Farewell 2012

To all my online friends I hope that you have had a Merry Christmas.

 Mine was merry indeed, filled to the brim with family, friends, games and laughter. I did manage to stick to my December Daily, in that I managed to take photos everyday. I have printed them and half of them are on pages, however as the big day approached I ran out of evening time so the journalling is not quite done. So if you don't mind a little more Christmas, I will share them over the next couple weeks. I hope that I will be able to photograph them with my new Christmas gift......right now thought it looks like this. My clever and creative hubby made this {it is ABS pipe} when the new prime lens he ordered for me did not show up. Hopefully it will show up before I leave for CHA.

I've also been working hard on projects for the show, those will be shared during CHA. This year it is earlier than normal, which made it really hard to get things done over the holidays.

2012 has been one of the most momentous years of my life, I am really not sure how I am ever going to top it. I am a little sad to see it go actually. This year has both tested and strengthened me.

I don't usually do resolutions because I truly believe that any day is a good day to change your life for the better. But I do plan to continue to work harder at being frugal, thrift shop more, be more playful in the kitchen, create quality memories with my family and try really hard not to sweat the small stuff. 

Blessings to you all, I am so grateful for all poeple who I am surrounded by both in real life and those I have been lucky enough to meet and befriend online.

Be safe and Happy New year!

TTFN:)

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Farewell 2012

Winners winners everywhere

Good morning my friends, today is my birthday so I am already a winner......but what about you? Well it is time to check out this Core'dinations post and read it all the way to the end there is a surprise for all my friends who participated in our hard core crop:)

As for me, I am so thankful  for the gifts that I already have. These beautifaul faces are the best thing a girl could ever ask for.

much love

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Winners winners everywhere

 I am thoroughly enjoying the 25 days in December Album, it is really challenging me to see all the wonderful things that we do for the holidays and to get out my camera to document it. I love that it makes me get out my camera EVERYDAY, I am captureing a whole bunch of other wonderful moments that I will take the time to scrapbook later. For day 5 we built a lego Christmas village.

For day 6, we went to see this years holiday film, the Rise of the Guardians. This was the best film that I have seen all year. I LOVED it and I will be adding this to my Christmas collection as soon as it comes out on video.

My little Piper is enjoying her first holiday season too, Today we got our tree and I can't wait till she wakes up from her nap so that I can show her the lights.

TTFN :)

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Making a list

So for Day 3 of our December Daily, we created a small forest of waffle cone Christmas Trees, this mess was a lot of fun and a tasty treat.

Day 4 We wrote our letters to Santa, I created these pocket pages to hold the letters

and when you open the pocket, the inside shows the photos of them writing.

I am purposely trying to keep these pages more on the flat side, the book is already a bit think and I want to be able to keep this book on the shelf.

Hope all is Merry at your House

 TTFN ;)

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Making a list

Welcome December

Although I am few days short on my blog post, I am incredibly proud of myself for getting my December Daily done on time and have now started to fill it's pages. It's  encouraging me to get out my camera this holiday season and engage in more festive activities all month long. Some of these pages you may have seen before, I worked on them during the Core'dinations Hard Core' crop, but most of them are new. I will be posting them all December long.....I figure that is what I can handle for scrapping this December.

December is always an insane month, on top of all the normal festivities we also have a TON of birthdays, including my own and my son's. I get so wrapped up in the whirlwind, I rarely slow down to really enjoy it. This year is going to be different......I cross my heart. This year, to heck with the mess, I am giving myself permission to play with my 3 beautiful children and not get upset over the mess that celebration and creativity create. I will say yes to them more often. I will spend more time with them, I will not be so preoccupied with perfection that I don't see the beauty in their proud little faces, as they show off their crooked endeavours. This December this is my goal, See Joy........find it everywhere. I need to do that, I crave it, the light hearted feeling of laughter, the elation of Charity, and the power of forgiveness. This for me will be the spirit of the season.

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Welcome December

Reduce, Reuse ,Recycle Challenge

Welcome to day 2 of the Core'dinations Holiday Crop

We all have them....those lonely dusty books, just sitting on the shelves of our homes, thrift stores and second hand shops. You know the ones that no longer are of use or the datebooks that are out of date, or heck, books that were just a terrible read in the first place. Well here is your chance to breath new life into their old bindings.

Today's Challenge is to Reuse a book, a notepad, a journal....anything and transform it into something new. Could be a hide box, could be a gift note pad, a phone book.....there are endless possibilities. The only real rule is recreate a book using Core'dinations in the most creative way you can.

When you are done, link your creation to Inlinkz at the bottom of this post, before December 2nd to be entered to win a Core'dinations Prize

Don't forget to also share your creations on the facebook page so that everyone can see what you have created and leave some love!!

Here is what I did

I chose this old book because of it's lovely red color, the anatomy of arson was interesting, but not something that I think that I will ever need to know about ;)

So I tore out the insides.....

I then used a book binding tape to cover the seam and title, you could try washi or Fabric tape too!

and then I just decorated the cover.

