I'm here to live outloud!

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope you guys are showing your mom's a great day! I Love my mom, and am so glad I was blessed to have learned some tricks from her. I've got a lot more to learn...

Crop & Create Burnaby!!!!

Is just around the corner!!!!!

                            Crop & Create - Burnaby 2012

We are excited to invite 150 of our closest friends to join us in  Burnaby, BC  for two days of inspiration, education and pure fun! Come crop and create with some of the best teachers in paper crafting. Join experts Vicki Boutin, Kimber McGray, Kelly Goree, Becky Fleck, Jennifer Edwardson and Caroline Lau from Maya Road for fabulous  classes that are full of tips, tricks and techniques for every level. With 24 hours of cropping time, a chocoholic feast, gourmet lunch, delicious breakfast, great prizes, special make n’ takes, challenges (you’ll love the blindfold card challenge!) and a goody bag you will be talking about for a while, this exclusive event promises to be a weekend all about creating with our closest friends…YOU...and one that is not to be missed!  Oh wait, did we mention there will be a marketplace with great stores too?   Crop & Create Burnaby is going to be a very special Crop & Create event!  Be sure to check out our Crop & Create Facebook Page to see images from our past events.  We can’t wait to see you there!

Event Date & Location:

June 2 & 3, 2012

Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, Burnaby, BC
 

This event is gonna be exciting. We have 2 new teachers joining our team to bring you their flare of classes. I can't wait!!!!!

 

Are YOU joining us?????

click HERE to register.

I think I can I think I can...

yep sometimes I feel like that little train is going way too fast!!!! Just trying to juggle getting things done and accomplished and run a household.

Sometimes I win, sometimes I don't. Today feels like an elephant is standing on me. Just too many things, appointments that have to happen today. So it all comes down to just keep chipping away until it is all over at 10 tonight. And then TOMORROW I fly to WINNIPEG for

CROP  & CREATE!!!!  

and you know what that means...

get your smiles ready, your giggles. on. Be ready to pose, use some fun props and make memories. Our team is so stoked to hang out in Winnipeg, we have surprises and treats in store. It is gonna be awesome.

Can't make this event, but live in Winnipeg area????? Then join us for the Marketplace. We have 6 AWESOME stores joining us in this adventure and they are excited to bring goodies to sell. The Marketplace is

OPEN to EVERYONE!!!!

see you there...

Crop & Create info.

(Just a quick note, Winnipeg is SOLD out, but we have a few spots still open in Moncton, and BC registration just went live. So feel free to join us at one of those events. Also we have been asked to come to some new cities, so keep an eye out for those release dates. It is gonna be awesome!)

100 ways to love your children

I saw this on pinterest as I was surfing during the oscars. I absolutely LOVE it. I accidentally surfed too fast and lost the link without repinning it. darn, but if I find it I will let you know who wrote this.

Tell to your child:

1. I love you.
2. love you no matter what.
3. I love you even when you are angry at me.
4. I love you even when I am angry with you.
5. I love you when you are far way.  My love for you can reach you wherever you are.
6. If I could pick any 4 year old (5 year old, 6 year old…) in the whole wide world, I’d pick you.
7. I love you to the moon and then around the stars and back again.
8. Thank you.
9. I enjoyed playing with you today.
10. My favorite part of the day was when I was with you and we were _______.

Tell them:
11. The story of their birth or adoption.
12. About how you cuddled them when they were a baby.
13. The story of how you chose their name.
14. A story about yourself when you were their age.
15. A story about how their grandparents met.
16. What your favorite color is.
17. That sometimes you struggle too.
18. That when you’re holding hands and you give three squeezes, it’s a secret code that means, “I love you”.
19. What the plan is.
20. What you’re doing right now.

Play:
21. Freeze Tag
22. Uno
23. Crazy 8s
24. Gin Rummy
25. Memory
26. Go Fish
27. I Spy- especially when you’re tired of driving and feel snappish
28. Catch

Pretend:
29. To catch their kiss and put it on your cheek.
30. That their tickle tank is empty and you have to fill it.
31. That their high five is so powerful it nearly knocks you over.
32. That you are super ticklish.
33. That you are explorers in the amazing new world of your backyard.
34. That it’s party day!  Decorate for no reason!

