Kim's Cherry Street Creations

I am a changed person....

2011-11-18T21:32:00.001-05:00

to all my wonderful (few) blog followers....my world has come crashing down. My husband was killed in a car accident in Lima, Peru 10 days ago. I am still numb but felt that I needed to share something...maybe I just needed to say the words. So thank you for listening. We are all still in a complete state of shock. In fact, as he wasn't due home until tomorrow, my heart still is in a bit of denial. Friends have come and gone (altho some have truly stayed); the funeral is over....and life is to begin again. I simply can't move yet. I wanted to share my thoughts from the funeral. I also wanted to thank all of you for reading this blog, encouraging my scrapbook layouts, and sharing yours. The layouts in my last post have taken on a different meaning now as they are of the last vacation with my husband. I recently gave them to our grandson to treasure in the years to come.

It is also a goodbye of sorts as I don't think I will be posting again. In fact, scrappbooking is something I'm not sure when I can get back to. So thank you all. I know some of you have sent / are sending thoughts and prayers and we truly appreciate them all.

This is my eulogy to my husband. I will miss the very essence of him every day.

My heart is broken today. All ofour hearts are broken. How we will ever move on from this is truly an idea Icannot begin to fathom. And yet, I know that Bob would gently laugh at me andsay ‘You can do anything you set your mind too”. He said that to me a number oftimes for a number of different things. His support of me in whatever I wasdoing or attempting to do was 120%. He would often insist that I didn’t know myown strength but what he didn’t know was how much I depended on him.

I am sure that Bob the husbandwasn’t much different from Bob the boss or co-worker. He wouldn’t often requestsomething of someone if he knew they couldn’t do it. BTI was such a huge partof his life and he was proud of his accomplishments within it. If you workedfor Bob you may have heard that same phrase. He truly believed that. He was aman who travelled the world and always came home with stories about the sightshe had seen, the colleagues and friends he spent time with – from the saunaswith the Swedes to the many varied adventures with Andre in South Africa. I’msure there were memories made there that I will never know about. He alwaysenjoyed hearing Andre’s laugh and getting caught up in his energy. Lucio, Oscarand Edgar from Lima, Peru were also special friends. In fact, there is apicture on Bob’s facebook in which he introduces his hosts Oscar Torres and Edgar Ramirez.These gentlemen are the nicest people you will find in the world. I stronglyrecommend Peru as the country to visit in South America because the people areso nice. Both Oscar and Edgar were in the accident with Bob. Edgar also losthis life. Our thoughts and prayers are with both families.

One of Bob’s colleagues said to me the other night that eventhough he didn’t work for Bob as in Bob was not his boss, Bob was his boss. Hewent to Bob for advice, and when Bob requested something from him, he workedhard to get it done. He described Bob as a King of Men and his shining light.From the many chats with other colleagues, it seems you all would describe himthe same way.

As much of Bob’s time was spent away on business, his heartwas always at home with me, his five kids and four grandkids. He tried hard totalk with each one before he left on a trip. He also tried to be in touch onall the birthdays even if he was travelling. Mike, he felt so badly that hewasn’t able to call on yours a few weeks ago but I know he talked with youbefore he left for Peru. He wasn’t afraid to say “I love you, big guy” to Davidalmost every time he saw you. His pride in his Red’s accomplishments wereevident to everyone, his love for her enormous; his love and affection forRebecca, with her newly developed parenting skills overwhelmed him; and headored the very essence and spirit of Aislyn so very much. I know everyconversation ended with I love you.

Bob was enjoying his role as Grandpa Bubba. He was witness toeach of his grandson’s arrival and held newborn Kein and Alex in Japan, Peytonin Halifax, and Greyson in Ottawa. He somehow was the ‘putting babies to sleep’guru – pacing with them, singing gently in their ears, holding them until theywere good and heavy in his arms.

We have been talking a lot this week of the wonderfulunexpected unusual gifts of time we have had over the past year. From the weekspent in Ottawa waiting for our newest grandson Greyson to arrive followed bythe week celebrating his arrival; the off duty times Pam was able to come homeand the time we spent at her & Mike’s house this summer; the fabulous twoweek road trip out east with our grandson Alex; an opportunity to welcomeanother pseudo daughter, Sarah, to our family; last month Kein and Alex spent aweek with us and we all had so much fun. Time well spent. And a last weekendthat was perfect.

