One week into 2013 already...

Good day!!!!

WOW---the holidays are over, can you believe that?? It sneaks up on you, and BAM! throws your world into a whirlpool, and then POOF! they're gone!!! That's how I feel, anyways!

This week should be back on schedule for us. My boys return to school on Tuesday, and life should get back on track!

Have you made any resolutions for this brand new year? I've made a few.....some personal, some 'creative'. I think this is the year for change...some good, some bad (oh boy!) (not necessarily bad for me..but maybe for others!) some life altering.

One of the things I am doing this year is taking time to do things for me. That's not to say that when I scrapbook or craft, it's not for me. I want to do something for ME---so I started a book. I had received a scrapbook many years ago, which I never used because it was not something I would use normally. It's a handmade-paper scrapbook. It's beautiful, but it wasn't me. Years went by with the scrapbook staring at me, and I could imagine the scrapbook saying to me, 'Please use me!'. I felt bad because it is a very nice book, but...... So, anyways,last week's challenge on cropchocolate.com was to do a project inspired by a DT's project. I was inspired by Christina, with her altered composition book. When I saw it, I had a A-HA! moment. I knew what to use!!

So, I pulled down my scrapbook from the shelf. Pulled out that bottle of Modge-Podge, a few papers that I really liked, and various other trinkets that I liked. Took a little while as the cover of the scrapbook is nt like standard scrapbooks----it's layered papers. Anyways, I let it dry for a LONG time....I mean, I podged that thing to kingdom come! In the end, it came out quite nice, if I do say so myself! lol

Here's the cover:

It's not a great picture. I really, REALLY need to learn how to use my camera. I've had for over 3 years now, and still don't understand all the features! :/ That's one of my resolutions this year!

Anyways, I already did 3 pages inside. I am telling my story. I have only a few pictures of myself growing up, and I want to document my story for my children. Definitely not the bad parts, but there were good parts too! So, that's that---one of my resolutions started. I'm very excited.

I'll try to take more pictures and post them soon. I also want to show you what I made my sons' for Christmas. A little something for their IPOD----I like it, and so did they! Yah! :)

Be safe, and get crafty!

Laura

Day after...

Merry Christmas----Happy Holidays!!!

How is everyone doing on this fine morning????

Did you have a joyous holiday with your loved ones?

At our house, everyone was pleased with their gifts. My daughter lost interest during the gift opening....we can only expect so much attention from a 2 year old! She wanted to play with her new dollhouse and dolls already. My sons liked their gifts---phew!!! :) They're not difficult children, but they do have many things, and this year with money tight, it was a challenge of what to get them. But I think Mom and Dad succeeded.

They didn't receive toys this year....which was a jagged little pill for me to swallow. It's hard for me to see them grow up.And grow up did they ever!!! They've both surpassed me in height, and I'm 5'8!!! Raymond is 1 inch from 6 feet, and Robert is 5'9. And the worse part?? They're only 14!!! But I'm proud of them, they're good boys! So, for Christmas this year, they received 'older' toys...video games, DVD's, clothes, posters, etc....They seemed very content with that!

Christmas was sent quietly at home....just us. I don't know about quietly....with DD playing very loudly, and the boys trying our their video games---which can get very loud!! :)

So, with the turkey cooking, the kids being busy, I got a chance to clean up my scrapbook room. FINALLY!!! It's been a busy few weeks, with me sewing up a storm, getting Christmas cards done and sent, and just general crafting (with DD), the room looked like a cyclone went through!!

Afterward, Mom (that's me!) and April went sledding. With all the snow from last week's storm, there's quite a bit. Let me re-phrase that---there's more snow now than we had in total of last year AND the previous years!! It actually reminds me of the winters of my childhood. We weren't out a long time, as it was bitterly cold....but we had fun, and that's what counts!