Try:
35. To get enough sleep.
36. To drink enough water.
37. To eat decent food.
38. Wearing earrings, or whatever makes you feel pretty.
39. Calling a friend the next time you feel like you are about to lose it with the kids.
40. Giving a gentle touch to show approval, rather than saying something.
41. Dancing in the kitchen.
42. To get your kids to bop to the music with you in the car.
43. Showing your kids that you can do a somersault or handstand or a cartwheel.
44. Keeping that sigh to yourself.  Just jump in and help clean up cheerfully.
45. Using a kind voice, even if you have to fake it.

Read:
46. A book of silly poems.
47. A book and then act it out. (Like “I’m going on a Bear Hunt”)
48. Your favorite childhood book to them.
49. When the afternoon is starting to go astray.
50. Outside under a tree.
51. In the library kids corner.
52. The comic book they love that you’re not so hot on.
53. About age appropriate behavior so you can keep your expectations realistic. 

Listen:
54. To your child in the car.
55. To that Lego description, and think how important it is to your child.
56. For that question that indicates your child really needs your input.
57. One second longer than you think you have patience for.
58. For the feelings behind your child’s words. 

Ask:
59. Why do you think that happens?
60. What do you think would happen if______?
61. How shall we find out?
62. What are you thinking about?
63. What was your favorite part of the day?
64. What do you think this tastes like?

Show:
65. Your child how to do something instead of banning them from it.
66. How to whistle with a blade of grass.
67. How to shuffle cards- make a bridge if you can!
68. How to cut food.
69. How to fold laundry.
70. How to look up information when you don’t know the answer.
71. Affection to your spouse.
72. That taking care of yourself is important.

Take Time:
73. To watch construction sites.
74. To look at the birds.
75. To allow your child to help you dump ingredients in the bowl.
76. To walk places together.
77. To dig in the dirt together. 
78. To do a task at your child’s pace.
79. To just sit with you child while they play.

Trust:
80. That your child is capable.
81. That you are the right parent for your child.
82. That you are enough.
83. That you can do what is right for your family.

Delight your child:
84. Clean your child’s room as a surprise.
85. Put chocolate chips in the pancakes.
86. Put a love note in their lunch.
87. Make their snack into a smile face shape.
88. Make sounds effects while you help them do something.
89. Sit on the floor with them to play.

Let Go:
90. Of the guilt.
91. Of how you thought it was going to be.
92. Of your need to be right.

Give:
93. A look with Kind Eyes to your child.
94. A smile when your child walks into the room.
95. A kind touch back when your child touches you.
96. The chance to connect before you correct so that your child can actually hear your words.
97. Your child a chance to work out their frustrations before helping them.
98. A bath when the day feels long.
99. A hug.
100. You get to choose the next one!  What is your favorite way to be kind to your child?

 

Create Today!

Need a little inspiration? Looking for some fun ideas. 

Pretty excited to say, Scrapbook & Cards Today has brought you VIDEOS! woohoo. These videos get to the point, show you how to create beautiful ,well balanced, practical projects in a clear way! 

                                                

Wanna check out the FIRST in the series created by designer Extaordinaire Lynn Ghahary as she creates a fun card! Click HERE.

                              

and DON'T forget, their facebook site has gone WILD. Every milestone they are hitting, prizes are being given out galore!!!! When they hit 9000 likes, they gave away 9 subscriptions, 9 Card Maps vol.2 AND a box full of 90 scrapbook items. Make sure you check to see if you are a winner!!!! I recognized some names. Fabulous! also, get in before 10 000...

total side note: I am feeling almost back to normal. Wow hey? I was seriously feeling pretty uggh for 2 weeks, now to try and catch up!lol.

We've been on February break right now, and it has been fun. Trying to do as many fun family activities as possible. Mom & dad rented a room at the Travelodge and all of us (like all my siblings and their families came as well) and we spent a lot of time watersliding, and then went back today and did more watersliding. FUN! Today only 20 min we spent playing tag in the pool, the entire rest of the time was watersliding. All of my kids LOVE it, Ireland did the most runs today! 

Well gotta go, Mr. Popper's penguins is on, and it is such a cute family movie to watch!!!!

want a chance to win?

one of 9 magazine subscriptions being giving out? Or how about a secret surprise at 9pm tonight? All you have to do is make sure you "like" Scrapbook & Cards Today facebook and leave a comment about something you like in their magazine.

click here

Just make sure you are a "fan" of theirs before they hit 10 000 likes, I wouldn't want you to miss out then!!!!!!! Big things are happening. Like I mean big, not little but BIG!!!!!

