Recent Layouts

Here are four layouts I've completed recently.

"I Believe In Santa" was for the Believe challenge at Sisterhood of Scrap. I had to create a layout about something I believe in ... well, I believe in Santa ... and so do my children. Santa is the symbol of giving and that is what Christmas is all about -- giving. If God hadn't 

given the world His only son long ago in Bethlehem we wouldn't even have Christmas or the salvation that came from our Lord's sacrifice. So yes, I believe in Santa and all that he symbolizes. Besides, it is always better to give than to receive.

"Sweet" was completed for the Embellish It challenge at Sisterhood of Scrap. I had to have an embellishment cluster in one area of the layout. I love this picture of Sara taken at Mexicali Rosa's. She looks so sweet.

"Toy Store Fun" was completed for the sketch challenge at Sisterhood of Scrap. I used the new October Afternoon Hometown line for this layout. Love these pics of Sara at Toys R Us.

"Hey Little Girl" was completed for this week's Fresh Faces main challenge "Make Up" at WeScrap. It was all about covering up. I used red paint, Twinkle paint, Stickles, chalk, 'blushed' on some Brilliance ink, Glossy Accents, mini buttons AND nail polish!!!!!! Yes, I actually painted the chipboard heart with nail polish. It turned out pretty cute.

I love this unplanned photo of Sara taken at Applebee's -- thought it was so cute how she was looking up at Elvis.

Voting at WeScrap is open until the end of Sunday. This week's vote is for layouts in the main challenge # 3.

Look at the Snow!!!!!

Tara posted a challenge on her blog that she wanted to see our snow. Well, here's some of mine. Don't ask me if I like it LOL.

Who and What Are You Thankful For?

Our Photo Challenge this week at Cutters Creek Yahoo group is "Thankful". Whether you just celebrated Thanksgiving, like my American friends, or not there is always time to reflect on what you are thankful for.

I am very thankful for God's love and salvation, my husband Gary, my children Sara and Sam, my Mom, my brothers and sisters-in-law, my home, my friends, my freedom, my extended family, my health (such as it is it could be much worse), and the multitude of blessings that God has granted to me - including all of you who read my blog.

Who and what are you thankful for?

A Few Nice Surprises

I've had a few really nice surprises lately. Things like making it through the second round of WeScrap's Fresh Faces contest and getting a RAK for doing such a great job commenting on posts in the gallery at The Scrapping Bug among them. 

(BTW, WeScrap has posted a great lineup of upcoming classes -- check them out!!!!)

One of the most exciting surprises I've had recently I'm not sure I'm at liberty to tell you about yet, but I'll give you just a taste for now. Stay tuned for more details :)

Hope you are having a great week!!!!!!

Layouts for WeScrap's Fresh Faces Contest

I am participating in the WeScrap Fresh Faces contest. These are my challenges for the first two weeks.
 

Challenge 1: The Makeover

For this challenge I scraplifted Nancy Jones' Remember 4 on the WeScrap site and had to remake it.

  

Challenge #2: The Close Up

The challenge was to create a layout using a close up.

Mini Challenge # 3: Thank you card

I used my Cuttlebug with my Coredinations paper, sanded it, and accented selected words with gold Stickles and my Sakura Glaze pen. The flower was created using my Fiskers punches.

Voting for the contest opens tomorrow and closes Sunday. Voting is for challenge #2 only. If you are a member of WeScrap you are eligible to vote -- and I hope you will vote for me :)

Nine Years ...

Nine years ago the world as I knew it changed forever. A dear and wonderful man who had been part of my world for my entire life closed his eyes forever and left a void in our lives that could never be filled. Our world became emptier and lonelier when we lost him. I loved him almost as much as I loved my own Daddy. He was an integral part of my life in so many ways ... and always will be. He was more than my uncle, he was my friend. I miss him so very deeply.

I miss you Uncle Donald --- I miss you so very much, and I love you.

Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Donald on their 50th Anniversary.

