spring fever!

This was a lift from the 2007 DW calendar (Mar 22nd). I was lacking a little mojo, but felt like scrapping and had fun with using some stash with my Scrapperie kit stuff!

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill. Patterned paper is DCWV. Title is rub-ons by Creative Cafeby Creative Imaginations. Ribbon is MOD (Autumn Leaves) in the to right and another misc one. Wording stickers in the top right are by Bo-Bunny, Reminisce, Creative Imaginations, and the definition is Making Memories. Misc Magic Mesh.

Cheers,

Guess this is why I was nicknamed Little Miss Mary Sunshine...

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Yellow

You're yellow, the color of joy and energy — two things you definitely bring to everyone around you. It's hard for anyone to be sad or lonely in your presence; your sunny disposition and cheery outlook just won't allow it. The warmth of your personality shines through in the kindness you show friends and family (and strangers, too). Always ready with a lighthearted joke or heartfelt compliment, you know how to make people feel good about themselves, so they can't get enough of you. Yellow is a warm and inviting color for a warm and inviting person — you!

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=colorogt&c=50652

Naptime layout done!

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill. Patterned paper is KI Memories. Journaling tag is KI Memories. Title is American Crafts Thickers. Tickets and heart are from the January Scrapperie kit. Misc. eyelets and staples. Embossing was done with a Cuttlebug embossing plate in a Zip E Mate machine.

Well, I was very happy to manage to get a layout done during naptime yesterday. This was not at all what I had planned to work on, but I decided I wanted to try a challenge that Debbi T does on 2Peas using the 101 Things You Can Do with Your Scrapbook Supplies book by Jennifer McGuire. I have and love the book and the challenge this week was to emboss some paper and ink it and then use it on your layout. This was a bit of a stretch for me, but tried it and had fun with it and liked the result!

Not too much going on here today! Have a ton of laundry calling me and plan on spending the night taking it easy with the boys and George since I'm not going to see much of them over the next few evenings. I work the next 3 evenings (because we're moving locations at work) and then I'll be working Sunday and Monday when the store is actually closed for moving. It's going to be crazy!

Mum is also coming over for a little visit today on her way to the island. She's picking up Uncle Scott at the airport and then they're going over together for a visit since my grandma is going into the hospital. Please send wonderful, healthy vibes her way!

Well, better run for now since I need to go jump in the shower before everyone is up and needing breakfast! Have a fabulous day and I'll hopefully be able to scrap during naptime again today!

Cheers,

"Kiss"

Nathan just walked up to me, Easter basket full of plastic eggs on his arm, and all he said was one little word that melts my heart every time: "Kiss". All he wanted was a cuddle and a kiss from me! It's good to be a mummy...

Yes, I do know it's after 3 in the afternoon and he's wearing his pjs still, but I mentioned in the previous post that we're having a relaxing day! He just got up from his nap and his clothes are in the dryer!

Cheers,
Colleen

Easter cards

Well, I can now post my Easter cards since the couple of people that are getting them today still don't read my blog! Sorry it's not the best picture, but it was pouring rain and windy the day I took the picture, so there was no taking it outside!

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill. Patterned paper is Imaginesce. Misc ribbon and eyelets. The stamp is WhipperSnapper. The colouring was done with Tombow Markers.

These cards were a lift of some that Taylor VanBruggen did on her blog a little while ago. Loved them so much I knew I had to do some! The WhipperSnapper stamp that we got in at work was gone before I had the chance to get one, but Tara was nice enough to stamp some for me to use on my cards since she got one! Thanks Tara!

We had a great day yesterday and enjoyed dinner with my extended family. We've had sort of a lazy day around here today and we're going for dinner with my in-laws tonight. I'm sure that'll be fun too and the kids always have a good time!

Better go think about getting ready here before too long! Have a great day!

Cheers,
Colleen

Happy Easter!

It's been a busy morning around here as you can already see! The Easter Bunny wisely hid all the goodies he got inside since it's pouring outside! Too bad for everyone that's planned Easter Egg Hunts outside today since I know there are a couple of big local ones.

Kyle woke up at 5:30am and was just too excited to go back to sleep. He crawled in bed with us until we heard Nathan just after 6am and got everyone up then. Kyle was sure there was something in his room because that was where the Easter Bunny left his stuff last year! We had trouble getting him out of there to look around!

We finally managed to get them both into the kitchen where the egg finding really began! They each had a little bucket and Kyle was really good about showing Nathan where things were and even putting some eggs in Nathan's basket. There was an egg with their initial on it that had a twoonie in it as well as finding some chocolate goodies under the computer desk.

