My Heart is Hurting.

I came across this blog through another blog that I frequent and have been captivated by the strength of this family and how selflessly they share their triumphs and their pain. Little Tuesday was diagnosed with cancer and they have shared their journey with treatment every step of the way. They have had good days and bad days. On January 30th, 2009, little Tuesday lost her battle with cancer and passed away in the love of her families arms. I don't even know this family and my heart hurts so bad right now. Please pray for their family; Mom, Dad, and her two brothers and twin sister. Leave a message if you are so inclined. http://half12.blogspot.com

Night Owl?

While I certainly am a "night owl", this is just ridiculous! It's 3:37 am and I am sitting in front of the computer because I can't sleep. Not because I'm not tired, or I had a wonderful long sleep already, but because there is a giant plow outside my bedroom window that feels it's completely necessary to go back and forth down my tiny little street about forty times! We live in a private area where the city does not plow and there is a plow company that comes in to do it. My street has ten homes on it and is not very long! Forty times, really? It's still out there making a racket and I'm wondering who else can't sleep. I wonder how many complaints will be made in the morning! Really 20 cm of snow isn't that much! It can wait at least until 6:30am, believe me it will still be out there! I'm really starting to get sick of winter...

Mini Accordion Album

The ladies in hostess club want to make one of these mini accordion albums next week when we meet. They are made up just of cardstock and measure 5x5 when closed. The book itself only takes one piece of cs which is great. I made this one up sort of as a template before I make one with my CTMH products and start cutting all the paper. I often do that just to see what it will look like, and so I don't make a bunch of mistakes. For this one I used Confetti papers by My Mind's Eye in "Party". They are really cute papers with lots of different paper embellies to go with them. I'm not sure which ctmh paper pack I will use yet. I thought that while I was at it I could turn it into a little gift for Cassidy. I had some cute pics of her and her best friend that she would like to have, and now they have a home.
This is a view of the cover page with it slightly opened.

These are the front pages open all the way.

These are the back pages.

I love playing Santa!

I have a picture in mind for this I just haven't printed it yet. We were at my sister's for her birthday and we were playing around with M's Santa hat. I took a picture of myself wearing it. I will put that picture on this page. Once I do that I will replace the picture here with the new one. This is heidi grace paper. YUM! It's shinny and embossed, I love it! I have had it for over a year and never used it. Sound familiar?

A Challange

This layout was part of a challenge on the CTMH boards. Everyday for 4 days we are given instructions on what to do and we have to follow them. it is fun because you never really have a vision of what it will look like when done. So for this one I decided it was time to scrap my prom pictures. I used the Key to My Heart cc. I really like the first page.

A Valentine's card.

I whipped this card out yesterday in a few minutes. I think it will make a cute Valentine. I used the CB with core'dinations cs. I also used my watercolour pencils with a blending pen on the bear from "The Best Way" ss from CTMH. I think the bear is cute.

A Birthday Card.

This is the birthday card I made for my DH's upcoming birthday tomorrow. I used the crate paper Avenue line, and the card confidence program. I distressed all the edges but didn't ink them for once. Here's hoping it's masculine enough.

Just Playing Games.

So Miss Cassidy has been begging, pleading and nagging me to play her new Hannah Montana game since she got it for Christmas. Every. Single. Day. The poor thing. It seems like it's never the right time. Well tonight was her lucky night! We got to have some alone time to play too! It is a cute, fun game but really, it took her so long to set it up! I brushed Quintin's teeth, put his p.j's on, read him a somewhat longish book, put a load of laundry in, and did the supper dishes all while she set it up! LOL! I'm sure it was worth it! She really loves it and to be honest I did too. We will have to play again soon.

Skating on the Canal.

