Happy Birthday to me!

Today is my birthday and we are in the middle of a thunderstorm! haha Hmmm..what does that mean? I'll take it to mean that nature is celebrating for me? Yeah, ok. This is the 2nd year in a row that I have taken a birthday pic of myself with some numbers on me. I'm not one to care if anyone knows how old I am. I'm just happy to be alive and look upon each year as an achievement. I wish all women could be as free as that and not put so much importance upon the number. Wear it loud and proud I say!!












I will say that today was a very uneventful birthday other than the fact that my son and his girlfriend came over and brought me a card with a gift certificate to my LSS!! I know! This was totally unexpected and warmed my heart so much. Maybe he is growing up after all? I'm thinking it was Jessica's doing though as women tend to be more thoughtful! Speaking of thoughtful, I was expecting something from the hubs but he thought that money was a good b'day present. WTH? Money? I can go to the bank and take out money. I was quite disappointed and let him know it. How about you, what was your worst b'day present (or any present for that matter) from your partner? I'm dying to hear some horror stories here to make me feel better.

Here is a pic of Michael and Jessica that I took this afternoon, I just love it. I know they probably don't like posing but when I give them copies of the pictures I take of them they are really happy and therefore continue to humour and pose for me! haha I did tell Jessica that she wasn't allowed to have the baby until I get back home on the 13th (her due date is the 22nd!!)

















John and Michael laid our sod in the front of our house today and I felt sorry for them as it was thundering, lightening and raining on them. Skyler of course loved it and just sat on the new lawn and rolled on it! haha Of course after I told John of my disappointment in the b'day gift department he said "I laid sod for you". Oh well, how could I be such an ungrateful wench then eh? What woman wouldn't be happy with new sod on her birthday?? Here's part of my present:












Before I go away on holidays tomorrow I was able to play along with the One Little Word and the word was "joy". Well anyone that knows me knows that I find joy in the little things (I'll have to add sod to my next list!), so I had fun compiling a list of 25 things that bring me joy (in no random order of course)















Then I also had fun making this ATC for the Thank God It's Friday challenge blog and the theme was "apples, pears & peaches" so I got another chance to use my lovely pear stamp and did some embossing.

Well there you have it in a nutshell. I will be away until July 13th and might check in as I will have computer access. I can hardly wait to go and see my family and just get away and recharge my batteries, shop and have fun. Once again I'm happy Paige is coming with me because she will be 15 soon and I'm not sure how many more summers she will want to keep coming with me. Although we do do all of her back to school clothes shopping in Calgary so I think that's one thing that keeps her coming?? haha

I'm officially on holidays now!!

Woohoo!! Let the good times roll! I have now officially started 3 weeks of holidays!! The hubs birthday was today and we barbequed burgers and had beer on the deck. Tomorrow is my birthday and we are going to barbeque again, this time steaks, corn on the cob and salad (he had his choice today and picked burgers. Men!) haha

The new Dream Girls challenge is up and if you love sketches you have to check it out. Here is my take on it (look how young we were, just babies!!)
















I love scrapping old pics, they get me really nostalgic and bring back so many memories. I also played along with the Theme Thursday and the theme was "red and black". I did a page for my art journal but the scan doesn't show the red colors like I see them which is too bad. They look more orange but here it is
















These are part of the lyrics to the Goo Goo Dolls "Here is gone" song. Sigh. Love.

Marks Paper Company

These papers are gorgeous, they look like they have been printed off on canvas and I am so lucky to be their July Guest Designer!!! Check out the Marks Paper Company website and who do you see?? It's me, it's me! haha I had soooo much fun playing with their papers and I always love seeing what I'll do with a certain manufacturer's paper. I loved the colors, the canvas look and whimsy of their papers. Here is my first project I made also using the fabulous Magistical Memories potty girl (I can't get enough of those little potty people!!)
















Then I made this layout on the hubs and I and I love the paper with the boy and girl playing patty cake so I cut them out and placed them on here
















Then this next paper was perfect for a picture that I had of Paige when she was 5 (I miss those days!!!!)
















I really love how this one turned out and it's not a color scheme I have used alot but ended up really loving it. Last but not least you know I had to make a page for my art journal using their fabulous papers so I made this
















So there you have it! If you get a chance to get your hands on some of their paper do it!!
Oh, I forgot to post that the new Gutter Girlz challenge was up and it's a goody!! Here is my take on it
















I see now that the sun is trying to break through the clouds so I am going to try my luck down at ParkArt and hope that it doesn't rain on me. Happy Canada Day everyone!!!!

