Layout #077

Practically Perfect by Haley Ross

Double-click to enlarge. Does this photo look crooked to you? My bad.
Ok, so I love love love the new Ooh La La for Him paper from My Minds Eye. Like, I love it. I rarely use the die-cut sheet that comes with the matching paper, I just don't. But this time I think I used pretty much the whole thing! It's beautiful! Aren't the colors gorge?
I used some really old stuff on this page (those plastic embellishments had dust on them!), and I just want to give a quick shout out to Terry-Lynne who helped me to shift the whole layout when I realised I had centered it incorrectly. Thanks chic.
This page was important to me. Most of you know how I have been avoiding scrapbooking Miles' baby pictures. Too much pressure. But I am happy to start here.
Materials: Patterned Paper & Die-Cuts: My Minds Eye, Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts & K&Co.; Embellishments: making memories; Pen: EK Success Zig Writer.

I have to laugh...

I was noticing how my son's face is always dirty earlier, and then, as I was downloading pictures off my camera, I came across this one from the weekend. Oh Miles!

Layout 076

First, I just need to get this off my chest....

Kimberly Collis, who took on this 150 layout challenge with me, is on layout #102. What the heck? She has kids. She was a husband who works away. She has a life (I think). And she's on layout #102!!! I'd better buck up.

Grow by Haley Ross

I noticed when doing this layout that my child is THAT KID. That kid that always has a dirty face. THAT KID that looks a little haggard and un-loved. When indeed he is not. He is well loved, but dirty. So please, no judgements.

Materials: Patterned Paper: Crate Paper; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Bingo Card: Jenni Bowlin; Felt Floral Clip & Metal Clip: Making Memories; Brad: CKOK, Twill: Stampin' Up; Pen: EK Success Zig Writer.

Layout 074 & 075

I'm halfway there. This year my goal was to do 150 layouts. Well, I am halfway (although I do have several that still need to be downloaded). And you know what? I think I am getting worse. Don't get me wrong, I am still happy with the progress I am making, and I love that scrapbooking so simply is filling up my albums. But I am getting worse. I really am. Maybe I am running out of ideas, maybe I am getting lazy (*likely), but either way, I notice that my pages aren't as pleasing (to me) as they once were. So, new goal. (Well, really a goal on top of a goal). I am going to make the last 75 better. Better than this. I don't claim to be a super star scrapbooker, but I can do better than this. And I will.

Squeaky Clean by Haley Ross

At least I am using up some old product. I think this Crate Paper is as old as my store. And I think the clear frame is even older than that!

Materials: Patterned Paper: Crate Paper; Clear Frame: making memories; Rub Ons: Basic Grey; Alphabet Stickers: Thickers from American Crafts & Basic Grey Chipboard; White Label: Martha Stewart; Eyelets: WeR Memory Keepers

Up by Haley Ross

These pictures aren't very good. Since I am without my camera (It's been in the shop since June!) I am realising that its hard to enlarge bad pictures. Miles looks like a red head in these pictures (he is not)! And while it matches his wagon, it is weird.

The rub-ons are from ScrapWorks and are years old. So happy to see them used!

For those of you who haven't got a Crafters Workshop Brad Map, you need one. They are the perfect way to make circles (like the one pictured above) spaced evenly.

I love this new Abbey Road paper from My Minds Eye. Pretty boy-ish and versatile. I'll be using this lots.

Materials: Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Rub Ons: Scrapworks; Brads: My Minds Eye & Bazzill Basics.

One last Challenge.

For those of you who have noticed that today is August 31st & there seems to be NO SIGN of a major announcement anywhere on the blog, nice work. In fact, I underestimated the amount of paperwork it takes to get these events rolling, and so, while the last signatures hit paper, I'm going to ask you ladies if I can buy you over with one last challenge. Please?

Here is your clue:

(it's a gooder)

Our special guest for the weekend is on the featuring company's new blog (check out mymindseye.typepad.com/blog). She is one of the four design team members linked on the left side of their blog.

Figure out which one it is & you could win!

Additional Hints:

*The last picture she has posted on her blog features a "get dirty" title which is from the NEW Abbey Road line (in-store now!).