The gift of time was also given when he rearranged his workschedule so he was able to spend a weekend with our youngest daughter Aislynwhile she spent 6 months in Australia. He helped Mike move and spent countlesshours with him on the phone discussing the many peculiarities of life. Davidand Bob spent time together golfing this summer. Apparently, he played his bestyear ever.

Bob was a fantastic host and was thoroughly enjoying his newbar which he had named Bubba’s Work Bench. He would create new drinks everytime we got together. Not quite sure how we got past the Turkey Gobbler andBubba’s Cream Soda has become a go to drink for many occasions. Some of ourmany friends have had the pleasure of sampling Pinga from Chile and will neverforget the experience. This past May, Bob pulled off the best 50^thsurprise party ever and had been planning it for months, calling people when hewas driving using his trusty hands free gizmo Gladys and his newly acquired gpsgirlfriend Jill. He loved those girls and would tell me often how much morepatient they were with him than me. Jill never yells at me when I turn thewrong way, he would say. My friend Nancy was so excited to get a text messagewhen he was in Australia to help him with something for the party. Other peoplereceived emails with requests to help him execute this perfect two day eventthat I was oblivious too. In fact, I was a little put out that all he hadplanned that night for me was a bbq steak dinner with Dave and the boys and myparents. I thought we could go and see some – I can’t remember now – band atCasino Rama. I was so adamant that we were going to do something my way thatwhen my sister in law called as per her and Bobs plan to say that she wasplanning to come up that weekend I told her that I was busy. And so that night,after a delicious steak dinner, a few friends showed up, and then a few more.And then the “sorry we are busy that weekend” family of Rebecca, Adam &Greyson showed up from Ottawa. What a lovely surprise that was. Bob just smiledat me. But even then there was so much more as the next day people didn’t stopcoming to the door. All the while, Bob just smiling at me, hugging me, askingif I was enjoying myself and playing the host he loved to be.

There are so very many stories now that will have to sustainus all for years to come. David, Mike, Pam, Rebecca and Aislyn – I want you toknow how deeply proud he was of each one of you and how so completely he lovedyou. When he said things to you that you may not have agreed with, in a fewdays time you would come to realize the wisdom behind his words. The wonderfulthing about Bob, well, one of the wonderful things about Bob – is that he trulylistened to you. He may not have always understood, he may not have alwaysagreed, but he listened to each one of you. And he so loved you all.

Bob died much too young and we all would have loved another20 plus years. But I am grateful in the knowledge that he was happy. He wasloved. And he knew and felt it. He saw the sparkle in his grandsons eyes asthey played; he heard the joy in their voices as they all called for GrandpaBubba; he enjoyed the many conversations over the years with his children fromthe family meetings to the personal ones; he lovingly accepted two more sonsinto his life, Adam and Mike; he saw many places most people never see; mademany friendships; quietly earned the respect from colleagues; enjoyed the touchof his wife who loved him so very much. He loved and was loved. He laughed andcried. He lived a very good and full life in his short 57 years.

His children, grandchildren and I thank all of you for thephone calls, food, and wonderful, beautiful support you have shown us this pastweek. To my angels who have brought over meals then made sure we ate them,cleaned my kitchen, looked after my dog, offered babysitting and hugs, thankyou with all I am. To all of you who have come from very faraway places to showyour love and respect for this wonderful man, thank you from the bottom of ourhearts. To all of Bob’s friends and colleagues from BTI thank you for thesupport and respect you have given him over the years for which you all told meabout yesterday. To Frank, Lainey and Brad – I know that your visit to our homeon Tuesday night was one of the hardest things you have done but I am gratefulfor your kind words, hugs and tears. You have been simply wonderful. I know youare deeply grieving with us. To our wonderful friend John – rock has been avital part of my husband’s life and I know he would be immensely appreciativeof how much of a rock you have been to both myself and our children these pastfew days. There are no adequate words to describe how thankful we are. Bob wouldbe completely overwhelmed by everything you all have done for him and for us.

We have spent evenings this week with friends and familymembers who have so willingly given us tributes of what our dad and husbandmeant to them and for that we are forever grateful. For sharing your time, yourstories, a glass of wine or two, a toast to a man who obviously meant so muchto so many, thank you.

