Anticipation

 

The Stashbusting continues this week.... with an older Bella Blvd line!  When our Persian breeder sent me this photo of our new cuties, I figured I'd have to convert it to Black and White because of the purple background!  Then I dug into my paper stash and found these..... perfect match! 

 

Lots of freehand machine sewing here.... I'd like to say the messy stitching is intentional, but alas.... it isn't.  I'm not certain if I'm too impatient, but I just can't seem to get really clean lines.  I must learn to slow down :)

 

Thanks for checking in!

Steph

xo

Happy Monday!

I used to hate Mondays.  However, earlier in 2012 Dave and I joined Weight Watchers and our weekly meetings are on Monday evenings.  This completely changed my mindset about Mondays.  I now look at it not just as the beginning of work week, but the "reset" button for our WW points, and therefore a nice clean slate! 

Its strange to admit this, but I actually look forward to Mondays now!  Especially after a week of working really hard toward my weight loss goal.   Its nice to get weighed and see that number go down.  This program works for me, I just need to learn how not to get derailed when life itself goes off track a bit.  Its a learning process, and not something with a quick fix. 

Here are my latest Stashbusting 2013 layouts from last weekend!  I have been only using products that are over 1YR old and it feels great to finally use it up!  Here is more work with the Dear Lizzy Neapolitan collection (love love love it!)

Happy Monday,
Steph
xo
ps can I just say I'm addicted to sewing vellum confetti pockets!  tee hee

 

 

 

 

LoveBirds

 

My Stashbusting 2013 is continuing on.... Here are the layouts made with an older Fancy Pants Designs collection I've been hoarding for the cuteness: Love Birds

 

The last two layouts got my doodle groove on and I just couldn't help myself!  Doodles everywhere! 

 

 

I still struggle with taking photographs of my layouts in winter months...Its either too darn cold to go out and take the photos, or its dark when I leave for work and when I come home from work.  This bottom layout actually has a pure white background page, and for the life of me I couldn't adjust the levels without making the rest of the layout look strange in PhotoShop.  Grrr I hate that blue tinge to the photo!  (yup, I actually growled LOL)

 

This may be the year I look into building an indoor set up like Melissa Stinsons Copy Stand

 

Have a great weekend!

Steph

.

Me @ 38

 

Every year I like to document my Birthday.... since my Birthday was in October, I'm a bit late to document it....  but the photo was taken in the fall and the journaling is spot on as to how I felt at the time.  Maybe that was why I procrastinated with this layout?  Who knows LOL 

 

I just love love love this Neapolitan collection by Dear Lizzy!  It really revved up my mojo this week, all I want to do is hide out in my scrap cave and work on a few more layouts.  I love it when creativity strikes! 

 

Happy Wednesday!

Steph

xo

Stashbusting January 2013

This weekend was very productive!  I was able to scrap 8 layouts and 2 cards!  This is very unusual for me unless Kristine is over for the weekend or we are at a crop somewhere.  The mojo was just flowing, and best of all, I was using up my older stash!

With all of the new products being revealed lately, I need to make room for any new things that have caught my eye  (thankfully for my wallet, only 3-4 collections have made the list so far LOL)

Here is my first layout, and I think its my favorite from the weekend...using one of my favorite collections from Dear Lizzy that I've been hoarding (seriously, I have the ENTIRE line, papers in doubles, and have never used it).  The base page is the cloud vellum layered on top of the gold chevron and then messy stitched around (messy wasn't intentional, just kinda happened and I went with it!)

The photo is my Mom and sister Sally walking through Centennial Park in Moncton, circa 1977.... I love the fact that my Dad always had a camera with him, no event was too minor.  He lives his life believing there is always a photo opportunity around the corner, exciting or everyday, its all important to him. 

Thanks for checking in!
Steph

New Beginnings......

2012 Sucked.  Yup.  It just did. 
Thank goodness I had the happiness of our January wedding to balance all the suckiness that was Twenty Twelve.  I married the man of my dreams and my best friend, and I am grateful every day for him!  Because from February on, I know I wouldn't have been strong enough to go through it all on my own.  Lots of work related crap, some family drama and then the loss of my 3 beautiful cats.  There were days when it was just too much, and it was all I could do to get up in the morning. 

I'm sad when I look back at 2012, and wished that our first year of marriage could have been a lovely fairytale.  That's not how the real world works though, and now that the new year as rolled around I'm determined to stay focused and keep looking forward!

