Opps

With all the excitement of being sick, mom coming home for the weekend and everything else that's been happening, I forgot I wanted to start doing Fave Fridays.

Opps.

Next week I start!

If I remember....

Untl next time....

I heart Mail

I got some lovely packages in the mail today.

My kit from Gauche Alchemy! Look at all the vintage yumminess! I cannot wait to play. But I have to. I need my pictures done at Zehrs. I ran out of photo paper already.

And this book from Chapters. I ordered it with a Christmas gift card at the beginning of the month and it's finally here. Yippee!!

I had a couple of pictures to share, but Blogger is being a pain. I'm sick so I'm not even going to bother today. Maybe another day.

Until next time...

What I've been up to this morning:

I have been going through our junk, getting it ready to sell on Kijiji. I have successfully sold our stroller and infant car seat on there last week. I got an email from the buyer's mom thanking me for it. The lady who bought it loves it. It makes me feel good to know she'll get good use out of it. And it freed up a ton of room here. Storage is something we have very little of. Although I would have loved to hang on to it for the next baby, I didn't want it hanging around for another three to five years. As much as I hate to wait that long for the next little monkey to come along, now, or any time near now, is just not good. It would be unfair to bring a child into our lives right now with everything going on.

Anyhoo...I raided Monkey's closet today. Here is what I pulled out. An overflowing diaper box full of clothes. There's onesies (short and long sleeved), shirts (short and long sleeved), pants, pjs (one pieces and two), outfits (2-3pcs sets) and a bunch of socks. I haven't even looked at jackets and shoes yet. I do have a 2pc snowsuit (18 months in size) that he grew out of last month. I thought ahead and had a bigger snowsuit on hand. I have 45 pieces of clothing, 3 lots of onesies and 6 outfits ranging from 12-24 months going up for sale. Anyone interested? hahaha

Look at this cute little jacket/sweater I found hanging in Monkey's closet. I love it! I forgot I had it. He wore it last spring and fall. I have little football onesies that I bought to go along with it. This might still fit him. Once naptime is over, I'm going to try it on him. If it fits, we're going to keep it for the spring. If not, it gets added to the other stuff on sale.

I have a bunch of other stuff that go up for sale too. Including my old Bridal ring set. They've been haunting me for four years now. I loved them then, still think they're pretty now, and have no use for them at all. I want them gone.

I have a ton of scrapbook stuff I could part with too. Brand new Life at the Pole stamps (I ended up with two sets), an entire Bo Bunny line (last year's valentine line I think) and so much more. It's about $100 or more of stuff.

Not to mention all the large baby stuff I have in storage that can go to a new home. A Rainforest jumperoo, an Ocean Wonders swing, an infant tub and more. Goodness...I thought I had cleaned most of the clutter out when we moved into our new place!

Until next time...

Mini Book

I decided to make a little mini book for my mother. Something she can toss into her purse and take around with her. I thought it might be nice for her to have something she can pull out while she's going through her daily treatments. I thought pictures of her beloved grandson might help to bring a smile on her face.

Since paper tears, I wanted to use something that doesn't. Fabric is harder to tear. Jean material is even harder. And I just so happened to have a pair of jeans I ripped back in the fall. They were just in a heap at the bottom of my closet. So out they came to be cut up. I stitched all the way around the book (front and back) and then made a little pocket. Using a piece of scrap fabric, I made a little patch for the pocket. I used an eyelet to help hold the little tag. The tag says "Grandma's Book." I used graffer tape I won from Bad Girls on the spine for interest.

Paris? A Scrapper?

You've got to be kidding me!

Like everyone else in the scrapping world, I had been hearing about Paris Hilton going to the CHA. I didn't want to believe it at first, but she's really there. Craft Critique has been posting a lot of updates about Paris today. Showing off her new craft line.
Do I really think Paris came up with her new craft line? No. I don't. It doesn't help that when asked if she did her answer was "Yes...With help." And when asked what her favorite part of scrapbooking is, she tiptoed around the question and never really answered it. According to Paris, she likes crafts and art and loves art stores therefore she created a craft line.

