Some Christmas Shots

Monkey and Princess reading together.

My two and a half men.

The Princess and The Daddy

Steve and his kiddos

We had horrible weather when we went to pick up the Rugrats!

Jeremy holding a baby! Had to get a shot of it because it might never happen again! Unless Sarah has a say in it. Maybe he's warming up to the idea...

Love a full house!

Opening presents at Popa and Grandma Patti's.

What Monkey really thinks of Christmas.

Jess modeling the cool, new hat from Mom.

Aunt Erika

Erika Ryan, my huge-hearted, sweet aunt, lost her battle with cancer early this morning. She will be gravely missed and always remembered.
Rest in peace, Erika.

Giveaway and more

Check out this *amazing* give away at Life As Lou. Tons and tons and tons of Cosmo Cricket yumminess!

How's your few days before Christmas going? I've been working hard on scrapbook projects and just having fun playing with paper. Most of what I've done cannot be shown yet because they're gifts. I have them posted on online galleries, but they'll have to wait to come here just in case. You know how it is.

I did not take this pledge, but most of my gifts this year, aside from the kids' gifts are homemake. Only I didn't buy them, I made them. And I had tons of fun doing them. Hope they don't mind homemade gifts next year too.

Have you gotten snow? Are you in one of the many areas who got dumped on recently by Mother Nature? We did. Steve got stuck in the driveway and could not get out! It took a snow plow to get his car unstuck. There was just too much snow. Okay, we did cheat there. I'm sure with a few hours of shoveling, (yep, that's hours) we (okay, he) could have gotten his car unstuck and parked where it's supposed to be. Looking out the window this morning (at 6am) it looks like we got hit again last night. And it's still snowing. Guess we're homebound today.

I'm not one who has to get out of the house all the time, but if I get stuck at home due to a storm or if I get so sick I'm stuck at home, I get antsy. I have to get out the moment it's clear, or I'm somewhat well. Take away my wings and I feel the urge to fly, I suppose.

This layout came from a So Sketchy sketch. I flipped the picture layout and made it a 12x12 instead of an 8.5x11. Monkey and I were baking cookies and I decided to snap some pictures while they were baking. The smart lil bugger got out the oven mitts all by his self once I said the oven was hot. The last picture there with the oven mitt at his ear is my favourite. He just stopped what he was doing, brough the oven mitt up and said "Hello? Grandma?" Of course it came out "A-row? Gann-mommy?" Yep, my child sounds like a cartoon dog when he says hello...

This is another So Sketchy page. I have been meaning to scrap these pages since the summer. Monkey absolutely went nuts for this transport truck. Thanks to the trees at the side of the lot there, we didn't have to watch the workmen install new telephone wires and such, but we did see their big transport truck. They parked there everyday for a good week or so. Monkey was in Heaven every single day. Like a true little boy, he loves trucks. When we're out and about all I hear from his little mouth is "Ohh...Mommy! Lok! Big tuck!" At least he says "tuck" now instead of the c@%k he used to say...

Until next time....