I've decided to close the Whimsy Shop for now, that was a big step.  My heart just wasn't into it anymore, and I haven't been inspired to make anything with polymer clay lately.  I'd been thinking about it for most of the year, and finally just bit the bullet and announced it in December.  I immediately felt a huge feeling or relief, so I know that it was the right thing.  I'm not certain if I will go in another direction yet or not... right now I'm just having fun being creative when the moment hit in whatever medium I feel drawn to!  I love the freedom!

Two of my favorite things about 2013 are these cuties that we are bringing home on February 16th....  I can't contain my excitement!  It will be tricky introducing them to our current brood of hooligans, but for some reason I feel so at peace with this decision.  I can't explain it, but it just feels right!  The reality is of course, that both Gabe (12) and Bronte (16) are ill (aged related illnesses) and I needed something other then depressing, heartbreaking vet visits to think about.  

I think these two furballs will be a wonderful addition to our home!  They are Traditional Doll Faced Persians, the girl is a Silver and the boy is a Cameo.  We are still thinking of names for both.... Cleopatra is at the top of the list for our girl, but we haven't thought of anything suitable for the boy yet.... Suggestions are welcome!

Here is a video, the litter is 4 weeks

Thanks for checking in!
Steph
xo

Mr. Personality

This cutie patootie turned 5 this week.... I can't believe how fast he is growing!

Check out this layout of all of his faces! At this age, he does NOT want his photo taken, so I have to make things interesting like " turn toward the window and show me all of the crazy funny faces you can make!" I kept them all. Even the blurry ones!

 Love this boy with all of my heart, Happy Birthday Rohan!!!
xo

*Creative Scrappers Sketch

Scrapbook Therapy

Fifteen years ago, I opened my heart to these beautiful creatures.... and I don't regret it for one second.  For ten of those years it was just me and the cats, and they were such wonderful company.  I think if not for them, I would have gone a bit crazy(ier)!  They gave me a reason to love every single day...and I am so very grateful.

Processing the loss of three beloved cats, and taking care of the two remaining seniors has made 2012 a tough one... However, I find great comfort in my scrapbooking....so here are two more layouts dedicated to Boogie and Fleur.

Thanks for stopping by!
Steph
xo 

A bit of Cosmo Cricket...

Its been some time since I dug out my Cosmo Cricket stash....and I swear, I think I fell in love all over again!  I think I will be digging through this stash of papers and embellies for the next little bit....I've been hoarding Girl Friday like there's no tomorrow!  tee hee 

What are your favorite collections?  How long do you hang onto them before finally digging in and cutting that first piece of paper in half?  Do you close your eyes, hold your breath and just go for it?  That's kinda what I did with this collection.... 2WENTY-THR3E  I love the color combo and subtle shading....the embellies were perfect too! 

Here are my two layouts so far (I still have a bit left for at least one more layout!)

I love this photo of my Gabriel.  This was taken last summer, and I had just gone downstairs for something quickly and was on my way back up and noticed my little shadow waiting for me.  He always does this, he's never far from my side...and I love it.  

Sketch by Creative Scrappers

This second layout is of my main man...of course I have to have Evie take our photo whenever we go out to eat or do something fun.  You can tell by the look on Dave's face he's not thrilled...but he puts up with it LOL  I think secretly he likes that I document the things we do...but he just won't admit it ;)

I've started something new this weekend, stamping on my layouts....I've dabbled here and there and now that my stamps are all organized with the help of Kinsey, there is no excuse!  I'm really trying to incorporate them on my layouts.

Thanks for checking in!
Steph
xo

Stashbusting 2013 begins early!!!

OK, so I admit it.  I love new scrappy supplies.  There, I said it......but who doesn't love the smell of new paper!?!  C'mon!  I know it isn't just me :)

Well, I've been inspired by one of Melissa's posts over at The Scrappy Jedi and I'm resolved to join her in 2013!  I've purged a great deal of my stash this year, but I still have enough for 5 lifetimes of scrapbooking!  Its time to start using it up! 

Most of what I've kept after the purging are items that i know I'll use, I just havent' gotten around to it yet.  (as opposed to before the purge, hanging onto items I know I'll never use!)

So the Stashbusting began early, with a long weekend visit with my BFF Kristine!  We sat at my kitchen table for 4 days and scrapped our brains out!  It was awesome!!!

I dug out two older Studio Calico kits and almost killed them, and lots of older Cosmo Cricket stash!

This is my favorite layout of the weekend :)

The photo was taken about a week before Fleur passed away....Brontë had never, ever...like EVER cuddled with another cat but Boogie.   I thought it was adorable how she let Fleur get so close to her.  At the time, I thought perhaps she needed the cuddles...but now, maybe she thought Fleur was the one who needed comfort.  Who knows....

Steph
xo