I can't say I hate Paris Hilton. I don't know her, so how could I pass such judgement. But sometimes she annoys the heck out of me. Her scrap products made me cringe a little. I don't like them at all. But someone, somewhere, will buy them. She just isn't me.

Steve and I have been emailing back and forth about Paris being at the CHA. We have nothing better to do with our time, I suppose. Steve went on about how smart the CHA is to have Paris there, get more people to show up, maybe boost ticket prices (either one of us knows how the CHA runs, so forgive me if I'm wrong.) and blah, blah, blah. He also went on and said paintball should do the same. He said they should get some "army, war like actors" or whatever to show up. I said they should just get Paris Hilton. Guys will pay the big bucks just to see what she shows up wearing. Or not wearing...It is Paris...You never know....
Until next time...

Monkey said his first full sentence!

"Mommy, come back!!!"

Not a mouthful, but it delighted me to no ends. Mainly because he was talking to me. It happened a couple of nights ago. We were reading books while he sat on the potty. We finished up the small pile of books so I went to get some more. While I was picking out a couple of books, Monkey yelled his sentence. It threw Steve and I off for a moment and all we could do was laugh. It was so darn cute. I didn't even know he knew the words come back. I love my little monkey.

Our Graco Travel System (stroller and infant car seat) is finally gone. I sold it on kijiji this week. A little part of me is having some separation anxiety. The stroller and car seat combo was one of the first things we got for Monkey. Because the stroller sparked a huge fight between Steve and I, my parents ended up buying it for us. It was the one I wanted. It was cheaper than the one Steve wanted. We bought our Pak N Play (play pen) the same day. Steve and I agreed on that one. It's a beautiful sage green. It was Monkey's first bed. It's now our travel bed. I'll be keeping that one for the next baby.

I have been trying to scrap, but I think my mojo is playing hit and miss with me. I have ideas floating around, but I can't seem to get them down on paper. I have five layouts started, but only one finished. Maybe I need to take a break. Maybe I should work on the Christmas stockings that never got done last year. I'm halfway through two of them.

Until next time...

Crop Winner

Whoo hoo for crop prizes!

I just found out I am one of the winners from the weekend crop over at The Scrapping Bug. Very cool.

And if you haven't been by the Sassafras Lass blog for the newest peeks...Then do so...Now!...I can wait for you to come back. If you come back...

Anyway, I love it! I think it's all so cute. Wow...What a dream it must be to design for them. Gosh, are they ever lucky. Same goes for those lucky ladies who design for Prima.

Speaking of design; I have been on a vintage kick lately. I am all over anything from 1950 and beyond that. Pictures, ads, magazines, books, anything! I have a collection of vintage books that I love. I love the old leather, the musky, yellow pages, the simple and elegant look of it. I've loved old books ever since I was a kid. It was the geek in me. I have an old book of poems that has an angel craved right into the cover and painted in gold. It's breathtakingly beautiful. I would take a picture, but it's in Monkey's room and he's napping.

I love the look of old, vintage pages on scrapbook layouts and altered projects, but I can't bear to rip my books apart. I've tried hunting down other books to sacrifice, but I just can't do it. I need someone else to do it for me. Don't show me the book, just the torn pages please.

Speaking of the whole vintage vibe; have you heard of GaucheAlchemy? They have scrapbook kits on sale over at Etsy.

I have this add on kit:

And this main kit:

on their way to me right now. Beautiful!

Unitl next time...

Hello Yummy

Been to the Sassafras Lass Blog latey? They have some CHA peeks up right now. I've "borrowed" a few of my fave images. Look at how cute, vintage and yummy these are!!!

I adore those linen cardstock cards already. I can already see what I can do with them in my head. Oh boy. I need a job. Fingers crossed Sun Life liked me and I get hired by the end of the week.

