Always Looking Up!

OCT 3/11 "Peek or BOO!"

2011-10-03T20:04:00.000-04:00

My friend, Kimber McGray has a fabulous idea - create a card with movement. She issued it as a Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog/Facebook challenge. I just so happened to be making cards for a class I am teaching this week and one of them is a moving card. It is an A frame card with movement on the front.
Hope you enjoy it! TFL Kimberly

SEPT 26/11 "Veggie Tales"

2011-09-26T11:08:00.000-04:00

It is nearing the end of September and Fall is being. That means the veggie gardens need to be picked and cleared out. My Hubby has really wanted to plant a garden for years now, so this spring we built garden boxes in the far back of the yard and had at it. We planted together, we watered together & even weeded together. We were truley surprised at how the kids (teenagers) enjoyed it. We grew with some success, tomatoes, green peppers, basil, organio, lemon thyme, onions, spring onions, radish, lettuce, celery, green & yellow beans, potatoes, carrots & corn. Here is a layout to celebrate our harvest.

This layout is created with the September Page of the Month kit from Basic Grey, featuring the INDIE BLOOM collection.

Thanks for Looking ~ Kimberly

SEPT 7/11 Eye - Popping Colour

2011-09-07T12:48:00.000-04:00

Today is so cold and wet out, I think I will share a double layout with you, full of crazy EYE - POPPIN' colour, as my DD puts it. I have to admit these are not colours I would normally choose, but they are her favourite and it is all about her grade 8 graduation.

This is my DD and her friend on the night of their Graduation. I used a page map for design inspiration (get your copy by clicking on link) & had a great time with my Cricut Expression and the Elegant Edges & CM Cheerful Seasons cartridges. I used Basic Grey's "Lauderdale" Collection. I hope this fun layout brightens your day today TFL

Products Used: Bazzill White Cardstock, Basic Grey Lauderdale - Clear Water, Clam Bake, Soundwave, 12x12 Element Sticker, 12x12 Alpha Stickers, Variety Flowers, gems & brads

AUG 16/11 A Work In Progress

2011-08-16T14:50:00.000-04:00

Last year I decided that I had had enough of how my office looked. Peachy walls, dark drapes & best of all Teddy Bear border. My hubby kindly took down all the shelving, painted my walls IKEA white (it was called "natural") and purchased 2 new tables & 2 hanging cupboards. He installed all of this & I moved in, scrappy stuff & all. But that is the way it stayed.
This week, I made new drapes from the great fabric, I found last year. Ed hung a new wooden drapery rod & I even completed some framed wall art. This was soooooo easy - anyone can do it!

I used my Cricut with a couple of cartridges - Home Accents & Serende. I use 4 patterned papers from DCWV (Die Cuts With A View) as the background in Teal Blue, cut leaf & floral shapes in a sharp green from DCWV, branches & stems in Bitter Chocolate Bazzill, words are cut from Dotted Swiss Bazzill & I found the frames at Michaels for $11.00 each - SCORE!
If you don't have a Cricut - You can find a friend who does, or any other personal diecutting system, handcut or purchase precut pieces or come see me at ALL ABOUT SCRAPBOOKS & MORE (in our NEW LOCATION) & I will cut it all for you.

Once I get everything back in order (SCRAP ROOM DISASTER - STAY OUT) I will take a couple of progress picks & show off my scrap room. TFL - and let me know what you think.

JULY 7/11 Grade 8 Grad

2011-07-07T10:00:00.001-04:00

Well it is her turn - she is finished ~ elementary school that is. This last year has been a rollercoaster from homework to projects and everthing in between. Sk - 8 and everyone has arrived alive- Thankfully. She is looking forward to a summer of relaxing and fun and then HIGH SCHOOL ~ HEAVEN HELP ME!

Doesn't She beautiful? Time to get the basball bats out - NO BOYS ALLOWED! Congrats Sweetie - We are so proud of you.

JULY 6/11 HMMMMmmmmm????

2011-07-06T20:52:00.000-04:00

Have you ever tried something new and once you were finished you still weren't sure you liked it???
I saw a beautiful layout/wall art piece in a magazine a couple of months ago and the project haunted me - so I had to try it. Not so sure it was a successful venture.
I call this style an inchies collage". Each chipboard piece is a separate 1"x1", 2"x2", 3"x3" or a combination of those measurements, covered and embellished with paper & fun stuff.

I did this as a celebration of mine & my hubbie's 15th anniversary. He really likes the project. I think it is a style that I would need to work on liking. Let me know what you think. TFL Kimberly

Products: Fancy Pants "It's The Little Things" collection pack & rubons & embellishments, Frames & letter rubons from American Crafts, Chip Lettering from Basic Grey, Embellishments from K&Company.

MAY 3/11 ~ Celebrating My Mom This Week

2011-05-04T00:20:00.000-04:00

My Mom is the best. She is always there to let me cry on her when life is getting to much, laugh with her when the cats do something crazy and let my joy out when my kids are fabulous.

She makes me my favourite dinner on my birthday. She laughs at the strange memories that pop into my head. She is my source of reason somedays.

She crafts with me and appreciates the work I do and sees it as my ministry. She spends hours making me crocheted flowers (I can't wait to get my hands on those) for my pages. She loves me no matter what, the good, the bad & the ugly too.

What more could I ask for?

Love you Mom!