My Grandma, Aunt Dorothy (Grandma's sister), Uncle Donald and Uncle Melville (Grandma's brother) --- they are all with the angels now in God's home. I miss them all :(

Blog Candy From Around The Web

Nikki is offering this fantastic blog candy on her blog as a Pay It Forward. Be sure to stop by and check it out --- ends Sunday the 16th. Winner announced.

Chris is offering a beautiful stamp set and card that she made. Ends on the 22nd. Winner announced.

Check out Bernice's awesome blog candy above. Ends today though so be quick. Winner announced.

Alice is offering this fabulous blog candy below. Check out her blog for a chance to win --- ends on the 23rd!!!! Winner announced.

Kristine is celebrating her blogoversary with not just one blog candy, but two. Check out the awesome prizes below and then visit her fantastic blog!!!! Winner will be chosen on the 26th. Winner announced. 

Check out Frances' fantastic blog and the blog candy she is offering for her blogoversary!!!!! Winner will be chosen on the 16th so you better hurry!!!! Winner announced.

Anita is giving away some lovely goodies to celebrate her blogoversary. Winner will be chosen on the 25th!!!Winner announced.

Katherina is celebrating her blogoversary by offering 6 sets of two Whiff of Joy stamps!!! That means 6 lucky winners!!!!!! Just let her know what you like best about her blog :) Ends on the 17th. Winners have been announced.

Pop over to Pink Gem Designs for a chance to win two Mimi stamps. While you are there take a look around --- great stamps. Blog candy ends November 18th. Winner announced.

*** Thanks to Chris for the leads on these blog candies***

I've Been Tagged!!!!

Tara has tagged me for my first ever blog tag!!!!!! So here goes :)

Share SEVEN facts about yourself, some random, some weird ... just 7 facts :)

Tag 7 people at the end of your post and make sure to let them know they've been tagged!!! Make sure to provide a link to the person who tagged you.

Okay, so seven things and seven people ... YIKES!!!!!!

1. When I was little I thought I could make my own peanut butter by putting butter and peanut butter in a bowl and mixing them together ... I was heart broken when my brother told me I was wasting my time because it was already peanut butter

2. I grew up in Golspie --- don't blink or you will miss it lol

3. I was in a Beckers in Woodstock Ontario when I first heard the news that Elvis was dead ... I was too little to know what that meant, but I knew it was bad ... ran all the way back to my Grandma's crying

4. When I was 8 we went to Montreal for a wedding --- I travelled from the wedding to the reception in the back window of the car waving at my parents who were following so that they wouldn't get lost

5. My Mom and I once walked 10 miles to see Mr. DressUp

6. I am a scrapbook supply and tool junkie!!!!!! And I don't want a recovery program lol!!!!!

7. As a child I used to create new characters for the TV shows I watched and write stories about them.

There you go .... seven random facts about me. Let's hope that these people won't mind sharing theirs. LOL!!!!

Here are some of the blogs I enjoy visiting. I tag ....

Chris

Kim B.

Kimberly

Janet

Linda

Karen

Lisa

Halloween Layout Class

My Mom and I took a Halloween layout class at Simply Scrapping on November 2nd. I finally got around to adding my photos to the layouts. These layouts were done with the Spooktastic layout class kit from Bo Bunny.

Remembrance Day

Today was Remembrance Day. Unfortunately I am coming down with a cold so I wasn't able to attend the service today with the children -- a cold on top of how I already feel isn't good. We watched the service from Ottawa on television. I found it all very moving. I am so grateful to the men and women who have served in the wars and have fought to protect our freedom. We owe them so much and should never forget the sacrifices that were made for our sake and for the future generations. I pray that my children will see the end of war in their lifetime and will never have to experience war first hand.

Today was a day for remembrance in another way in our household as well. On this date in 1995 the greatest man I never knew passed away. Harold Haggett, Gary's Dad, my Father-in-law. I wish I had been able to meet him, I wish he had lived to see his son get married, I wish he had lived to play with his grandchildren. I miss him so much, even though I never met him. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have my wonderful husband or my beautiful children. Thank you Dad H. for the wonderful job you did raising your son. We love you.