So, after a very long day, it was ending. April was asleep at her regular time, and I sat down to watch a DVD with my hubby---a rare occasion these days. It was nice....even though the DVD was NOT a 'romantic' or even a comedy. It was the Walking Dead, season 1. I am NOT a zombie fan, and refused to watch it on TV, however, I got pulled into it. Well acted, well scripted. I had to cover my eyes a few times, for the gory scenes. But it was good...which surprised the heck out of me. Because I didn't want to watch it. :Z

Anyways, what are your plans for this week???

We're taking it day by day....going with the flow, I guess. Hubby's sister and mother are having Christmas parties next week---so, I should be recovered beforehand. I'm burnt, I think!

Anyways, be safe.Get crafting!

Laura

30+ birthdays and counting...

Happy Monday!

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?? We have snow--LOTS of the white stuff! So much that it's a snow day for the kiddos. I made a boo-boo this morning. Woke up my teens, made them get dressed, fed them, and sent them off to the bust stop. 30 mins later, they were back! OOPS! Mom didn't check the website to see if there was snow or not. Nope, no school. :S

How was your weekend?? Mine, nice...very nice. I don't know if it was because it was my birthday or not, but everyone was more pleasant than usual. It was really nice....! The kids and hubby were much more attentive than usual. I'm not saying that I'm deprived or anything, just that they went that extra little mile...which was much appreciated!!  I received lots of presents...many of them crafting related! They sure do know the way to my heart!

I did not get a chance o get any crafting done, well, scrapbook wise crafting done. I am working on a felt dollhouse for April, and that took the time  did have for crafting...so hopefully I'll get something done today for Crop Chocolate's challenge.

14 days left until Christmas!! Believe that??? I can't ----and it's bothering me that I haven't finished my shopping yet---which is not me! I have to get it done this week---next week will be too busy for hubby to take me to the city to shop. oh well.

So, have a great snowy/sunny/pleasant day. Until next time.

Be safe, get crafting.

Laura

Out of the mouths of babes...big and small!

HELLO!!!

Wanna know a secret?? It's December 5---20 days until Christmas! Can you believe it? This year has flown by---literally! I had no idea how it happened except that perhaps I blinked! ;)

I'm looking out my window, and I am seeing the wind blowing the snow---YEP! SNOW! Yesterday, we had rain and extremely mild temps, and today, the temps have dropped and we have snow...again!

I had a good laugh this morning...around 6:30 a.m. which is pretty early to start laughing. But it's a great way to start the day! :)

I have 3 kids---2 teenage twin boys who are 14, and a little princess who's going to be 3 in January. So, my life is never dull...definitely not!

My boys get along pretty well...always have, for which I am grateful and fortunate. And are similar, yet complete opposites at the same time. Robert is my 'comeback' kid. he speaks is mind, tells the truth, says how he sees it. Other people besides the family or close friends may think he's a smart ass...he's not really, he's just being himself...lol. Raymond is my protector of the family, and quick for a laugh. He's also my giant---he's almost 6 feet tall! They are great boys--OK--I may seem biased because they're mine, but they are!!!

So, this morning, as they are eating their breakfast, Raymond tells us that he wishes they (Ray and Rob) had a twin connection. You know, where twins can communicate with their minds? (or so it happens!) Anyways, he tells us that he and his brother tried the day before to see if they could read each other's thoughts. Raymond told his bro to concentrate and to try to catch what he was thinking. So, apparently, after a few seconds or minutes of them 'concentrating', Ray asked Rob if he was getting anything. Robert says that he was getting something..yep getting something...that his brother was an idiot! I know that it's not the nicest thing to say, and we condone name calling in our house, but it was totally unexpected, and I almost choked on my coffee with laughter! Good grief! Raymond took it all in stride, and said that they do not have the twin connection---good to know!

Anyways, that's just a sampling of what happens in my household---never a dull moment, I tell you!

I was pretty busy crafting and mailing out parcels this weekend. I had made my 3D tree with DD (which was featured on CC crop--TY CC!!) ad I also finished up my gift for crafter's anon. gift exchange. First time I had ever participated---and probably the last. I liked it, but it was pretty stressful, for me anyways, of what to make for a person I did not know.
So, I ended up making this:

The person I had drawn was Becky, and she's crazy about poodles, likes pinks, purples, with a splash of turquoise. So, I made this for her dogs. I hope she likes it!