I'm playing in my art room

and making stuff for some of the challenges that I love doing. Over at Saturday Surprise the theme was "butterfly" and since it's been so long since I made a card for my 7 Gypsies ATC spinner I made this














I love adding to my spinner and can hardly wait until it's full so I can put it in the livingroom for everyone to enjoy. Oh who am I kidding, who else but me is probably going to spin that baby?? haha Oh well. Next up I made an ATC for the Think Monday, Think ATC and the theme was "face" so I made this











I love using this face stamp and have made a few ATC's using her. Last but not least was the Lots to do challenge and the theme was "grungeboard". Now I loved this challenge because I had a little baggie of Timmies grungeboard that I had totally forgotten about (that's what happens when your stash takes on a life of it's own!!) so I dug it out and made this art journal page
















Forgive the area around the key (that's the grungeboard that I embossed with gold embossing powder and then set rhinestones on it) that's blurry but it was lumpy to scan! Well that's it for me, I think I'll have a glass of milk and then relax. I can hardly wait until tomorrow because then it will be like a Friday night for me as the next day is Canada Day. A day off!! Then I start my holidays on Friday!!!

Shameless plug for Cosmo Cricket DT call!!

Yes, I admit it, I'm shameless and am going to now shamelessly plug my love for Cosmo Cricket!!! I love their line and I would have to say it's one of my favorites. When I think Cosmo Cricket I think happiness and fun. I made these next 3 layouts just for the DT call (brownie points??)and couldn't help but have fun playing with these papers and embellies. This first one I used the Snorkel and Get Happy line along with their chipboard letters (Blackboard and Be Good). I also used the "dot photo corner" from Magistical Memories and painted it bright blue.
















Then for this one I used the "Campy" paper to do a layout on the road trips we have taken. I made the sun using one of the circles from the Snorkel paper.
















This next one is one of my favorites, it's of my DD using the girly sweet "Hey Sugar" and "Snorkel" papers. I thought the Cosmo Cricket little chipboard glasses were the perfect touch for this and I also used the Magistical Memories Art Deco Stem and flower.
















Ok, you better grab a cup of coffee, some trail mix, something to help sustain you because I'm now going to show you my other projects made using Cosmo Cricket (I did warn you ahead of time that this was a total shameless plug)....

This mini album of my DD was made once again using the awesome "Hey Sugar" line. I loved that line and loved adding some grunge and funk to it.












I won't show the whole album because I did say this was a shameless plug, not Survivor!! haha
For this layout paying homage to my Goo Goo Dolls I used the "Get Happy" line
















Sigh. Love the Goos. Oh, oh, this next project was one of my faaavvves! I made a 16 x 20 canvas for our livingroom using the "Fleuriste" collection and was so happy with how it turned out.













Are you still with me? haha For this next one I loved using the whole sheet of "Tank Mix" die cuts and some papers from the "Hello Sunshine" line.
















For this one I used some papers from the "Mr Campy" line and had fun being reflective
















Can you tell I have alot of fun when I play with Cosmo Cricket (more brownie points??) hehe
Well the fun didn't stop when I did this layout for a challenge over at The Design Experiment on what 10 things we would save from our house if we had 15 minutes (had to be things, not people or pets, just to clarify so you all don't think I'm a lunatic or unfeeling person!) haha I used some papers from the "Snorkel" line again.
















I used some die cuts from the "Cogsmo" line to do this layout on my fave things
















Aren't they the cutest li'l guys?? Ok, if you are still with me thank you! This is the last of my projects and the end of my shameless plug. I used some paper from the "Mr Campy" line and once again had fun making this layout on things that make me happy
















So......can you tell I love Cosmo Cricket??? Pick me, pick me!!!!!!!!!

Summer is here!

Yesterday the hubs and I went to Sidewalk Days. This is a once year event in which all of the downtown merchants bring out their stands and there are activities, food and drink and entertainment. They also block off the street so you don't get run over! haha It was a crappy day though as it was really windy and cloudy but did our little walkabout so we could say we had been there.

