March 6/11 ~ Playing with Paint

2011-03-06T22:22:00.002-05:00

I am not sure how many of you know that I love to paint with watercolours as well as scrapbooking. The two go together so perfectly. I created 5 watercolour cards to teach at the store this month and actually realized how much I miss painting. These were just simply colouring in the stamped images but it was a happy thing to do. Here they are - TFL

Feb 17, 2011 ~ Christmas Angels

2011-02-17T15:42:00.001-05:00

I am slowly getting caught up on my pages. I am working on Christmas layouts right now and have decided that working with RED clothing is a real pain. Too many red's to match.
Anyhow... on Christmas Eve I was sooooooooo sick that I could not go to our Christmas Eve service. Ed took the kids while I stayed home, sad & alone :(
As tradition dictakes I took Christmas Eve photos of the kids and they were great about it.
To create my layout I picked my favourite Chocolate Brown cardstock, patterned paper, stickers, embellishment & ribbon. Here is the end result. Hope you like it :)

I pulled a lot of stuff from my stash. Here is the list

Products: Bazzill ~ Mocha Divine & Bazzill White Cardstock, Ruby Vintage Core'Dinations Cardstock, Jillibean Soup ~ Christmas Chestnut Soup - Whole Cloves, Christmas Chestnut soup stickers, JB White corrigated alpha, JB Kraft Journaling Sprouts, LYB Christmas magic sheer snowflakes, Thickers Apartment -Chestnut, BoBunny Gems, & Ribbon

Feb 2, 2011 ~ HAPPY SNOW DAY!

2011-02-02T16:29:00.006-05:00

I don't know about what the weather is where you are but here in Woodstock the snow is falling and it is COLD. All of the schools are closed as well as the LSS - All About Scrapbooks & More, where I work. So today is a scrappin' day and I have 3 (+1) to share with you.

A Taste of Winter - BoBunny Midnight Frost Collection

I made this layout for a winter double layout class at All About Scrapbooks & More. Sorry the class is all sold out. I made the snowflakes on the store's Pazzle Pro machine (my baby) and loved how I did not need to create a title for this layout. I stitched the clear & white snowflakes on in a spirelli style.

Just a little FLAKEY - Echo Park Wintertime, Core'dinations Collection Packs - Jenni Bowlin Red & Black & Jillibean Soup

"Image will return soon"

This was a super quick layout in comparsion to many of my pages. I grabbed my impressions cardstocks and my Echo Park Wintertime papers and had at it. My husband had to check my temperature because there is
NO - I REPEAT, NO INKING ON THIS LAYOUT!!!!!!!!
However I think I will be sneezing red dust for about a week now - the dust buddy is my friend, the dust buddy is my friend.... sand, wipe, repeat :)

From My Window - Echo Park Wintertime layout lift.

I really liked the look of the layout Winter Wear by MISTYW on Scrapbook.com
and decided to recreate it in a smaller version for my personal scrapbook journal. I used some Nunn design snowflakes that I have been hanging onto for a few years and had a great time trying to glue my pleated circle embellishment.

I hope you all have a great SNOW DAY or Groundhog Day wherever you are. Create something wonderful today & thanks for looking!

Jan 17, 2011 ~ More To Share - POTM

2011-01-17T21:36:00.001-05:00

I have so many layouts to share that I think I will do it over a few posts inside of all at once. Here are a couple that I made with the leftovers of my Basic Grey POTM Olivia Kit. TFL

Jan 16, 2011 ~ BRRRRRR!

2011-01-16T22:13:00.001-05:00

Wow it has been a few months since I was able to post on here - Blogging takes time and commitment...

I was so glad the set of photos I am working with turned out. Sometimes overcast snow photos so don't come out.
I think after the first installment of my winter chill series (I am making LOTS with these photos) I think we will all need a cup of Hot Chocolate with mini marshmallows.
Hey that's the name of the paper line I used for these two layouts, by Fancy Pants Designs

Let me know what you think - I really love the one of my DS and all that sweet chocolate brown!

Products used: Fancy Pants Designs ~ Hot Chocolate collection - Glistening Snow, Cards & Strips, Jillibean Soup Corrigated Alphas - Blue, Making Memories ~ Tiny Alphas - black on white, May Arts ribbon, Creative Impressions Snowflake Brads, Cardstock ~ Core'dinations, Prism & Bazzill

August 2/2010 MEOW!

2010-08-02T19:06:00.000-04:00

This past Wednesday our regular POTM (Page of the Month) class was scheduled and rapidly canceled as about 80% of the store flooded from a whole lot of rain in a very short amount of time. Here at home water was pouring out of the dining room ceiling (so much for the plaster work) and coming in through the basement (first time in 5 years). The thunder and lightening were fantastic ~ however we had 2 very upset pussy cats ~ hiding under beds and couches and crying. And this leads me to our POTM extras that I put together. This month featured Basic Grey's "Max & Whisker's" Collection. I have to admit I purchased more the matching line for this kit. Here they are... I even included some people pages. Thanks for Looking and Let me know what you think. Kimberly

This is the sample from BASIC GREY by one of my Favourite Designers Kelly Goree.

