Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe that in just a few short hours we will say goodbye to 2008 and hello to 2009.

As  we draw closer to that final countdown and prepare to close the book on another year, I would like to take the time to say thank you to all of my family and friends for always being there for me. My life is so fully and richly blessed because of all of you. 

I am about to go snuggle on the couch with my dear husband Gary and my sweet children Sara and Sam. Before I do I'd like to leave you with a little wish.

May 2009 bring you and yours love, health, prosperity and nothing but wonderful moments. May your life be so richly blessed and all your dreams come true. Rejoice in every moment with your family and friends, and know that no matter what the new year may bring you will never have to face it alone. God is with each and every one of you and will always see you through.

God bless you in 2009!!!!!!!!! Happy New Year!!!!!!!

With love and hugs,

Heather, Gary, Sara and Sam

My Maya Road Goodies Arrived!!!!!!!

Bright and early this morning (why does Canada Post always come to my house seemingly at the crack of dawn???) I received my package from Maya Road for being one of the finalists in the Home For The Holidays contest. Here's the list of yummy goodies that I received:

car key chipboard coaster book

house key chipboard coaster book

damask chipboard sheet

scroll frame classic chipboard book

tree chipboard coaster album

trinkets ribbon set

trinket beads hearts and butterflies

trinket beads tutti fruity

trinkets crochet shimmer blossoms

trinkets crochet shimmer butterflies

trinkets textured knit blossoms

suede stitched - red & orange - flowers

suede stitched - blue & brown - flowers

Thank you Maya Road for my wonderful goodies!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas

Happy birthday Jesus!!!!!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!!!! May God truly bless you and yours this holiday season!!!

Early Morning Surprise

Early this morning I received a wonderful surprise .... the doorbell rang and there was Santa .... errrr ... a representative of Canada Post actually ... waiting with a parcel for me. I was sooooooooooo excited!!!!!!!!! It came all the way from Nebraska and was my wonderful present from my Secret Santa at Cutters Creek Yahoo group!!!!!!!!! My dear friend Patty truly spoiled me. She sent me:

6 felt trees with bows

8 holly leaves

6 metallic Christmas trees

5 poinsettias

some swirl Christmas trees cut from the Christmas Noel Cricut cartridge

Snow Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder

Flower Soft adhesive

Quickie Glue pen

Gelly Roll clear star pen 

spoon for my Flower Soft

3 bottles of Distress Stickles: Vintage Photo, Faded Jeans, Walnut Stain

3 bottles of Glitz Stickles: Mermaid, Ruby Slippers, Sequins

the cutest ever owl wooden stamp

a bag of candy corn

a bag of candy corn salt water taffy

a bag of Christmas salt water taffy

and two very beautiful Christmas cards

What a wonderful gift and a fabulous surprise!!!!!!!! Thank you Patty!!!!!! I love all my goodies and can't wait to play with them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Maya Road House

I'm so excited!!!!!!!! My Maya Road chipboard house that I created was selected as one of the finalists in the Maya Road Home For The Holidays contest. Woo hoo!!!!!!!!!!! How exciting is that????????? They now have the recipe card up and ready for download on their site. You can check out the recipe cards here or see mine full size here. Mine is called Winter Wonderland. Please take a look and let me know what you think. I'm doing the happy dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Thumbnail is from Maya Road).

The Glossy

Our mini challenge in the WeScrap Fresh Faces challenge this week was to create a "Glossy". This is mine.

This Week's Fresh Faces Challenge

Our assignment this week for the WeScrap Fresh Faces Challenge was "The Diet". We weren't allowed to use any patterned paper or stickers (including my beloved Thickers). We were allowed to use minimal amounts of bling, rhinestones, brads and buttons, although I didn't use any of those on my layout. Mini Maestro was created with cardstock, a Fiskars border and corner punch (to do the border), a Heidi Swapp mask, Colorbox chalk, a Fiskars squeeze punch (flower), a black marker, and a hole punch (for flower centers). The photos were taken in a store called Here Comes Treble in Frankenmuth, Michigan. I love how Sara looks like a professional at the piano at such a young age.

Voting is now open for this week's challenge and will close Sunday evening. This is week five of the challenge. Voting is open to all WeScrap members.

Candyland Anyone?

Now until December 14th the city of Cambridge is hosting Candyland in downtown Preston. It isn't huge, it isn't spectacular, but the children seem to enjoy it and that lights are pretty. We took Sara and Sam there for a little while on Thursday night. Took a couple of spins on the merry go round (after which I felt like I was spinning for way too long afterwards), slipped and slid on the ice (they really need to put down more salt), posed in front of cute light displays, and froze our tushies off. But Sara had fun. Sam ... well ... not so much. It's free, except for the merry go round which is $2, and like I said the children seem to enjoy it. So if you live in Cambridge you might want to give it a look see. Just one word of advice --- wear your mittens!!!!

This Week's Fresh Faces Challenge

Here is my layout for the Fresh Faces contest at WeScrap. This week we had to choose four numbers and then were told what our layout had to include based on those four numbers. I chose 1) use at least three photos on your layout, 3) sew somewhere on your layout ... either machine or by hand, 7) use at least 5 flowers, and 11) ink or paint the edges of your paper.

This was my first time doing machine sewing on a layout. In order to do it I first had to learn how to use my new computerized sewing machine that Gary bought me for Christmas LAST year. Better late than never lol. I zig zag stitched around the cardstock, then stitched the striped piece and the green piece of patterned paper. The sleigh was handcut, then Stickled, covered in Glossy Accents, then cracked. Stickles were also used on all letters except Santa.

The photos are of our recent visit from Santa Claus -- isn't he just the most amazing Santa? Sara didn't cry -- we were very proud of her for that -- but she did take a little while to warm up to Santa. Pooh Bear helped her to get comfortable enough to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what she wants for Christmas.

Voting for this week opens on Saturday and closes on Sunday. This week we are voting on Main Challenge # 4.

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.