Belle Papier {pretty paper}

My husband came running in the house Monday night telling me to grab my camera. Now this is not an ordinary occurrence…he usually shuns the thing but after a day of rain, there was the most stunning rainbow I have seen in years.Across the road and fields of Fall wheat this rainbow was just radiant and spanned in a complete arch from side to side. There was no way to capture it with my camera as my lens is not wide-angled. Here’s one of the few pics I managed to take right before my camera battery died.

Now image my surprise this morning to wake up to everything well-blanketed with snow! Hmmmm…are those costumes for Friday night going to fit on top of snowsuits?! I totally can’t believe it because I had the boys standing out waiting for the bus for a long time. The delayed the bus by two hours. What a day!

Now as for the layout part of the post…it’s layout challenge day again.

We’d love to have you join us for this layout sketch challenge! Jennifer Roach has also created a sample for this layout…check it out here!

The Story of Us

Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Well…this is NOT a football post. Actually this is a milestone for me. Today is our 19th anniversary and we’ve been married half of my life. I guess that gives my age away but I’m really not one of the people who hide it. While we’ve had hard times, we’ve had lessons, we’ve also had many, many joys that far outweigh them. I know I am incredibly blessed.

the better half

OK I will admit this “recent” photo is a couple years old. I really wanted to create this layout today to remember my thoughts and I just couldn’t find anything more recent of us together.

Take care!

There’s a lot new! I’ve just gotten back from another long weekend at the cottage. I just love it there! We had an absolutely fabulous time and now I’m scrambling to catch up after four days away. You always pay, don’t you?! I have some fun lake pics to share with you today. I actually tried tubing yesterday…first time in 20 years!!! My son took pics of that but, of course…I’m not going to show you those ones!

Over the weekend I took some stamps, ink and my Copic Markers along with my. I’m really getting addicted to sitting down and relaxing by practicing coloring the CHF detailed image lines. I spent a few relaxing hours coloring in three of them. Haven’t had time to make a project with them yet but here’s one of my favorites, The Light of Peace from the Thomas Kinkade Line.

We had a ton of fabulous entries for the Cornish Heritage Farms Can You Color Design Team search. The call closed Thursday night and it has been a pleasure to go through them all. Right now it’s the hard part of the job…choosing designers from the fabulous entries. Thanks so much to those of you who applied!

Today at CHF, there’s another Scrapblocks™ release. I’ve been pestering Lisa for a like this for months and it has been worth the wait. LOVE this stamp! 6×6 inches makes it perfect for layouts, altered projects and of course, cards. No matter which the the card is orientated…this stamp works perfectly.

Aged Sheet Music

Tonight I have an on-line class at Cornish Heritage Farms. The chat thread is at 8pm EST and I’d love to have you join me!

I’d also like to announce another on-line class at CHF. Click on the banner for more details.

And now for those pics…

I thought I’d share a little stamp room update for you. I’m sure you are all not as excited as I but…please forgive me…I just had to share! Since the last time when all you saw was a hole in the ground, I now have a gravel floor, concrete block walls, a window, it is actually framed over top with the floor joists of my new back entrance and the insulation and siding is on the new addition so we are 90% closed in. My hubby has been working day and night to get it moving along. Winter has arrived in Ontario so there is a bit of a push. Because we have a boiler/hot water heating system, I’m getting in-floor heating so it should be nice and toasty on my tootsies and won’t feel so much like a basement. Below is a pic I took yesterday afternoon. Stamping Room to the left, bedroom to the right. And my beautiful dog peeking in through the window opening. I know it doesn’t look like much yet but it has come a long way, baby! The floor is getting ready to be poured today. Can’t wait!

Thanks for putting up with me! I’m being thankful today too…with how far it has come along. That is the trick to big projects…celebrate each accomplishment along the way!

I just had to share this photo of my new stamp room in the making. LOL I KNOW it is going to take a little time to get there! I’ve had people ask me for photos of my stamp room but…the sad truth is, I just don’t have one yet! I design in a very messy corner of our family room on one little desk. Where do I store the supplies?! On the desk, under the desk, on the floor, in cupboards…wherever I can find an inch! And so…it really WOULD break my camera to try and take a pic… especially after how busy I have been lately!