July 11/2010 - Oh Canada

2010-07-11T17:58:00.001-04:00

Our Country has just celebrated it's 143rd Birthday.
We like to celebrate around the little firepit in our backyard. Ed grilled steaks on the open fire and we all roasted hot dogs and marshmallows (which were not very yummy) Kyle even tried a new concoction - egged on by his loving Mom. A Jalepeno and Cheddar Dorito, topped with Cheese Wiz, melted yucky marshmallow & yellow mustard.
I CAN'T BELIEVE HE ATE THE WHOLE THING.
We all had a great time watching the flaming weilding fool run around the backyard lighting off our fireworks. He really is a total clown. We also enjoyed the fireworks going on around us from the neighbours and the fireflies. Best of all we were all together - HAPPY! Kimberly
Here are my layouts from that great evening. TFL

July 2/2010 ~ Singing the praises of "Cappella"

2010-07-06T14:25:00.001-04:00

Another POTM class has come and gone, and I was able to complete a few extras to go along with the kit. The Basic Grey Cappella line is so classic and pretty. This is the first set of layouts and cards. Watch later this month for pages, projects and cards from Max & Whiskers. TFl Kimberly

Green at Heart

2010-06-17T11:36:00.000-04:00

I love the bright colours in this single sided line from Basic Grey. At our last BG Page of the Month class I had not been able to get together all the extras that I have done for the past classes. So here is the update with some of the extra projects. Hope you like them. Kim

A Weekend to be Proud

2010-06-07T14:52:00.001-04:00

Last weekend was super busy for our family. Both Kids were away for Youth Councils and had their year end parades and recitals. Here is our son during his Army Cadet Review. He was awarded the Clive L. Batchelor Award for his performace during the year.

And our Daughter had her first Hip Hop dance recital. They dressed her up as Hannah Montana but she was more impressed with the gold star earings and the glitter eyeliner (Mommy loves glitter) She is pictured here with one of the little girls she babysits.

Thanks for looking and hope you like the new Blog design :) Kimberly

Something Weird

2010-05-28T14:03:00.001-04:00

is going on with my blog and I think I will need to change a few things. Hopefully it will look better in a few days. Kim

2010-04-28T12:33:00.003-04:00

Our second Page of the Month club class is tonight and I have been working like a mad woman to get all the extra layouts & cards created for this month. So here it is and I still have enough to make a couple smaller layouts or some more cards (not likely). If I get those couple extra made I will post them. Included in this kit was 10 sheets of Kioshi Basic Grey, Kioshi Posies, Kioshi Ribbon Lace & Mini Monograms. This line was very unique because it definatly had a femine side and a mascuine side to the papers. I loved being able to use it to create pages for my new nephew's baby ablum - YUP making another! Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoy what you see.

Here is the orginal layout by Greta Harmond for Basic Grey that the class will make. I have not scanned my version yet.

I have created 6 ~ 12x12 Single layouts , 1 ~ 12x12 Double layout, & 2 Sets of 4 cards

Queen of the Kit

2010-03-23T21:12:00.002-04:00

I am so excited that our store owner ~ Dana decided to go with the Basic Grey Page of the Month kits. I have had a great time creating with every little scrap of paper, every last embellishment and I only have a few number stickers for a rainy day left. From these 10 sheets of double sided "Origins" paper, Clips, Pieces & Mono Letters, I was able to create 2 ~ 12x12 double layouts, 4 ~ 12x12 single layouts, 1 ~ 8.5x11 single layout, 1 ~ 8x8 single layout & a set of 6 cards. Whanna see?
Thanks for looking ~ Watch for next month's layouts and cards. Kim
This is the orginal layout created by Vicki Boutin for Basic Grey.

Check Out These Eyes

2010-02-26T22:13:00.000-05:00

I have to admit this week has been a great scrapping week. 4 layouts done like dinner. I have to continue working on classes for the store but I am so happy just to scrap for me. I love flowers and the little girls in my life give me a great excuse to use them + a little bling too. Here is one of my nieces. She is so sweet and charming to boot. How could you ever say no to those eyes. She loves having her picture taken. She has to see herself right away. She is both beautiful outside as well as inside. TFL

I had to take this one with my camera and the colour is still funny. I don't know... I think I might need some professional photography lighting help or a new scanner. LOL!

Products used: Grandma's Christmas Soup paper line (Jillibean Soup), Calendar Sprouts (Jillibean Soup), Brown Bean Alpha Bean(Jillibean Soup), Captivating Chip Alpha (Pink Paislee),Brown cardstock (Prism), Flowers (Prism, Queen & Co?) Buttons (Buttons Galore), Gems (Kaiser Craft), Metal embellishment (Making Memories)

Birds of a Feather

2010-02-23T16:02:00.001-05:00

Today has been a fun day. I completed a page from this Christmas - what a concept. I was also able to help out a Friend with her scrapbooking class instructions, coming to a computer near you. And I enjoyed homemade Banana bread hot out of the oven. Home baking makes any day good. Here is the layout I finished today.

Sorry the picture is kind of fuzzy. I think my scanner is fried. TFL

Products Used: French Roast Brown, Vanilla Cream, Jenny Bowlin Dot (Core'Dinations), Pinch Christmas Cheer, Fozen Crab Meat, Corrigated Alphas (Jillibean Soup), Ducks In a Row Journaling Spot (October Afternoon) Martha Stewart Punch, Zig Chocolate Journaling Pen, Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Computer Sub Titles,

Hero Worship - Ella Fun

2010-02-17T20:46:00.001-05:00

Here is my entry for week 5's sketch from the Ella Publishing Blog. It is an older layout but when I saw the sketch I knew this was the layout. It celebrates all those guys in our lives who take on that wonderful hero title ~ Daddy. Thanks for looking.