My heart is shattered. I will forever miss his smile, thetears rolling down our face laughter we often shared, his weird sense ofhumour, his wonderful warm hugs, the many thoughtful tasks he performed simplybecause he loves me; and the immense love we shared. Life is so incrediblyfragile. Please hug those you love a little closer today. Find that extra timeto spend together so that time will forever be a precious memory.

Thank you, my love, for knowing who I am and loving meanyway, for supporting me in everything I did, and for loving me so completely.I adore you so much and will miss you every day.

Anybody still there??

2011-09-07T19:44:00.001-04:00

I can't believe how neglectful I have been with this blog...still scrapbooking just not posting! But I have spent some time lately playing with Studio J. My husband and I took our 6 yr old grandson on a road trip to Halifax. Studio J was a fun and very fast way to put together a scrapbook for him to enjoy, take to school for show and tell, and remember the fun we had! There are lots of things I like about Studio J but there are still more things I like about classic scrapbooking. Not ready to give that up any time soon. Enjoy!

P.S....a huge thank you to my friend, Roz, for giving me the opportunity!!! You are such a good friend!

Let Me Show You How...from Close To My Heart

2011-06-21T13:16:00.000-04:00

Cards and Cards

2011-06-18T10:57:00.005-04:00

My friend, Roz, told me to use all my scraps to make cards. I'm not a card maker...in fact, not even a card sender. However, I hate to see paper (cool CTMH paper) wasted so I did follow her advice and created a bunch of card bases. My (Roz's) idea was to put paper on card bases and then 'pretty them up' when I needed to send a card.

My family threw me a surprise big number (ok it's 50) birthday party so my cards were put to great use! I prettied them up and sent them on and then got great reviews from them! Yay...I guess that means I'm now a card maker? Still don't like making them much but it's easier now when I just need to add some bling. Funny thing, tho, the scrap paper file still keeps getting bigger!

Some (most) of these cards are taken from the Wishes book so I'm fulfilling that part of the challenge. Just can't find the piece of paper I wrote them down on before mailing them off. I surprised myself by remembering to take pictures of them before they went in the mail!

Thanks for looking. More to come!

Number 7!!

2011-06-08T13:57:00.005-04:00

I created this layout quite a few years ago with one of my very first Scrapbook Groups. This stamp set was (maybe still is) one of my favourites and the group really enjoyed creating this wintery scene.

A very magical evening occurred a few nights before my daughter was to leave for a student exchange in Australia for 6 months. It was about midnight; the snow falling outside was so incredibly bright it looked like it was late afternoon. So my dd and I decided to go for a walk - the beautiful fluffly snow flakes were coming down so quickly we had to keep brushing the snow away from our hats, glasses and the dog! The snow was up to our calves by the time we decided to head for home after about an hour. My dd said it was a wonderful memory to take with her to Australia. This layout has been sitting around for a long time but when I printed these pics, it all came together magically!!!

7/52 with lots more to come!

Finally...

2011-06-01T15:32:00.007-04:00

I hope I'm back on track although I seem to have lost my mojo somewhere so if you have any extra, package it up and send my way, please. This layout was done quite awhile ago for one of my monthly workshops but I just put the pictures and some journaling on. This little guy (1 of 4) lives quite aways from us so we don't get to cuddle him very often. We still think he's a star!

I'm coming back soon with lots of cards and a few layouts.

tfl :)

TIme is flying by!!!

2011-05-04T17:25:00.005-04:00

I cannot believe yet again that I am so far behind. In blogging anyway. I have been busy. The Scrapbooking weekend I host with a fellow CTMHer was held this past weekend and was a huge success. We had so much fun and I'm pretty sure all the other ladies did too! The best part was that I was able to finish most of my swap layouts and once I put pictures on them, I can post them...hopefully get caught up with my pictures actually on layouts!!

In the meantime, while my wonderful friend Roz was here for the weekend, we put together these 3 ring binder mini books. I used Bliss paper pack and some embellishments. The idea came from Regional Celebrations with CTMH a few weeks ago. Roz and I had a lot of fun putting these together. Hers is outstanding...just wait till she posts! You will love it! I still have a few final touches to put on it but I've been ignoring my faithful followers too long. Thanks for looking and commenting.