When all my pages are complete I will bind it all together....and voila, this will be my December Daily.

I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Happy Creating

Challenges must use the Linkinz below. If you do not have a blog, please feel free to use Photobucket or Flickr or any other photo sharing sight that provides links. Challenges must include Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock. You may not combine this challenge with any of the other HCC challenges but you may complete this challenge as many times as you like. You must link by 8 pm, December 2nd (Sunday). Winners must email ellen_sosnoski@coredinations.com by DECEMBER 12th with your name, address, phone number and prize the won in the subject line. In this case Core'dinations Crop Core Cuts pack Winner.

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Reduce, Reuse ,Recycle Challenge

Core's Holiday Crop

Yeah! It's that time again, Welcome to the 2nd Hard Core Crop! We are bringing in the Holiday season with challenges designed to get you inspired to create for the Holidays. Please head over to the Core blog for crop rules. And we have the Facebook HCC crop page here for you to chat and hang out with fellow Hard Core Croppers so make sure you head over there, too. You never know when challenges or giveaways will pop up!

So to get this crop started I have a little sketch challenge to get the juices flowing. Here is your sketch....The rules are simple, create a layout or card based on this sketch and use a majority of Core'dinations and then link it up on the end of this post by 8 pm, December 2nd to be entered to win.

Here is my Inspiration piece, I love to crop with all of you during this time so I will be creating along side of you, something holiday related too

This is what you will be playing for ;)

Have fun and don't forget to also share your creations on the facebook page too, all our friends want to see what you have created and leave some love too!!

Challenges must use the Linkinz below. If you do not have a blog, please feel free to use Photobucket or Flickr or any other photo sharing sight that provides links. Challenges must include Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock. You may not combine this challenge with any of the other HCC challenges but you may complete this challenge as many times as you like. You must link by 8 pm, December 2nd (Sunday). Winners must email ellen_sosnoski@coredinations.com by DECEMBER 12th with your name, address, phone number and prize the won in the subject line. In this case Core'dinations Crop Core Cuts pack Winner.

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Core's Holiday Crop

What's up?

Well I have so much stuff on the go....it is actually getting a little out of hand, but things are getting done and I am excited to share.

First up is a sneaky peak of one of the core' challenges coming up for this weekends crop.

Next I picked up some fabric to make Piper a stocking ;)

I love breast feeding, but I don't like to sit there, so I am making Piper a holiday headband while I nurse.

and lastly I FINALLY finished miss Pippi's room "HOORAY" baby girl is finally in her own room and out of my closet. I am thrilled with how this turned out, just how I pictured it.

The whole thing was inspired by the geese fabric that I found on Spoonflower

So that's what's up here!! Hope I will see you all at the Core'dinations Holiday Crop, it is gonna be a blast and there are even more prizes than last year.

TTFN :)

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What's up?

School Boys

I know, I am REALLY late to the back to school party...... but I got my hands on these fabulous goodies from Greatest View and I was inspired. This is the photo of my boys first day of school, My littlest was soooo excited, can you tell?

My Journalling was tucked into this super cool chevron envelope and this Core'Impression Paper is my favorite for school layouts.

TTFN:)

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School Boys

Room to grow

Last month I took some photos of my kids in each of their unfinished bedrooms. I love before and after photos and I really want my kids to have a document of this journey. 

I used this weeks sketch from October Afternoon, I just flipped it around.

TTFN :)

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Room to grow

Always a treat

What a wonderful get away, why does it always go so fast? This is our loveley little craft space, our home away from home. I love hanging out with these girls, I wish we could do this more than once a year.

I did not get quite as much done this year, because my arms were full, I took baby girl with me, her first crafty retreat ;) She had a wonderful time, dancing with us, playing, laughing and smiling at all my friends. I managed to get this layout of her first Halloween Costume done.

I used the new witch hazel collection from October afternoon and the vintage Core'dinations purple went great with all the black and white elements

I've got more to share, but it is pouring rain here and hard to photograph being the one hand wonder and all. But I will show it off over the next week.

Also for those of you waiting for the next Core' Crop we have our facebook page up and running, it is gonna be just as much fun as last time, with even MORE prizes from us and a few friends. Can't wait, join us HERE!

TTFN;)

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Always a treat

Packing up

Tommorrow I am taking off on my yearly retreat at Wyldflower.......ahhhhh the bliss of not having to plan meal, cook, and clean on top of the thousands of other choices I make in a day as a Mom. I am taking baby girl with me, but she is so easy and she is not eating real food yet so I don't have to think about it.

So I am packing, what am I taking with me?? Ummm a ton of stuff, but I am most excited about this!

 So if you missed the fun last time, we are doing it again!! We will have lots of fun and holiday challenges. So save the date, invites will be going out soon!!

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Packing up

Getting ready for Halloween

I love Halloween, Mostly I love a reason to dress up silly or play with makeup. I have been working on the kiddos costumes and this got me in the mood to scrap last years photo. Plus I just got my hands on the oh sooooo fabulous brand new Seasonal Impressions cardstock from Core'dinations, it is B-e-a-u-tiful.