Products Used: Kraft Cardstock (Bazzill), Fatherhood Stickers (97%Complete), Patterned papers (Basic Grey), Ghost Stars (Heidi Swapp), Brown Journaling Pen (Zig), Vintage Photo (Drestress Ink)

Here is the Week #5 Sketch - Try It yourself

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-12T09:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a simple digi book for my hubby!
Love you sweetheart.

Mmmmm - It Glitters

2010-02-09T18:51:00.000-05:00

My friends know that I have a little problem with glitter, ok not as bad as inking, but still I love a little bling on my projects. I have stickles, gems & loose glitter to last me a lifetime plus really expensive glittering tape I can't use because it makes my throat close up. Stupid Allergies.
Anyhow I have been trying to find a fun, easy way to use my loose glitter up. I took a page from the book of Martha (as well as 24 great glitter pots). I found a sweet little graphic which I turned to grayscale, lightened it and printed it on cardstock. I then painted each area of the graphic with clear glue and sprinkled with glitter. SHAKE, TAP & SNAP and a beautiful card appeared. I think I like it better in real life - the glitter creates a bit of a glare. TFL

Products Use: Pink Cardstock (Prism), Green Gingham (October Afternoon), White Cardstock (WW Treasures), Graphic (Word), Glitter (Martha Stewart), Glue (Aleen's Clear Tacky Glue),Clear Stamp (Fiskars)

"Pie Anyone" or maybe some "Ella" Fun?

2010-02-02T13:52:00.001-05:00

My Favourite neighbour and scrappy friend SARAH, turned me on to this fun and informative website by ELLA PUBLISHING. They create and put out EBOOKS for you to download and use to create great simple scrapbooks. They have a great contest going on right now. They give you a simple sketch, you create your page and link it to them for a chance to win a Cricut Expression. Here is my Week 3 Entry and the sketch follows. TFL

Pie Anyone?
Journaling reads: Your yearly recital is done and now the coffee house has begun. Apple, Cherry & Pumpkin Pies, don't eat to much if you are wise ~ your stomach is bigger than your eyes. You've raised your money for camping fun, but by playing for Him your've already won. Kyle & Rachel at the annual YP coffee house, June 11, 2009.

Products Used: Chipboard Shape - Maya Road, Cardstock - Vintage Core'Dinations, Buttons - Buttons Galore, White Cardstock - WW Treasures, Blue & Yellow Ribbon - Creative Impressions, Red Trim - Fabricland, Chit Chat Thickers - American Crafts, Piper Chip Letters - Basic Grey, Threads - Fabricland Computer Journaling.
Here's the Sketch:

Have Fun Creating. Kim

Love Grows

2010-01-28T17:03:00.000-05:00

So we are heading into that mushy time of year. Only 15 days until Valentine's Day. Let the lovey dovey count down begin. I think romance is overated unless you are having a bad day and your special someone comes in a gives you a big bear hug, cooks dinner and does the dishes - so you don't have to. That's my kind of romance.
Here's a layout telling him how much I truely do love Him. ****XOXOX SMACK XOXOX****

Products Used: Prism Kraft paper, Pink Paislee North Pole, Cosmo Cricket Honey Pie papers, Dymo Lettering, Jute rope, Pebbles Inc Journaling Block, Buttons, Staples, Machine Stitching, Inking.Cricut Cut Letters.

How could your...

2010-01-20T11:36:00.000-05:00

Heart not be broken when you see these little faces.

I am so glad that I can see what Dad is doing in Haiti. He is tired but glad to be used to help these folk.

Continue to Pray and to give.
Thank You
Kimberly

A sigh of relief

2010-01-19T16:32:00.001-05:00

I have been more than a bit worried about Dad being in Haiti and I finally have a photo to somewhat lift my spirits. Here it is from Twitpic direct from Haiti.

Daddy putting up a tent for those who don't have a place to go. I am glad to see him, even if it is his backside. Love you Dad!

Keep Praying for those in Haiti and Donating to help meet essential needs.

It's a Test of Faith

2010-01-17T19:43:00.001-05:00

I arrived at work on Friday morning only to get a call from my mom. My Dad was leaving for Haiti on Saturday and could we bring... After getting off the phone and bursting into tears out of sheer worry, I pulled myself together and got to work, both at the store and taking and making calls on His behalf. We travelled to Toronto, where we helped to purchase needed items, pack as much as we could and support Mom in the process. My Father is the Territorial Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda.

We are so blessed to be members of the Salvation Army and be able to go where God calls us ~ as hard as that may be. We are concerned for the safety of those heading into the country to help out. We know that even though we have human fears and reservations that we are all in His hands and that he will take care of His children ~ whatever that might be.
The Salvation Army has been a Spiritual and helping presence in Haiti for 60+ years and serves many of the people which live in the most impoverish areas of this country.
We are asking all of our friends, family and those we come in contact with to donate whatever they can to The Salvation Army Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund.

Yesterday I gave my Donation...

Won't you now find it in your heart to give yours.
Thank you and Keep on Praying for all those effected and working in Haiti.

Kimberly & Family

I will continue to post updates as I recieve them.