* She is Canadian.

Contest Winner.

Contest #4

Martha won for correctly guessing

"Class & Crop"

Stop by the store to pick up your prize anytime!

Contest!

Contest #4, August 27th

Here is your clue

____ & ____

(Fill in the 2 missing words. Think of things you would do at a scrapbooking event.)

Here's the Prize:

A New Ooh La La Paper Pack from, who else?, My Minds Eye.

*To win this paper-pack just become a Follower of the blog & add your guess in the comment section of this entry. If there is more than one correct guess, a winner will be chosen at random. All guesses must be entered before 11pm (MST). The winner will be announced the following day. Prizes must be picked up in person at our store. * No substitutions. Good luck ladies!

And the Winners are.....

Crista for correctly guessing

"Cocktail Party"

and Heather for correctly guessing

"Weekend"

_____________

So here's what we've got so far...

It's an EVENT endorsed by My Minds Eye.

It's taking place the FIRST WEEKEND in November.

It involves (but is not limited to) a Cocktail Party.

Store Closed.

Our store will be closed for today,

Wednesday, August 26th.

We apologise for any inconvenience. We will re-open tomorrow at noon.

Contest #4 (On Time!)

Contest #4, August 25th

Here's The Clue:

Fill in the blank:

The First ______ in November.

The Winner of this contest will recieve a Spooked paper pack from My Minds Eye.

*To win this paper-pack just become a Follower of the blog & add your guess in the comment section of this entry. If there is more than one correct guess, a winner will be chosen at random. All guesses must be entered before 11pm (MST). The winner will be announced the following day. Prizes must be picked up in person at our store. * No substitutions. Good luck ladies!

Oops! Here's the Clue.

The weekend came & I forgot to blog. Sorry ladies!

Contest #3, August 23rd

(Posted August 25th)

Here's the clue:

(It's just 2 fabulous words...)

The winner of this contest will recieve a Bella Bella Bellezo Paper Pack from My Minds Eye.
*To win this paper-pack just become a Follower of the blog & add your guess in the comment section of this entry. If there is more than one correct guess, a winner will be chosen at random. All guesses must be entered before 11pm (MST). The winner will be announced the following day. Prizes must be picked up in person at our store. * No substitutions. Good luck ladies!

Winner!

Contest #2, August 21st
And the winner is...
Shannon
who was one of those who correctly guessed
"Event"

Come & Pick Up Your Bloom & Grow Paper pack anytime!
To everyone else, keep trying! There's lots more goodies to be won!

10 Randoms.

Brian is working tonight, which leaves me with an entire bag of popcorn to myself. Brian loves popcorn, it's his favourite food. When it's just the two of us, I probably only get about 20% of the bag, and then it's gone. But tonight it's just me. Me & an entire bag of popcorn.

10 Random Foods I Love to Indulge In

1. Sour Cream. I know this isn't technically a food, more of a condiment, but I love it. And if there's nachos chips, I don't reach for the salsa, I go for sour cream. I also love dips with a sour cream base (Try the lemon dilly dip from Epicure. Mmmmm).

2. Corn Nuts. Only the plain ones. It disappoints me that people ruin perfectly good corn nuts by adding ranch or cheese seasoning.

3. Nibs. The best scrapbooking food ever. Not greasy & they don't melt.

4. Brie. Clearly. Goes well with most wine, so what can be wrong about it? It's the perfect food.

5. Avocado. I wish they weren't so high in fat so I could justify eating one every day. I'd love it if I could just bite into them like an apple. I put them on everything, sandwiches, salads, nachos, veggies, anything really.

6. Hummus. (With Naan bread preferably). The best I've ever had was at the Laurel Point Inn in Victoria on my Honeymoon. It was so good we went to the lobby and ordered it everyday we were there! If you know of a good Hummus, let me know, I'd be all over it.

7. Those Red, White & Blue Rocket Popsicles.

8. Thai Chicken Wings from The Cactus Club Cafe. If I win the lottery the first thing I am doing is hiring a detective to find the recipe.