Then today it was absolutely beautiful so I went down to the valley with my camera and water bottle and went for a hour long walk and took pics. Here are some of the pictures I got













Ok, there is a story to this flower. I walked close to put my camera on super macro and all of sudden I felt tickly things on my feet. I looked down and I had stepped on a red ant hill!! I had hundreds of red ants swarming all over my fee and trying to climb up my legs. I started screaming and flapping and flailing, much to the amusement of another couple who was walking to this area. I explained to them what happened so they wouldn't think I was a complete lunatic! haha But it was worth it because I love the picture.














Well, now that's it's cooled down a bit I'm going to take the boys for a walk. Hope you had a good weekend!

Been busy...

making stuff!! I have been holed up in my art room making some stuff for the Cosmo Cricket DT call (I would looovveeee to be on that team!!!!) but can't show them yet. I will probably post my shameless plug on Sunday. he he In the meantime, here is my layout for the One Little Word challenge, which I just found out should have been posted last night before midnight. Oh well, here it is, better late than never.
















Then this one I made just because, it's pictures I took of Skyler in our front yard this past March, believe it or not!! We had a blizzard and he was out enjoying the snow. I used the
Magistical Memories chipboard snowflakes and covered them in silver embossing powder and then stippled with white paint to give them that snowflake look
















So, now I am going to get ready for the day because the hubs and I are going to go to sidewalk days today. Mini doughnuts here we come!!

I'm still alive!!

Ok, I'm still alive after the McCrackin!! yay! I want to thank all of you that took the time to leave comments and reassure me that I will in fact live and that it's something you get done as well. I really appreciate it!!! I am barely making it to Friday but make it I shall! I can hardly wait for the weekend so I can sleep in and just do whatever I want. I played with The Next Step Challenge Blog and the theme was to alter your paper. I have sooooo many crappy papers that I bought when I first started scrapping that I could paper my whole house with them! haha I went on a slab frenzy if you can believe it?? Who needs 4 patterns of each paper totalling 500 papers?? Who???? Ok, here was the paper before I pimped it












and this is it after, I did a layout on my sister
















Now you have something! Just one more reason why I loooovveeee challenge blogs!! They give me an added nudge and also inspire me to think even more outside of the box. Whatever that means. Do we really think inside boxes?? Where did that even come from?? See you later...over and out.

Cracked

Ok, I'm still scarred and horrified over yesterday's cracking!!! Have any of you, anyone at all, had a neck adjustment and how did it go?? Today my neck feels a little sore and I can hear little crunchy noises sometimes when I turn it. If that man has fucked my neck up I will be livid. Seriously. It feels tired too. When I google (and hypochondriacs like myself should NEVER be allowed to google medical things) it says it's normal to have soreness for the next 24 hours but it's past that now. It's more of a "tired" feeling, very hard to explain. Also, the odds of having a stroke are apparently 1 in 5.6 million. Yet I am still stressed to the max over this. I think it's because I specifically told him last week NO NECK. Anyways, I'm off to grab another beer to take the edge off and made this art journal page for Mixed Media Monday and the theme was "tell me a story". How fitting!!

The Design Experiment

This was a really fun challenge and the challenge is that we all have those photos that we pull out and immediately shout "what was I thinking??" Whether it was the hairdo, the outfit, makeup, whatever, we want to see it! You have to create a layout centered around "what was I thinking" and you have to have that as your title as well. So grab your photos and in the meantime here is mine (no, that's not Pat Benatar, it's me!!) Long live the 80's!! haha
















On a crappier note I went to the chiropractor again for my neck thing and last week I had told him that I don't want my neck adjusted, just use the instrument thingy. So, I'm laying there and he's feeling my vertebrae etc.. and the next thing I know, before I can even anticipate what he's going to do, he's cracked my effin neck!!!! Like in a real quick twisty motion and I hear this awful cracking!! I immediately raised my voice and was like "nooo, not my neck, I told you not my neck!" and he was like "oh, I'm sorry, I usually write it in the charts but I forgot that you told me that last week". Bastard. I was all clammy and hot and felt sicky because of it too. Can you believe it?? So as I'm driving away from his office I call my friend from my cell phone to tell her about my horrific experience and to let her know that if I have a frickin stroke he's to blame. I couldn't believe it. I have an appt again next week and he said he wrote it in big letters in my file now but it's kind of tainted.....what about any of you, ever had your necks adjusted and how did that go?

ps. I should know better than to google things like this because now I've read all kinds of horror stories, lord help me.

