. I'm not sure I'd qualify this as my "best" work, but that's not the point and it doesn't matter! I had fun and it came together quickly, so that's the important thing. I also used what I had and didn't think..."Oh I could use ________". Who cares?! Now I just need to remember this process all the time when I scrap and it'll be more fun all the time!

Thanks again Ali...
Cheers,
Colleen

Exciting scrappy news!

Sandi at Scrapperie was wonderful enough to choose me in September to be part of the design team there - The Tres Chic Girls! I signed on for 4 months, but was just recently asked to stay on as part of the team! I'm REALLY excited! It's a wonderful place to hang out if you're into scrapping, so come on by!

They are also looking to add to the Tres Chic Girls and the details are over at Pub Calls. Check it out and then upload your work and come chat with us on the board! Would love to see you there! You have until Dec 17th to apply!

There's also a Black Friday Sale with lots of new stuff added to the Boutique, so come do a little shopping too!

For this weekend only, Scrapperie is having another progressive sale- so the more you buy, the more you save! The sale will start Friday morning at 12:01 AM CST and end Sunday night at 11:59 PM CST, so don't miss out on these savings:

Spend at least $20 and save 10% (use code BF1 during checkout)
Spend at least $40 and save 20% (use code BF2 during checkout)
Spend at least $60 and save 30% (use code BF3 during checkout)
Spend $100 or more and not only receive a 30% discount, but you'll receive an EXTRA Overstock kit in your order! (use code BF3 during checkout)

The sale DOES NOT apply to 3 & 6 month subscription prices and MAY NOT be used on the new November or December kits. Other than that, everything else has been discounted- and a few more Overstock kits have been added to our ever-growing stock!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends and family!
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Colleen

Sleep Changes

Well, it looks like my days of seeing this twice a day are over! Now I really can't complain because Nathan is a great sleeper, but in the last few days, he's messed up both his naps, so we're going to try going to one (hopefully long) nap in the afternoon. These pictures are from last week when I popped my head in to check on him and make sure he was sleeping and was he ever - he was OUT! I guess being that he's 22 months and is only now going to a nap a day, I really can't complain!



This is the new friend we have in the house. Kyle has been doing some of the cutest projects and fun stuff at preschool. This is something they did last week and it has grass seed in the top. The ideas is that it's sort of like a Chia pet and it'll grow "hair". The funny thing is that is really has already started to sprout, so I'll have to post another picture in a week or two once it's grown a little more.

Well, I wish I could say I got some scrapping done last night or some cards make, but it wouldn't be the truth. Honestly, I did some cleaning and then relaxed for a bit! Watched the "After the Final Rose" episode of the Bachelor and called it a night. Talk about an uncomfortable show! Brad trying to explain to 2 women he says he has feelings for that he just didn't want to take it any further and poor sad Deanna under the delusion that he was going to regret his decision and whisk her away. Boy, was she sorely disappointed - again! At least they did have the 2 couples on that have done well in this process to make it look good! Trista and Ryan with their new baby and Byron and Mary talking about getting married! Ahhh...love!

Well, better get a move on here today! Need to get some laundry done and would like to get a few things purged since I'm sort of in purge mode here again though it's just hard to find the time with 3 kids around! Peter Walsh inspired me once again after seeing some of the Oprah last week with the woman that was hoarding. He makes so much sense to me every time I hear him and I just get so inspired to act after seeing him!

Not much going on here really. Other than laundry, Kyle needs to get to preschool and I have a preschool meeting tonight to go to! No scrapping here today by the looks of it unless I can do some when the kids nap this afternoon!

Cheers,
Colleen

Tuesday morning quiz

I was blog hopping this morning and found this fun little quiz on Toni's blog.

