Wow, it's been several weeks since I updated last! I cut down on my CT duties so now I have way more free time to spend with my family, and I find I'm not on the computer nearly as much at all since I'm not checking forums every day! I didn't turn my laptop on all weekend! I did however have time to play with a kit from Dream Big Designs. I used to be on her CT and Cheri graciously still lets me guest CT from time to time. Her newest kit called Pandemic is AWESOME! I love the colors, the papers and the fantastic mix of elements! I had so much fun playing with this one. Check it out:
And here is my layout, no template required!! We just went out chicken hunting and I thought this kit was perfect for these photos! I love the googly eyed skull lol.It feels like I've been so busy and yet still seem to have nothing done! I honestly don't know where my time goes. The kids are gearing up for Halloween this coming weekend, Chase is especially excited. Then it started snowing on Saturday, and he was asking me if that means that Santa is coming, and I told him not just yet. Too funny. It would be nice if it would just snow right before Christmas though, instead of the 8 months we seem to get! I'm not very chatty tonight, so I'll just sign off, but I do have to tell you that Paislee Press is having a kit giveaway on her blog here, although the less of you that enter, the better MY chances!! LOL Thanks for visiting, have a great week!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, to all my Canadian friends anyways! Today is thanksgiving day here, so I enjoyed a day off work. We had dinner at my in-laws on Saturday night, dinner at my parents last night, and tacos tonight here at home!! LOL. The weekend went by in a blur, but we did some great visiting with family and the kids had a blast playing games and hanging out with their cousins. I smashed my fingernail Saturday night and it's turned a lovely shade of violet at the tip, and still hurts! It bent back and it was agonizing. Blair had no sympathy. I also sold my 30gallon fish tank over the weekend, so I cleaned it for the last time today and my cousin came and picked it up. Chase was a little distraught that I was giving away "his best friends" so I told him we could get goldfish instead, a little easier to maintain, and I got myself a Siamese fighting fish for my office at the same time. Then I decided I better get to my CT duties and get these two layouts done for Mel's newest kits, first up is Wanderlust, a collab kit with Vicki:
My layout (no template!!)Mel's second kit is a grab bag, with lots of cute lil goodies, only available for October! November the grab bat will be split up and the pieces sold separately. Check out the Mystery Bag:
My layout, template by Angie Kovacs: Well I suppose that's it. Back to work tomorrow, blahhhh. I usually hate Mondays, but now I hate Tuesday's disguised as Mondays. Hope all my Canadian friends had a great Thanksgiving! I asked Chase what he was thankful for today and at first he said "nothing" but then as I explained what Thanksgiving was all about, he said he was thankful for our kitty, his playhouse, and his Daddy. He added Rayna and I after lol. Too cute. Have a good week!

October already?!

Wow, this year has just flown by, it seems like not that long ago that I went back to work, and that was eight months ago in February! So much has changed and yet it seems like everything is still the same too. I've actually started thinking about starting my Christmas shopping, and getting that under control so I'm not hit at crunch time in December! I need to get outside and clean up the yard, pull my plants and put all my pots away. Halloween is quickly approaching and we bought the kids their costumes today. Speaking of fall, I have a new collab kit to show you from the girls at Scrap That Idea. It's called Mystic Falls:Here is my layout, I honestly have to say I felt no mojo happening with this one. I don't know why, I think my brain was just not where I needed it to be! The template I used was a freebie from Fei Fei's stuff.
Mel also has a new kit out this week called A Shabby Cake Day:I used it to do a layout of Rayna's birthday party, two weeks ago she turned two so this was perfect timing! She loves all things Dora (and Mickey Mouse too lately) so we had a Dora party for her. Template by Janet Phillips.That's it for now, make sure you go check out all the girls at Scrap That Idea, as they do have a new designer now as Sara has hung up her designing hat, and there are always new kits to view, as well as lots of inspiration in the gallery! Lots of challenges happening too, so don't miss out! I'm off to bed, my kids have been early risers lately, and I'm sure tomorrow won't be any different. Have a good week!

Hello everyone, how are you? I'm feeling much better, although I did wake up today with a smashing headache and am still a little tired, but I'm always tired! Such is the life of a mom I think...anyhoo, I almost missed this kit completely! Here is Mel's new kit for this week, Honey Bear, and it is so cute!It comes with a matching wordart, which I just love:

And here is my layout, Rayna with her grandpa, he has such a soft spot for her, and vice versa, she will always run to him for hugs. I love it. I used a freebie template by Paislee Press.

I'm pretty boring these days, I don't have too much on the go although some days it seems like I still don't have enough time to do everything I want to do. I have a new coworker at work and I'm still getting used to that, and my sister and I joined water aerobics and start tomorrow night, so that should be fun. I hope! I'm so tired right now I don't think I can keep my eyes open any longer, so I think I'll close off, have a good week, ttyl :)

There is a giveaway for the newest kit by Kitty Designs, go here to enter. (Or don't as then I have better chances for winning!)