The first picture was the plate of goodies that Kyle and Nathan left for the Easter Bunny last night. It had a carrot, lettuce and some Cheerios on it. Kyle went out to check it this morning and some of the food was gone and there were eggs on the plate! Fun!

Well, we're not doing too much else this morning other than hanging out. We're hoping Nathan is going to go for an early nap after being up early because have dinner in Mission at 3pm - during his usual naptime! We'll see how all that goes. We got the easy part this year though because we only have to take dinner rolls! No cooking for me!

Well, better run for now, but I'll try and get back soon to do a general catch-up! Here's wishing everyone a very Happy Easter!
Cheers,
Colleen

ABCs of Me!

I've been tagged by Sarah. :)

A- Attached or single: very happily attached!!

B- Best Friend: Julie

C- Cake or Pie: cake - preferably cheesecake!

D- Day of Choice: Saturday right now because I generally have it off!

E- Essential Item(s): wallet, keys, diaper and wipes

F-Favorite type of music: pop, country, 80s - I like a little bit of just about everything!

G- Gummy Bears or Worms: bears

H- Hometown: Mission, BC

I- Indulgence(s): Peanut Butter M&Ms

J- January or July: January

K- Kids: 2 - Kyle and Nathan!

L - Last movie: P.S. I Love You - good!

M- Marriage Date: June 1st

N- Number of Siblings: 1 sister who's 11 and a half months younger!

O- Oranges or Apples: apples

P- Phobias or Fears: rats

Q- Quote(s): Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend. - Laertius Diogenes

R- Reason To Smile: my family for sure!

S- Season: fall

T- Tag: Shannon, Ally, and Meg

U- Unknown Fact About Me: I played basketball in high school, but not until Grade 10/11

V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Vegetarian until quite recently when I started eating chicken again (mostly to make it easier for meals in our house) though I still have a little trouble cooking it!

W- Worst Habit: leaving clothes out after changing

X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: ultrasounds

Y- Your Favorite Food: pretty much anything with a little ethnic flair!

Z- Zodiac: Taurus

Nothin' too much new around here today! Spent my day wiping snotty noses still since Sophia and Nathan are both getting over this cold and seem to have a constant stream coming out of their noses. Kyle is getting better too I think and I just have it mostly in one ear now.

Managed to get some more Easter cards done this afternoon and was going to post them too, but my camera batteries bit it when I went to take the pics, so it'll have to wait until tomorrow.

The kids had a ton of fun doing something new to Sophia and Nathan today too - Playdoh! All three of them played with it at the table for an hour or so! Was going to post those pics too, but with the camera situation, those'll have to wait too!

Better run for now since dinner is almost ready. An easy one tonight of fish and tatter tots as well as some mixed veg. Not claiming it's a perfect meal, but we're all getting fed! Going to watch Big Brother and hopefully do a few more cards.

Cheers,
Colleen

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Well, there's not really too much going on here today! It's a rainy one, but George and I are both off, so we're just sort of taking it easy. I worked the last 3 days at the store, so we've both been busy and I think just want a rest! George even managed to get groceries done before I went to work yesterday, so we don't have to do that today.

My only plan is to finish off the set of Easter cards I started, so I can get those ready to give out and mail a few. I need to put the pictures of the kids in them to get those out too! I have some packages that need to get sent off as well since being sick for the last couple of weeks meant that hasn't been done either! I think I might be finally starting to really get rid of it, but it's not gone yet by any means!

Here's a fun little quiz if you have a few minutes! Try it and see how Irish you are!
St. Patrick's Day Quiz from Reader's Digest
Your total 8/9
You've got the green all right. You're either of Irish descent or have studied Irish culture at some point.

And I am actually of Irish descent - English, Irish and Scottish! Doesn't get much more European than that, does it?! And, my name is of course Gaelic with Colleen meaning "girl".

And even better for you scrappy girls is a SALE! Sandi over at Scrapperie loves St Patrick's Day so much that she has most of the stuff in the boutique on 30-40% off, so go and check it out!

Anyway, just a quick post today! Hope everyone has fun and don't forget to wear something green! And hope you like the Spongebob greeting. Thought it was appropriate considering Kyle is into everything Spongebob these days!

Cheers,
Colleen

What Colour Crayon Are You?

You Are a Red Crayon

Your world is colored with bright, vivid, wild colors. You have a deep, complex personality - and you are always expressing something about yourself. Bold and dominant, you are a natural leader. You have an energy that is intense... and sometimes overwhelming. Your reaction to everything tends to be strong. You are the master of love-hate relationships. Your color wheel opposite is green. Green people are way too mellow to understand what drives your energy.

What Color Crayon Are You?