Baby layouts coming soon!!

Layout Challenge

2011-04-03T12:25:00.003-04:00

These two layouts were created for the Funky Swap that Tina Winship hosts! I love the concept of these swaps and signed up for the Spring and Male Child groups. The first layouts "Happy Mothers Day" uses the beautiful Olivia paper pack and Dream stamp set with some of our pearl opaques. The second layout "Welcome Baby" used a few different paper packs (thanks, Roz, for the idea) and the Tiny Tabs. It also features my newest grandson ... only an hour old in these pics. THe swaps I got back in return are beautiful. Haven't put them together yet but I will soon and post them. There is lots of catching up to do! But I have taken another idea from Roz (that girlfriend is full of wonderful creative ideas) to build all kinds of cards from all my scraps. I will get through the Wishes book soon!!! Check back for pics of all the cards that are being created!!!!

Where has the time gone!!!

2011-03-26T19:25:00.004-04:00

I need to catch up!!! Roz is way ahead of me! But I think my mojo is back and I have a little more time so bring it on (back)!

This is my first layout of the year. I have put together a few others for my workshops but this is the first one that is complete with pictures! I don't think there is anything Close To My Heart on this layout but I love the argyle print...and this little boy!!

I have also done this for my new grandson:

Layouts: 1

Helen O's: 1

Cards: 5

Wishes: 0

Finally some cards...

2011-03-09T20:45:00.005-05:00

Ok so now I feel like I have at least started my self imposed challenge for this year. The cards above were mostly CASEd and while I can`t remember the original artist, I can thank you for your creativity. I am attempting to use of some very old paper packs so I have made quite a few of each of these designs.

I have done a few scrapbook layouts but haven`t taken the picture yet. Can`t quite believe it is already March Break! Got some catchin`up to do!!!

It's a Beautiful Boy!!!

2011-02-06T14:54:00.004-05:00

Hey everyone! I haven't posted in quite awhile...or, as it looks, I haven't scrapbooked in awhile either!

I have been scrapbooking as in getting myself together for a swap I am in. I'll post those layouts soon. I am now 6 and soon to be 7 layouts behind not to mention the cards I should be working on!

But ... I am a new grandma!! My daughter had a 9lb 15 oz baby boy on February 1st. His name is Greyson Charles Brunke and he is absolutely beautiful! We are all so in love!

So, I will be scrapbooking soon, and a lot I'm sure, but for now I am enjoying the newness of him and finishing up my swap. You will see lots of layouts featuring Greyson so stay tuned!

It's 2011!!!

2011-01-12T13:08:00.003-05:00

This is going to be a great year!!! My new grandson will be arriving any day now. He is my daughter's first born and we are all looking forward to meeting him. My youngest daughter will be leaving next week for a 6 month student exchange in Australia (not near Brisbane!); my step daughter just got engaged; and this is the year of a monumental birthday for me! I'm going to drink it all in and enjoy...and of course take lots of pictures for a wonderful 2011 Scrap Book!!! Woohoo!!!

I am also embarking on another challenge with some of the ladies from last years challenge and my wonderful friend Roz. We are joining Jenn and Roxy from last year and a few newbies. Our challenge is 52 layouts this year plus 2 cards per month. Roz and I are going to work our way through Helen Onulak's Scrapbook Challenges using the how-to books (thank you, Helen) and we are going to make every card in the Wishes how-to book! We can do it!!!

Okay, so it's already heading into week 3 of January 2011 so I best get my butt in gear!! Wanna join? Put a post in my comment section and I will link you up.

Happy New Year, everyone. Bring on the challenges!!!

And the very last....

2010-12-31T13:27:00.003-05:00

Roz designed this layout in the swap I was in. As soon as I saw it, I knew the pictures of my grandson Peyton would work great! I'm not counting these as part of the challenge but I thought it would be a great visual to end the challenge with.

Thanks, ladies. This was a lot of fun! We could continue on for next year?

My final tally was 121 Pages for 2010! I really feel like I accomplished something and got caught up on my scrapbooking!!

Happy New Year!

The finale Part 3

2010-12-31T13:18:00.001-05:00

The finale Part 2

2010-12-31T13:11:00.004-05:00

I love the way this 18 from 1 lays out. More embellishments would have been nice but I was afraid that because of the busy-ness of the paper, anything else would have been lost.