Zodiac

I don't feel all that well. I am getting a huge head cold, and since I'm sure no one wants to hear about my crappy day at work, how tired I am and how crabby my kids were tonight, I'll tell you about Vicki's newest kit called Zodiac! I love all the elements in this kit and really wanted to do a layout with it. I googled my sign so I could add in a lot of the characteristics of my sign. Here is the kit preview, although to see all the goodies that come in this one you should really check it out in the store!!I used a template by Crystal Livesay and Fizzy Pop. I played with my photo on a website but it was long enough ago that I can't remember which website...my brain is mush!
Alright, that is all I have for today. I need to go to bed so I can rest and give my body a boost for tomorrow. It really should be Friday tomorrow instead of only Wednesday. I don't feel like working for another three days! Any hoo, have a good week, ttyl :)
 

My 2 year old?

Wow, Rayna is turning 2 this week! I can't believe she is two years old already! She's turning into such a pretty little girl, with LOTS of attitude! She has recently discovered Dora the Explorer on TV as well, everywhere I go she squeals and points if she sees anything Dora related, so I decided that can be her birthday theme. Here is the birthday invite I did for her:

Credit: Papers from Flutterby by Creashens, most elements from Girly Birthday Party by Kathy Winters Designs, glitter from Pixieland by Lliella, frame by Paislee Press, template by Angie Kovacs, Dora, Boots and Swiper from the internet. I also had time to do a layout this week with a non CT kit (although Iwould love to be on her CT!!), I used Kristin Aagard's new kit Peas in a Pod, it's a pregnancy kit, but I saw those peas and just had to have it!! Although I tend to buy all her kits regardless lol. I used a freebie template by ChrissyW.Ok, here are my CT kits and layouts for the week, first up is Mel's new kit, it's so sweet it'll make your teeth ache! Aren't those elephants too cute? Check out Just Love Me:

And my layout, template by Kitty Designs, word art by Iowan. Haha, I just realized I used the same photo for both layouts! I really like this new photo of them together! And you saw a sneaky peek of this kit earlier in the week, here is Stacey's Fang or Fur, a Twilight inspired kit:

My first layout, I started off with a template but in the end had deleted everything that was on it and now I can't remember which one I used to get started :(

This is my new obsession, True Blood, it's a vampire series on HBO, and I love it. It has a little too much nudity for my taste, but if you could take that out then this would be my favorite show! The elements in the kit also work really well for True Blood as well as Twilight. I made the blood drips by extracting one of the fangs, adding a color overlay and running an action by atomic cupcake. I love it!!Here is my second layout, Eclipse of course, and no template! Wooo, lookit me go!

That's it for now, the last thing I have for you is a video that made me laugh out loud, have a peek if you like.

Have a good week, I'm off to get some Dora cups, plates and other birthday paraphernalia!

Sneaky Peak

Hey all, just wanted to let you know Stacey has a really cute kit coming out this weekend! It's a themed kit, and it has to do with one of my favorite things! Here is a sneaky peak, it will be available this weekend! So stay tuned :)

Just a quick post to show off Vicki's new kit for the week, called Autumn for Kim:
The colors are perfect for this time of year, I know the leaves here will start turning very soon!! And here is my layout, template by Dido Designs.Photos of Rayna from last year, she has changed so much. Looking at her I wouldn't have thought so, but she is more a little girl now than before, not so babyish anymore. :(
Anyways, have a good week :)

The new collab kit for September is here!! It's fantastic, check it out HERE. And of course, being the slacker that I am, I didn't do a layout with this one! I DID however do a layout with the freebie kit that you can get...that's right, FREEBIE kit that you can get when you spend $5 at the Scrap That Idea store. It's not available by itself until October 1st, so if you've been eyeing up other kits, go nab them and get this one for FREE!! It's just so much fun to say that. And THIS one I did do a layout with!

We ditched Rayna's soother this month, so I figured that was layout worthy. My daughter no longer has a soother and my son is starting Kindergarten, where does the time go??! Template by Fizzy Pop.
Also, there is a new monthly newsletter that will be posted on the STI blog with all kinds of news and even some goodies, check that out HERE to get all the new info and the freebie!

I want to see this. I wish it was playing right now. Found it while you-tubing Natasha Bedingfield's song Strip Me, which is the theme song for the movie. This is the mood I'm in and I really want to see this!


Also, check out the Paislee Press blog, she's one of my new favorite designers and I love seeing the layouts her CT does with her kits, she's hosting a giveaway for her newest kit, but hurry as she's picking the winner tomorrow!