Saturday

Sometimes I find it hard to come up with a title for my posts so this pretty much sums it up. Saturday. Went and picked up my Grama today and took her to visit my Grampa, she was so happy to see him and he still says her name (he has alzeimers so that's huge!) and knows who she is, although he doesn't remember anyone else. How sad is that to live your whole life working hard, raising a big family only to end up like that. It breaks my heart and reminds me so much of that movie "The Notebook".

Ok, on to more cheerful things like the wicked stuff I got at my LSS today. I took 4 bags of cans and bottles back to the recycling and decided to spend the money on scrappy things, because it wasn't really like "buying" it know what I mean? Oh the games we play to justify spending money eh? haha Or is it just me that plays that game?? haha Anyways, I really splurged and bought 4 new colors of Glimmermists and a long coveted package of Heidi Swapp block letters!!!! eeeek! I have wanted some of these for a year or so now and couldn't find them ANYWHERE!!! I'm hoping Heidi finally realized that people are dying to get these and started making them again? Here's my stash in all it's glory













Now I can hardly wait to play with them!! I did play along with the Art Pieces challenge blog and the theme was "magic". Here is my ATC
















Then I made this ATC for the Theme Thursday challenge blog and the theme was "beautiful"
















Before I go I'll leave you with this list that was sent to me in an email and I just love it. I think we all need to be reminded sometimes of the important things in life (I know I do!). Have a great Saturday!

This is something we should all read at least once a week
Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me... It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words “In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

A rip roaring Friday night

After a long work week I am finally home!!! halleluja!! We barbequed hamburgers tonight and had beer on the deck and now John has gone to the basement to listen to his music (I can't stand just sitting there staring at a wall listening to blaring music) and I'm warmly nestled in my art room, with John Rzeznik softly singing to me. So, I'll look upon this alone time to make stuff and do some of the challenges that I haven't had a chance to do all week. Starting with my favorite art journal challenge which is A Year in the Life of an Art Journal I did this for the word "look":
















Then I got to make some ATC's which I've sorely missed doing! It seems like forever since I made some so this one is for the Create by Hand challenge and the theme was "your choice". I made this using alcohol inks for the background and an awesome trees stamp












Then I played along with the Thank God It's Friday challenge and the theme is "secrets" so I had lots of fun with this image











I am now waiting for Paige to come home from the fair so that I can collapse into bed and finally sleep in!! I am going to see my Grama tomorrow and am also going to stop by my LSS as they have some new Glimmermists in! How great is my store that the lady calls me to tell me the good stuff has come in!! woohoo!!

Be still my beating heart

The New Moon trailer is out and it looks so gooooooooood!!! Edward, sigh.....Jacob, nicely buffed. I can hardly wait to see this, it comes to theatres November 20th!! Here's the trailer (make sure you hit the mute button at the very bottom of the page to mute Johnny siging)


I'm happy with my new hair, I even have it straightened today and got lots of compliments. Of course this is also because I never do my hair. I am so lazy that way. In the mornings I think would I rather have coffee and computer time or do my hair? Yeah. But I will try to do it more as it does look nicer. Here are a few pics I just snapped quick in my art room














It's hard to get just the right pics when you are taking them yourself but you get the picture.
No new projects on the home front as I've been busy making DT stuff that I can't share yet. I'm hoping to do a couple challenges this week but we'll see.

I'm so relaxed right now after having a few beer and listening to some old records with the hubs. He was at a garage sale last weekend and bought a box of old records, alot of symphonies and instrumentals, and we sat in the basement and listened to a few. I must be getting old because not only did I enjoy them but I'm now feeling very, very relaxed. It's like a sedation I told him! haha

It's challenge time!

Yo yo yo! Are you up for a couple good challenges? Come on, I know you are! If you are wanting to be challenged with color head on over the Dream Girls Challenge Blog for a color challenge. Here is my take on the challenge, a layout about my little man Sam watering the weeds, hehe! I used a chipboard flower from Magistical Memories
















Then if you want to get down and dirty you can head on over to the gutter and check out the new Gutter Girlz challenge. And remember, you can get as down and dirty as you like or you can keep it as clean as you like, it's up to you! I kept mine pretty clean (I know, are you surprised??) which even surprised me because I could have really rocked this one out as I can be a real bitch sometimes. Did that give you a hint?? Here's mine
















Not much else new, I have been playing catch up with my DT work so that when I'm on holidays I don't have to stress about having stuff done, which will be nice but it hasn't left me with alot of extra time to play along with some of the weekly challenges I like to do.