Pictures of the Boys!

OK, so I said I was going to post these ages ago and just never seemed to get around to it, but here they are finally! We took the boys to Sears at the end of January to get some pictures taken - mostly for Nathan's birthday, but also because we didn't have any done before Christmas. Nathan went first and did quite well until we wanted a couple of him and Kyle together. Not happening. We managed to get the one and he's just sort of starting to get a little upset, but it's not bad and it was the only one, so we took it.

We had a couple of frames left, so decided to get a couple of Kyle and the one turned out quite well. The both just look so grown up and it amazes me when I look at these! I'm very lucky to have two such wonderful little boys...

Well, not much going on here today. Still trying to get rid of this cold, but I'm certainly on the mend. Work tonight until midnight and then both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. The funny thing is that next weekend is the total opposite and I'll be looking forward to it!

Off for now, but have a wonderful weekend!
Cheers,
Colleen

New Double Page Layout about "Home"!

This is a 2 pager about the house I grew up in for my Random Memories album. I used my Scrapperie kit from this month for this.

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill. Patterned paper is Collage Press. Shaped paper is Making Memories. Misc black brads. Clock is Heidi Swapp. Title lettering is American Crafts Thickers. Stamp is Creative Cafe by Creative Imaginations. Fabric is from the kit. Vellum for journaling. Font is CluffHmk.

Journaling:

Mission, BC

The first house that mum and dad ever owned and the house that I grew up in. I so clearly recall the first and last days I spent in this house.

I remember the day that mum and dad showed us the house and Tracy and I got to pick our rooms! I'm not sure how it worked out that we didn't end up fighting over one of them, but I don't recall that. What I do remember is being quite excited about the orangey-red carpet in my room! Hello 1970s! I had to stand on the heat register under my window to actually be able to see out when we first moved in there.

The last day in our house for me was the day that I left for Japan. I knew the house was up for sale and mum and dad wouldn't be living there when I came home. It wasn't as if I'd been living there for a while, but knowing that I'd never be able to come "home" was really hard.

Dad came out in the carport as we were packing my stuff in the car to go to the airport and he saw me crying. He said something to the effect of "You're not going quite yet", but it wasn't so much leaving Canada that I was sad about at that point - it was leaving the house. I just stood there not really being able to imagine not ever coming back to my home and my room.

I loved this house...so many wonderful memories!

I really enjoyed doing this layout yesterday and it came together quite quickly really. I have just been thinking about our house in Mission a lot lately and wondering if our kids will feel this way about this house. I guess it'll depend on how long we live here though we have no plans of moving anytime soon!

Better run for now so I can go grab a shower before the daily chaos starts! Not too much going on though I do seem to be on the mend from this cold - it's just taking a while!

Cheers,
Colleen

Still sick and need title help!

OK, so I'm not feeling very clever this morning, but at least my chest doesn't feel like it has a 100lb weight on it anymore. That seems to have passed, but I still feel sick and have a brutal headache that the Advil I took doesn't seem to be helping. I'm supposed to be going to our monthly meeting for parents at the preschool tonight, but if I don't feel any better than this, I'll be giving it a miss.

Not too much going on today really. Same 'ol, same 'ol with Sophia coming and Kyle going to preschool this afternoon. Thankfully the kids were pretty good yesterday when I wasn't feeling up to par. Let's hope it's more of the same today!

I did muster up the energy to do a relatively quick layout in the afternoon while the little ones were napping and Kyle was at school. I was trying to take my mind off how awful I felt! These fun pictures of the boys with Rhys and Alex (the sons of my fabulous friends from Australia who were up in December) made me smile, so I had a go at them. This was for the Scrapperie Week 2 Sketch Challenge using one of Becky Fleck's sketches from PageMaps and I used the kit I just got in the mail: The Journey Home.

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill. Patterned paper is Collage Press and Cloud 9. Paint is Making Memories. Lettering is American Crafts Thickers chipboard. Font for journaling is Comic Sans MS. Stars are Technique Tuesday. Stitching done by machine.

I have some other pictures from that day and one of Julie and I that I want to scrap as well! Who knew that a meeting in a Japanese class more than 10 years ago would allow us to develop such an amazing friendship that has resulted in us being "BFF" even though we're a world apart! I was looking for older pictures of the two of us yesterday and it was so wonderful look at pictures of the momentous occasions in our lives that we've been able to share!

Love you Julie and miss you tons...

Well, I suppose that's about it for the time being and I'd better go do a few things before the whole house is up and Sophia is here! Just want to get rid of this headache!

Cheers,
Colleen

Great Mail Day and a New Layout!