Who am I? Colleen - wife, mum, daughter, sister, stay at home mum, teacher, scrapbook store employee
Who knows me best? My hubby!
How old am I? 37
How old do I feel? depends on the day!
The most important thing in my life is... my family
I always carry...my cell phone and wallet
Something I always do is...drink coffee in the morning
I'm at my happiest when...I'm spending time with my family
On a Monday morning, you'll find me...at my computer after a quick shower before the kids are up!
My favorite mode of transportation is...my car!
My eyes are...blue/grey
My favorite material possession is...my scrapbooking stuff!
To relax, I like to...go for a walk with the boys, scrapbook, read...
The town I live in is...wonderful because it has all the amenities we need close-by and I've met some great people
What's my worst habit? over planning
My guilty pleasure is...reality TV for sure!
When I look at someone, the first thing I see is...their smile
I think ......... is beautiful. I think fall is beautiful!
One thing that I can live without is...stress!
One thing people don't know about me is...that I sometimes worry that people won't like me.
My life is...really in an amazing place what with my lovely family, living in a great house and being able to stay home with my boys!

Not too much going on around here on this beautiful sunny November day. Going to be out walking Kyle up to preschool with the kids later after lunch. Hope the kids get a good nap this afternoon and I might be able to do a little scrapping again. Have stir fry I need to do up later for dinner and then I think it'll just be a relaxing night!



Oh, OK, before I go, I just have to say WHAAAAT?!?! about The Bachelor last night! Now I know some of you may be surprised that I got sucked into watching it again (and others of you that know of my reality TV addiction won't be surprised!), but what an ending! He didn't pick anyone?!?! He dumped them both?!?! WOW! I didn't see that one coming at all! I was going to go to bed early tonight, but not now because I have to watch "After the Final Rose" to see what he says about his decision!

Have a great one everyone! Hope to have some more scrappy stuff to post tomorrow!
Cheers,
Colleen

Monday again already...

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill. Patterned paper is American Crafts, Reminisce and the blue "bling" paper is Doodlebug. The stickers are Reminisce. The journaling block stamp is Autumn Leaves. The ink is Lagoon Blue Versa Color. The brads are Making Memories.

I actually managed to get a little scrapping done this afternoon and this one came together really quickly using my November Scrapperie kit and one of the sketches that came with it. This will probably end up being one page of two.

2Peas Challenge for today is -
What is the biggest step you have taken this year?
The biggest "step" or change for both myself and our family has been the decision to become a stay at home mum. My maternity benefits ran out early in the year, so things have changed quite a lot since then. I started taking care of Sophia 4 days a week once Tracy went back to work and the money that Tracy pays me for that has helped bridge a bit of the finiancial gap.

We have also cut back in a lot of ways. We have gone from one vehicle to two to help us save money. I'm working part-time at a scrapbooking store for a little extra money and to help get me out in the world talking to adults. We don't go out as much as we used to and we're careful about what we're buying. No more 100 channels on cable and some of the little things as well. The reality is that in the long run they really are little things and I feel very lucky to be able to stay at home with the boys and to help look after Sophia as well. I really do appreciate it more than I can say.

The Scrapperie Blog Topic today was this:
When was the last time you...

1.Cleaned out your closet? I actually have this on my list of things to do because it's been a while!
2.Went to a concert? Good question! Ummmm...I'm thinking too long if I can't remember which one other than a kids one!
3.Had a milkshake? Probably a couple of years! Need to do this soon!
4.Got all dressed up? For George's Christmas party last year I think, so almost a year ago! That's quite sad really!
5.Went grocery shopping? Did some of this on Saturday!

Well, I need to think about getting Nathan up and Kyle ready so we can get George from work. We took him this morning so we could have the car to take Kyle to his preschool field trip at the library this afternoon!

Cheers,
Colleen

PS Feel free to check out yesterday's post and my questions for entry for a little scrappy giftie thingy! hee hee

My latest creation...

The patterned paper came from my most recent Scrapperie overstock kit called "Which Way Did He Go, George?" and the kit is fab!! You may not be able to see it, but there is also journaling all around the lighter cardstock about the things he's doing these days. This was inspired by the cover of the July/Aug 2006 Simple Scrapbooks.

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill (including the die cut lettering of the "u" and 22). Patterned paper is Reminisce. Stamp "@" is Making Memories with Lagoon Blue Versa Colour that was heat embossed. The rub-ons in the title are Creative Imaginations. Star is Making Memories. Misc brads and eyelets are Making Memories.

I did this layout for the second week of the monthly challenge going on at Scrapperie.