The finale!!! Part 1

2010-12-31T11:31:00.010-05:00

I have had such a great time doing this challenge! I agree, Jenn, let's do something for next year too! These pages are done using the 18 from 1 paper pack. The subject is a trip to England when I joined my husband who was there on business! We had a great time driving all over northern England! I finished these earlier this year and thought I had already posted them! I was very excited to see that I hadn't posted them because this finishes my challenge!!

Thank you all so very much for your complements ~ they have inspired me, challenged me, and made me feel warm and fuzzy! What great scrapperfriends we can make!!

Happy New Year, everyone! On to next year's challenge!!!

My Grandparents

2010-12-29T11:02:00.003-05:00

My grandparents played a huge part in my young life. I would like to put together a heritage album someday; hopefully these pages would be a great starting point.

This first layout of my grandmother at age 18 and my grandfather's prize car were created using a kit from In a Pinch Designs. The next layout is a CTMH paper pack Grace using the Childhood Portraits stamp set. I have since put a journal piece in detailing my wonderful memories of summers at my grandparents home.

Thanks for looking.

I love this face!!

2010-12-27T19:05:00.002-05:00

This is my grandson Kein. He is 7 and has autism. He doesn't usually like anything at all on his head but seemed to know that these antlers were fun!

This picture was taken last Christmas; I did the layout for a workshop earlier this year! I love this paper pack!

104 out of 120

I'd better get busy...

2010-12-13T08:44:00.008-05:00

...doing up my last layouts! This is the perfect snow day to do just that!! I have been busy working on some things but I can't post them coz they are Christmas presents! Soooooo technically I'm done my challenge....but

this is too much fun!!

These two layouts feature my great friend Roz and celebrates our fun/crazy days of going to the Nottawasaga Inn for scrapbook weekends with our friend Nancy. The hostess always had some wonderful, fun themes for dress up on Friday nights. Always such a great time!!!

I'm getting there!! 20 Layouts left!!

2010-12-07T08:22:00.005-05:00

Wow!! I can't believe this 120 pages for 2010 challenge is in its last month! I've had so much fun and have been challenged in so many different ways. I've loved cruising every ones blogs and reading about their scrapbook lives, their families, vacations, and their creativity. This was such a great idea! I'm thinking about next years challenges. There are a few things I want to accomplish. What do you think, Roz?? Can we come up with a couple of exciting challenges for next year??

This first layout is from a kit that I bought quite a few years ago without a plan in mind! But then my daughter got engaged this year and so here you go. The journal spot is from CTMH. I have since written their engagement story on it. I love this pictures!

This layout is all about Peyton's birth. The paper is very old CTMH b&t paper in Heavenly Blue. The embellishments are from a variety of places.

This paper is My Minds Eye and Crate Paper. I love their paper for my little boys layouts. I used CTMH window charms to act as bubbles.
100 out of 120!! Yay!!!

Finally!!!!

2010-11-19T16:27:00.005-05:00

I've had lots of layouts done but couldn't upload them for some reason! So here are some of them.

I love what Leisa over at Big Red Scraps did with the Zippidee paper pack...so I lifted it! Thanks, Leisa. I love these kinds of family get togethers. My husband had no idea we were pulling together his brothers and sisters for his birthday. He thought it was a shower for his new grandson. What a day we had. We celebrated our new grandson visiting from Nova Scotia with a wonderful shower for him (and his mommy); we celebrated my husband's birthday (surprise!) and we celebrated our daughter's engagement! It was quite the day!

Thanks to my friend Roz and her blog candy, I really like how this page turned out. I'm not really a halloweeney type person so I always struggle with halloween paper packs. Can't help but turn out cute with two of my grandsons posing!

This layout is from the Olivia workshops on the go. I have been taking a photography course. Our assignment was to look at our town through different eyes and take some shots. My hubby and I (and our dog) enjoyed a wonderful fall day strolling around town with my camera snapping tons of pictures.

Swap Spoiler ...

2010-11-01T15:28:00.007-04:00

The rest of my Tina funky swap layouts! We have had a few sneak peaks at some of the other gals layouts and I am so excited to get them all back and put pictures on them. Imagine...25 layouts done just like that!!!