Welcome 2010

2010-01-12T20:09:00.001-05:00

WOW! Almost 2 weeks into the new year and I think I am finally caught up at work. Newsletter is done and 2 layout classes are complete and tomorrow I get to work on Pazzles and a card class.

Here is the first class on the schedule for 2010

Let It SNOW.

Sorry it doesn't quite match up in the middle. These photos are older ~ I am ashamed to say that I don't have any current playing the snow photos for my kids. It is far too cold outside for me. I had fun painting and glittering the Maya Road snowflakes and the Core'dinations carstock goes perfectly with the Fancy Pants paper. I used Fiskars Upper Crest border punch and Quickuts Diesel Grand Cookie Cutter Alphabet. I think one thing that I am going to encourage my customers and students to do this year is journal. I find it very hard to do this on my pages and I think others have problems too. I think it will be a great scrapping year!

To sign up for this class head over to All About Scrapbooks & More BLOG and give us a call.

Christmas Cards... Christmas Cards

2009-12-17T17:39:00.000-05:00

Laying on the desk
Oh how many Christmas cards
Have I got to finish yet?
Christmas Cards... Christmas Cards
My head is spinning fast
Oh I will be glad when I am finished at last!

Here are 7 of the cards of 70+ cards for this year.
I made these ones from our LSS ~ All About Scrapbooks & More, Brown Bag Kit.

I was also able to make a great page, sort of inspired from a Two Peas Scrapper named Kristii.

Thanks For Looking ~ Kimberly

Our Christmas Cricket

2009-12-16T13:56:00.001-05:00

The Christmas countdown has begun and it is offically only 10 days until Christmas. I have been making cards, cropping with friends and enjoying all the family time and holiday activities of the season. One of our family member regularly gets left out of the outings ~ our fat four pawed feline ~ Cricket. Other than living in her little cardboard castle ~ yes a bit of a princess, trying to climb the dinning room tree, or chasing the kids around with Christmas ribbon she doesn't do to much. Except when it is time to sit down to have cookies and milk. Then she's right in there (just so you know I don't advocate giving cookies to kitties - but it made great photos)

Isn't she funny? Well we can't deny that she is part of this christmas cookie loving family.

A Very Happy Christmas to everyone and a Blessed New Year - See you in 2010! Kimberly

Products Used: Core'dinations Cardstock, Prism Cardstock, Jillibean Kraft Paper, My Mind's Eye - Colourful Chirstmas papers, Queen & Co felt ribbon, Making Memories Brads, Creative Impressions Brads, American Craft Thickers, October Afternoon Journaling card, Various Ribbons & sewing notions.

So Thankful

2009-11-09T16:57:00.007-05:00

Ok so I know I am almost a month late with this Thankful layout, but I figured that this would be good for both the Canadians (to catch up on those Thankful photos) and those in the US who will have their Thanksgiving soon. In keeping with the theme of trying to catch up on last year ~ here is a multiphoto double layout showing all the blessings around my table.

I love seeing all the faces of my family and how we change as the years progress.

I handmade the floral/leaf sprays for this page. Sorry it is so grainy ~ My computer is still doing funny things and has mysteriously removed one of my main scrapbooking programs AND I can't find the CD for it. :(

Thanks for looking! Kimberly

Products used:

Harmonie Paper Arts ~ Fleurs et dentelle printed paper. (This is a new French Canadian company which sells just about everything for scrapbooking) Prism Cardstock, Jillibean Kraft Paper, Raffia. 97%Complete Thanksgiving Journaling Stickers, Hobby Lobby Fall leaves, Wire, Chatterbox paper flowers, Brown ink & journaling pen

A Haunted Hunt

2009-11-03T11:14:00.002-05:00

November is here and I am a year older...sigh...
We had great fun this weekend.
Cropping with Mel on Friday night.
Surprise surgery on the van on Saturday morning with Tom.
Speedy Creepy decorating on Saturday evening with the Kids.
Shelling out Saturday evening to not a lot of creatures.
Church Sunday morning and finally rest on Sunday afternoon.

Our new neighbours moved in last weekend and their son promptly came down with the flu - the really nasty kind. He made enough of a recovery to head out for a short time on Saturday night. They came by for some extra special treat bags, made by my husband and the kids ~ tags made by me. Welcome to the neighbourhood Grime Reaper Matt and Tinker Bell Ema!

Here is a close up of the little tags I made for their treat bags. I used the Cricut machine with the Paper Dolls Cartridge and a load of scrap paper pieces. Hope you like them & let me know what you think. Kim

Stash Search

2009-10-03T20:06:00.001-04:00

Every month for a few years now, All About Scrapbooks & More, where I work, does up a monthly $5.00 "BROWN BAG SURPRISE KIT" This month I acutally bought one. The rules are "you must use a piece of everything in the bag" and if you like ~ bring back your project, layout, cards or whatever for a chance to win a prize. (I can't win but I had fun doing the kit)
So here is what was in the bag. 1 cardstock, 1 double-sided patterned paper, 1/3 sheet of patterned paper, 1 mini bingo card and a clear stamp? Keep in mind you can add anything you would like to the kit...
How many things can you make with the following items???

I went on a scrapbook stash search today, looking for items to create some fabulous pages and here is what I added to my kit.

And here are the layouts that I created with the 2 sets of items.

On this one I only added Rhinestones, Thickers and Tiny Alphas.