9. Candied Nuts on Salads. Pecans especially.

10. Lemons In Sparkling Water. It's better than any pop. I remember working as a waitress & making fun of people who ordered that. I thought there was no waaaay they actually liked it & that they were just trying to be 'fancy'. Then I tried it. Love at first sip.

What's your fav. food to indulge in?

Contest #2

I can't keep a secret, so I came up with something to keep me occupied...
A Contest!
Every second day (Beginning August A contest!19th, Ending August 29th) we'll be giving away a different prize to the Blog Follower who correctly guesses what the hint is.
All of the Hints will be clues to the exciting announcement we will reveal on
August 30th.
________________________

Contest #2, August 21st
Today's Prize is a Bloom & Grow (pictured below) Paper Pack* from My Minds Eye.

Here's the clue:

(It's just one little word.)

* To win this paper-pack just become a Follower of the blog & add your guess in the comment section of this entry. If there is more than one correct guess, a winner will be chosen at random. All guesses must be entered before 11pm (MST). The winner will be announced the following day. Prizes must be picked up in person at our store. * No substitutions. Good luck ladies!

Help!

Brians cousin took this picture of us when we went to visit them in Toronto, I love it, but it is a little over-exposed. Does anyone know how I can fix this?

Contest #1, August 19th

And the winner is...

Leanne

who was one of those who correctly guessed

My Minds Eye.

Come & Pick Up Your Ooh La La Paper pack anytime!

To everyone else, keep trying! There's lots more goodies to be won!

I can't keep a secret.

So I came up with something to keep me occupied...

A contest!

Every second day (Beginning August 19th, Ending August 29th) we'll be giving away a different prize to the Blog Follower who correctly guesses what the hint is.

All of the Hints will be clues to the exciting announcement we will reveal on

August 30th.

________________________

Contest #1, August 19th

Today's Hint is also the Prize.

(It's 3 little words.)

* To win this paper-pack just become a Follower of the blog & add your guess in the comment section of this entry. If there is more than one correct guess, a winner will be chosen at random. All guesses must be entered before midnight (MST). The winner will be announced the following day. Prizes must be picked up in person at our store. Good luck ladies!

Huge News.

... but I'm not telling. Not until August 30th.

And that's going to kill me.

So mark it on your calendar. Circle it. Highlight it. Set an alarm on your phone. Tell your husband to remind you (nevermind, that never works...). Check our blog on August 30th for HUGE NEWS. The biggest we've had in a long time.

Ideas.

10 Summer Layout Ideas.

1. Things that are exclusive to summer. When our summers are so short, they're worth the mention. I'm scrapbooking the berries that I always buy (pictured above) on the side of the highway. So juicy. So good.

2. Water. The beach, spray park or kids playing with the hose. There are so many great clear elements (ghost letters, transparencies, dimensional fluid) that can be used to inspire great Water layouts.

3. The Journey, NOT the Destination. There are great road trip & bicycle papers from My Minds Eye in-store right now. On your next trip take a picture of the kids sleeping in the seat or stopped on the side of the road. And the journaling possibilities are endless (What do you do to entertain yourself on a 5 hour trip?)

4. Your Summer Playlist. Most great songs remind me of one summer or another. This summer I've been listening to Jamie Callum. Love him.

5. Summer Snacks. I am dying to scrapbook the many pictures I have of Miles enjoying Watermelon. I am getting excited just thinking of the great combinations of red, green & black paper I can use. I have a good idea for a Freezie page that includes some winter paper too!

6. Toys. That can mean wagons, buckets & trucks. But even adults have summer toys. Our new toys for the summer are Kayaks. But I think I'll do a page of the boats and all the stuff that is now filling our backyard (life jackets, paddles, inter-tubes, towels on the clothesline, fishing rods...)

7. Nature. Like I said, our summers are short... There's only a short window for my Lilys to bloom & I am excited to capture them this year.

8. Your Favourite Time of Day. At the Lake, it's sunset. I have beautiful sunset pictures to scrapbook. But I also love it when it stops raining and the clouds break up.