On a side note, do you own an ipad? Did you know that you can access Scrapbook & Cards Today for FREE on it, no app charge nothing! FREE FREE FREE. Best little way to take inspiration with you to crops, or maybe read while in the car, or waiting in the doctor's offices.

How cool?

Also, Winnipeg and area, we are have a few spots still open in our Crop & Create. Love for you to join us. And if you can't come cropping, why not try just shopping? Our marketplace will be open to the public to come and shop lot's of stores!!!!

 

Lordy Lordy, look who's 40.

A whole bunch of amazing girls are getting together today to roast, er, I mean wish our dear friend Kimber Mc Gray Happy 40th Birthday!!!!!

(Here she is with Vicki & I at Saskatoon Crop & Create.)

This funny girl keeps me in stitches, and man I will go anywhere with her cause I know the ride would be adventurous!

I thought about writing as many 40 jokes as I could, but then I remembered I get to spend 2 more Crop & Create weekends with her in March and April and she may be the type to put cornflakes in my bed. So instead I will only share one funny one.

 

"Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either."

Love it! But I did also love 40 isn't old...unless you are a tree. 

eek, I better stop. So here's my card/gift bag for you Kimber! Take care my friend and party hard!!!! We'll cheers a drink with you in Winnipeg!

Here you go chickey!

 

Click HERE to join us in continuing Roasting Miss Kimber. You are now on your way to see Tanya Fox & Brooke Smith. Enjoy!

 

 

sneaks are here, sneaks are here!

I simply LOVE when we can start sharing the sneaks for upcoming classes for CROP & CREATE. These classes are cutting edge, using the latest greatest from this past CHA. And you are in for a treat. We will keep releasing sneaks as they come to us.

CROP & CREATE- WINNIPEG 

 

March 23-24, 2012

Delta Hotel, Winnipeg

(we do have a handful of spots still available and would love to have you join us. If you can't crop, why not just come shop the marketplace? Where else can you go to your favourite scrapbook stores all in one room.)

We are so excited to welcome two new teachers to our class lineup as well. Huge Welcome to Caroline Lau (owner of Maya Road) & Kathy Thompson- photographer extraordinaire!

 

Caroline Lau

The "Mini" Method

Have you always wanted to learn some simple tricks, tips and techniques to use when creating a Mini Album? Let Caroline Lau, owner of Maya Road, share some of her best secrets as you work on a beautiful mini album!

From photo sizes to photo editing to embellishment, simple tricks can make mini albums a breeze. Learn to use trims, pins, chipboard, glitter, Maya Mists, wood and more. Create a fabulous cover, learn how to decorate the inside and then bring home your album to fill with your favourite photos!

Teacher:  Caroline Lau
Duration: 2 hrs. ($10 kit fee due at time of class)
Friday: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Sponsors: Maya Road

    Kathy Thompson

Secrets of Simple Design

Like anything, scrapbooking trends come and go. Simple and clean page design has stood the test of time. This class is all about creating that timeless, clean, effortless look! In this class we will build layouts based on a few simple design foundations and principles. We will talk about balance and mixing patterns and symmetry and when to let your photos do all the talking! Can you really pull a page together with nothing but a couple of strips of patterned paper and a circle punch? Absolutely! Join me for this class and learn what makes a great simple page that is timeless!

Teacher:  Kathy Thompson
Duration: 2 hrs.
Friday: 8:00 – 10:00 pm
Sponsors: American Crafts, Pebbles Inc.

 

Photography for Today's Scrapbooker

Not getting the photos you want? Why not? Is it a matter of shooting with the wrong lens? Is your understanding of the basics a bit less than clear? Have you wanted to take your camera off of automatic but didn’t really know where to start? Then this class is for you!

The aim of this workshop is for you to leave better informed, more confident as a photographer and excited about taking pictures! It’s fast paced but that’s ok, because everyone leaves with a 75+ slide presentation on CD as well as a printed handout, covering everything we discuss in the class! Join me for this fun workshop where we will put our cameras, our creativity and our brains to work!

Teacher:  Kathy Thompson
Duration: 2 hrs.
Saturday: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Sponsors: American Crafts, Pebbles Inc.

Kimber McGray

Flowers CAN bloom all year!