We went skating on the Canal yesterday. I didn't get the best pictures because it was a wee bit cold for bare hands. So I may wait until we go next time and get some others for my little book. The kids are such troopers! I couldn't believe how far they skated and how many times Cassidy fell without complaint! Some of the falls she took looked painful! Ahhh a girl after my own heart. Haha. Drake is getting to be pretty good. He said it's like riding a bike. And little Quintin and I, well we walked and every now and then daddy came and took him for a spin, he loved it. Next year he will graduate to skates.

Winter Wonderland Book

This is a little scrapbook I made using the Aspen paper pack. I made it to house some pictures of my family skating on the canal. We go several times a year. The Canal is the World's longest skating rink, which is home to Canada's Capital, Ottawa. The part of the Canal that you skate on starts at Dow's lake and ends right down town. 7.8 km long! While there we usually enjoy some hot chocolate and a beavertail. Yum. For those of you that may not know what a beavertail is, it's a yummy fried pastry with several different topping choices. I tend to stick with the Cinnamon/lemon. The original! Sooo good. I'll post some pics after we go.
This is what the front looks like, the four pages are different sizes and made to over lap.

These are the fronts of the pages.

These are the backs of the pages.

Sweet.

I have loved this photo ever since I took it. I just love the smile on my Grandma's face, and Quintin's cute chubby legs. It really is a sweet picture of them. She loved holding the babies in the family.

I often forget to tell what I used. First off this is one of my designs. Just messing around. This is the Chocolate Chalet collection from Cloud9 designs. I love it! I used the papers, stickers, chipboard flowers, and gel stitches. I also used chipboard letters from another company. The edges are painted with white paint from our distressing kit. I used a plate to trace and cut out the circle ;0) I am trying to use up some non CTMH stuff. I have sooooo much and it's a shame to let it sit there. This LO would look good with the Adorable PP as well.

Fun in the Snow!

It has been snowing here since about 1am. I'm not sure how much has accumulated yet but my guess would be over 40cm so far today. A beautiful winter storm. I tend to like them, just not the remnants of them in April. The kids played outside after school. Yes they still went, lucky kids. It wasn't snowman snow so they started a fort instead. They had fun throwing it at me and the little one enjoyed eating it! We'll save the snow lesson for next year when he understands a little better. At least it was fresh!
This is Quintin waiting for the bus.


This is my oldest Drake.

This is my Daughter Cassidy.

Working on the fort.

Throwing snow at me, check out the diva's earings. LOL!

Here he is tasting the snow.

LOL!

A Tribute and a Gift.

My Dear Grandmother passed away in the early hours of New Years Eve. She had been in the hospital for a few weeks. The family decided to remove her life support after finding out that tests revealed a massive stroke affecting a part of her brain that would essentially require her to stay on life support in order to live. She would not be waking up from this one. It was a blow that my family was not ready for. We had a short time to say our good-bye's and tell her what she meant to us and how much she was loved by all. Something I'm assuming and hoping she already knew. My mind at times is a jumble of memories, and at other times calm with snapshot pictures in my head of her smile. We have a wonderfully large family. She had ten children of her own, two of which are with her in heaven, along with her adoring husband of over sixty-five years. Of those ten children came over fifty( Yes I said 50) grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and yes great-great- grandchildren. What a legacy she leaves behind. So I'm working like a mad woman on a scrapbook which is a tribute to her life and also will be a gift for my Mom I have enlisted the help of my sister with some stunningly beautiful pages of her own that I will ask if I can post when it is all done. Here are just a few pages.
This is a picture that was taken at the church of my grandparents, shortly before my grandfather passed away, also in the photo are my mom, and aunt.

This picture is of the four remaining daughters and grandma.

These pages are of my wedding day.



The journaling reads...
Some moments are made of simple things: A smile, a kind word, or just being together. Other moments are marked with pictures, food, and lots of family and friends. For me this moment was of great significance because not only did I marry my life partner, I got to witness and thank-you and grandpa for the commitment you made to eachother for over 65 years. You are truly an inspiration to me and something I strive to be. Thanks for providing me with countless memories and moments in time. Big and small. xx