9. PLAY. Kids playing at the park & with friends. Sibling that will actually play together when all of their friends are gone away. Men playing with their toys (quads & dirt bikes).

10. Dirt & Damage. Dirty feet. Cute little hands that played hard all day. The dirtier than usual summer clothes. Grass stains. Muddy boots. Scraped Knees. Bruised elbows. (And in our case, a baby with a head full of bruises.) Sunburns. Heat rash. Blisters. All signs of a good summer.

Summer Highlights

I've taken over 500 pictures in the past 3 weeks. Here are a couple of my fav's.

Miles sleeps on a boat ride.

Right before our Helicopter Tour of the lake. What an amazing view. Thanks to my cousin Sean!

Brian & I test out the new kayaks.

Beach Boys. Both tanned so well (and yes, I did cover Miles & put sunscreen on him. Still, he tanned really well....)

A new hat Auntie Kendra brought back from Peru. Unfortunately this summer was cool enough to use it. Blah. And a new bib from Tasha's store in Lloydminster (Um, anyone who goes to Lloyd HAS TO stop in at Home Hardware. I am in love. I bought a couple bibs, some candles, more snack traps, a weekend bag... unreal. They have a better baby section than almost ANY baby store I've been in. I was in there for over an hour. Alone. It was bliss.)

Just In Time...

Two more NEW Halloween lines are in-store. Once again I have picked the juvenile Boo To You as my fav. I love the paper, love the die-cuts & isn't that little Dracula brad the cutest thing ever? I'm thinking I know what Miles will be for Halloween this year...

And the second option is Spider Web. It's a little distressed, and doesn't have the matchy-matchy brads & chipboard but uh... LOVE the pumpkin paper & it's Victorian-Gothic feel. Perfect for tweens.

Early...

Two new Christmas lines have arrived (a bit early, or very late, depends how you see it). I am IN LOVE with this Colorful Christmas. It's so cute, perfect for kids, and excellent for any winter photos too. Plus, for the first time ever, My Minds Eye made coordinating Brads, Ribbons, Stickers & Chipboard.
Cute packaging huh? And the prices are great.

If you're wanting a bit more "mature" Christmas line, check out A Very Merry Day (pictured below), kinda vintage, totally traditional. Love it too.

Oh the choices!

New!

New lines from My Minds Eye have arrived & will be available in-store Tuesday. Come see Oohlala His & Hers (above) as the HUGE Abbey Road Line. (Pictured Below. But the Boys cars & dino papers are totally adorable and deserve a mention)

Try This.

Balance

I'm struggling to find it. I've been a mom for just over a year, and in that time, let's be honest, my business has deteriorated. I've enjoyed all the time I've spent with Miles, but when I go to my store (which was once my baby) I feel an overwhelming sense of guilt. I feel as though I have let people down. So I am going to take this opportunity to apologise to those who have been so supportive of me & to those who have tried... This fall my focus will be on improving the store. Everything. From the inconsistent hours, availability of basic products (cardstock & adhesive) and classes to the communication (or lack of) I have kept with you all. Thank you for understanding as I try to find Balance.

____________

1. Quality Time with Children

2. Quality Time with Husband

3. Personal Time to Relax (Doing nothing)

4. Time for a Hobby (Scrapbooking, Sewing, Reading...)

5. Time for Personal Health (Fitness, Yoga Class)

6. Time for Grooming (Getting hair/nails done, Showering)

7. Time Spent Online (Blogging, Facebook)

8. Entertainment Time (TV, Movies)

9. Time with Friends & Extended Family

10. Time spent Cleaning

11. Time Working (away from Home)

12. Time Spent Running Errands

13. Time Spent on Faith

14. Sleep

______________

Put these items into two lists

A. What you spend MOST of your time doing.

B. What is MOST important for you to spend your time doing.

(most desirable to you).

How do these two lists compare?

My Results.

A. 1. 12. 14. 10. 8. 7 & 11. 9. 2. 6. 2. 4. 3. 5. 13.

B. 1 & 2. 4. 5. 11. 9. 3. 7. 8. 14. 6. 13. 10 & 12.
Post your results in the comments section if you like. You do not have to leave your name.