Serious Play

You + Me LO

So, here is a layout with some chevron goodness.

 

I saw a this tutorial by Marcy Penner on how to make this chevron effect and fell in love! Last night I sat and sewed my heart out...

I ended up turning my chevron sideways...

Of course there is a little collage going  on in the corner...a little Amy Tangerine, a little October Afternoon and a few stamps.

Funny thing...the two buttons used on this LO are ones that I have kept from sweaters and jackets (you know how they often give you and extra button) and I think they add so much to this LO.

 

What interesting items have you used on your layouts?

Happy Weekend

 

 

 

Happy LO

So, the birthday layouts continue.

 

I discovered the Basic Grey line called Basics Manila, so you will see my current and future LOs on this background paper.

This one is a woodgrain frame (Stampin' Up stamp and ink stamped on kraft paper) with the two pictures layered on top.

A little doily, punched tag with pink Lime Twist twine from My Mind's Eye, the word 'lucky' left over from another embellishment card, and a metal heart-shaped paper clip from Indigo many moons ago all adorn the left side of the LO.

The flowers sticker and 'Happy' banner are from October Afternoon's 5& Dime collection and of course there are a few splatters of Brown Bag Sprinklers by October Afternoon.

 

 

 

Mighty Life List

So, I am slowly writing my Mighty Life List, or Bucket List as some like to call it.

 

1. Ride a bike through Italy.
2. Speak French, Spanish and Italian fluently.
3. Own an old Jaguar.
4. Feed the hungry in Africa.
5. Have at least one of my scrapbook layouts published.
6. Write a fiction book.
7. ...

 

I was inspired by sfgirlbybay last week as she posted her list (found on the bottom of her post...but the rest of her post is worth the read anyway).

What is on your list?

 

 

 

17 Birthday Wishes

So, my daughter turned 17 last weekend.

 

We celebrated the day by going to OVO, which is a Cirque du Soleil performance and we were wowed! Following that, we had a fabulous home-cooked dinner at Sean's parents' place. Ash had baked Jess a cake and decorated it with Hello Kitty, which is Jessica's current obsession!

The day really was lovely.

Even though the above photo isn't! I do apologize...I had taken this photo outside and didn't notice the shadows and sunstreaks until I downloaded it now. But now it is dark outside and I cannot re-take the photo!

How do you set up the best shot of your LOs in order to blog them?

I am open to suggestions...

 

 

Underwood Typewriter

So, I had an Underwood typewriter this summer.

 

It was on loan from a lady that I work with. She brought it into her office one day and announced that she was cleaning out her basement and "didn't know what I should do with it, and almost threw it out" but then decided to bring it to work to decorate her office.

When I saw it, I almost fell over. I have been searching these out for over two years at every garage sale and antique store I come across. They either are in terrible condition, or cost a small fortune. I have yet to be successful.

Anyway, the nice lady from work let me have it on loan over the summer. I looked at it every day sitting there on the table. It felt so good, like a part of the family. All black and sturdy and vintage. I wondered if she would perhaps let me keep it for a price?

I used it sparingly, I must admit. She had just replaced the ribbon and I didn't think it right to use it all up on her when she was being kind enough to let me borrow it. So I restrained myself. I did use it for a few projects, though, like my Traveling Bracelet Journal.

All summer I rehearsed the words I would use to ask her if I could take it off her hands. After all, she did say that she "almost threw it out". When the day came...I was rejected! No go! She wasn't going to let it go!

I don't blame her, but I was hoping that my search for an Underwood was over.

Guess not...

 

 

 

F_nish Th_s B__k

So, I am running out to get this book by Keri Smith!

 

I am a total fan of her books and this is her latest. It is so fabulous and I have been waiting to get my hands on one. If you are a journaler, check it out!

You can also view some of the pages on Keri's blog...

 

 

 

Arrival of Fall

So, it is time to bring Fall into my house!

 

I hung this adorable owl banner above my bay window. I wish I could say I made it myself, but I got it for only $4 at Superstore...I couldn't make it for that!

 

It is not typical, but our temperatures here are still above 20C and we are lovin' it, but all those rich earthy colors were calling my name!

 

 

 

Fall Messages Craft

So, I am busy making a Fall Craft of sorts!

Remember, I shared that I am a teacher? Well, in my school, October 1st is a day of celebration! Not only does it mark the beginning of the (Canadian) Thanksgiving season, and the beginning of Fall, but also the end of a very busy and stressful first month of school! So, we celebrate the end of September and the fact that we all survived and things settle down a little from here on in till Christmas.

This celebration of October 1st is a tradition in my school. We are served pumpkin pie and all the Fall decor is put out. We get a chance to sit together and chat. And so, that is the reason for this little craft I am working on.  On the card inside the paper sack is a message of encouragement to stay the course and a reminder that there are those there who support you.

I purchased all of the supplies for this craft at Michaels and you can see a photo of these supplies in a previous post. Here is a complete listing of the supplies I used:

• 3 colours of paper sacks (kraft, white, burgundy)
• "Give Thanks" place cards
• "Give Thanks" table scatter
• "Harvest" baking cups
• stapler
• glue stick

Here is how I made them...

Step 1:  The paper sacks were just a little too long for the message cards (place cards cut in half so I'd get 2 message cards) and I wanted the pretty leaf pattern to stick out the top, so I put a staple in the bottom of the bag to prevent the card from sliding too far down.

Step 2:  I 'flattened' the baking cup but left a fair bit of scrunching to give it some texture and then adhered that to the front of the paper sack with glue stick.

Step 3:  I adhered one of the cute little embellishments (called Table Scatter on the packaging) on top of the baking cup and let it dry. 

Step 4: I inserted the message card inside the decorated paper sack (as in photo at top of this post).

 

I have to have 75 of these little guys made before October 1st, so you can see why I am starting now!

Do you have any fall traditions that you are crafting?

 

 

 

 

OVO - Cirque du Soleil

So, yesterday, our family went to see OVO, the current Cirque du Soleil show here in town.

 
It truly is a fantastic display of colours, costumes, various acts and performances. This particular show is based on the various phases of insect life. Intertwined in the vignettes of the different insects, are spectacular performances of talent, athletic ability and stamina that are enough to blow one's mind.

Of course, it is not a photographer's paradise as far as photos go. There is terrible lighting and so many people, and no photography allowed during the performance. But I did manage to snap a few. Even if the quality is not great they are enough to help me remember the moment.



This show was a gift to our eldest daughter who turned 17 on the 18th of September. The weekend was jam-packed with volleyball and family dinners, but we managed to slide this into the middle of the day somehow. Sean and I had attended our first Cirque du Soleil performance last fall and were completely mesmerized... so much so, that we decided we needed to share this experience with our girls. It was worth it for us all!

Now, it is on my Bucket List to take in every single show that Cirque du Soleil performs...somehow!

 

Have you ever seen a Cirque du Soleil performance? Which one? 

 

 

Fall Crafts Sneak Peek

So, I am getting a head-start on some fall crafting projects!

 

I picked up some adorable supplies at Michaels the other day for very few dollars. I nearly screeched with delight when I spotted these tiny paper sacks in three different colours. And every holiday or change of season I drool over the miniature baking cups in such fun designs, so I had to pick up some of those...

What am I making, you ask?

Well... you will have to join me next week to see!

 

In the meantime, have an enjoyable fall weekend. I will be cheering on our girls at another volleyball tournament!