Playing Catch-up!

I don't know how it happened, but I didn't blog on Scott's birthday. He turned 8 on March 12th, and that was the day we headed over to Grammie and Papa's.

Here are the kids on a BC Ferry, heading to the Island for Spring Break. By the look of this photo, you'd think the ocean was new to them, but it's not... I totally get why this view is so captivating, though, it is one of my favourite things to look at - the wide open ocean!

When we got to my parents', we had a DQ ice cream cake for the birthday boy... they are the best cakes!!

The day before Scott's birthday, we went to our favourite family restaurant - Red Robin. The boys each got their free birthday meal postcard in the mail, and so we went out to celebrate!

In the next 2 pictures the boys are both SEVEN :) Every year, for 2 weeks, I have the special honour of being the mom to two boys that are the same age. Some people say we are crazy to have had them so close together (on purpose) but I would not change it if I had it to do over... these 2 boys are best friends, and even though they fight sometimes, they are always there for each other. I know they'll be life long buddies!


ps- if Darcie happens to read this... I've already had all these photos printed :)

Botanical Gazette Suite

I've said it before, but one of the things I love about the current mini catalogue (OCCASIONS MINI CATALOGUE LINK) is how the catty is divided up into suites. The Botanical Gazette Suite has become one of my favourites! We used the Nature Walk stamp set, as well as Botanical Gazette designer paper to make this card on Monday night at my Stampers Club.


We also used... the Paper Crimper!! I highlight this because it has been so long since I pulled it out. But this week I saw on someone's blog where they challenged paper crafters to use this tool again. And it is so FUN to use!! If you have one, I want to extend the challenge to you - use the tools you have bought! Look around your craft room. Do you see something you bought and haven't used? Why not make it a goal for April (that's tomorrow... can you believe it?!) to use the tools and supplies you have purchased. If you forget why you bought something, or don't know how to use it, then feel free to leave a question or a comment on here and I'd be happy to help you find a project to go with your supplies!! I encourage customers and friends that if they are going to buy something (especially in the case of embellishments) to USE THEM!!! They sure look pretty in jars and on shelves, but they look even better on a card or scrapbook page! And the purpose is to create something with them... not to just look at them! Have fun and happy stamping!! I would love to know if you took my challenge, and what you created!

Inky Fingers

Last night was my Stampers Club, and I will post those projects once I get them photographed.

But, this morning, as I was tidying up after the club, Elise and I stamped a few cards with the supplies that were still out.

Here's her card...


And then, she said, "Oh NOOOO! It won't come off!" Oh well! 'Tis the life of a stamper to have inky fingers! Inked hands are a sign of a creative day :)

There's still time to Sale-a-Brate!!!

Sale-a-bration is coming to a close... don't miss your chance to earn one of the wonderful FREE products by placing a qualifying order, or becoming a demonstrator!

Sale-a-Bration 2011 ends March 31, 2011

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Spend: You will receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $60 they spend (before tax and shipping)!

Host: A hostess will receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $395 in workshop sales*, in addition to our regular hostess benefits!

*Note: This benefit is only available on qualifying customer, demonstrator, and workshop orders. Online orders do not qualify.

Join: New recruits will receive 15 percent off their Starter Kit (Standard or Digital+), plus a special Sale-A-Bration bonus bundle valued up to $60!

Sale-a-bration Brochure

Contact me today, or visit my website... right HERE!

Grammie and Papa

We are just finishing up 2 weeks of Spring Break... the boys had no school, and Elise isn't in school yet, so we carried on a 5 year tradition, and took the kids over to Grammie and Papa's (my parents) for a week. During that week, Steve and I came home and got a few things done around here. We painted our bedroom, as well as 2 bathrooms. We also went on a few dates and just enjoyed a really quiet house! We spent 3 nights over there when we dropped the kids off, plus 2 more nights when we went to pick them up, so the kids were over there for over a week and a half!

The kids had fun - they always do at G & P's! Here are a few fun pics I took....

Before:During:
After!!

Party Name Tags

One more "party post" for today!! Here are the name tags I made, once again using my Big Shot. Love that machine!

Here are the ones that are my favourites :)

Birthday Banner

For my mom's birthday, I wanted to make a special banner using the Stampin' Up! pennant die for my Big Shot. I didn't want it to be a Happy Birthday banner because then it would be just used for one day and taken down. I chose the word "Friendship" so that, if my mom chooses, she can leave it up for longer, or put it up for other occasions, too.

I love how it turned out! Might just need to make one for my own house now!!

Birthday Celebrations!

Last week, my mom turned 60. Today, I had a surprise tea party for her with about 20 of her friends. Here's the invitation I sent out... (most people got these, but some were invited via email due to lack of address, time constraints, etc.)


Inside the card were directions, time, etc. And then I put this:

Because you have brought her
so much joy through the years
with your friendship,
we invite you to help us surprise
this special lady on her birthday…



Your presence is your gift

And we request no other.