Lots of Rambles

I think I just might be the busiest unemployed person I know. Maybe getting laid off right now was more of a blessing than anything thing else. I don’t feel comfortable enough to write about everything that’s going on in my life; some things are too personal to share on the internet with just anyone. But I will say I am up to my ears with scrap projects. So much so, the stockings I was making for Christmas will make their debut next year. There must be something in the water…Lately I have been brimming over with ideas for layouts and altered items. Not to mention the inspiration around every corner; okay, make that every bookmarked site, but you get my point.
Today I have an interview. Fingers crossed. Wouldn’t it be nice if I could land a job only a week after losing one? My luck has never been that good, but here’s hoping…
The Christmas spirit has finally bitten me. Last week I was cancelling Christmas, saying we’ll just focus on being together, presents don’t matter…The whole nine yards. But something inside me has changed. Yes, presents are still not a big thing. We have plenty of presents for Monkey to keep him busy until his birthday. We’ve also collected a small collection for the other two Rug Rats. I've started baking and just enjoying the meaning of Christmas.
Speaking of the Rug Rats, they will be here right after Christmas. I haven’t seen them in forever so I am super excited. Steve is even more excited. I don’t think there’s been a day since we found out that he hasn’t mentioned it. I have visions of kiddo pictures floating around in my head. I hate to admit it, but I don’t have a single picture of all three kids together. The first few months of Monkey’s life are such a blur. I know we had the Rug Rats a few times over when Monkey was just a newborn. I remember Steve’s step-mother and sister taking a video of the Rug Rats and their cousins singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star to Monkey when he was only a few months old. I’ve been kicking myself for a few months (okay, like 8 or 9 months) that I never once stopped to snapped a picture. Bad pre-scrapbooker me. I wouldn’t dream of not having my camera attached to my hip anymore. Those poor kids will be seeing stars from my flash their whole trip here.
We’ve just got recent pictures of the Rug Rats. I see so much of Monkey in his older brother. I’ve always though Monkey looked more like my side of the family. His beautiful, large eyes and long lashes are from Steve I think; but his nose, hair colour, curls, lips…Always look like they’re from me. Then I look at Monkey’s older brother…And, wow, they look like full brothers. Certainly not the half brothers they are. I’m sure people are going to think all three kids are mine. Guess I’m either going to look really old, or people are going to think I was in my teens when I started having kids. I was 17 the year Steve’s daughter was born.
I suppose I’m going to have to come up with nicknames for the Rug Rats for here since Monkey’s got one. I’ve been calling Monkey his nickname since I was pregnant with him. It’s always suited him too. His other nickname from me is Pumpkin Noodle. I have no reason for it. It just comes out of my mouth. I’ve been calling the other two kids the Rug Rats since I first met them. It’s said very lovingly every time. I’m going to call Steve’s daughter, Princess. It fits her. She is the princess of the family, being the first born and the only girl. She’s also the first granddaughter to both sets of her grandparents; beating out her cousin by only a few weeks. I’m going to have to think about one for Steve’s oldest son.
And now I’ll leave you with a couple of Pencil Lines inspired layouts…

This one is Pencil Lines 113. Me and Steve. I had fun with a couple of Paint Dabbers.

This is Pencil Lines 111. I knew what I wanted to do with this sketch as soon as I saw it. The green is stamped on with paint. I found a leaf stamp, painted it and then gently tapped it with my fingers instead of pressing it down to get a sponged on look.

Close up. I used fake snow (that horrible stuff I used to like putting into Christmas cards so that it would make a mess all over when someone pulled the card out) for added texture. I really like the look of it and will be playing with it more.

Close up. I added Diamond Glaze to my alpha stickers for texture.

Close up. The bling! I cut up a frame bling and pieced it together like swirls. The blue gems are there only because their colour made me think of cold.

Okay, this last one is not from Pencil Lines. It's from a sketch from So Sketchy. The green circles on the reddish-paper were stamped on using paint and bubble wrap. I used a paint dabber lightly to make a wispy journaling block so my words stand out more, but you can still see the pattern behind it. Love KI's Bloom chipboard alphas too. They're so yummy!

Until next time....

Best In Baby Scrapbooking

I found this only a few days ago. I still have hundreds of pictures of Monkey I have yet to scrap from his first year. Maybe this will jog my creativity to get something done.
I have a scrapbook just for Monkey's first year. It's not in order right now. I scrap all over. I find that being tied down to going in order just doesn't do it for me. I may be adding pages to Monkey's book for years to come.
I must admit, reading about baby products and seeing baby layouts just makes me want another one so much more. I just have to keep reminding myself now is not the time....now is not the time...now is not the time...
Until next time...

Laid Off

Well, I'm unemployed again. Man, this sucks!
I was told they are hoping to be able to call me back in two or three months. What good does that do me now? And right before Christmas. Man, they suck!
Lately it feels like I just get getting kicked in the teeth. My goal is to stay as positive as I can. After all, there's people out there in worse conditions. At least I have a roof over my head. Any depressed mood I fall into, Monkey will pick up on and I don't want that. He deserves to be happy and to have a happy mommy to go along with it.
I've already started my job hunt. Hope I find something soon.
Until next time...

I WON!!!

Oh my gosh! I can't believe it!
I won a challenge over at Bad Girls. The challenge was called Shop Your Stash. We had to pick four products from a list, replace the items on the list with new products for others to pick. And we had to pick one journaling beginning and then replace it.

I made a mini album of Monkey.

***EDIT

There were pictures of the mini album here, but I just got word that it's going to be published, so down come the pictures. I'll put them back up once the publication is out. Hopefully, I'll remember. ***

I honestly did not think I would win. The ladies over at Bad Girls are so amazing and talented. I am so shocked and so honoured. You would think I won something more glamourous such as Top Designer or something. Maybe I'm just that big of a geek...Heehee...

Until next time....

Whoo Hoo!!!