OK, so this lovely package of goodies called The Journey Home from Scrapperie showed up on my doorstep today! I think I scared the mailman though with the state of myself being in my very casual clothes and not looking so hot since I'm still sick. I did apologize! Not only did this come, but a prize package from winning an avatar challenge and 2 of the Vintage Ltd kits: Boys Will Be Boys and Summer Cabin.

This kit is so full of scrappy goodness that I can't begin to tell you! Even though I'm sick, I managed to get inspired enough to try one of the sketches that are included every month in the kit as a little bonus as well!

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill. Patterned paper is Sandylion and Autumn Leaves Manhattan Collection. The "stitching" is one of the Kelly Panacci by Sandylion stickers. Felt is Fancy Pants. Metal "fun" embellishment is Making Memories. Title is L'il Davis rub-ons and American Crafts Thickers. Date is a Creative Cafe by Creative Imaginations rub-on and the making Memories Magnetic date stamp. Misc flat top eyelets. Ink is Palette Burnt Umber. Pen is Creative Memories.

Well, I'm sure you'll be seeing lots more of this kit in the next while! So much stuff packed into it and that fun little chipboard house that I need to try!

Well, starting to slow down a little now after managing to get a few things done around the house today too. I think it's leftovers and a salad for dinner though! I might just have to watch The Bachelor - Where Are They Now too tonight for a little laugh!

Better go for now!

Cheers,

Colleen

Quick Kid's Birthday Card

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill. Patterned paper and stickers are Sandylion. Stamp is SU! Ink is VersaColor Lagoon Blue.

This was a quick card I did for a 5 year old's birthday party that Kyle went to recently. We knew the little guy was into Thomas, so I got out some scraps and whipped this up. Nothing fancy, but perfect for the occasion!

Well, here we are at Monday again already and I feel as if I didn't have a weekend after being really sick all day yesterday. I feel marginally better today though I didn't sleep that well and kept poor George awake too I think. It doesn't help that we just changed all the clocks for Daylight Savings either so that his 5:15 wake up seems that much earlier!

Mum is going over to visit Tracy later, but I'm not going to be dropping by I'm afraid. I didn't bother taking George to work to have the car today either even though there's a field trip for preschool. It's outdoors at a bird sanctuary and I'm not hanging around out in the cold all day feeling like this!

It'd be nice if I felt like doing something creative later because I'm sure thinking about it a lot, but just not doing. I don't know that I'm going to have the energy though as much as I'd like to! Wait and see... I have some cards I'd like to get going on for Easter since I have all the stuff for them, but not sure I'll even feel like doing that!

Better be off for now! Hope everyone has a great day!
Cheers,
Colleen

Sick Sunday and a Card!

Well, my sinus headache is now a full blown head cold. I usually work on Sundays at the scrapbooking store, but one of the girls asked me to switch her Saturday shift for my Sunday and I'm glad I did now! I definitely feel worse today than I did yesterday. I'm just hoping now that it'll be short-lived and I'll be feeling better in the next day or two. Oh well, it means I get to laze around on the sofa and watch the NASCAR race later! Go #12!!

I'm not sure I feel up to scrapping like I was hoping to be doing today, but here's a card I did last week for a card tag at Scrapping Bug.

Supplies: Cardstock is Bazzill. Patterned paper is Sassafrass Lass. Misc blue patterned scrap paper squares. Stamping done with Making Memories Paint. Felt stars are Queen and Co. Misc ribbon and dollar stores blue staples.

Well, think that's about it for today and hope to be feeling better and have some more creative energy tomorrow!

Cheers,
Colleen

A Nana Visit, Sports Day and a Relaxing Day!

OK, so I haven't been the daily blogger that I was there for a while, but I'm here again with some new pictures. Yesterday was a busy one though I hadn't intended it to be. I was really looking forward to a visit from mum since her and dad were away on vacation and we hadn't seen them for a bit. Dad had a meeting in town, so he dropped her off on his way.

After mum got here, the kids, mum and I got ready and headed up to Tim Horton's for a walk and then a snack. We had a really nice time and the kids were quite good actually. I few Timbits and goldfish crackers did the trick. We made a quick grocery store stop on the way back too. Came home, got the little ones a proper lunch and got Kyle ready for his Sports Day!

It worked out really well with mum being here because it meant I could take him up and my plan was to go back early to see him get his medal at the end. Mum was saying that I might as well stay or go for a coffee or something since I was taking the bus and if I came home I'd only be here for about 45 minutes. I took Kyle up and almost immediately ended up helping! It was a crazy couple of hours with about 35 kids running around to different stations: an obstacle course, scooter boards, mini trampolines, basketball and a bean bag toss, and hockey. Afterwards, they all got a huge freezie as a snack (and, no, that wasn't a sticky mess!!) and there was an awards ceremony where all the kids got (edible) medals - see picture below!