So this is my latest creation and it got me thinking about a couple of things!
1. Today I posted my supply list, but I often don't on my blog, do you appreciate it when people do or do you care?
2. How many of you use blogs to find inspiration and/or challenges?
3. Do you use GoogleReader (or something similar) to keep track of all the wonderful scrap blogs now? If not, how many to you read and how do you keep track of them?
4. What your current fav for a scrap blog?

For anyone that answers these before Wednesday night, I'll put your name into the random name generator and someone will get a little something in the mail from me!

Cheers,
Colleen

Have a good listen!

Was reading a few blogs this afternoon and came across this on Bonnie's. I think Pink speaks for more than a few people with this song called Dear Mr. President.



Dear Mr. President
(feat. Indigo Girls)

Dear Mr. President,
Come take a walk with me.
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me.
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly.

What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
What do you feel when you look in the mirror?
Are you proud?

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why?

Dear Mr. President,
Were you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
How can you say
No child is left behind?
We're not dumb and we're not blind.
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell.

What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away?
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay?
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine.

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye?

Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh

How do you sleep at night?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Dear Mr. President,
You'd never take a walk with me.
Would you?

Something to think about on this lovely sunny Sunday...
Cheers,
Colleen

Scrapping out...

of my comfort zone! I got the new Rockin the Casbah kit from Scrapperie and love the papers and colours that Sandi has put together! I don't normally scrap with colours/patterns this bold, but they're fun for kids pages. I was really looking forward to getting this kit and playing with it because my scrapping is generally very structured and not very "freestyle" which this kit really lends itself to.

This was also done for Week 2 of the Scrapper's Amazing Race Challenge at TTT. We had to use flowers, circles and a new technique on our page. The flowers were hard for me, but I actually like the black ones. I tried a few new things with the stamped border (Kelly Panacci by Sandylion), paint on the edges of my picture and the wording with rub-ons and the Painty Sharpie on my picture. The title was fun with all the different fonts too. Can't wait to play a little more with this kit!

Well, not much going on here this morning what with Kyle still with mum and dad. Nathan just asked to go down for a nap even though it's only 8:30, but as soon as he did Sophia wanted to lay down too, so I get a few quiet minutes. Kyle will be back about 11ish I think this morning, so the little ones will get a Nana/Grandpa visit too.

I'm not working tonight, so I'm hoping to be able to get some scrapping/card-making done and maybe play a little with some of the challenges in the Scrapshotz cyber crop this weekend. I'm working all day tomorrow, but have Sunday off too, so it's not too crazy a weekend around here at all!

Oh and one of the girls at work that also teaches, Tara, finally started a blog, so you should check it out! It's called luvs2cre8.

The 2 Peas Challenge for today is...
You have to bring some food to a party. What's it going to be?

This is an easy one for me because since I started making Homemade Almond Roca, I get asked for it all the time. Now I guess I'm going to give away my secret, but the best part is that it's quick, easy and delicious!

1 cup of butter
3/4 cup of brown sugar
1 package of whole graham wafers
1 cup of slivered almonds
1 cup of chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Layer graham wafers on a cookie sheet and don't overlap them.
Sprinkle almonds on top of the graham wafers.
In a saucepan, melt the butter and then add the broen sugar and bring this to a boil.
Pour the mixture over the graham wafers and almonds and put it in the oven for about 8 minutes.
Take it out and sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Leave it for a minute and then run a fork through the chocolate.
Refrigerate and break into pieces when cold.
Enjoy it because it won't last long!

Have an amazing weekend everyone!
Cheers,
Colleen

Christmas is coming...

It's hard to believe it's already getting to be that time again. I love the holidays though and I'm really looking forward to it. I'll be starting to decorate at the beginning of December though we'll no doubt hold off on the tree for a bit. I'd like to put it up early too, but with Nathan and having Sophia here 4 days a week, I don't think it's a good idea!

We have thankfully really downsized our shopping in recent years too. George and I aren't doing much for each other largely because we don't need a lot and there's no point in spending money on stuff we don't need. We have promised each other a night out for just the 2 of us in December though.