I was really inpressed when I was done because I only had a few circles left from the patterned paper. Enough maybe to make a card. There were a few things I forgot to add to my supply list ~ Black ink, Black & White Journaling pens, Black Sukra Glaze pen, Black Metal arrow, White letter stickers, Light blue cardstock scrap, and for the life of me I could not find the hand crocheted posies by Fancy Pants Designs.

Thanks for looking and I hope this inspires you to search your stash for some great treasures you might have forgotten about. Kimberly

Vintage Fall

2009-09-30T21:47:00.000-04:00

Thanksgiving is so close, I can almost smell the turkey. And leaves are covering my front lawn.

I was inspired to make some simple cards for the season. They are just using my scraps and some wonderful vintage Thanksgiving postcards. I have included a PDF file of the postcards for you to print out.

Thanks for looking.

Kimberly

Here is the file VINTAGE THANKSGIVING POSTCARDS

This is a Google Doc. and may take a moment to appear correctly.

BE...

2009-09-25T21:43:00.001-04:00

Here are two layouts I have to share with you.
I hope you like them.

Both layouts are my versions of my kids school pictures from last year. Thanks for looking and let me know what you think.

Products used: October Afternoon pattern paper and journaling stickers, Core'Dinations Cardstock, Basic Grey Solid Paper, Kaiser rhinestones, American Crafts Thickers, Making Memories Shimmer Alphas, Basic Grey Chipboard Alpha, Fiskars ~ Treading Water border punch, Apple embellishments, & Various flowers, brads, buttons, embellishments.

Computer Update

2009-09-25T21:04:00.005-04:00

Well I thought I would update my blog and tell why I haven't posted lately.

The computer has been sick. It received some surgery and had it's RAM upgraded and can home. It brought home a mystery computer hospital thingy that makes it shut down every ten minutes or so......

See I was gone while it rebooted itself. It seems to be a process of elimination now. I unplug everything and start with one thing until I find the problem causing plug in.

Hope this ends soon.

Hey on a brighter note... Did you get your SCRAPBOOK AND CARDS TODAY?

Come and visit me at ALL ABOUT SCRAPBOOKS & MORE for your FREE magazine or click on the link above to download your free copy of this great Canadian Publication.

School IS IN!

2009-09-08T12:54:00.001-04:00

No more lazy do nothing days. School has started and that means everything else will begin again too. Everything went off with out a hitch this mornng.

Our grade nine left early and excited - not too sure as to how excited he actually was once he got to school... a little intimidating I am sure. New school, new teachers, new friends - Fresh start.

And our grown up grade7 started her first job this morning ~ walking a little friend back and forth to school. Looking stylish and chatting a mile a minute upon meeting her friends, after a long summer. I didn't understand a word.

I am enjoying watching these 2 grow and turn into great young people. Have fun at school guys!

I have so many pages to scrapbook from the past couple of weeks that I can't wait to share them with you. I will work on them and post when I can ~ my computer is sick and at the techy hospital. Hopefully it will come home soon.

Thanks for looking. Kim

TOOT! TOOT!!

2009-08-29T23:28:00.002-04:00

I am so excited that I just have to share with you. Last week I received an email from Allison Cope at Scrapbook and Cards Today Magazine and Blog about a layout I submitted. And guess what?? My layout is the reader's submisson entry for this week.

I have to admit I was a little stumped by the layout at first. I wanted to showcase the beautiful colour of the water and the persistant stone throwing that was going on. The way the sunset cast a shadow on the children's faces but I love the imperfection of the photos. At first I wanted to machine stitch the circles but that didn't work and I rapidly scrapped that idea. I dug out my water colour pencils and went for it. Drawing circles to mimic the water ripples and highlighting them with washed out paint. Thanks for looking and let me know what you think

Sorry the scan is so dark but even the rescan is this dark. I think I will have to play with my settings again (I am about to find another use for my eyelet setting mallot)

Products Used: patterned paper, Scenic Route, American Crafts, BasicGrey; buttons, Buttons Galore; alphabet stickers, Scenic Route; ink, Ranger; pen, Zig Writer; ric rak, May Arts; water colour pencils, Staeditler, Design.

For my facebook friends - Pop by my blog ALWAYS LOOKING UP and leave me a note.

Sweet

2009-08-22T22:45:00.005-04:00

Have you ever had a day when you are so stressed out that you think you might cry. Well yesterday was one of those days. People in the house sick and cranky and me trying to stay away from them. I have always found that crafting has a way of relaxing me more than anything else. Ed says it makes me truely happy.

I have, for quite some time now, been working on a scrapbook for my brother and his wife. It is all about my little niece. This page is the result of hiding away in my office yesterday. I think it turned out great. Isn't she sweet? Thanks for looking and let me know what you think. Kimberly

Products used: October Afternoon Cherry Hill line, Making Memories letters, Basic Grey Letters, Diamond Stickles, Doodlebug Sew East Rubons & a black marker.