Until next time...

Online Crop

I participated in an online crop over at The Scrapping Bug this weekend. I finished all 8 of the challenges. They were fun. I was pretty surprised with how fast I got the layouts done. I think I was inspired. A few of them turned out very nice, if I do say so myself.


This was challenge #7, a colour challenge. Orange, blue and white had to be the main colours. The colour scheme was perfect for the Animal Crackers (Jack) line from Making Memories. I've had this line since it first came out. It's been hidding in my hall closet, awaiting the day I finally sit down and do Monkey's first year mini ablum. I've been planning this album for over a year now. It's about time I start on it. This is the first page. The "Newborn" page.

This was challenge #6, Scraplift. I love this picture of Steve and Monkey. I took it in September, I think. We were on our way to see the big truck that had been parked on the street behind our place for three weeks. Monkey likes trucks so we thought it would be fun to take him for an up close look. You can see the truck in the back ground. I think I have a new obession with those little Sassafras Lass birdies.

Challenge #3, Reflecting. We had to reflect on '08; either the whole year or one event. I choose to reflect on when Steve came home from Australia. I journaled around the stitched circle. There's those birdies again. One stamped and one cut out.

Challenge #8, Card Sketch. I suck at cards. I don't make them. This is only the second I've done. The first one was for a challenge too. I'm just not into them.

Challenge #2, Embrace. We had to use the word "embrace" some where on the page, as well as a tag and bling. This is a 6x12 of me and Steve. I think this is my favourite layout of the two of us. The back card pulls out. When I think of the right journaling, it'll be a hidden journaling thing. The tag is from one of Steve's shirts. I loved it the moment I saw it. Steve knew I was going to steal it. Steve commented on how he thinks my layouts are getting better because I'm getting better at taking pictures. I pointed out that he took this self picture of the two of us. He just laughed at me.

Oh...Look...Those birdies again...Challenge #1, Bright & Cheery. I knew I sewed orange stitching on the clouds for a reason. And I knew I kept that piece of paper after I stitched and decided not to use it. It came in handy here. I figured orange and blue were bright enough for this page and packed it up with black and white to try to pop it all.

Challenge #5, Bling/Glitter. Glittered die-cut snowflake paper, glittered ribbin, Frost Glimmer Mist on papers and large flower and bling in two flower centers. I love how this one turned out. I semi wish I had the coloured copy of this picture printed out. My pink scraf would have matched everything. But I sent that picture to my grandmother and haven't re-printed it.

Challenge #4, Christmas/Holiday. Christmas may be over, but I'm not done with my Christmas memories. I still have all my Christmas papers and embellies out so this one was a snap to whip together. I'm going to be working on a Christmas mini ablum soon too so it's all out. This picture was from Christmas 2007. Monkey was 9 months old and sick. He didn't stay in just his hat, diaper and socks for long. Just long enough for me to snap a couple of pictures. Then I bundled him up. I thought he looked like a cute, little elf.

Not one of the challenges. Just a recently done layout. The snowmen are all popped up on foam dots.

I have my interview test with Sun Life soon. I have to do a math test, a typing test and an Excel test. If I do well then I get my second interview. My first interview was last week.

Until next time...

A Me Day

You have a full day to yourself. No children, no husband, no one in your way for 11 full hours.

What do you do?

I, apparently, do nothing I had planned to do.

I wanted to get all the laundry done. I did two out of three loads. I wanted to get the laundry put away. There’s a basket of folded clothes in the hall and another basket full of Monkey’s clothes from other washes in my bedroom waiting to go into Monkey’s room. I wanted to clean out Monkey’s closet. I wanted to go through his clothes, box up the ones I want to keep (for future children, my own or my sister’s…Hard to believe my sister is going to have kids someday! She’s only 18! That’s like…I don’t know…7 in my head) and get another box ready for the Salvation Army. I didn’t go into Monkey’s room other that to look for heavy books. I wanted to get all our Salvation Army loot together so we could finally get rid of it. I didn’t even think twice about it. I wanted to sweep my floors and do the dishes after lunch. I did do those. But really, it was out of habit more than anything else because I do those everyday.