This one is all about celebrating the joy and fun of Christmas! We have had crazy hats and antlers for a number of years and every year we put them on and have a lot of giggles! You can't tell from the lo but the large snowflakes have angel mist on them. What wonderful stuff!!

I haven't added my photos to this yet, but I know which ones I'm

going to...just aren't printed yet. When my three daughters and I were all together in Ottawa, we put on a special baby shower for R and this layout will fit it perfectly! All supplies from CTMH.

I was too impatient to wait for the photos. This layout is about Friendship and I have the photos of my other crazy scrapbook friends during one of our yearly scrapbook weekends.

I've been busy....honestly!! Scrap swap spoiler!!!

2010-10-25T10:13:00.010-04:00

Wow, its been so long since I've put anything up here but I have been scrapbooking, honestly!! I'll start with a Close To My Heart Swap I'm in. If anyone is in the Funky Swap #2, and you don't want to see what you will be getting...don't look!! Everyone else, jump in and enjoy!!!

This first layout is all about the Dad's we love!!! My dad is the classic 'dad he didn't have to be'. He is my step dad but since the day he rescued us, he's my only dad! He's loved me, supported and encouraged me, and has been a great 'papa' to my kids!! Love you, Dad!!!

Materials used: All CTMH - Back Country PP, Treetops Stamp Set, O

live big brads.

And these are a few of my other favourite boys! My husband and two of our grandkids spent a day at a camp this summer. What a treat building sand castles, swimming in the lake, making smores, laughing, enjoying the sunshine. Little Jackson took quite a liking to 'Grandpa Bubba' and followed him everywhere!

Materials: all CTMH Tinkerin' PP, Little Boys SS.

82 out of 120! I think I'm pretty close...just need to post!!

Rebecca's Pregnancy Journal

2010-09-08T14:48:00.015-04:00

I had such fun putting this together. And I was convinced that the baby was a girl! Well, I was wrong! There will be another precious baby boy joining our family early in the new Year. It will be such a thrill to watch my beautiful daughter raise a son!

Most of these pages are done using Topstitch paper pack as well as some very old b&t paper - colours are Heavenly Blue, Baby Pink, and Chocolate. I had lots of fun paper piecing with the Made for Each Other stamp set. Some of the embellishments are not CTMH.

78 out of 120 Layouts! A very special thank you to my friend Roz for helping me out!!!

A Wedding Album

2010-08-11T21:53:00.008-04:00

My daughter's best friend is getting married in a few weeks. Quite awhile ago, I did their wedding invites for them so I thought it would be fun to give them a matching album. This is CTMH 9x9 accordion album. The paper is from C**** M*** (I don't usually buy their paper but thought this was very pretty), stamp sets and embellishments Close To My Heart.

Sorry for the blurriness..and the colour is actually black & white with some green ribbon. Not sure what's going on with that. I have to label what size pics go where but I'm excited its finished in time.

Honestly the last ones...for awhile!

2010-08-02T13:22:00.005-04:00

I've been very busy finishing up a few projects and I will post them shortly! But I'm going to put up two more layouts featuring my newest little....and then in about 6 months I'm going to post lots more layouts featuring another newest little!!! My daughter is expecting in January and we are so excited!! I really wish my dsd (darling step daughter) and dd (darling daughter) lived closer but scrapbooking layout after layout will have to do between cuddle times! Enjoy!

Halfway there!!!

2010-07-17T16:31:00.008-04:00

This is one of those layouts that are of the 'whew, finally finished' variety! All CTMH product; some may even be retired!

The above two layouts use contraband products...except for CTMH Buttons!

Love how this turned out. Used Veranda paper, with Authentic stamp set and flowers created by my friend Roz!! Layout 'scraplifted' from Shawnee Elliott.

This is my new niece...well, not so new now but she was a few months old when these pictures were taken. Used Topstitch Paper Pack with the layout idea from Kimberley Smith.

Back from Convention! Wow!!! My mind is still exhausted from taking it all in! But Washington, DC is beautiful and I would recommend anyone/everyone try to spend some time there! Roz and I had so much fun being tourists for a few days. We came away with some unforgettable moments!

These layouts make it 60. Which means I am halfway to fulfilling my goal of 120 layouts this year. Which also means I need to get my butt in gear. My projects are all lined up in my head but they aren't doing any good there!!

