August Already?

Where does the time go? The summer is already half over, the days are getting shorter, and the peas are coming to an end in my garden. I did harvest some pretty amazing magic purple beans that turn into green beans when you cook them - the kids should get a kick out of those! I even found a few edible strawberries in the patch (they haven't been doing well - this being their first year and all). Still to come: tomatoes and possibly corn - though the stalks look a little too thin to hold any!
As for family outings, we have mainly stayed in the neighborhood, but we did venture out on one camping trip - in Nana's motorhome! We had a great time and are even considering braving camping in a tent with two toddlers in tow...well, we'll see! We also spent a couple weeks at the pool - both kids loved their swimming lessons and can't wait to go back.

Sweet Ride

I was so sure I posted these photos already. I absolutely love my new bike. I even love the infant seat I bought to attach at the back to carry one of the kids. They love it too. In fact there was quite a fight to ride in it in the beginning and it really hasn't lost its popularity since! Of course, now that I have one, it makes it a bit harder to head out for a ride and tell the kids they can't come along! Mostly I love taking them with me anyways, so it isn't really a problem (except when I want to head downtown to shop for myself).
Jayden also has his own bike that he is getting very good at riding...I can't wait until he can ride fast enough to bike ride together!

Watering is a very serious job!

My veggie gardens are growing nicely...thanks to a very dedicated gardener! I have been known to have a bit of a black thumb in the past so it is good to have some assistance! This year I am starting to really get into gardening so I decided to plant a little of everything and see what grows. So far we have eaten one asparagus (it's the first year so mostly it just flowers), a few leaves of lettuce (enough to fill 4 hamburgers to be exact), and a tiny flower of broccoli, but there is lots growing so there is a lot to look forward to (and plenty to water).

Latest Layout

Well, here it is, the layout you have been waiting for, with the final scraps of my final kit. Time to explore the goodies I have collected this year and get scrappin' freely! I have already created a few pretty cool cards (sorry I haven't photographed them). My next project is to finish the last few layouts of Jenna's first year album. Then I can move on to finishing the Alphabet book and then who knows!

Missing Layout...

It may have "accidentally" been missed when the LP post was created by its host, but here it is. Actually next week's is also finished...maybe you would like a sneek peek? Well, you can't have one, I am too busy "rising above".

La piece de resistance

I can't believe I missed this one. This is my favorite of the "Gerber collection"...course I took a couple more today so it may have some competition!

Changing on the Outside

Of course I am referring to my garden! Hard to believe that I am becoming a gardener...I used to hate gardening - I guess I am maturing (hee hee hee). Anyways, I am totally in love with gerber daisys and my new veggie garden so I just had to share some pictures (taken with my new 50mm fixed lens - which I also love).

Out with the Old In with the NEW

Well, it looks like the new design team is up and the old has been erased - even though we still have two more layouts before the month is over! You know how it goes...out with the old, in with the new...sometimes we can hardly wait to move on in life! As for me, I am looking forward to using the many scrap materials I have stored up over the year!!! Actually, here are a few layouts I have finally found time to complete...







...course now that I am no longer on the DT who knows who will actually read this!

My Birthday Princess!

Such a happy little girl. This little princess just turned 1 yesterday. It is hard to believe she has only been in our lives for a year, but at the same time it is also amazing how fast the year has gone by. And despite the laughter she is currently cutting 4 new teeth through her little gums - all at once!! That will bring her grand total up to 12! And to think Jayden barely had half that many at the same age!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here it is all on one line...thanks to Vanessa!! I love it! Happy Valentine's Day!

LOVE is in the Air!

We had our final gathering of Chicks Who Click (a new session starts soon for anyone interested) with Karen McKinnon. Our assignment this time was to find the letters of L-O-V-E and put them together. I really enjoyed this one! Who knows I may even scrap it into an album! I wish I could get these letters all on one line - the effect is much better.

F is for Fall...a layout long in the making

Here it is...F is for Fall. I have had the paper for this one for a couple years now, and the photos of Jayden for over a year. I wanted to have both kids in this double page layout so I had to wait for fall to come around again with Jenna. I am pretty happy with the result. Course the photo frame that held the 5x7 of Jayden (and two others from the same collection) now hangs empty...but I guess it was time for a change anyways!