Flowers can bloom all year long and they don't require watering or even a green thumb! Join Kimber McGray and create a garden of blooming embellishments made from different mediums such as  ribbons, papers and using punches, dies, and other great tools. In this class, you will make six fabulous cards adorned with beautiful, hand-made flowers. Bring your garden indoors and watch it bloom!

 

Teacher: Kimber McGray
Duration: 2 hrs.
Saturday: 8:30 – 10:30 am
Sponsors: Jillibean, Core'dinations, Maya Road, Stampin' Up!

Get Interactive!

Take your card-making to the next level. A level where they shake, rattle and roll. Some will even pop (up!), join Kimber McGray for terrific card-making class filled with tricks and techniques! In this class you will create six playful cards that will stretch your card-making skills along with your imagination.

Teacher: Kimber McGray
Duration: 2 hrs.
Saturday: 7:00 – 9:00 pm 
Sponsors: Jillibean, Core'dinations, Stampin' Up!

 

Becky Fleck

Make Your Own Embellishments

Have you ever seen an embellishment on a layout or card and thought to yourself, “I can make that!” Then this is the perfect class for you! In this make-it-yourself class, you will complete ten embellishments, including flowers, pins, button birds and washi tape, using products from your favourite manufactuers, such as Jillibean Soup, Crate Paper, BasicGrey, Maya Road and Bazzill Basics. Each completed embellishment attaches to a kraft tag that has printed instructions on the reverse. Just slip them onto a key ring for hand reference. Join Becky for lots of fun, learning and giveaways!

Teacher: Becky Fleck
Duration: 2 hrs.
Saturday: 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Sponsors: Jillibean Soup, Crate Paper, BasicGrey, Maya Road and Bazzill Basics

My Favourite Sketches

Join Becky as she guides you through the creation of three fabulous single-page layouts, all based on her three favourite sketches from Scrapbook PageMaps 2! Using fantastic products from Bazzill Basics, BasicGrey and several goodies from Becky’s personal stash, you will walk out of the class with three completed layouts perfect for any season and every photo! You’ll learn a fun paper punching technique, along with time-saving tips to finish more pages faster with the help of a sketch. Complete colour instructions and lots of in-class giveaways are included with this class!

 

 Vicki Boutin

EASY, DETAILED, EXPERT Layout Workshop

From beginner to advanced and everything in between! This is a class based on the popular column featured in every issue of Scrapbooks & Cards Today magazine. Students will start with the basics of building a layout and from there they will learn tips and tricks on how to take a page from good to great in class Vicki Boutin style! A few fun techniques will also be explored while completing three 12 x 12 layouts! Giveaways and good times will abound!

 

Teacher: Vicki Boutin
Duration: 3 hrs.
Friday: 4:30 – 7:30 pm
Sponsors: Bo Bunny, Core’dinations, Studio Calico

Technique Savvy Workshop

It’s time to dig in and get your hands dirty! Together with Vicki, students will explore a plethora of fabulous techniques including tricks with fabric, a little resist, art medium ideas, tissue manipulation and more! Students will layer stamps, inks, mists, glitter and more. These wonderful techniques are going to be “dressed” up and displayed in a most interesting manner! If you are open to learning new things and having fun then this class is for you!

 

Teacher: Vicki Boutin
Duration: 3 hrs. ($10 kit fee due at time of class)
Saturday: 2:30 – 5:30 pm
Sponsors: Maya Road, Harmonie, Ranger

Kelly Goree

Paper Mix-Ology!

Are you that scrapbooker who collects sheet after sheet of beautiful patterned paper but has no idea how to mix them together on your scrapbook pages? Are you too afraid to cut into that gorgeous sheet of paper for fear that you won’t be able to “make it work?” Does the idea of using even more than one sheet of patterned paper at a time completely freeze your scissors in mid-cut?! Well, fear not—this class is just for you! Join our patterned paper expert, Kelly Goree, as she takes the mystique and mystery out of using those papers once and for all. In this class you’ll create two double-page layouts that will teach you the fundamentals that will have you mixing up patterned papers as easy as 1-2-3!