The Scrapping Bug Layout Tag Reveal

I joined a group of very talented ladies for a fun game of layout tag. The end results are fantastic. This is mine - Boo-Tiful. Love that pic of Sara. I enjoyed putting this layout together. The layouts have now been revealed on The Scrapping Bug Forum. If you want to see the rest of my team's layouts you can see them here.

Sara Get Your Groove On!!!!!

Sara and friend dancing at Chuck E Cheese.

Another Kit Layout

I put together another kit from Two Scrapbook Friends. This one is all about picking pumpkins. I love the paper pumpkins on this layout. Photos are of Sara and Samuel at Strom's just outside of Guelph.

Two Scrapbook Friends Layouts

These layouts are from kits designed by  Two Scrapbook Friends. 

This layout was the perfect one for scrapbooking these pictures of Sara at Kim Glo Farm. The pictures are from September 2007 - Sam wasn't even born yet. I love the corn stalks created on the Cricut.

Our neighbours across the street go all out for Halloween. Not only do they have an amazingly decorated front yard, they have awesome costumes. Sara wouldn't get close enough to have pictures taken this year --- she was scared of the monsters!!!! Sam however wasn't given much of a choice. He wasn't sure what to think of them at first, but quickly made up his mind -- they were scary!!!!! This layout kit was perfect for scrapping the photos of Sam with our spooky neighbours!!!! Love those Fancy Pants Glitter Cuts!!!!!

More Halloween Photos and My Favourite Halloween Memory

Some more photos from Halloween 2008.


Tara posted a mini challenge on her blog regarding our favourite Halloween memory. So far I have two, both involving my sweet Sara.

Last year I worked really hard teaching 21 month old Sara to say "Trick or Treat". It took awhile, but she finally seemed to have the hang of it. We ventured out and headed to the first house. On the way there I asked her what she had to say and she said proudly "Trick or treat". She knocks on the first door and our neighbour appeared. I softly asked Sara "What do you say?" Sara looked up, big smile on her face and said "Say excuse me!!!!" It was priceless.

This year my sweet little girl remembered to say "Trick or Treat", however she did something else that was really cute. At the same neighbour's house she walked right inside, put her treat bag down, climbed up on the couch and started watching their TV. We all laughed. I asked her if she was ready to go and she waved at me "Bye Mommy, have fun." She did come with me and had a blast trick or treating.

Mini Challenges

Tara has posted a couple of fun mini challenges on her blog.

The first was to create a card of thanks. I used my Cuttlebug for the first time on this one, as well as my Chocolate Box coredinations.

The second was a quote challenge. Tara gave us some quotes and we had to choose one to use on a layout or card. I used mine as the title for my layout. Love that pic of Sara wearing Sam's lion hat. Sooooo cute!!!!!

Another Tara Challenge

Tara posted one of her own layouts with the challenge to scraplift it. I took that challenge and this is what I came up with. The quote says "My heart is forever at your service" by Shakespeare. Thanks Tara -- I love that quote!!!!

Two More For Tara

I have two more layouts finished for Tara's blog challenges.

"5 Things" is for the 5 Things About Me challenge. My five things are:

1. I have felt the hand of God and it is glorious.

2. I truly believe that when a door closes God opens a window.

3. Sara, Samuel and Gary are my gifts from God.

4. I know someday I will walk with my Daddy and Grandma again.

5. I'm deeply in love with my Lord and I never walk alone.

"Joy" is for the sketch challenge. The sketch was designed by Lucy Chesna for Tara's blog. I love these photos of Sara in the orchard.

Enjoy!!!

Tara's Challenges

I have two more challenges completed for Tara's blog challenges. 

"Life is full of wonder" is for the ad challenge. The quote says: Giving a child the best of everything robs her of the chance to learn how to make the best of what she has.

For the quote/song challenge I did a very simple layout using the lyrics of "How To Say Goodbye" by Michael W. Smith. I feel the lyrics perfectly capture what I want to say about my Daddy and my Grandma, both of whom I miss very deeply.

Halloween Pictures