We're going to do stockings for the 4 of us though and that'll be fun. We are doing one gift from George and I for the people in my family (that means a gift for mum, dad, Tracy, and Brian). We then have the boys and Sophia. I'm doing a little something for George's parents, but they don't do gifts in his family anymore - maybe partly because there are a lot of them! I'm making something for the grandmas and that's about it really! We quit all the friends gifts and just spend time together instead. None of us need anything!

It's going to be a little different this year as it'll be the first year for just the 4 of us on Christmas morning. The past few years since we moved in here, we've had Tracy and Brian (and Sophia last year!) and mum and dad here for gift opening. There are a lot of us now though, so we've decided (well, mum and dad did really, but it's a good idea I think) that we're all going to do our own thing. I think it'll be the most different for mum and dad though with just the 2 of them!



We've started a tradition around here of getting an ornament for the kids each year with the idea that they can take them with them when they leave home. When I left home, I didn't have any and took whatever I could get from whoever would give it to me, so when I saw this idea somewhere, I thought it was a fun one because all the ornaments will have memories as well. We try and find an ornament of something that they're into and we've already found Nathan's. We were shopping the other day and I saw an Elmo ornament and we knew that was it for Nathan this year! We also knew if we didn't get it then, we'd probably never find it again. Nathan loves it already and since we don't want to take it out of the box, he keeps telling us that Elmo is "tuck" (stuck!).

It's a little quieter around here today since Kyle isn't here! Mum came into town to watch the little ones yesterday while I went and did my duty day at preschool with Kyle. It was great to have a visit and then she asked if she could take Kyle home with her for a couple of days since dad has to come into town again on Friday for the dentist anyway. Of course, Kyle was more than excited at that idea! Makes for a different kind of day for me though with just the 2 little ones.

Well, guess I'd better run. Hope to get some scrapping done today since I work tonight!

Cheers,
Colleen

A little burnt...

I think I've finally come to the conclusion that I'm burning the candle at both ends a little more than I should be! Everything that I've been doing is catching up with me and it just means I need more sleep and a little more "me" time!

What with having the kids and then Sophia here 4 days a week as well plus working at the store about 3 or 4 days a week of late, it's been busy! It's not even just that though...I've been making the mistake of staying up too late after getting my second wind in the evening and then I just feel wiped in the morning. Kyle and Nathan waking up at 6am all week hasn't made it any better either! I need to make sure I'm getting to bed earlier and I think that'll make all the difference because I want to be able to enjoy the kids and not be grumpy with them! I really do enjoy getting out and going to work. I can't imagine not having the scrapbooking store to go to a few times a week! Helps keep me sane!

I have a few scrappy projects I want to be working on, so it's a matter of finding the time this week to do a couple of challenges and work with my new Scrapperie kit! I also saw a fantastic project on Tobi's blog that you really should check out! I so want to try this now! She replicated one of the great decorations that Starbucks has and it turned out so well! She's a very talented woman and teaches at the store I work in, so check it out!

Well, better run for now, but have an amazing day!
Cheers,
Colleen

Gotta love a challenge!

I'm a total sucker for a challenge and that's why I do so many scrapping ones! Helps keep me going! This layout was one I did for the monthly challenge that's going on at Scrapperie. The idea was to do a "superhero" layout however you interpreted that and it had to have a 5X7 picture and hand-written journaling, so this is what came out of that!



Speaking of things coming...THIS showed up today and I can't wait to get going on my Scrapperie kit for November called Rockin' the Casbah! I have idea rolling around in my brain, so let's hope I can find some time to get them on paper!



I caught a few minutes of "The View" this morning and saw the singer Marc Cohn on there and heard about the horrible incident he had with a carjacker shooting him in the head. He's very lucky to have survived, but apparently what came out of the whole ordeal was some new songs. He sang this one on the show today and I thought the words were amazing! The video is from Ellen...