Moments

2009-08-12T21:26:00.003-04:00

Of course summer is a great time of year but fall is my favourite. As I have been trying (not as hard as I should) to complete all of last year's layouts, I am beginning to see a pattern. I take a huge amount of photos in the fall, a lot at Christmas and it gets less until the fall hits again. Out of all the school, Thanksgiving, birthday and Halloween layouts ~ so far 6 doubles & 8 singles ~ here is my favourite fall layout so far. We are heading out for a short vacation - picking up kids from camp & grandparents and hopefully I will be able to get some great SUMMER photos. Keeping up on this blogging thing is harder than it looks but I am finding it enjoyable. I hope you are enjoying my posts and work. Thanks for looking. Kimberly

Products Used:Please note that I used Walnut ink to make lettering a darker colour. Bazzill Cardstock ~ Bitter Chocolate, Core'Dinations ~ Olive, Kaiser ~ What A Hoot ~ Wise, Tim Holtz ~ Walnut & Antique Photo Distress Ink, Pink Paislee ~ Captivating Chipboard Alpha, We R Memory Keeper ~ Antique Brass Hardware, Zig Writer ~ Chocolate, Prima ~ Forever Flowers Mulberry Ivy Leaves, October Afternoon ~ Weathervine Stickers, Gazebo, Jillibean Soup ~ Twine ~ Kraft & Brown, Creative Cafe ~ Velvet Ric Rac, Studio G letter stamps

Just A Little Sprinkle

2009-07-24T22:54:00.003-04:00

Summer has yet to arrive in southwestern Ontario and as much as I personally love the temperature, my dd is complaining about how cold and rainy it is. I hate being hot and sticky. So I made this simple double layout to remind her of warmer days. Days where it was so hot you were just happy to run through a sprinkler ~ because that is what was going to keep you cool.

Maybe it will inspire you to warm yourself up with a summer layout or two. Thanks for looking and let me know what you think.

Products used: Cosmo Cricket ~ Snorkle papers & rubons, American Craft Ribbon, Making Memories Mini Shimmer Letters, Ready to glitter letters, Scenic Route chipboard letters, Beads & wire.

Summer or Fall

2009-07-13T17:10:00.003-04:00

I am typically a Fall girl. The colours, the cool breezes and the temperature. I have to admit that this summer the temp has been wonderful for me. But I am still a Fall Girl and lucky for me, my sister loves the Fall colours too. Here are 3 small canvas wall hangings I whipped together for her birthday & how I packaged it too. TFL.

Products Used: Sandylion PP ~ Dried Flowers, World Win Treasures - Butternut Orange & Natural, Basic Grey - Fusion (Burgundy), Bazzill - Mocha Divine, We R Memory Keepers ~ Fancy Eyelet, Twine & Brown Bag

That's So Danielle

2009-07-10T22:25:00.006-04:00

This past Sunday was my younger sister's birthday ~I won't tell you how old she is because most girls don't like that. She moved from just 30 mins away to 2 hours away and this was the first weekend we were able to go and see the new house, the new town, her & her husband and the 4 children. It was a beautiful day and we arrived early for the "Surprise Party" so we took a little tour of the cottage town where she now lives. I have to say, she is truly blessed to be so close a beautiful lake with soft sandy beaches. That's so Danielle. Her new house was bright, cheery, decorated with touches of Chocolate, Orange and Lime and filled with laughter. That's so Danielle. I was speaking with my Mom and telling her about the layout I was doing and how I could not think of a title for it and my mom said, "That's So Danielle" and she was right. When we see something orange and cheery we think of her. When you get a little stick man in a card you think of her. When I think of a faithfilled woman I think of her. THAT'S SO DANIELLE.

This Layout was created with a variety of Cricut Cartridges from my LSS where I work. We have a new Cricut Cartridge library and there are some really fun ones out there. I used the Home Accents, Wild Card & good old George. I used the negative of the orange die as a stencil. I had to doodle on this layout because Danielle loves to doodle on things.
Thanks for looking and let me know what you think.

Products used:
Prism - Kraft, Coco, World Win Treasures - Butternut Orange, Basic Grey - Mellow Juicy, Zig Writer - Chocolate, Tim Holtz - Vintage Photo.

We Grow Together

2009-07-10T13:03:00.004-04:00

I always kick off my yearly books with a family picture or a layout that has all four(five ~ Cricket the Cat) in it. Here is my starter page for 2008-2009. I love this family picture taken by our friend Brad, owner of Swanson Eyeimagine Photography. He did such a wonderful job for our entire family. If you check out his Portrait Gallery 2 you will see 4 hansome young men (all our boys). On this layout I hand-stitched my flourishes, they are kind of hard to see. I rolled the edges ot the 2 circles to show the red cardstock underneath and I didn't INK ANYTHING! You can get all of this great stuff at All About Scrapbooks & More in Woodstock ON. Thanks for looking and let me know what you think.

Products Used:
Bazzill - Mocha Divine, Core'Dinations ~ Scarlet, Cosmo Cricket ~ Early Bird-Apron Strings, Elements, Cardstock Stickers & Chipboard Stickers, Doodlebug Mini Brads ~ Bumblebee, Thickers~Playroom Chestnut, Making Memories ~Mini Shimmer Alpha, Brown School House

Happy Canada Day!

2009-07-01T16:56:00.003-04:00

Wahoo Canada is 142, Eh!

We are taking it a little low key today but this weekend will be fun ~ I'll tell you all about it after it is over. Here are a couple fun layouts today (from last year's celebrations)

Thanks for looking and Happy Canada Day!

Jillibean Flutterbys

2009-06-30T18:26:00.003-04:00

"When in doubt choose kraft"

Sometimes you just need some butterflies in your life. They encourage you to change and to grow. That is what my mom and sister do. I love this photo of the 3 of us, together at Thanksgiving. Check off another one done for 2008-2009. I hand painted all the butterflies and just had to add a little glitter. Thanks for looking.