I am getting published!! Whoo hoo!!! I have a layout that is going to be in Canadian Scrapbooker. I am soooo excited I could burst! This came at a good time for me. I needed to hear some good news.

Friday!

Wow! Christmas is really sneaking up around the corner on me. I’ve only managed to pick up a few gifts for Monkey and that’s it. I guess I’d better get cracking.
The challenges have started over at Bad Girls for the Christmas Workshop. There’s a fun little challenge I’ve decided to play along with. I have to make something using thread, music paper, Prima flower(s), chipboard and my journaling has to start with “to whom it may concern.” I had an idea right away. My paints drying as I type right now. My journaling is already written up and waiting to be placed.
I learnt the hard way not to leave Monkey alone, even to go use the bathroom, when he has crayons. My kitchen floor was displaying his latest masterpiece when I returned. Thank goodness for washable crayons!
I’ve got a bunch of ideas for homemade Christmas decorations. Most of which I think I’m going to wait until after Christmas to make. I don’t have time or extra money right now. Hopefully after Christmas it’ll be a different story. And Christmas goodies will be on sale. Who doesn’t love a sale?

Here's a better picture of one of my LO's from last time.

Here's another LO I did eariler this week. I really like this one. The picture is my fave of Monkey's, taken last year.

Christmas Fun

)

The Bad Girls Kits Christmas Workshop is going to be starting up. I wasn't around the forum this time last year, but I heard about it. I'm looking forward to getting to learn some new stuff in the next few weeks.
I thought the Christmas Workshop would be a weekend type thing. It's not! It's 22 classes of fun, fun, fun! 22!!!! I'm pretty excited. The supplies of the first few classes are up over at the message board. There are some classes I just won't be able to play along with because I don't own what I'll need. With Christmas just around the corner, the budget is tight and I just can't go out and slurge on my little hobby. But I can still take part a little and try the projects I really like at a later date. I'm still excited none the less.
If you're a scrapper, check it out! It'll be so much fun!
Until next time....

Camera Woes

The cord that is used to download pictures from camera to computer broke a couple of weeks ago and I'm feeling it now. I own a laptop that doesn't have a spot to plug in the memory card. Since it broke, I download at my mother's house, burn onto a DVD (because my thumb drive is full) and bring home. It's making it hard to take pictures of layouts. My current camera has tons of problems and one of them is focusing. I tried to take some pictures the other day. Once I had them downloaded onto mom's computer, I saw how horrible they were. Very out of focus.

I really hope Santa Claus is hearing my plead for a new camera. I do hope there's a new Canon under the tree for me this year.

This picture of an altered item didn't turn out too bad. The close ups were horride though.

This is an empty ribbon holder (bobbin?) I painted, glued paper to, stamped and rubbed on. I took a long piece of paper and wrote a poem to Steve on it. He had to unravel the paper, like ribbon, to read the whole poem. See....This picture is out of focus, and I couldn't tell until it was uploaded. There are some other really bad pictures too. I need a new camera!!!

I normally crop my layouts so that they're better, but this one is so blurry it looks better like this. When I get a better picture, I'll re-post. I put a lot of "finger work" into this layout. See the sewing all around the page twice? That was all done by hand since I don't own a sewing machine. I hand drew the lines on the back of the paper and then, using my paper piercer, poked all the holes and the sewed. I only jabbed my fingers about a hundred times. :)

Until next time...(When I hopefully have better pictures)

Apple picking

Pumkin Patch

Fall!

Here's my latest layout. I haven't taken much time to scrap lately. Last week Monkey was pretty sick with a flu that's going around.
I've been wanting to scrap this picture since I took it in February. I got Monkey's ver first unaided steps right here. But in all the excitment, I chopped off my dad's head! There was no time to take another picture because Monkey had made his way to me. I still love this photo although it's not perfect. The moment and memory are perfect enough. I had tons of fun taking outside pictures these past two weekends. My camera cord broke to upload onto the computer, so I borrowed mom's computer to load from the memory card onto a disk. I'm so glad too. I love these pictures! There's something about Monkey and Fall that just love. My favorite pictures of Monkey are from last Fall. Now I've fallen for these pictures!

Here's Monkey on the front porch with the flowers and pumpkins. Wish I had moved the blue garbage can out of the background...Oh well. I'm still learning.

Monkey walking around a large pile of leaves on the ground.
Monkey out by the shed.
Hercules! I love this picture of him.

Until next time...

Out!