The rest of S.Africa

2010-07-01T09:34:00.006-04:00

I am at a complete loss as to why these pics are all on the side!! Sorry, Ladies!

I've been very busy getting more of my scrapbook area organized, my England trip layouts finished, and a bunch of scrapbook pages into the actual scrapbooks! And of course getting ready for Convention...in 6 days!! I'm getting excited! Watch for layouts of Washington sometime in the future!!

South Africa layouts - finally!!

2010-06-15T07:52:00.006-04:00

I love a challenge!!! And this challenge has been fantastic! My husband travels for his business so on the rare occasion I get to go with him. Six years ago, I went to South Africa with him for the trip of a lifetime! It was such a wonderful trip full of adventures I never thought I would have the opportunity to have....5:30 a.m. safaris, experiencing the exotic flea markets, feeding elephants - memories to last a lifetime. And finally, scrapbooked! Here are a few of the pages I completed while I was in Winnipeg at a scrapbooking weekend with my friend Roz! I'm not sure why some of the layouts are sideways!

45 layouts completed & posted! 75 to go...better get busier!!!

I love Scrapbooking Weekends!!

2010-06-01T21:03:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago, some fellow CTMH friends and I hosted a fabulous Scrapbooking retreat at a great outdoor centre. Everyone enjoyed themselves and we even got to do some of our own scrapbooking!!! Here are a few pages that I was able to finish....more to come!!!

Peyton, again!

2010-05-23T19:22:00.004-04:00

Peyton and his mom have come for a two week visit. This layouts were done when he was 5 weeks old...he turned 5 months old on Wednesday. Cute as a button. I love babies! So glad he is here for a quick visit. I've taken lots of photos so you will see new pics of him soon! In the meantime, these are the last of my 'newest baby' layouts! Enjoy and thanks for looking!

34 & 35...85 left!

It's been awhile!

2010-05-08T12:29:00.005-04:00

Wow! I can't believe I let this much time pass! I have a bunch of layouts done and ready to post. These pages are some quick layouts I have been putting off but because of this challenge, I finished them!!! Pre done pages always stump me but I like the way these turned out.

Layouts 31, 32, 33 out of 120. 87 left to go!

Layout #30 - WooHoo!!!

2010-04-14T08:38:00.003-04:00

This layout is in honour of the Scrapbooking weekend I just had in Gimli, Manitoba with my friend and fellow CTMHer Roz. Last year, I enjoyed a different weekend at her home in Winnipeg learning the art and finesse of Guitar Hero. May have to add some of our Top Coats Rockin to this layout! Thanks, Roz. I had a blast - and got lots of layouts done!!

My Brother Tom

2010-03-26T07:59:00.004-04:00

This layout is in memory of my brother Tom who died 10 years ago this year. I used some very old fun pictures of him to remember the times we had growing up. He gave me a small carved owl many years ago...shortly after he died, owls seemed to be around me everywhere from real ones in our back yard to other ones that people gave me. When I saw this beautiful paper, I knew I had found what I needed for this layout.

More Layouts featuring my brand new grandson!

2010-03-15T13:10:00.004-04:00

It seemed Peyton was very interested in everything his Grandpa had to say. I love this paper pack from Imaginisce "Wild Thing".

Good ole Zoo Pictures

2010-03-07T14:47:00.005-05:00

We had a great day showing our grandkids all the 'naminals' at the zoo! My Japanese daughter in law enjoyed seeing all our Canadian animals up close.

Layout 24 & 25 out of 120...95 to go!

February Scrapbook Challenge!

2010-02-24T19:41:00.004-05:00

Thank you so much for this challenge. I had forgotten about this layout until I was figuring out what I was going to do for black/white pictures!!! Then I remembered Tickled Pink - already had the pictures printed, the flowers put together. It all got put away and would be there still except a challenge was issued!! Not a thing different about this layout; completely used the guide provided. But now its done!!! And I'm so happy!!

Peyton's Baby Calendar - Months 5, 6, 7

2010-02-21T14:40:00.003-05:00

Layout 21 out of 120 ... yeah!!!

Months 8, 9, 10, & 11

2010-02-21T14:35:00.006-05:00

not sure why two of these are sideways....