Anyways, that's done!

I have to start on my gifts for my kids----We decided this year for everyone, except the baby, to make at least 1 handmade gift for someone. We drew names, and I drew Raymond. I am making him an Ipod touch case featuring Domokun--the Japanese monster. He's cute, and it looks relatively easy. So, I'm giving it a shot. I'll post it once I'm finished! I'm also making (or trying to)  sock puppies for all 3 kids....even though my boys are bigger than me, they still have a soft spot for stuffies! :) For DD, I'm making her a little felt doll house that she can carry with her into the car, and puzzle blocks. Probably other things too, we'll see.

Until next time!

Relax. Be safe. Craft!

Laura

3D Christmas

Hello Sunday!

It's an early Sunday, and my household is still sleeping.

Can you believe that it's December, ALREADY????? Looks like December outside. Cold, snowy, grayish....

Yep, that's right, we have snow in my part of the world.

Have you all put up your Christmas decorations yet? Our tree is up and decorated, along with some decorations in the house....still have to put more up. I have to make some, as little critters got into our boxes in the garage and made themselves a nest or two or three in our decorations. The nerve!!!!

I don't know about you, but I am a little stressed this year...actually very stressed. There's a lot of crap going on in my life right now that is affecting my jolliness at this time of year. I hope it gets resolved---and then there's the whole Christmas thing that I am stressing about.  I am usually finished my Christmas shopping, but not this year. I practically haven't even started!!! Which freaks me out!

Anyways, I'm hoping I calm down a bit.

We did see Santa Claus yesterday  in Loblaws. I was so proud of DD---she did not cry!!! YA!! Of course, I took a picture....and wouldn't you know it--I was having problems with my phone! I didn't know how to work the camera on it! Which is so not me! When I finally got it working, DD was pretty much finished with Santa...grrr!But the store is giving us a copy of the visit!

 

Last night, DD ,who will be3 in January, came to me  and said she was bored! What??!! So, I asked her if she wanted to make something with Mom...to which she said yes! YAH!!

So, we made a3D tree. Let me say this about my daughter--she as really good fine and gross motor skills! I was really impressed with her  work! Maybe I'm being biased because she's my daughter! ;)

 

I  realized afterwards that this project works for CC's weekly challenge! Woohoo!

So, have a great Sunday. Relax. Enjoy. Be safe!

Until next time--

Laura

Paper Bag mini----my first mini EVER!!!

Hiya!!!

How has everyone been??

Where as time gone to, I ask? It's already the weekend, the end of it. I did not see the week fly by!!

Things are a little hectic here, but I did manage to get something done that I've been ..'admiring.. from afar for awhile. A mini album. Yep. I have never, EVER done a mini before. But I can cross that off my list of things to do. Because I have ACCOMPLISHED that!! (I'm still ...'intimidated'..by them, though! lol) I guess the reason I have never done one is that I don't like to work in 'small' spaces. I like working in lots and lots of space. Claustrophobic I guess. is that possible?? ;)

Anyways, I made a mini. I went pretty basic, as I had not a clue as to what to do. I had found a paper bag album that I fell in love awhile ago..........and, with a deep breathe, I decided to make one. lol.

I think the clincher for me was that on CropChocolate.com, te weekly challenge has been extended until this coming Friday, the 23rd November. Seeing as I look forward to doing these challenges, I was disappointed to learn that there wouldn't be a new challenge for the weekend to accomplish. HOWEVER! On Instructagram (a new venture from CC's owners) there are 2 contests...one is for a Cameo (le sigh!) and another for a Kitchenaid mixer (double sigh!) The one for the Cameo calls for ....get this...a mini tutorial.!!! Yowza! BUT I did it (Insert happy dance!)

 Here's my mini!

This is the cover----LOVED doing this! It was so fun! AND Easy Peasy!!

This is a sample of my pages.

I absolutely loved doing this. I may make some more. I just need to figure out what pictures I want to put in there now.