I'm out of Top Designer....I've actually been out for a while, I just haven't taken the time to write on here.

I made it to Class Three out of six classes and a final exam. I wasn't even sure if I was going to get past the first class, so I'm pretty happy. Next year my goal shall be to get past the third round.

Here are my Class Two and Three layouts:

The first was about mixing pattern papers and the second was using white space.

Here a few other layouts I've found the time to do:

Until next time...

Busy!!

Busy, busy, busy!!! I feel like I've been on the go for the past few weeks. I'm getting used to my new job. I had my best friend down visiting from Ottawa last week. I have found time to scrap even though I've been pretty busy. Here are a few I've gotten done.

Meet Mr Froggie -- First time Monkey saw a frog. I still have the pictures of him running away, with his stroller, he couldn't leave it behind. I'll get around to scrapping them someday.

Hopes & Dreams -- This was for the weekly challenge at Bad Girls. This challenge was to use 75% Prima goodies. The papers, two flowers and the ribbin are Prima. Then I used a grungeboard heart and mis. yellow flowers. I can't remember where I got the yellow flowers from. I know I pulled them off of something thinking I can use them some day. I doodled the title and all over the journaling.

Crazy for You -- I love how this one turned out!! I've been holding on to most of these papers for months! I bought them because I loved them, I just didn't know what to do with them. While cleaning up my stash one afternoon, I found them and just had to find a way to use them. I love how the orange matches Steve's sweater. I've been holding onto those little Riff Raff robots for a while now too. I knew I wanted to use them on a me and Steve page, I just hadn't gotten around to using them. I really had fun making this layout.
Me @ 27 -- Just a quick, fun one about me. I don't make many pages just about me. This is only the second one I've done. I've been thinking about doing more so Monkey, any other kids I may have and any future grandchildren can look back and know who I was. I know I would have loved to know more about my own grandparents.
Fall in Love -- Another from a weekly challenge at Bad Girls. Some pictures of Monkey from last year at Mom and Dad's.
Limited Edition -- I love these papers! I've been holding onto them for months! I've finally decided to use them. My new scrap love is to do layouts of Monkey and I together. I like how I can make them super girlie because I'm in there too. This page is all about how much I love Monkey and how much I cherish every moment with him right now because someday he'll go on with his life and we won't have as much time together.

And now more stuff....

I'm liking my new job so far. It's easy, my co-workers are nice and my boss is awesome! I wish it paid more, but nothing can be perfect, right? Last Friday, my boss treated everyone on the social commitee to a night at the race track. We were in a VIP dinning room that over looked the track. It was so much fun! Steve and I were down $30 from the races, but then won at the slots. We left up money.

Top Designer is in full swing over at Bad Girls. The first of six classes took place last week. Class two starts today. I went over to the honor roll this morning and was very surprised to see my name on the list. I didn't think I was going to make it through to the next round. There has been some amazing talent displayed in the gallery.

Here's my layout from the first class, layering:

I layered different papers; cut the swirl design out of one of the papers to slip my picture under it so the paper layered on top of the photo as well. I layered a cut out flower on the paper and photo too. The photo and the cut out flower are layered on top of a transparency. I layered both my flowers. The big flower is two flowers, one cream one (which I dotted with a pen) and one green; then I placed a cameo on top. The other flower is two flowers with a button on top, layered over a rub-on. The title is layered too. It's family in Hunganian and (of course) English. I used Hunganian because the picture. It's my Oma, mother, aunt and uncle. My mother (the little girl not smiling...How cute was she?!?!) is first generation Canadian.

Until next time....

This and That

Top Designer is going to be starting at Bad Girls soon. I am very excited about it. I missed last year because, well, I wasn't scrapping then. I picked it up only a couple months later. There are going to be a bunch of classes. I can't wait to learn and grow!

Yesterday was my first day back at work. It wasn't too bad. I was only shown part of the job. I guess they couldn't throw too much at me. I'm still learning how to master the pager system. Me, a rather shy and quiet gal, has to get used to yelling into the pager so the service guys can hear me if they have a phone call. Over all, I don't mind the job so far. But it only has been one day.

There's a picture from my mom's trip out West to visit my aunt. Mom's in the yellow at the top and Erika is in the red hoodie. Erika still had hair at this point (and still does), but it was shaved really close to her head. Plus the scraf hides where the doctor's operated. She can't wear her hats yet because her head is still pretty swollen and it hurts her. I'm hoping she feels well enough for a trip out here. I'd love to see her again.