I am getting my hair highlighted tomorrow (I know, eek!) and am looking forward to it. I haven't had it done for years. I used to do it alot but after scrapping hardcore I stopped putting money into my hair and put it into scrap supplies!! haha So I figured I was due to treat myself and be pampered. I'll post a pic later this week.

I went to the chiropractor today for my sore neck issue. I ditched The Talker (she was the previous one I saw) and went with a new guy, who was not a talker, thank goodness!! He was all business which I loved. I don't need to hear about your life I just want you to do your thing so I can get the hell out of there! haha I told him I was not a fan of the neck adjustment thing and he did give a short talk about how the whole stroke thing was blown out of proportion (I didn't tell him that if anyone was going to have a stroke after an adjustment it would probably be me) but he respected my wishes and used that little metal instrument thing that delivers a thunk(those of you who have been know what I'm talking about). Then he gave me a little crack as he said one of my ribs was a little out. So, all in all it's feeling kind of the same but he said it can take a couple days and to come back again in a week. I need to stop sleeping on my stomach.....

Well, that's about it in my world, hope things are going well for you!

I can see the sun through the clouds!

Literally and figuratively! Things are looking up and I am so happy the weekend is here. My body is seriously blasted from the body blast class as she had us doing butt and abs yesterday and I can barely sit again. But I don't mind because I know this means I'm working things that need to be worked. This is just a quick post as I am dead tired so here is my art journal page for the Mixed Media Monday and the theme was "lace"















I used the lyrics from the Goo Goo Dolls "Here is gone" song. Well, that's all I have in me....goodnight!

And I thought Mondays sucked!

Well my Monday was nothing compared to my Tuesday. I had to go back to the dentite and tell him that the tooth still isn't right, it hurts to chew anything on it now, not just crunchy stuff but soft stuff like gum!! He shaved down some more of the contact and said give that a try this week as the tooth is probably extra sensitive from all the work. Yeah. Why don't I believe that? Why am I thinking that this is leading up to the grand finale of a root canal??? Man I've been in a funk for around a week. It seems like all kinds of shitty things keep happening to me, seriously. I've had kid drama, fights with the hubs, a crazy mother called me just tonight about an incident involving her daughter and mine and oh and the list goes on. Which leads me to my art journal page for A Year in the Life of an Art Journal, the new word being "karma"















So what do you think? Do you believe in karma? If I do I must have been a real horrible person at points in my other life to have had all of the shit that I have had come to me. Or if I were one of those "glass half full" people, which I'm not, I could look at karma as having blessed me. I'm not sure. I'm reading that book called "The Secret" and that's pissing me off right now too. Basically it says that whatever you think will happen. So if you are always thinking negatively the universe is going to give you negative things. I can truly say that I did not want a psycho mom calling me tonight. That I didn't want any of the crappy things that have happened to me happen. I believe in positive thinking, don't get me wrong, but I'm not at all sure now about the theory that this book is trying to sell. It says that if you imagine yourself rich you will be rich. If you imagine yourself thin you will be thin. I think there is a point where we only have so much power. What about you, have you read this book and what are your thoughts? I won't burn it yet, I'll finish it but I think I'll wait until I'm in a better mood!! haha

Ok, on to the Think Monday Think ATC and the theme was "magical" so I made this ATC











So, that's all I have. Please let Wednesday be a better day. Oh, I mean, Wednesday IS going to be an awesome day!!!

Monday's are so Monday...

I had to go to the dentite today for the last stage of my crown and I'm afraid that something still isn't right. I've been telling him that when I bite down on crunchy things I get zingers on that tooth, enough to almost lift me off the couch. He said once the permanent crown was on that should fix it. Well, I ate supper tonight and it's not fixed!!! So, I'll have to call him tomorrow and get him to look at it. Again. I just want it fixed. Have any of you ever had this problem and what happened? I'm afraid that my little tooth might never be right.....