One Year Old

2010-02-21T14:27:00.006-05:00

This is the last page of the calendar. Again, huge thanks to the wonderfully talented lady that I 'scraplifted' this from!!!

Layout 12 & 13...

2010-02-19T19:11:00.004-05:00

This layout is using a kit I purchased a few years ago from In a Pinch Designs. I think it goes great with my "Scrapbooking Weekend at my gfs cottage" pictures!

Song Layout Challenge

2010-02-14T10:12:00.004-05:00

I've been scrapping up a storm lately! Had some gfs over for Friday night into Saturday afternoon and put together 9 layouts! Wow! I don't remember when I've done that many. Plus, all this wonderful scrapping via webcam is fantastic! Here is a layout featuring my new grandson (I'll stop soon, I promise!) to go along with the Song Title Challenge. Definitely not one of the newer songs you will hear but most definitely one you will all remember!

Products used: Caboodle paper pack - it works fantastic for new baby's - and the WOTG layout, the Connections Club medley of accents, Irresistibles Lots of Dots, and Tiny Tabs. I improvised with the stamp set.

3 & 4 Months Old

2010-02-10T21:28:00.004-05:00

I have been scrapbooking a lot lately via webcam with Roz but need to upload my pages. In the meantime, here are months 3 & 4 of my sweet baby Peyton's calendar. Can't wait to see the pictures mom & dad put on! This challenge is fantastic! I'm digging out lots of pictures that need to be scrapbooked and having lots of fun!

Layout 9 of 120

1 Month & 2 Months Old; Layouts #6 & 7

2010-02-04T19:37:00.007-05:00

I think I'm a little behind my schedule! Here is the first and second month done for my grandson's calendar. It was so much fun doing this calendar. My plan is to make it into a 'First Year' Scrapbook!

Peyton's Baby Calendar

2010-01-31T17:17:00.004-05:00

I have been in Halifax for the past two weeks helping my step daughter and her new baby boy Peyton. While there, when I wasn't hugging and squeezing my new grandbaby, I put together a first year calendar. The ideas for this calendar were totally lifted from the CTMH BB; I didn't save the lovely talented lady's name who put this together but thank you so much!! This is the first month. It was a fun project to do and I finished just before I came home.

Products used: CTMH Heart of Winter paper pack, CTMH Welcome Baby stamp set, imaginisce rub ons.

#5 of 120

A Tribute to Charlie

2010-01-13T15:48:00.003-05:00

Just before Christmas this year, our dog Charlie got very sick very fast. The awful decision to let him go was heartwrenchng but definitely better for him. Scrapbooking these pages was therapeutic for me as I laughed and cried and thought of the joy Charlie brought to us.

Happy Anniversary!

2010-01-12T10:49:00.002-05:00

I just received an email for Close To My Heart Corporate Office congratulating me on my 6th year anniversary with this company!!! And what a great company it is! 6 years...wow!! Each year I enjoy scrapbooking so much more!

Layout #2 - the companion page

2010-01-11T13:13:00.003-05:00

I finished the journaling. I have found over my years of scrapbooking that if I don't completely finish my layouts, they get shoved aside never to be seen again! So along with doing 120 layouts, I have challenged myself to have the journaling finished as well! The ladies at my workshop club loved this layout although it took quite awhile to finish!

Layout #1 - Ripped from the pages....

2010-01-09T17:48:00.004-05:00

of the Autumn/Fall 2009 CTMH Idea Book! At the request of one of my workshop friends, we put this page together last night! What a fun night! The pictures are of my grandson Alex jumping off the body of the second snowman being built on Christmas Day. We were afraid that this was going to be a green Christmas...we were surprised and delighted to enjoy the snow! This layout is right out of the Idea Book, using Magic Moments paper pack, Indian Corn Blue, Olive, and Vineyard Berry inks and Just for the Holidays ss. My friend Roz, and fellow challenge participant, joined us via Windows messenger and webcam. As soon as I finish my journaling, I'll post the 2nd page.

I've Jumped In....

2010-01-06T17:09:00.003-05:00

with my first every blog post!! My friend Roz convinced me to join the 2010 Scrapbook Layout Challenge and that means I needed to step out of my comfort zone and create a blog!! Thanks for reading. Hopefully, we can be inspired and entertained!! Looking forward to seeing everyone's creations! Welcome to my blog.