'Nuff said

It's quirky and tempermental. Like me. I never in a million years expected it. I guess it's my version of getting diamonds from my Hubs. 1977 was a great year. It was meant to be mine. The Triumph Spitfire. 'Nuff said.

Want to WIN?!

Hurry hurry HURRY!!! go to The Twinery and enter to win some FABULOUS prizes!!! This is a fairly new site to me...but their stuff is OH so yummy! Head on over there and throw your name in to get your hands on some crafty crafty twine for all your artsy needs!

MY definition of an amazing life...

Not blogging for over a month because you were living at the lake. THAT is my definition of the very best life I can lead. Chillin' with friends, lazing in the boat with our fishing rods (I limited out one day! Can you spell FISH FRY?!) s'mores, reading lots of books with my boys and just being a Mum. A dirty one. Who hugged and kissed even when the receiver was a little slimy. Who face painted every strange kid we came across just for the fun of it. Who helped catch frogs and snails and minnows...with my bare hands! Who loved and squeezed and cooked and ran and played and did a hundred thousand under ducks on the swings. Did my art room grow mold? Metaphorically speaking...Probably. Did my garden show signs of serious neglect? YUP. Was I hiding from the phone? Absolutely. And will my boys remember this as the #1 best summer EVER? You bet your bikini bottom they will. QUICK! You still have time...go enjoy the rest of summer! Blogland will be here when you get back. I promise. xo

Sieze the day!

I read an amazing quote by Erma Bombeck today:

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say "I used everything you gave me."

Love who you are, what you are and what you do! Do things that make you proud to be you! Create! Love! Laugh! Use everything you have! Treat people as you want to be treated! Let's make the world an amazing place!
The colour on this came out a little wonky in the photo...it really is a deep chocolate brown. I used real birch twigs pilfered from my neighbours lawn! LOL I love using things that create lots of texture. Happy creating!!!

July 1st and a whole lot of...beer?

I don't drink beer. But I am a big fan of the Molson commercials. So in keeping with the tradition of posting the Joe Canadian rant on my blog to celebrate Canada Day here are some other Molson commercials I have appreciated over the years. Happy Birthday Canada. Still lookin' good old girl!









And I still laugh right out loud at this one:

A Party For Poopsie

My little niece {who I have called Poopsie since she was born!} hit double digits this year. Shut up...I know, right? When did she get so grown up?! My sis put on an epic rock star birthday party and Poopsie was the main attraction. She wanted something to give to her friends that was crafty and fun. So over to Auntie's art room she came and we cranked out these adorable take away containers for a dozen of Poopsie's closest friends. The die to make the container is compliments of Just Scrap It! and was super easy {and cheap!} to put together. One sheet of 12x12 white card stock per container. Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy.


My sis wanted an artsy activity for the girls to do at the party so we left the containers completely blank. A wonderful canvas for many Camp Rock and Justin Bieber stickers and of course gobs of glitter and jewels! But Poopsie wanted to put her own sparkly flare on it and settled on a great new cupcake stamp set I bought last summer. She stamped, stickled and gemmed the tags all on her own! I was SO proud. A little hand written message and I thought we were done. But my little Poopsie likes glittery things almost as much as I do so we added some jump rings and an assortment of charms and beads to the ribbon handle. Simple. Cute. Fun! Home made gift bags do not have to be expensive or complicated. Poopsie's Mama filled them with hair accessories and lip gloss. Perfect!

The very BEST competition I ever lost-Camp Croppin' 2011

I can't believe I haven't blogged about Camp Croppin' yet!!! Many things have been going on...you know how it is. Whenever I sat down to blog it, something else came up. Election. Layouts. Whatev. So here it is! We had an AMAZING time!!! As always. Camp Croppin' really is what you make it. And every year it just gets better and better for our crazy group! This year Flat Amanda was retired to make way for ACTUAL AMANDA! Truth be told...she is WAAAY more fun! But don't tell Flat Amanda that, it might hurt her feelings. I think you can check out her antics HERE.

Photo by Barb Riley's camera (who took this one?)

The classes were outstanding as usual and I got to be a Tent Mum for the wonderful people of Prima and Stampendous! What a great day that was! A highlight for me was meeting Matt from Bo Bunny. At first I was SO disappointed that the ladies would not be there in their matching sweaters with their songs and laughs. And then the product was changed from Timepiece to Gabrielle. I know. They sent a boy and I wasn't getting to work with the product I had been drooling over!!! Shut the province down. But Matt was a RIOT. He truly loves his company and it really shows. He even modelled the coveted Bo Bunny purse for us. I don't think I have ever wanted to win a draw so badly! But it went to our own Lori Colton so at least it is in our little scrap family!

Photo by Barb Riley

Another highlight for me was the keynote speaker. When talented, strong, inspirational women speak...you should listen up. So I was super happy when I found out it was Katharina Doyle from Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine. I hold both her and Jackie Ludlage in high regard. They wanted something and they ran after it. Admirable. Photo by Allison Orthner Photo by Allison Orthner
Who had the camera we were actually looking at? Anyone? Anyone? Buhler?

On to the prizes!!! The competition is always one of my fave parts because every single dollar from the entry fees goes to the children's hospital. And that just makes me feel so good! Our friends from last year Leonka and Marilyn were in attendance again! These girls are definitely honourary Saskies. They are such a hoot. Leonka rocked the journalling prize and then read it to the group. It was epic. Standing ovation afterward. It was an honour to be in that room.

Photo by Barb Riley

After we all had a good cry when Leonka was done at the podium we were cheering for the photo prize and eagerly anticipating the rest of the prizes (they SO ROCKED) when the third prize was called and Amanda and I whooped it up big time and had to poke her several times to get her attention...it was Corinne!!! Can I get a WOO HOO?! She was so engrossed in making her cards she didn't even realize it was her! So the 2 green tables went wild yet again!

Photo by Barb Riley

Second prize was announced and then the biggie...Top winner! We were really rooting for Amanda...her layout was the ugliest cry we have all had in a very long time and I can't wait for you all to see it in an upcoming edition of Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine. Epic isn't the word. On pins and needles we waited for the announcement we hoped...nay...KNEW would come...

Photo by Barb Riley

Cue Team Green to go WILD again!!! Seriously, we needed a whole lot of tissue!!! It was so amazing!

Photo by me with Barb Riley's camera
Photo by Barb Riley
Photo by Barb Riley
Where on earth would we be without each other? Having supportive friends who will cheer for you is so important. I felt honoured to be part of the loudest, rowdiest team at Camp Croppin'! You don't mind...do you Megan? We love your event and just can't be anyone but ourselves when we stampede through your doors!

Even though I do love the competition part and now have several layouts in my albums that I adore, I was the proudest of my own little fundraiser for the hospital. I made 250 cupcakes and toted them all the way to Calgary. The ladies were more than generous with their donations and I am so thankful for that.


Photo by Allison Orthner
I love this event for the people, the laughs, the cries, the FUN! {And maybe the late night snacking too!} It is wonderful to attend something with all my scrap friends and just be laid back and comfortable. Busy...in a good way. And just soak in the great atmosphere. I know they say third time is the charm but I am headed toward my 4th year.

Camp Croppin' 2012. Who is in?!

{I did not break out my camera even once. So if I have messed up any of the photo credits I apologize!}