Ok, on to more pleasant things to take my mind off of this dentite nightmare. The new The Design Experiment challenge is up so check it out and come and play with us! Here is mine using the fun chipboard trees from Magistical Memories















I was able to do some more challenges as well, this next one was from the Saturday Surprise blog and the theme was "adventure" so I made this ATC











and then I made this ATC for the Color Create Challenge Blog and this time it was "colors of the rainbow"

It's still raining...

so I have no choice but to keep making stuff!! Forget the housework, there is something about a rainy dismal dreary day that makes one want to stay in their flannels, sipping coffee and making stuff! haha Here's my ATC for the Wednesday Stamper and the the theme was "fairies" and you had to use at least one stamp (I just love this image)

Then I played along with the Theme Thursday and the theme was "people with hats" so I was finally able to use this awesome image















Then for the
Thank God it's Friday the theme was "dreams" so I did a page for my art journal using my awesome Making Memories foam stamps (I had forgotten about them for a long time and have now started using them more and more)















Next up is a challenge that almost killed me (either that or it may have been the soldering fumes??) I"m almost afraid to post it after Sandy's beautifully soldered art at the Saturday's Workout but post it I shall. I will say I was happy when I saw the challenge because my solder gun and supplies had been sitting for a couple months and I kept saying I was going to try this. I had wanted to make a pendant for a long time and I made this (please keep in mind this is my first ever soldered project!!!)















and the other side















and some up close detail to see the 5 pounds of solder I'll be swinging around my neck! haha













Now, this sucker took me 2 hours!!! I also used up 2 rolls of solder, can you believe it?? (well of course you can, you can see it all!!) Plus, I think my solder iron tool sucks because it wouldn't stay at the same temperature and then you had to wait for it to get hot enough to melt the solder. I also had trouble with the solder wanting to stay on my glass. I used aluminum tape around the memory glass frame and then soldered it. Any tips? Obviously my iron isn't good judging by the 2 rolls of solder I had to use, plus you can see that my seams aren't nice and smooth for some reason, they are more jaggedy. I need to research this more but any tips you can give me would be much appreciated! This is the piece of crap I bought from Michael's and of course because it's been over 2 months I'm out of luck for returning it

I'm thinking I should just buy one at a hardware store?? What kind do you have and where did you get it?

OMG! I just did some research and I think my solder didn't want to stick because I didn't use flux!!! AAAAAHHHH!!!!! I guess I should have done my homework FIRST before jumping in all gung ho. And to think of all that solder I wasted....grrrr...ok, now I'll have to try this again. With flux!!!!!!

Rain rain go away!

It has been raining all day and it is soooo gloomy outside (plus it's supposed to be the same tomorrow!) I guess there is nothing for me to do except catch up on all the challenges that I didn't get to do this week! haha I took DD to the doctor this aft as she has had a bad sore throat for a few days but alot of phlegm and a cough for a month. The doctor suspects either allergies or asthma, so we came away with some nasal spray, cough candies and a gargle concoction to relieve the pain. He wants me to call for a pulmonary function test (to rule out the asthma) which I found kind of odd but I guess why not, better to be safe than sorry. So, with DD in bed resting and John sleeping on the couch (he's useless after a bender) I am free to make stuff. Here's my card for the Think Monday Think ATC and the theme was "Egypt"











Next up is my art journal page for Mixed Media Monday and the theme was "layers", so I had fun layering patterned paper, laced cardstock, paint, tissue paper, lace, pictures, little flowers and a ticket. Hmmm...I think this page was therapeutic in getting some of my rage out...















This is something that picks my ass because I am ALWAYS the one who puts the damn roll on the holder. Is this a man thing or is it just my man who is totally incapable of doing this?

Anyways, off to a more pleasant topic...which leads me to my next piece for the Art Pieces weekly challenge and the prompt was "I would like to learn this...." and I chose patience (I'm sorely in need of this....thus the art journal page...)















I really love this one because of all the green and the simplicity of it. Then I played with the Created by Hand challenge blog and the theme was "circles", which was funny because my previous card could have gone in for that but I decided to make a brand new one, using my greens and fave circle stamp















Last but not least tonight was the Crazy Amigo challenge blog and the theme was "bright colors" so I dug into my little scrap box that I keep on my desk and made another collage type ATC (I'm really loving my scrap box tonight!)











Oh, last night I watched that movie "He's just not that into you" and I loved it!!!















Of course I don't think it hurt that this handsome dude was in it















Ladies, say hello to Bradley Cooper!!! Also our boy Ben Affleck was in it as well









Yes, I'm just finding an excuse to leave you all with some eye candy!~ haha Well, that's all for tonight. I will still chip away at some of the other challenges as I hate to miss out!!! haha Have a great night everyone.

Now coming to you from my new computer!!

yay! I'm all hooked up and wired for sound! Loving the new puter and the fact that it's all mine!! mmmwwaaaaa (maniacal laughter!!) I am loving the new releases by Magistical Memories and used the newly released "Victorian Splendor" chipboard embelly for this layout on John and his dad















To me this is what scrapping is all about. Capturing the memories (ok, and playing with paper and paint and embellies!) I just love how I had these pictures of the two of them 20 years apart and wanted to document their close relationship through the years.