Okay, so it has been awhile...

I am sorry it has taken SO long to put in a new entry. Since November I have been crazy busy preparing for Christmas and then cleaning it up. I have also been avoiding the computer, choosing to instead use my precious moments of kid free time to scrapbook...that is until we took the kids to a hockey game the other night and the horrible benches combined with the heavy sleeping baby in my arms ruined my lower back. Yup so now I am back into movie junkie mode. Anyways, the new kit from Lotus Paperie's Couture Collection, as it is now called, is my favorite to-date. Seems like every month Vanessa manages to top the month before. I don't know how she will top this one, but I can't wait to find out! Anyways, we got this super cool paper to paint, and here's what mine looks like....I know I should have more photos of my Christmas scrapping accomplishments. I made three really great mini albums for the "grandparents" (of my kids) and they turned out great. Of course, I forgot to photograph them before I gave them away as Christmas presents, but I am teaching a mini album course on February 13th, so maybe after that I will have something to show you! I have also become quite the card maker. These are a couple of my favorites...

T is for Trucks

Well, this one didn't quite make it on the the Lotus Paperie website for Challenge 45, even though it was done in plenty of time...call it an email glitch. It is one of my favorites for this months layouts! I also love Challenge 46: S is for Shoes (below).

It's Finally HERE!!!

It's finally here...feels like I have been waiting forever, but it was barely more than a week! I signed up to become a Close to My Heart sales consultant and today I got my kit. I am SO excited I even photographed it! I love getting mail...especially stuff for scrapbooking! The acrylic stamps from CTMH are the best...if you want to check them out just let me know. Heck, if you are interested in ordering some (or some of the other cool stuff they sell) or even having a scrap party at your house (we could make a card or a tag or whatever else), I'm your girl!

Challenge 42

I am cruising along in my Alphabet scrapbook, I have about 6 layouts done now and it is looking pretty great. The best part is, I don't have to follow any chronological order. I find this so freeing. We have made many trips to the playgrounds near our house, and I am sure we will make many more! Jenna is finally big enough to ride on the swings which is great cause she is getting pretty heavy - yup at her 6 month check-up she was 23lbs and 72cm tall...she may end up taller than her brother at this rate!!!
PS Anyone interested in taking a stamping class on Thursday from 7-9pm? Sign-up ASAP or the class may get canceled! We will make 3-4 cards using some super cool stamps so it should be great fun!! The class is through Courtenay Recreation and costs $25/person.

Scraps

It has been awhile since my last post. There just never seems to be enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do. I have started tutoring three nights a week and just taught my first card making class earlier this month. I have been meaning to post my sample cards on my blog to show you, but of course they are still stuck on my camera - soon, I promise. I do however have two layouts to share (created using the kit and challenges from Lotus Paperie).

September Layouts

Figured I may as well showcase the layouts I created for Lotus Paperie on my blog too so here goes...enjoy!

Challenge 36

Challenge 37

Challenge 38

Challenge 39

Artistry Unveiled

Well, I haven't posted in awhile...I've been busy working on the October layouts for Lotus Paperie - 3 down, 1 to go! Anyways, this is my painting...when my mom saw it she asked me if it was finished...well, I am finished with it! I started it at an art class last fall, and finished it early this summer. It was inspired by a photograph I took of two of the 12 Apostles on the Great Ocean Road in Australia (in case anyone is wondering). I let Jayden use the other canvas to makes his first painting. Have a look...

He had a blast! I let him paint it outside so the mess wasn't too bad either! I plan to hang them both in Jayden's room side-by-side - should look great...if I ever find the time!

Back to Scrappin'

I just got my new design team kit and I am totally stoked...the October stuff kicks butt...but you will just have to wait and see! I haven't posted a scrap layout in awhile since I have been busy with the September layouts that will be unveiled on the lotus paperie website starting this Friday. You will have to check it out. Anyways, here is my latest and greatest (you may recognize most of the photos on it). I do so love brown and pink! The hot pink words are felt rub-ons - I love them! The first layout was inspired by Challenge 35 and the second was Challenge 27 - hey better late than never!
C