To see it more, here's the link:


http://instructagram.com/igrams/563

Have a great week!

Laura

Just another Manic Monday

Hello fellow readers!

Did you all have a nice weekend? Eventful? Got crafty?

How about a moment or two of silence for our war heroes on Remembrance Day (or Veteran's Day, if in US)? There was a lot of coverage on television yesterday---I have a hard time watching or listening, as I get very emotional, and once the tears come, I cannot stop them.

I had an eventful weekend---well, it started off eventful! I broke 2 of my toes (same foot), all because I was in a rush, pulled open the drawer too hard/too fast, and the drawer fell on my foot. I'm thankful that it was my foot, and not my daughter's, as she was right beside me. So, a small blessing, I guess. It hurt, and still does. I am now known as 'Two Toes' in my household. nice. lol. I had my MIL and SIL over for supper on Saturday, and I managed just fine. I had called our Info-Sante on Friday, and they told me that I had to keep my foot elevated. (Apparently there's not much to be done for broken toes!) Yeaaaahhh....wellll...I kinda have a problem with that! I'm not one to sit still, and I am always bustling about. But I do elevate it when I sit down---even if it's for a few moments. I kow, stubborn. Never said I was perfect! ;)

I have a technique on how to get upstairs to my craft room. Very carefully---but pretty quickly too. lol. There's nothing that's going to keep me separated from my scrapbook room!!!!!

And then I got crafty! This week's challenge on Crop Chocolate was to incorporate more than one color  in your background using ink or paint. I wasn't sure of what I wanted to do. But I did do something I had wanted to do for a while. Just swipe the ink pad onto my paper. I used TH Distress ink in Picked Raspberry (great color) on my background which is (surprise, surprise!) MME, the So Sophie collection (LOVE this brand!). And just swiped. I actually like the effect. Then I positioned my pix and other elemets onto my LO. I'm broadenig my horizons. Not being so 'afraid' to use my stash! (sort of!)

Yep. I kinda like it!

I was wowed! this weekend. My sons go to a great school, where they have many opportunities to explore. One of these opportunities is Music class. And what a music class it is! Robert is taking bass, and brought home his bass guitar this weekend to practice at home. He put on a little show for me, and I was blown away!!! I was amazed on how much he learned in class. He has a good ear for music, it seems. Obviously, he did not, I repeat NOT get the music gene from me or my side of the family!!! lol It's his dad's side! (thank goodness!)
Here's my boy:

Don't mind the lamp --PLEASE!--DH will NOT let me get rid of it! eww!

Anyways, that's one of my boys! Momma's so proud! :)

Have a great day y'all!

Be safe.

Laura

Inspiration.......with a few cards

Hello everyone!

How was your week?? The weather? Here, in my neck of the woods, it's snowing. Yep, snowing. I guess it's acceptable because we are in November---wow! Christmas is coming!

Sooo, I got crafty this past week. I finished up my cards for the Christmas card swap I am part of, over on Crop Chocolate. I had fun doing these, and I will probably continue on making more Xmas cards, for my own  personal use.

 You know, I mention Crop Chocolate quite a bit in my posts. And you may roll your eyes at the mention of it. But it is a great site. Seriously. And the talent that is there is unbelievable. I am always learning, am always inspired by these creative ladies. They certainly get the creative mojo going !

Here are my cards, in no particular order. I went outside of my box, and became more adventurous---and all is due to the creativeness of CC. Seriously. Lol.

 

My next project I am going to attempt is for the ornament swap. I have a couple of ideas of what to make----but I need to research some more, as these will be new techniques! Yep, I'm expanding my creative horizons!

But I am also going to tackle this week's challenge on Crop Chocolate. To quote,

 

I have an idea, or two. So, I'm going to try these. I'll post these once they are done.

I have a house full of teenage boys today. My boys have 4 friends over; they've slept over, and all I can say is that I am eternally grateful that I only have 2 teenage boys to deal with . 6 is way over the top. Lol Boy, can they eat!!!!!!!! Yeesh! Lol

So, until next time. Be safe.

Laura