Blessed by Friends

As I posted a couple days ago, I hosted a stitching party here on Monday. I wanted to share the hostess gifts that I got.

Rhonda gave me these beautiful tulips - and they have opened up even more since I took this picture. Wrapped around the tulips, and then tied with a bow, were these fun pieces of fabric shown in the second picture! Thanks, Rhonda!!


And for several months now, I have admired these adorable strawberries that you will see as decoration on Kim's Etsy page. I've commented on them to her, and now I have a pair of my own!!! I love them - thanks, Kim!!

Ironing Board Makeover

I've had my ironing board for awhile now... For at least 12 years... I can't remember if it was a purchase of my own or if I got it as a hand-me-down when I moved out back in '99.

I have since learned that I should not use tap water in my iron. Look what a mess it made (over time) on my old cover:

From now on, I will only use filtered water in my iron.

I did a Google search a few days ago and found this super simple tutorial on how to cover your ironing board without replacing the cord. That sounded like something I could handle!! After going through my stacks of fabric, I concluded that for a large iron, you will need more than one metre. I had to cut it on the diagonal, and add an inch on each end to make it long enough. (but that part gets hidden, anyway).

I came across this black and white sewing themed fabric that I bought a few months ago. Right away I knew it was perfect for this project!!!

Happy sewing... and ironing :)

60 Years of Memories....

My mom is 60 today.
Happy Birthday :)
We love you!!

Growing up, I always loved seeing my parents kiss ♥

Mom always wanted a dozen kids... now with her 3 kids, plus 2 sons-in-law and her 7 grandkids, she has her 12!


She is the hardest worker I know... and she makes it look so fun!

1976...

Hymn to a Good Wife

Proverbs 10 - 31

A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!

Birdie Blocks

I have been doing a "block of the month" project, along with a few friends. Last night, we had a little stitching party at my house to work on the March block.

The pattern is free online from this site: Little Miss Shabby

I am now caught up to date with my Jan, Feb, March blocks. I just took fabric from my stash. I have so many other things on the go, so I didn't want to buy more fabric for another new project... I told myself that if I could find enough suitable fabric in my bins then this project would be a "go!" If not, I would pass.

I don't know where the finished quilt will go. Depends on how large I finish it. The pattern calls for it to be 52X66 when complete. This link will give you an idea of the finished project: Birdie Stitches Layout.

January


February


March
Since the March block wasn't my absolute favourite.... I borrowed Kim's sketch with a cleaner rainbow, adding a shamrock, and using the January birdie (because he's fluffier!). Thanks, Kim! I added the little shamrock to his chest and did 3 lines of stem stitching to pull in more green.

A Visit to the Sally Ann:)

I loves me a good deal! The lady at the Salvation Army thrift store in Aldergrove said I got "the deal of the day!" So, I thought that was pretty blog-worthy!

I have gone for runs by this store, and I drive by it often, but I never go inside. Today, I went in twice! The second trip in was to check out footwear... and look at these 2 pairs of boots I found for Elise. She loves them! ($3 each :)

I know it seems silly, but this is one of my favourite movies! I own the original, but not this version of it. I think I'll have to do a little stamping tonight so I can watch it! 50 cents :)

Now.... the very best purchase: a Janome sewing machine with all its bits for only $30.00!!! The lady at the till said she hadn't seen that in there, and declared this the "deal of the day!!!" I bought it before someone else snatched it up! I think the kids will have fun sewing on this. And it actually has more stitch options than my current machine, so maybe I will have to start using it as my regular machine!

Food for Thought...

Just got this in an email... something to keep in mind next time you're shopping!

Made In Canada

A physics teacher in high school, once told the students that while one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn't slow a train very much, a billion of them would. With that thought in mind, read the following, obviously written by a good Canadian.

Good idea. One light bulb at a time ...

Check this out . I can verify this because I was in Lowe's the other day for some reason and just for the fun of it I was looking at the hose attachments . They were all made in China . The next day I was in Home Hardware and just for the fun of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in Canada! Start looking.

In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - even their job. So, after reading this e-mail, I think this lady is on the right track. Let's get behind her!
She said:

My grandson likes Hershey's candy . I noticed, though, that it is markedmade in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more . My favorite toothpaste, Colgate, is made in Mexico now. I have switched to Crest. You have to read the labels on everything .

This past weekend I was at Wal-Mart. I needed 60W light bulbs . I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off-brand labeled, "Everyday Value. " I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats - they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this -in Canada in a company in Ontario . Their Equate products are also made in Canada , and are very good.

So throw out the myth that you can not find products you use every day that are made right here.

My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in Canada .The job you save may be your own or your neighbour’s! (Your children & grandchildren also)

If you accept this challenge, pass it on to others in your address book so we can all start buying Canadian, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies!

(We should have awakened a decade ago.)

Let's get with the program. Help our fellow Canadians keep their jobs and create more jobs here in Canada .

If President Obama insists on a “Made in America ” policy, which is commendable of him, to support American workers, we should do likewise. BUY CANADIAN! Read the labels. Support Canadian jobs.