Live Out the String (Marc Cohn)

Maybe life is curious to see what you would do
With the gift of being left alive
Spread the higher purpose
And cut through all the shuck and jive
It’s only natural, maybe superstitious
To try and find the meaning in beating the odds
Cause sometimes you gotta get down on your knees
And thank the whole wide universe of Gods for letting you…

Live out the string
A little longer, boy
Raise your voice and make a joyful noise
Ain’t no guarantee of anything
Live out the string

Now that a meteorite has fallen in the chair
You just got out of to answer the phone
Will you live every moment like it just might be the last
Or will you still just bitch and moan

Fate is kind, fate is cruel, fate is terminally cool
It’s a random interruption in the middle of your groove
But sometime you gotta get down on your knees
And find yourself a deeper groove, yeah…

Live out the string
A little longer boy
Raise your voice and make a joyful noise
Ain’t no guarantee of anything
So live out the string (the string)

Who knows if we got angels on our shoulders
Right now with the devil in the street
Who knows if it means we got more work to do
But hey baby, don’t the air taste sweet

Get down on your knees
Get down on your knees
Live out the string
Live out the string
(yeah-ah, yeah-ah, yeah-ah)

Maybe life is curious to see what you would do
with the gift of being left alive

Well, gotta run because I need to go get Kyle from preschool, but have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Colleen

Memories of Remembrance Day

I was 15 and a Pathfinder and had been asked to recite "In Flanders Fields" in the cemetery as part of a Remembrance Day ceremony. It's one of the hardest things I've had to do.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

As I started to read, there was a total silence that engulfed me and since I knew the poem inside out, my mind wandered. This was the first time since Grandpa died that I had been here - to this place where he was buried. I missed him so much. I had gone to the service after he passed, but hadn't been to the cemetery and it was at this moment, as I was reading, that a lot of that really hit me. I'm honestly not sure how I managed to finish without completely losing it.

A very emotional day for a 15 year old girl...
Take a moment to remember today in your own way.

Colleen

A reminder...

Saw this today and thought it was a wonderful reminder of what tomorrow is all about!



Tomorrow as I pause at 11am I'll be thinking of my grandpas who are no longer with us who both fought though thankfully survived the war (only to both be killed by cancer). I'll also be thinking of my amazing dad who I'm proud to say was a Canadian peacekeeper in his younger days. I love all of you...

I'm not one who can say she supports war, but I can fully appreciate the sacrifice of the men and women and their families that have fought and are fighting.

Colleen

Magic Mesh is BACK!

Magic Mesh is apparently making a comeback! Precious Memories, the store I work at, is participating in a creative expo event this weekend and the store got some to sell at this event, but didn't have any recent samples. Some of us that were working the other night were asked to take some Magic Mesh home and to do some samples, so these are the ones I did. It was fun to play with again!

Not too much going on around here today really. I've got the kids and it's a rainy one I think out there for the day, so we'll be having a stay at home day and then I work again tonight. Kyle was up at 6 this morning, so he'll be having a nap too, so I'll be able to scrap later with any luck!

Have a great day!
Cheers,
Colleen

Some more layouts...

Morning all! Here we are mid-week again and the week seems to be flying by! I've been busy it seems between the kids, work, spending some time with George, getting some things done around the house (never-ending of course!!) and some scrapbooking, I just don't know where the time goes!

I got the two layouts above done in the last little bit. The first one was for my design team work and I used my October Scrapperie Indian Summer kit. The second one I just did for the first week of the new Scrapper's Amazing Race Challenge at TTT.

There are two challenges going on over at Scrapperie as well! One is a Gratitude Challenge and I decided to try a mini album on photo file dividers (in the post below). I'm behind now though and need to get going on it! If only there were a few more hours in a day! The other is a monthly challenge that is going to go for 2 months and the first week is up now! I'm just playing along because I'm helping to decide on points, but it's fun and I have a layout in mind!


I was also wonderfully surprised when I opened the TTT newsletter this month and this layout was in it! Fun!

Well, guess that's about it for now. Not too much going on today since it's a rainy one. My lovely friend Laurel is being wonderful again today and has offered to take Kyle to preschool! Even better since it looks like it's going to be a wet one and it means I won't have to wake up the little ones to go pick him up!

I'm also getting very excited about my friend Julie and her husband, Simon, and their boys, Alex and Rhys, coming up to visit us in December all the way from Australia!! I haven't seen them since George and I got married and between us we have 3 more kids now!! Can't wait to see you all! Oh and the eggnog lattes are OUT NOW Julie!!