I went to my 2nd body blast class tonight and am now convinced the teacher is actually a machine, like in those terminator movies. No human being can do what she makes us do and still smile and be ready for more. Today she focused on abs (and I thought it was bad last week having to hold onto the tub and vanity to lower myself to the toilet??) Now I'm really going to be in for it!! haha She also had us do lunges again and other torturous moves like hip flexes so now I'm actually limping on my right side. But I'm loving pushing myself and making this jello body do it. It's like "serves you right body for eating that McDonalds, you deserve this!!" haha I'm sick I know! I can hardly wait until the fall when she'll be offering the classes twice a week instead of only once. I think when you do them only once you have more time to get sore...my poor hip though...I better have another beer (I don't work tomorrow!! woot!)

ATC marathon

Ok, John is napping (we did alot of running around today looking at computer desks and new shoes for him) and during his nap I pumped out 3 ATC's for this weeks various challenges. First up we have the Wednesday Stamper challenge which was to use "purple and green". I'm sure my version is going to be very different than what they are used to but come on, doesn't it look like she's saying that?? haha I used alcohol inks for the green background and then stamped the brick with one of Prima's fab new stamps!





















Next up is the
Created by hand and the challenge was to use "insects" so I made this ATC





















and last but not least was the Theme Thursday challenge (I told you I was behind!) and the theme was "tags". I have had this 7 Gypsies tag for a couple years and just love when I'm challenged to use up some of my stash!!





















Yesterday when I was out and about looking for computer desks I went to Staples and they were having an outdoor garage sale. I picked up an electric pencil sharpener regular $20 on for $5!!! I've always wanted one for my watercolor pencils so I was quite pumped. I also visited my LSS and of course came away with a new Glimmermist (candy apple red!) and 5 more sheets of paper. Somebody stop me!!! haha

I have to post my Dream Girls challenge a little early as I have to take my old computer in today for the data transfer and won't be set up until tonight or tomorrow. So...here is my take on the challenge which was a card sketch so I did an ATC





















So the next time I'll be coming to you from my new computer!!!yay!!! I can hardly wait!!!

Better late than never. Again.

Ok, so this week has kicked my ass in sooo many ways. First I have been soooo tired and I'm not sure why. Then I went to my first body blast class Thursday and it seriously blasted my body. I can barely sit on the toilet without the fronts of my thighs quivering in pain of what's to come (thank you lunges). But, if I can get past this feeling that I've literally been hit by a truck, I think this class will be just what I need to kick it up a notch. It was a full hour and she had us doing ab work, lunges, ball work, weights. It was awesome. I thought since I work out daily anyways I'd be ok. Um, no. This just showed me how much I have to pump it up. The teacher is a young thing and has an amazing body too which is super inspiring! I have some running around to do today and am anticipating people asking me if I've been injured or perhaps in a car accident as I'm walking very slow and slightly gibbled. Pathetic eh? haha

Ok, it doesn't hurt too much to type or make stuff (as long as I don't have to get out of my chair! haha) so here are 4 challenges I was able to play along with this week. Of course I'm late again but that's ok. Here's my take on Mixed Media Monday and the theme was "feathered friends". I had this beautiful image and have been wanting to use it for some time





















Then I played with the Think Monday Think ATC and the theme was "wild animals" so I made this
















The theme over at
Crazy Amigos was "stripes" and I loved this image of these 3 ladies in their bathing suits





















Last but not least was the Art Pieces with the theme being "flowers" so I used my stamp and watercolor pencils





















Also, the fabulous new
Gutter Girlz prompt is up and Magistical Memories is sponsoring it with the prize being a Scrap Easel!! I love my scrap easel so you don't want to miss out on a chance to win this! Here is my take on the challenge (a page for my art journal)






















Well, I'm off to buy a new computer today! Yesterday I did my homework and visited the local computer peeps (I'm not doing Staples this time, keeping it local!) and got my price sheets and am now going to take the plunge. I wanted someone local that services the computers here because last time Staples had to send mine away and I was without it for around 3 1/2 weeks!!! Can you imagine being unplugged for that long? I almost died! I'm no technie so I can't really tell you alot about the computer other than it will have a widescreen LG screen (nice!), an AMD motherboard and CPU, a 500 GIG hard drive (lots of room for scrappy layouts and pics!!) and 2 GIG of RAM (it's all Greek to me!!) haha I just want a fast computer with no more errors, no more teens going on and downloading songs that give me viruses!! So DD Paige is happy she's going to be getting my old computer (which is still nice as it's only 3 years old!) and I'm happy to get my own, that will be password protected so when DS comes over he can't download his rap crap onto it and give me more viruses! haha I can hardly wait!!!! Woohoo!!!!!!!