I had the whole day to myself and I still didn’t finish any scrap related projects…No, wait…That’s a lie. I did a simple layout. Very simple. No special techniques, not much cutting. It’s simple, fresh and I love it. I haven’t taken a picture of it yet. If I could get my new printer (and scanner in one) to work then I could have scanned it in since the layout is an 8.5x11.


I did get a lovely surprise delivered to my door yesterday. My sweet, sweet, sweet best friend sent me a candy bouquet. She’s the bestest. I love her dearly.

Monkey did not make it home last night. We ended up getting a snow storm and he stayed safely at my parents’ house. He did call me at bedtime. Mom said he spent the day being happy and cheerful. As soon as he heard my voice, he got serious. I swear he said “Why are you in the phone and not here with me” in his little man babble. He then kept trying to hang the phone up while I chatted briefly with my mom. Point taken; he’s mad at me for not being there. He’s never gone more than one night without me. I miss him too. He should be home in under an hour. I can’t wait.

Until next time…

Timers, Mom and Check it Out

What would we do without timers?
Okay…
Let me rephrase that…
What would I do without timers.
More importantly….
What would I do without the timer on my stove?
I have never pretended to be a chef, let alone a good cook. I don’t think I am at all. In college, I lived off of broccoli steamed in the microwave toped with cheese, Kraft Dinner, Mr Noodles and anything I could get that took 5 minutes in the microwave or could order and have delivered. The only way I knew how to cook chicken was to pan fry one of those partially pre-cook frozen ones that come out of a box. I then went on to getting engaged to a cook thinking he’d keep me well fed. He didn’t cook much at home. Although I did learn some tricks of the trade from him.
It wasn’t until I met Steve I decided to learn how to cook. There was this unexplainable desire to take care of him. I’m not sure where it came from or why I still have it (I also have a desire to make good food for Monkey so he doesn’t eat just processed crap like his half siblings). Steve is handy in the kitchen. He makes a mean quesadilla, awesome eggs, the bestest progies and so much more. I’ve taken over as head chef (if you wanna call me that), but Steve is a great sous chef.
My only problem in the kitchen is I still get bored if what I’m cooking takes too long. I’m a huge fan of Rachael Ray’s 30 minute meals because they keep you busy from start to finish; and they finish fast. If I’m left standing for more than a minute, I wander away. I use my timer to keep me in check or I just might burn down the house.
I love my stove timer. I also love how the light comes on inside my oven when I open the door; but that’s another story.

Update on Mom….
Mom has been doing well since her surgery. It almost looks like the doctors gave her a tracheotomy. Only the hole is closed instead of open. I thought they were going to cut lower, but no…Her new, swollen scar is at the base of her neck. The good news is there was only on lymph node with cancer in it.
She met with her cancer team yesterday to go over her treatments. The doctors believe with some aggressive treatments they can 100% beat this. Her treatments start on the 26th and will be for 7 weeks. Radiation and chemo together. Sometime after treatment she will be going into surgery to remove the upper half of her left lung.
Mom’s been really brave through all of this. She’s hopefully her hair will grow back by summer (I reminded her she might not lose her hair, although I think she will. And I reminded her my sister and I are only a hop, skip and a jump away. She only needs to call us and we’ll go wig shopping with her). Mom has also hinted she might want another grandchild. She told me I have to get a good paying job and get it soon so I can go on maternity leave. What a lady… I love her like crazy!

And lastly….
Check it out!!!! My project is featured on ScrapScene!!!

Until next time...

Snow, snow, snow!!!!