On another crafty note, it is almost that time of year again.........RETREAT TIME. In a few short weeks I will be headed back to the Wyldflower retreat for the 4th year in a row. This incredible facility is a relaxing getaway and every year it has just gotten better and better. I can't wait, there will be lots of crafty things to share when I get back.

In the mean time I am working on Birthdays, Building and Baby

TTFN :)

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Getting ready for Halloween

Sleepy Crafter

Yeah that is me, the tired crafty lady.  I feel like my blog has really taken a back seat. Sorry friends but thanks for sticking with me. The month of October is always a busy one with Thanksgiving, multiple birthdays and Halloween, add to that a newborn, a reno and building a house and you get a Momma  walking around in a sleepy haze and thinking "what the heck was I thinking?". All that being said...............I am trying hard not to whine about it. because really, I have more than I could have ever imagined.  Lesson of this year...........You can have it all, but I don't recommend having it all at once.

So here is where we are at..........Birthday invites. My little guy requested a forest party, so here are his party animals. These guys are cut with a file that I designed with my Klic n Kut. and cut out of Core'dinations Cardstock

For fun each one has a different colour hat

The house is finally starting to look like it should with details in the gables and some window trims done.  I even planted a variety of trees to get them started. grass and more gravel will be the next step along with the thousands of other decisions yet to be made.

This little girl is growing fast, I swear every morning I wake up and she seems bigger.

So that is today's update.

TTFN :)

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Sleepy Crafter

Stampendous Blog Hop

Hello from the hop, I recieved this adorable stamp from Stampendous and he is the perfect size for stamping on Core'dinations Large Tags. He has been put to good use on this card, but also works great for goody and treat bags

Next stop on the hop

April

TTFN :)

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Stampendous Blog Hop

Just one more

Just a fun quick birthday card, whipped it up with some Jillibean Soup

TTFN :)

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Just one more

Happy WCMD

Hey there friends,  I hope that your Octobers have all started wonderfully. Mine is very full, there is much to be thankful for on this Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. I know that my blog has been slower, but I have been spending as much time with my family as I can and trying to find balance with my computer.

Last weekend my sister in law through me the most fabulous surprise baby shower,  I was so grateful. This weekend I was determined to fit in some card making time and make some thank you cards.

The colour theme for the shower was beautiful apple green, so the cards continue with that inspiration. I used Core'dinations white wash  with its subtle hues of purple for a soft babyish accent colour. All the Thanks sentiments are SRM stickers, I love those things, the adhesive just magically disappears, even on textured cardstock. 

The smaller cards were cut out with my Spellbinders die and are for the guests that came to the shower.

The larger card is for my sister in-law. I reused the ribbon that she used in this creative and incredible diaper bike. 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone, and happy world cardmaking day

TTFN :)

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Happy WCMD

Summer Love

This summer has been beautiful and warm and it is not often around here that you have weather warm enough to take photos of a newborn outdoors. I am so glad that I made a little time to take these photos of her. She has changed so much in these few short weeks. The elegant chair inspired me to pull out the Basic Grey Core Impressions, paired with this rich purple Kraft Core. 

Now that I finally have a daughter, I feel like I can finally participate in the butterfly trend with this beautiful spellbinders die.

Ah but fall is in there air, the mornings are getting quite frosty. It is almost my favourite time of year

TTFN :)

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Summer Love

In the midst of wondrous chaos

Hey there friends, in this moment the baby is sleeping soundly in her rocking chair in the kitchen, dinner is on the stove and there is laundry that needs to be folded in the living room. It is CHAOS and I wouldn't have it any other way. My daughter keeps me busy, school has started and my eldest now has hockey 3 days a week.  Somewhere during all this I found a moment while the baby napped, to scrap. I used another October Afternoon Sketch to put together this layout.

 The sun is miraculously still shining so work on our house continues, we are now getting to the finishing details on the exterior. Check it out!

My doors are all stained and in now, I love them so much, this will be the kitchen and dining room!

I think I always say that I am looking forward to the calm of fall, but who am I kidding? My life is never calm!!

Hope you are all keeping your scrap on

TTFN;)

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In the midst of wondrous chaos

Softer side

This little girl is really bringing out the softer side of me. As I look back at my work, even when I was pregnant, I was leaning towards soft colours and pastels. So now that Pippi is here, I am pulling out the tulle, the lace and the pearls and having a blast. The inspiration for this layout came from Marcy's sketch over at October Afternoon

I used a variety of brads from the cake walk collection, mixed with this super cool sun burst flair from Greatest View. Also I  used washi tape from freckled fawn to cover the teddy bear chipboard.

Summer has been quite wonderful, but very busy. I must admit that I am really looking forward to the kids going back to school this week, it means half the mess, half the laundry, half the food and hopefully twice the creative time. Here's hoping!

TTFN:)

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Softer side