Teacher: Kelly Goree
Duration: 2 hrs.
Friday: 8:00 – 10:00 pm
Sponsors: Pink Paislee, Studio Calico

The Designer’s Dozen

We all hunt for those cherished tried-and-true recipes that not only make our lives easier but make us look like we’re Martha Stewart to boot! It’s those favourite go-to basics that save us time and stress in the kitchen and it’s no different when it comes to our scrapbook pages! Join Kelly Goree for a fabulous "scrapbooking baker's dozen!" Well known for her bold use of color, pattern and design, Kelly will teach you how to take your layouts from delicious to extra-yummy with twelve basic design tips! In this class you’ll learn about techniques such as the “rule of thirds” and “focal photos” while you create three fantastic layouts guaranteed to be a hit with those you love!

Teacher: Kelly Goree
Duration: 2 hrs.
Saturday: 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Sponsors: Bazzill, American Crafts, BasicGrey

 

(as I get more sneaks I will update this page.)

Well Winnipeg, 5 weeks away and we are very excited to be in your city spreading the scrapbook love.

ooh and also we have some special guests joining us at this event...can't wait to share. I always LOVE when manufacturers come up for our events and are handson with make n takes and demos and joining in the fun!

blog hop today

Come over to Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L today and join us in showing off some Imaginisce product. We did a swap with them and had fun creating.

you have a chance to win this!

good luck!

Leica

Happy Valentine's Day!

I didn't get a chance to upload the pics I took of my kids Valentine's but I will this weekend and then share them with you. I was inspired by Scrapbook & Cards Today, and can't wait to show you my interpretation of their fabulous idea!!!!! But until then...

I tried to create my own vintage Valentine's pics of the kids. I loved this one of the boys giving pipsqueak a kiss.

Well hope everyone is having fun today, give those smooches!!!! Don't be stingy. 

Check back on Wednesday, I have 2 fabulous things to share with you. They are going to be funny!!!!!

hit by the head cold bug.

And I am not surprised.

It was bound to happen. I mean I travelled from plus Saskatchewan temperatures, to Toronto's rainy weather then back home to a week of -40ish temps to almost a week in Anaheim with +26 degree weather.

That many weather changes makes me feel almost like I have allergies right now. But at least I can go to bed early right now, as life somewhat slows down after CHA. AAAH.

If you are friends with me on facebook, you will see that I am really ok with publishing embarassing things about myself. I figure that's me in my truest form, and everybody needs to laugh. Little did I know that posting a picture of Tori Spelling & I would lead to a crazy amount of posts and emails. Lovely girl, just unfortunately not the most flattering picture. The funny part is, yes I suppose she is the focus of the photo, but giving your camera to a stranger to take a pic of you is like giving it to the family member who will take pics of your neck down. 

Here it is. The funny thing is she took a few more, about 4 more have us cut off in some way, a couple are out of focus and possibly one or two useable ones. But this one gave me lot's of giggles.

But if you need another laugh from CHA, here's one. I did quite a few videos for different companies. The first take always sucks, but I guessed they used it because it had less clutter in the background, who knows. Uggh, makes me laugh. My eyes drove me nuts in it. But for not being prepped for this video and just winging it, not bad.

Scrapbook.com-Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

I was going to show you photos of different lines from CHA, but in truth, the videos on scrapbook.com's are the best out there. So peruse from them.

I will tell you what made my heart go pitter patter...

Pink Paislee. Loved it all. However ALL the new Heidi Swapp stuff was right up my line of FABULOUS!Welcome back Heidi, I've missed your style.

Loved This & That from Echo Park. yummo!

LOVED LOVED LOVED all of Glitz Design products, but you know they always create such beautiful decor type of stuff. Also please say a prayer for Laura (part owner of Glitz). She lost her sister today to cancer & liver disease. So sad. Big hugs Laura!!!!

My Mind's Eye is as always beautiful.

I adored the Authentique lines. loved them.

Basically Bare Essentials have fabulous mixed media albums.

I was doing a little complaining about my head cold not allowing me to play, but I did get a chance to play last night. I made 2 Valentine's Day layouts with the Glitz Design products an then 3 cards. HEAVEN! That is my favourite part about coming home from CHA, it is always worth paying the extra shipping costs.

Well must go. Gotta help Riley with his spelling words. He's been really rocking spelling in both languages this year. Only a few tests were below 9/10 or 10/10. So we are proud proud parents! And I was just told today that Jager has been getting 100's on his tests. Woohoo! All the extra work seems to be helping, we couldn't make kumon work as it interferred with sports nights, but instead the kids see a tutor twice a week in French and man, worth every penny! 

Take Care peeps. I'll try to find more things to share some laughs with you.