Have a fantastic day!
Cheers,
Colleen

Wanna scrap...

but there's been so much going on in our house it seems! I did manage to get the "layout" above done for the Scrapperie Gratitude Challenge. I'm a little behind now since I've worked the last couple of days and haven't had time to scrap, but I'm looking forward to doing more of this. I used my October kit to do it as well. This is going to be a mini book done on photo file dividers - something fun and different!

I'm also very excited about something scrappy that's just gone postal and is on it's way to me, but more about that later when I get it!!

I need to get working on a layout for the Scrapper's Amazing Race at TTT! The first clue went up yesterday and I know what the product is, so I just need to do a layout with it!! Good for some inspiration! Now I just need to find some more time!

I worked Friday night until midnight, all day yesterday and then again for 4 hours this afternoon! I didn't have Sophia Thursday or Friday after calling Tarcy and telling her that both George and Kyle were home with fevers. I finally took Kyle to the dr. yesterday morning before I went to work and found out that he had a throat infection, so the dr. put him on antibiotics. He seems better already this morning! Yeah! I still have my cough, but that's about it (though my voice is a little rough) and George seems to be on the mend after 2 days off work this part week (which NEVER happens!).

Think that's about it for now though I do have more Halloween related pics to post at some time too!
Have a great Sunday!
Cheers,
Colleen

Fun Halloween night!

Yeah! A success all the way around! I was a little worried for a couple of reasons... we borrowed a costume from a friend for Nathan and it's a dinosaur one, but I wasn't sure he'd wear it since he wasn't too thrilled when we tried it on him. I actually took a fireman's hat with me just in case, but it was a go thankfully! He didn't wear the head part too much, but that's OK. I was also worried that Kyle would be too scared of some of the houses and decorations. He really doesn't like the spooky Halloween music either, but he did really well and there was really only one house where he didn't like one of the decorations that was a motion sensored thing that played music and bounced around. He didn't go to one house because of the music, but other than that, we did very well. (Not the best picture of the boys, but the only one I have until I get some more from mum or Tracy!)







Kyle was looking forward to going tonight, but he'd had a big day since he had a party at preschool today too. They didn't wear costumes, but made hats at school. They decorated by giving the kids rolls of streamers and letting the run it all over the place like a huge spider web - fun idea! Their snack was a cookie on a plate with some icing and sprinkles, so they could decorate their own cookie before they ate it. Then, they got to do a little trick or treating thing at school too.

Kyle and I ran out to the store so I could get my cheque while George was at home sick with the sleeping kids. Kyle even got a treat at the store! I managed to get back after mum had arrived at our place, especially since we picked up pizza on the way home. The pizza place was sure busy!

Got home for a quick bite and then we were off to Tracy's place to do our trick or treating. As I mentioned, mum came here for a quick visit and picked up Sophia to take her home. I know Tracy was worried that Sophia wouldn't wear her cute little Winnie the Pooh costume either, but she did and looked adorable, so we all did well. We got a little wet, but overall did very well! We went around Tracy's neighbour mostly to the people that she knew so they could see Fia as well.

Nathan was hilarious! He was right into it going up to the door and knocking and saying trick or treat (as best he can!). He wasn't having too much of the at part of his costume, but that was OK too. He still looked very cute! And he sure isn't afraid of anything though one older kid with a scary mask got in his face and growled and that did it! I gave that kid heck too!



At one point, I tried to take Nathan's little pumpkin bucket from him a couple of times to help him out and there was no way I was prying it out of his hands! You should have heard him howl when I took it away for him to go to bed!! I can only imagine what he'll be like next year!

I knew we wouldn't do too much with the little kids and Kyle's not old enough to want to do a ton yet. After finishing our trick or treating, we headed right home and didn't go in to Tracy and Brian's for fear we'd be there all night!

I knew George was looking forward to taking Kyle to the "Santa house" as he calls it (because of the fact that they decorate the house all up for Christmas and Santa is there on Christmas Eve). The two of them went over there for a quick stop and then came home. Apparently the man was nice enough to turn off the scary music that Kyle didn't like too.

A fun (though busy) day all around! Another Halloween come and gone already!
Christmas will be here before you know it...
Cheers,
Colleen