And so…. this “lovely” photo is of my new stamping space. See that lovely hole in the ground…it extends right under my kitchen and what used to be part of my wrap-around porch. I just can’t wait…another bedroom for one of the boys, a bathroom, a storage closet and a small 8×8 foot room for me. Can you see the area right where the concrete blocks are…that’s it! Be it ever so humble, I still Can’t wait! I’m just not enjoying the process but hey…when you buy a century old house…what can you expect?! Tomorrow those blocks are going to start forming the basement addition walls. I’ve got the bestest hubby in the world for tackling this job! Don’t you think? He’s been putting 30-40 hours a week in on this job on top of his 44 hour week. Stay tuned for more updates! I’m sure that from here…it is only going to get better!

Four hundred Twenty-eight! Huh? What? Four hundred twenty-eight pictures that we took yesterday! LOL We had a fabulous day at the African Lion Safari, but don’t worry…I won’t bore you with them all. Actually it was a long day and I’m still exhausted and I haven’t had much time for editing them so you are totally off the hook. Scroll down to the bottom of the post if you are interested in taking a peek at the few I have edited.

Quick Tip: Ok…this is totally NOT papercraft related but I just found it out Monday and it saved me a LOT of money. You can buy tickets for the above attraction as well as many others, at Costco. It will save you a pile! Have fun!

Way’s to Use it Challenge - I was supposed to be away on vacation today but you know how it is…the best laid plans of mice and men…. LOL Anyway…I set up a guest hostess for today’s challenge but maybe that got a little mixed up? Not sure…so I went ahead and posted. You can find the challenge HERE. I’ll be back later this afternoon to post my challenge card design here and all the instructions.

Craft Critique - I’ve been a very busy girl lately and written another article for Craft Critique. This week is book review week. I’ve been so interested in learning more about digital scrapbooking lately and when I found the Ultimate Guide to Digital Scrapbooking by Better Homes and Gardens, I just had to check it out. Fabulous publication! I learned so much and I love how learning something new, you can always apply it to different aspects of design. Below is my first hybrid design. It incorporates three digital techniques I learned from the level one section of this book. Click on the link, Craft Critique book review to check out more.

Sun, Sand, Surf - a digital design for Craft Critique.com

And lastly…a few of the photos…

This darling baby zebra with his mom, was born on Monday. I was so excited to get a pic of a day old zebra…absolutely amazing!

This 9000 pound elephant laid down right on top of his trainer…yikes!

Fabulous Birds of Prey show - this is a landing young bald eagle…

The Pride…

The waterpark and splash pad was fabulous for kids and great for cooling off…

The latest edition of Papercraft’s Card Creations comes with mixed feelings for me. So excited to have two designs, published in it, my first “large” special edition Papercrafts publication and so VERY excited to have one of my designs inspire the Editor’s Pick at the beginning! Which also brings me right back to my very mixed feelings. The card Believe was inspired by my mom.

Many of you know that my mom passed away five weeks ago. I had hoped that she would live to see it in print but that was not to be. Her decline was so rapid the last few weeks, I would not have wished it for her. Mom did see it before I mailed it in to the editor and she thought it was beautiful. She was so great at supporting me and sharing in my joy when I managed to get a design accepted. I miss that. I miss talking to her every morning. I miss her joy. I miss her care. I was thinking of giving this card away but now I know that I’ll be keeping it close.

Believe Card

As I mentioned above, this card was designed for my mom last January. I thought it would be a beautiful card for a cancer patient, especially one who was terminally ill. It is so hard to find the words to say the right thing. Get well soon is just not appropriate. The inside sentiment was to be… Believe, in a better tomorrow. Appropriate for anyone going through hard times. My mom is now in her “better tomorrow”. She believed. And I do too.

I also thought this design would work well for a graduation or for someone starting a new phase in their life. So simple, so fresh…full of new possibilities. In that instance, what about the sentiment, Believe…. the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

My Mom

I came across this beautiful picture of my mom with my two youngest boys. It was taken two years ago, in the hospital just after the birth of Joshua. She had been diagnosed with Melanoma the week before. I thought I’d share it with you here. I must admit, it has me crying yet again. Joshua just saw it & was for calling for Nana. I cherish each wonderful memory I have of her. While writing this has been very hard, in a way, it is also very good. A song by Jeremy Camp came to mind while writing this and I’ll end by sharing it with you…

Scattered words and empty thoughts
Seem to pour from my heart
I’ve never felt so torn before
Seems I don’t know where to start
But its now that I feel your grace fall like rain
From every fingertip washing away my pain

I still believe in your faithfulness
I still believe in your truth
I still believe in your holy word
Even when I don’t see, I still believe

I believe I’ll be seeing Mom again. I believe.