New Pubs!!

I was so excited to get my copy of the July/August 2009 Memory Makers magazine because I'm on page 62!! I did a layout on my son being in his Welding program and how it was a new beginning for him. I'm pretty sad that Memory Makers is going to be no more soon and I hope that we don't start to see more magazines folding.





















Then I also got my copy of the Summer 2009 Canadian Scrapbooker in the mail and I'm on page 125!





















I just love when I finally get to see my creations in print, it's always such a thrill for me!!

This week I scrapped two layouts, the first being the concert my friend Gay and I went to last month that had Holli Woods of the 80's band Toronto playing





















I think we almost had more fun after taking these wild and crazy pictures than we did at the concert!! haha It was a blast hearing all the old songs that I used to love and her voice still sounded good!

Then last month John and I went bowling with another couple and I finally got around to scrapping that





















Well, I'm just beat for some reason, not sure why but I know it's going to be an early night for me tonight. I signed up for this "body blast" fitness class that's every Thursday for an hour so I have a feeling I'm going to need all of my strength for tomorrow!! haha

It's raining it's pouring my old man is snoring...

I couldn't resist because for one, it really is raining and for two, the hubs really is snoring, I can hear him from my art room!! haha The biggest thing that I have to post about right now is that my son is now a grad!!! He graduated from his Welding program and we are soooo proud of him!! I have prayed all year that he would do well and finish and he did. I did a layout on him with his new car that we got him using the Magistical Memories "shining so brightly star". I embossed the star with black embossing powder and it is gorgeous, just like my son!





















I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders because we prayed all year for this and it's finally come true. I hope for all good things from here on in for him. I can't believe that he's 19 now, how did I get this old??

I did play with the Lots to do challenge the weekend and the theme was "crackle" so I dug out my Timmy crackle paint and did a blue background and then stamped my mermaid. It's not one of my fave ATC's but hey, I tried!





















I had this image of an iceberg and did this page for my art journal





















I just can't seem to get enough of my art journal. Love. Sigh.

Yesterday I did get these pics when I drove out to see some Canada Geese (they are super fast!!) haha






















Paige and her friend Melissa had a photoshoot and I was able to get my hands on some of the pics and picnik them and was so happy with how they turned out. I can truly see the beautiful young woman she is becoming (the glasses are her friend's fake glasses, apparently it's fashionable to want glasses!)























I have truly been blessed!! I took Paige to get a new phone on Friday (the new LG Voyager) and she is so pumped!! This phone does everything except make a chicken dinner!! haha She can surf the net, update her Facebook, go on MSN, download and watch videos and listen to music, etc... it's amazing! I'm so happy to done with Rogers and over to SaskTel that I feel like having a party!! haha Well, back to work tomorrow so I better check out. Hope you all had a great weekend!!

The sun is shining!!

Finally, the sun is shining and it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day!! I'm sitting here in my jammies, having my coffee and planning what I'm going to do. I think I'll stop off at the scrappy store and see if they have anything tempting and then get some groceries. I also want to drive to this spot where some Canada Geese are living and try to take some pictures, wish me luck!!

Last night I had the house to myself (it was glorious!) and played along with a few challenges. The first one was the Inspire me Thursday and it was the first time I've played along with them. I have lurked but this is my first time playing! haha The theme was "warrior" so I made an ATC using alcohol inks for the background (Timmmmmeeee!!) and this stunning image from the net
















Then I played with the
Thank God It's Friday and the theme was "pin up girls", one of my faves!! I made a page for my art journal using this amazing image that was sent to me by Kimbo at SIS (thanks Kimbo, I'm finally putting them to good use!!)





















I know it's hard to tell but I did stamp squares in a darker red for my background.

Last but not least was the Saturday Surprise with the theme being "wish" and this is one wish that I have had for almost 3 years now!!!





















Ok, I have to get out of this house and get some stuff done so later dudes!