It's been snowing all day here. Instead of complaining about the weather, I decided to let it move me. I did a layout based on a sketch from So Sketchy. I saw what I wanted to do when I first looked at the sketch nearly a week ago. I really love how the alphas came out. They're Maya Roads raw chipboard alphas. I wanted a snowy look so I just dabbed white ink on them. To fit in with the almost dirty look, I dabbed on just a tiny bit of walnut colour ink. I love the green paper from Making Memories. It's perfect for pictures of Monkey in his green snow suit.

Wish me luck...I have an interview tomorrow morning.

And before I forget again...Here's the link to the lollipop flower video. Go watch it and make your own!

Until next time...

So Excited!

I just got word that a project of mine will be on an upcoming post over at ScrapScene. I'll post a link when it's up.
I am so excited!!!!!

Until next time...

Just a few Layouts

There really isn't much to report from over here today. We had a quiet weekend. Steve went to play paintball while Monkey and I went to visit my mom. Please don't think Steve is an ass by going to play paintball right after we got my mother's bad news. He wanted to cancel and come up with us to play the good husband, shoulder to lean on, role. I told him to go. He had been planning it for weeks and talking non stop about it. I decided he needed to just go and have some fun. I'm glad he did.

I love how cute this layout turned out! Aww..My Monkey...I love my sweet, happy Monkey!

I love, love, love how this one turned out! Almost everything is from my December Bad Girls kit. The additions are the flower (handmade by me), the rub-on and the 7 Gypsies cards (which actually came in a different Bad Girls kit months ago). I loved the embossed cardstock. To play it up, I dry brushed some paint (in a Thomas matching blue) all over. It popped the design so well. I sewed the crepe paper ribbon. It torn my heart to tear the vintage packing slip, but I couldn't get the whole thing to work with my page.

This was just a fun layout to do. A quick recap of Monkey's growth durning the year. I still can't believe how much he's grown! I had almost forgotten what a wobbly little baby he was at the beginning of the year. Those little hands were up for balance in that first picture. He doesn't need to do that anymore. I love my big boy, but I miss my baby...

Unitl next time...

Damn...

Well, we got the dreaded phone call today.



Mom has lung cancer.



She'll be starting chemo in about a week.



I don't know what to think....



I'm scared...

Lollipop Flower Power

Thanks to a couple of the girls over at the Scrapping Bug, I have learnt a new technique. How to make my own lollipop flowers. Prima sells them, and thanks to Bad Girls, I was fortunate enough to get to play with them back in September. They’re really cute. I’ve seen other homemade ones before and just never really thought about trying to make them myself. Until now anyways.
While waiting for another project to dry, I decided to give the lollipop flower a try. I decided to match it to the Life at the Pole line to help inspire me to get my layout finished. I don’t know if the flower is going to end up on the finished page, but I do like how it turned out. So simple, so cute, such a good way to use up my old cardstock. Unfortunately, now I want more Glimmer Mist to spray all over these future babies…
Until next time…

I am feeling lazy today. I have no energy. I think I burnt it all up yesterday. I made a very yummy soup from scratch, I cleaned the living room, kitchen, bathroom and scrap area and I organized my side of the closet (it so badly needed it!). I am currently avoiding cleaning out the two hall closets and Monkey's closet. They all need it too.

My scrap area is no longer cleaned up either. I woke up early (before 7am!) and played until Monkey woke up. I have so much Christmas and winter themed papers everywhere I've decided to use some up and get rid of the rest. I'm getting tired of looking at it. I'm really itching to do a mini album out of cardboard boxs from Christmas about Christmas. I have everything ready to go. I'm also itching to use my Life At The Pole papers for something. I wanted this line from the moment I heard about it, then I finally get it around Christmas time and it's just collecting dust. I am a Sassafras Lass hoarder. I love it so much I want to keep it around forever! I must work on using it up. It's all so yummy!

I'm also finding I dislike being in my scrap corner lately. It's as organized as I'm going to get it with the limited space I have available, but it's not organized to my liking. It's frustrating me to no ends. I really need to find a new job so I can finally afford the wall unit I want and then I can finally organize to my liking. There we go...A new goal. Somehow get that wall unit. And some fun organizing stuff like those in the picture.