Products Used: Jillibean Soup ~ Cold Rasberry - Cinnamin Stick, Fresh Raspberries, 12x12 Kraft, Harvest Flowers, Bean Brown Alphabeans, dark brown twine, Prism Cardstock ~ Dark Crabapple, Expresso, Making Memories ~ mini copper round & square brads, We R Memory Keepers ~ Antique Brass snaps, Doodlebug ~ Stick with it "Fancy That", Martha Stewart ~ Ultra fine Glitter - Brownstone, Tim Holtz ~ Antique Photo Distress ink, Water Colour Pencils ~ Design

The Key to Success

2009-06-28T21:29:00.007-04:00

"If you start behind you'll never get ahead."

Have you ever had a goal you never thought you would complete? We all start out wanting to scrapbook every photo we take. I have discovered that in my world this will never happen. I have a goal for this summer to completely scrapbook from Sept. 2008 ~ Sept. 2009. I have made a great start on both the fall pages and the spring pages, all of which I will share with you.

This week was my DS's grade 8 graduation. I thought I might share a layout of his first day of grade 8, September 2, 2008. Thanks for looking and tell me what you think.

Products used:

October Afternoon - Garden Chair, Ducks in a Row Label Stickers, All My Memories - striped ribbon, Tim Holtz Grunge Board Key, Antique Photo Distress Ink, Kaiser - Star Rhinestone bling, Basic Grey Mellow - Harvested, Seasoned, Creative Impressions - narrow black ribbon, 7 Gypsies alphabet ribbon (?) E.K.Success - Tiny Alphas, Zig Writer - black, Martha Stewart border punch

Scrapbook & Cards Today

2009-06-26T11:37:00.009-04:00

Did you get your's?
Everyone did a great job on this issue ~ So bright and cheery. Thanks Catherine & Kerri & your whole team for doing a fabulous job.

I think my favourite creation in this issue is "Summer" by Roxanne Jegodtka.

I love the little brads covering the sun. This is a great layout for any event because you can get so many pictures on your page without it lookig messy.

I love Sarah's cards too.

Check out her blog "Only in Hollywoodstock"
If you haven't recieved your copy of this great FREE magazine you can download all it's summer goodness from Scrapbooks And Cards Today

Grade 8 Grad.

2009-06-24T13:00:00.003-04:00

Well he is finished ~ elementary school that is. We have had the wonderful privledge to ride this rollercoaster from grade 2 - 8 and everyone has arrived alive. He heads off for 6 weeks. That's right 6 weeks of Army Cadet camp (all music all the time) and then HIGH SCHOOL ~ HEAVEN HELP ME!

Doesn't he look handsome? Congrats buddy - we are so proud of you.

My Sunshine

2009-06-22T23:50:00.006-04:00

How I love to add flowers to my pages. This is a layout of my DD. I love these photos even if they are a couple of years old. I blanket stitched the brown cardstock and did a plain running stitch around the flower. I inked everything - of course. The buttons are all stitched on too.
Thanks for looking & let me know what you think.
~ Kim ~

Product List: Bazzill Cardstock- Mocha Divine, Core'Dinations Cardstock ~ February Gold, Scenic Route Patterned Paper ~ Grafton James St., American Crafts Brown Felt Thickers, Jillibean Soup ~ Minestrone Olive Oil, Kaiser Rhinestones ~ Deep Yellow, Flowers - Petaloo, Heidi Swapp, American Crafts & Prima, Buttons - Variety Unknown, DMC embrodery floss, Vintage Photo Distress ink, Dew Drop Brilliance ~ Coffee Bean.
(My Hubby was so happy ~ I didn't buy anything new for this page)

Chocolate Chip

2009-06-22T21:33:00.004-04:00

We have discovered a new friendly little family member...

Living in a hole in the front porch...

Introducing "Chocolate Chip" ~ Chip is going to provide LOTS of great photos for layouts - maybe even a mini-book.

My daughter & I spent a beautiful, first day of summer laying on the front porch, waiting for Chip to appear (which he did repeatedly). Both of us with cameras, so we got lots of beautiful pics of him. Even though Chip would run off , he would always come back with his little cheeks full. My daughter finially decided that he would be more interesting eating our peanuts. He was a little pig. We are going to have fun watching him all summer. By the way ~ Chip is driving the Cat crazy.

Piggytail Princess

2009-06-19T13:24:00.009-04:00

So here it is ~ My first real BLOG POST!!!

I have to admit I am still not sure about this blogging thing. I think posting every few days is a good idea and we will go from there.
This is a layout made with scraps and bits from my stash. The paper is left over pieces from a class I taught last year called "A Whole lotta Hoopla" (image below) for All About Scrapbooks & More.

I really did not have a lot left ~ but I hate leftovers. Anyhow isn't my niece cute? Here she is playing with her dolly. I love using flowers as an accent so you will see a lot of them on my "girly" pages.

Thanks for looking and please tell me what you think.

Product list: We R Memory Keepers - Hoopla Paper line, American Crafts - Thickers & Ribbon, October Afternoon - Ducks in a Row Journaling sticker,Bazzill Cardstock, Flowers by Petaloo, Heidi Swapp & Prima, Jewels - Kaiser, & Brads & silver embellies - unknown.