After all of that, Kyle and I walked home and I got another visit with mum before dad came to pick her up. Kyle asked for pizza, so I thankfully didn't have to cook because George stopped and picked that up. Then, it was out to meet Tracy for a pedicure! I had a great time out with her doing that and now I have pretty red toenails!

Came home and watched Survivor and Celebrity Apprentice and called it a night. I'm still tired today though and wish I could've napped this afternoon, but hard to do when I don't have an alarm!

Today has been pretty mellow! We hung out and I got a few chores done around here. The kids were pretending to have naps in the hall and had their teddies and blankies out as well as some sofa pillows. They're so funny. Love the fake snoring!

I guess that's about it for now. Not much creative energy these days. Thinking about it a lot and not doing. Not sure what that's about! Hope that changes soon! Working 6-midnight tonight helping other people get ready to be creative!

Oh and check this out! Speaking of Tim Horton's above, they're doing the Roll Up The Rim contest right now and look what some places are now selling to help you out...

It's a RimRoller! Just in case rolling up that rim was to hard for you and you really needed a little help! Too funny! I have my own simple technique that takes 2 seconds...and has won me 3 coffees so far this year!

Cheers,
Colleen

A little card making!

Well, I sure did have fun last night! I went to "work", but was taking one of Tara's classes - the Copic Easter class. I haven't had a chance to play with the Copics, so this was my first go at it! The images for the cards are WhipperSnapper designs.

I really do like colouring and the Copic markers are a lot of fun to use. You can do so much with them in terms of layering and shading once you get the hang of them! I actually got my first 2 markers last night too. I'm not going to be getting them all by any means, but I'd like a few for sure! My cards certainly don't look like Tara's, but it was a lot of fun, especially since my boss, Judy, and some of my other co-workers were there!

Nothing too much new around here. As well as those cards last night, I did 2 others, but didn't have time to colour them, so I'll post them when I do! I also did a card for a card tag at Scrapping Bug, so I'll be looking forward to seeing how all of those come out!

Well, I'm going to go hang out with Kyle for a bit before the little ones wake up!
Cheers,
Colleen

Inspiration Book Cover

OK, so I got inspired today by Meg who's on my Scrapperie Tres Chic Girls Design Team! She posted a challenge over at ScrapWords and showed a sample of a scrap-related inspiration book. I decided that I'd simply use one from around here before investing in something new since I like the idea, but I'm not sure how it's going to work for me. I got this sketch book ages ago at an art store for something else and then never used it, so here we go...

Supplies: Misc art book. Making Memories Journaling block. Kelly Panacci by Sandylion label sticker. Lettering by American Crafts Thickers and Doodlebug stickers. "inspire" rub-ons are L'il Davis. Flower is Heidi Swapp. Misc. eyelet. Flourish by Autumn Leaves. "Good times, Good people, Good memories" stamp is Creative Imaginations Creative Cafe. Ink is Palette Burnt Umber.

Now, I just need to put this to good use with challenge info, sketches, layout and product ideas and other scrappy goodness! Wish me luck!

Cheers,

Colleen

Scrapperie March Madness!

It's time for some March Madness at Scrapperie! We have lots of crazy fun in store for you; we are going to play games, have fun challenges, giveaways, and we are also having a referral contest with a rockin cool prize! You don't want to miss it!

The other Tres Chic Girls and I have something exciting planned for you...

All you have to do to is make a minimum of 10 posts per day starting on March 1 and ending on March 31 to be elligible for the random drawings for RAKs. If you get your 10 posts, you will then be entered into a drawing for a fabulous RAK! We will be giving away 2 RAKS per week, on pre-determined days, but we aren't going to tell you which days we are giving them away because we want it to be a surprise! So get those posts in, because you never know which will be your lucky day!!

We are also going to have a little fun and play some Layout Tag. What is layout tag you ask? Well, it's like the Telephone Game (the game where you whisper a phrase to the person next to you and keep going until you get to the last person and then see how much the phrase has changed) except we will be doing it with a layout.

Sign ups and details for our Layout Tag game are posted now too. We're taking sign-ups until March 4th! The Mad Hatters and March Hares will be playing soon!

For the referral contest, all you have to do is refer someone, and you along with your referral will be entered into a drawing. The prize will be announced soon, but I promise, y'all are going to LOVE it! Make sure to tell them I sent you when you register!

There are challenges, prizes, and tons of chit chat and fun! We hope you come and play!

Cheers,

Colleen