How cute are they? 12x12 paper holders, available at Micheal's. I love them!

Okay, I'm off to the scrap desk to get some of the ideas for layouts and mini albums out of my head and down on paper.

Until next time...

The Thomas Craze

Someone really should put a warning on Thomas the Tank Engine toys!

Warning! Child may become obessed with toy!

We bought Monkey a Thomas bath toy for Christmas. He enjoys the show. I looked at the Thomas toys that are out there and was floored with how expensive most of them are. Not knowing just how much Monkey would like them, I bought a bath toy. It was under $20 and comes with a Thomas and a Cranky (though Cranky cannot be moved from his spot). There's a floating track that Thomas can zoom around.

We opened this toy Sunday night. Bath time turned into an hour long play fest. The only way Monkey would come out of the tub willingly was for us to let him hang on to Thomas. We tried to change his mind by setting up the Geo Track train set he got from Steve's parents. He loves it! Only the Geo Track train doesn't spend as much time on the track as Thomas does. Monkey even went to bed Sunday night with Thomas.

He ate breakfast with Thomas; he played all morning long with Thomas close by; he ate lunch with Thomas; he napped with Thomas. He didn't go to bed last night with Thomas, but he remembered where he left him. The first thing he did this morning was run to Thomas. "Hi, TeeTee! Hi!" (He can't say Thomas. He calls Thomas TeeTee).

He loves that darn toy.

Until next time...

Happy 2009!

Life is starting to return to normal again. The house is quieter with only one child running around now. The house is cleaner with only one child running around.
I miss the noise and the chaos.
I can’t wait for Steve’s Rugrats to come visit us again.
I took down our Christmas tree this morning. It freed up a huge space in my living room. We had moved Steve’s grandmother’s bookcase into the hall to put it up last month. I think I prefer the bookcase in the hall. The hall doesn’t look too bare anymore. And now there’s lots of room in the living room for Monkey’s new easel. We were talking about buying a little table for Monkey to eat and colour at. We now have room for one. Maybe for his birthday. It’s coming up too soon. Less than two months away.
So Christmas is officially over in our house. Everything cleaner up and put away. Okay, not everything. We still have a few presents that haven’t found a place to call their own yet. And we still have presents at my parents’ house that we couldn’t fit into the car before. Hmm…Maybe it’s time to think about a mini van…My new printer, beater and slow cooker are all still there. Along with some more of Monkey’s toys and new clothes. I was going to go pick them all up yesterday and spend some time with mom, but I’m sick with the flu. I didn’t want to chance getting mom sick with her surgery being today. I’d hate to get her sick when she needs her strength to recover from the surgery. It’s not major surgery, but it’s a life changing one. The results of this surgery, no matter what, will change all our lives. Needless to say, I’m worried, I’m scared, I want what’s best for my mother. I will keep thinking positive though. The results just might say it’s early and she can beat this illness. I’m hoping to hear her next surgery for partial lung removal is being booked soon. It means she’s going to get better soon. If radiation or chemo is mentioned…The fight is just beginning…
On to lighter news…
I currently have six scrap projects on the go. My brain’s going into overload with ideas for layouts and projects. I think I need to step back and tackle only one at a time. I want to enjoy the process and come up with something I love instead of something that’s just okay.

I made this for my mother for Christmas. I really wasn't sure if I should have given it to her. I made it before my aunt passed away. I really regret giving it to her so close to her sister's death. I wish I would have waited. I feel so terrible about it.

I made a couple of candle holders for Steve's parents.

I put together a quick, little photo album for my grandmother.

And these are the cutest, little notepad holders! I can't take credit for the idea. I got the idea from Tracie.

I also made a shadow box for Steve's sister, but I forgot to take a picture of it. It turned out really good too. Oh well. All that matters is she and her boyfriend loved it. I'm so glad.

Until next time...