If you’d like to purchase Card Creations 5, you can order direct from the Papercrafts site HERE. I can’t wait to get my copy! The joys of living in Canada…lol, you get delivery after everyone eles. BTW, if you do, my other design is called Black & White Congrats and I hear you can find it in the Congratulations section.

Supply List: whisper white cardstock - Stampin Up, patterned paper - Sassafras Lass, crystal brad - Making Memories ,sentiment rub-ons - Royal & Langnickel, sewing machine

Just thought I’d check in. It has been a busy few days. My mom’s funeral yesterday was lovely. Just as she would have wished it to be. The words at the service captured her perfectly. It all still seems a little unreal. Very real, but at the same time, not. I know that I will miss my mom for the rest of my life. I was going to say more, but right now, I just don’t feel I can. I just wanted you to know, I’m doing OK.

 I received the most beautiful vase of white lilies on Sunday from my dear friends Lindsey, Michele and Trudee. Thanks so much, my friends! I was so touched by your thoughtfulness and care. Sometimes it is hard to believe I’ve never even met the three of you!

Thanks so much to all of you who have supported my family and I and taken the time to post your condolences. I’ve gotten a lot of comfort from your words. So many of you have gone through similar circumstances and I apprecitate you sharing them with me.

Today I’ve spent my day being with my two little boys. The older three are back to school. Exam time here at the high school and my daughter’s elementary school graduation next week. I’m holding my little ones close and enjoying spending time with them again. The past few weeks and especially the past few days, I’ve hardly been here and they are feeling a little unsettled. I’ve promised them I won’t leave the house again for a few days.

As for designing, I haven’t had the time until today and I’ve been busy trying to get the house back in order. I’m hoping some inspiration will strike soon. I have projects and deadlines to complete in the upcoming weeks and I think, once I get started again, it will be a good outlet for me. I’m just taking it one day at a time, taking the time to enjoy my family and my memories of my mother and best friend.

(image downloaded from internet)
 

Yesterday , my mom passed away peacefully at 2:10 in the afternoon. I was able to be there, holding her hand. My mom had been diagnosed back in May 2005 with melanoma and fought a valiant battle. I’m so glad that her suffering is now over and she is at home with the Lord.

 My mom was also my best friend and I just can’t find the words to express how much she will be missed. Mom was so many things…generous, kind, loving, courageous, smart, witty… the central part in our family, a wonderful mother and grandmother. Mom was always there. I was thinking the other day of the Proverbs 31 woman and how much my mom exemplified that.

Thank so much for all your thoughts and prayers. Some of you have known of my mom’s illness for almost two years and have sent cards to her as well. She found a lot of joy & strength receiving them. We have been so blessed with so many people praying for her and our family.

I will sing of Your mercy
that leads me through valleys of sorrow
to rivers of joy

when death, like a gypsy
comes to steal what I love
I will still look to the heavens
I will still seek your face

(Jars of Clay)

Tagged again….this time by Sherrie! It’s taken me a few days to get around to it but here it is. For this tag,  I had to copy the list and provide my own ONE WORD answers! Ever tried to answer in one word…a little more difficult that you would think. LOL Maybe I’ve just gotten a little too “wordy” lately! My entries just seem to keep getting longer. Maybe this is a sign to type less! LOL

Yourself: Blessed
Your Partner: Wonderful
Your Hair: Brown
Your Mother: Treasured
Your Father: Loved
Your Favorite Item: ?
Your Dream Last Night: bizarre
Your Favorite Drink: French Vanilla
Your Dream Car: SUV
Dream Home: Large
The Room You Are In: Office
Your Fear: Claustiphobia
Where You Want to be in Ten Years: here
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: family
You’re Not: organized
One of Your Wish List Items: Storage
The Last Thing You Did: Hugged child
You Are Wearing: skirt
Your Favorite Weather: sunny
Your Favorite Book: Bible
Last Thing You Ate: sandwich
Your Life: busy
Your Mood: content
Your Best Friend: Husband
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: deadlines
Your Car: Astrovan
What Are You Doing At The Moment: write-ups
Relationship Status: Married
What Is On Your TV: Veggietales
What Is The Weather Like: Overcast
When Is The Last Time You Laughed: Today

Now usually after being tagged, you need to tag 5 more people. I hope you’ll forgive me…I know that a lot of bloggers have already been tagged and I just haven’t had the time this past week to go looking. If you haven’t been tagged yet…this one is for you! I’ve tagged you! If you take me up on it, make sure you post a comment here that you did and I’ll come take a peek! Have a great week!

Edited to Add… Sharlene took me up on the tag. Check out her blog here!