Bah. I've been feeling a little off lately. I don't know what I'm lacking but sometimes I feel like something is missing. Wonderful husband, check. Two smart, fun, energetic kids, check. A home of our home, pets, a well paying job, check check and double check. I don't know what it is that I'm feeling but I suppose some days I feel dissatisfied. I feel like I'm searching for something but don't know what. Such a strange feeling. Chase starts kindergarten this Thursday, and that is something that is totally weird too. My baby is going to school! Rayna will still go to the dayhome on her own on the two days Chase will be going to school. I have to pack him a lunch! And for the first time ever had to go buy school supplies. Rayna is turning two in a couple weeks as well, so I have a little party to plan. She has recently discovered and fallen totally in love with Dora, so I think her party theme has been chosen and I didn't have to do it! Work has been going ok, Rhonda, the lady that trained me and has worked with me closely for the last 6 months just quit, her last day was Friday, her family is being relocated to the States for work. I'll miss her a lot as she was a tonne of fun to work with and kept things flowing. I'm feeling a little like I'm all on my own there as I don't really have a supervisor to go to when I have questions, so while I have a lot of freedom it gets wearing sometimes too, only relying on myself to do things properly and take responsibility. Tomorrow night my hubby and I are taking a night to go out for dinner and a movie, and I think I could really use it. I want to reconnect with him too, and I guess maybe that's what I've been feeling lately, is disconnected. I'm going through the motions but am not feeling anything about any of it. What's wrong with me???! Bah. Here is a little song by Natasha Bedingfield that sounds like how I feel lately:
Anyhoo, here are the new kits for this week, first up is Sara's kit Night Garden, I love this kit and think it's one of her best to date:

Here is my first layout, I used a template from Biograffiti, and love the simple clean style of these templates.This one was a little more clustered, I wanted to use everything in the kit!! Template by Crystal Livesay.And Mel has this coffee themed kit out this week called Good Morning:This template is again by Biograffiti, I just love the whole set! And anyone that knows me knows how much I love my Tim Hortons coffee, so this kit was made for me! I know this is a Canadian thing, but all you Americans don't know what you're missing! LOLThat's it for this week. I'm really looking forward to our dinner and a movie tomorrow night, we're going to The Keg for dinner (we have a gift card) and probably to The Expendables. I'd really rather see Vampires Suck, but Blair doesn't want to go see it :(

Here is a little preview clip of The Expendables if you haven't heard of it:

Have a good week everyone ♥

SALTY!!

I know you guys have all seen the commercials about Salty, the Lipton Sidekicks mascot dude? Well there was a promotion (I think it was in Canada only but I'm not sure) for people to be able to get the actual "Salty" and Pepper shakers. I missed it of course, and by the time I heard about it and made it to the website, they were all sold out. SO I checked on trusty old ebay and lo and behold there were several for sale, so I paid more than they are worth to get them, but they arrived yesterday!! They are so cute, and I know they'll make me smile every time I use them. Every single time. Which makes them worth every penny. Here's a layout I did for Vicki's latest challenge using papers from Citrus Brights, Funky Retro and Friendship For Kim, Leaves from Color My World and Fllutterby Flowers (all by AWP Designs by Vicki of course!). I used a brush from Biograffiti for the border. It's kind of a scraplift of a layout I did using a template by Biograffiti.Aren't they the cutest things ever? A special thanks as well to the tomatoes from my garden for posing in the photo with Salty and Pepper. And just in case you haven't seen the videos, I'll leave you with this little bit of goodness to make you smile!!! Here's Salty in action:

I've got two new kits for you! Vicki and Mel both released new kits, here is Vicki's new kit called Stars for Sara, I just love the colors in this one, so rich!My layout, template by Sara Gleason:And Mel's oh so cute kit, Mermaids, all those cute elements made it hard not to use them all! Love the King Triton!And here is my layout, template freebie from the Hawt Mama's blog:

That's it for tonight! TTYL :)

Wow, I totally forgot to blog Mel's new kit for last week, and here she is already with another one!! Just a quick post tonight to show you Melly's two newest kits, which are both fantastic, the first is called Silly Old Bear:
My layout, template from Simple Scrapper:And the second is called The Simple Life:My layout, template from the Hawt Mama's blog:I don't know if that link is the right freebie link, but there are templates there up for grabs! That's it for now, I hear my pillow abd blankets calling sweet nothings to me!! TTYL :)

Just for fun

This is now, right at this moment, my all time favorite song. But only for the moment, I'll play it over and over again on the way to work every morning for the next few weeks until I get a little tired of it, it'll drop into the music list a little lower on the menu, and a new fun song will take it's place, but until then, right now, in this moment, it's my fave. It's Flo Rida, a song from the new Step Up 3D movie, check it out (and if you want to dance a little, it's ok, go ahead, I won't tell anyone!)

Our new kitty

Well, we recently got a new kitty. I hadn't planned on getting one. I really didn't. Chase has a little girl friend (she's the daughter of a friend of mine that I went to school with) and he went for a sleep over at Paige's house. Lo and behold, their cat had just had kittens a few weeks prior. Five little mewling cute little balls of fur came purring and snuggling and tumbling over. I thought about getting one. After all, Bud has been gone over a year now. I didn't know if we were ready or not. If I was ready or not. If my house was ready or not. Did I want to scoop a litter box again, and try to keep the cat from climbing the curtains, clawing the stairs, and eating my plants? (Something Bud used to do quite regularly, usually right before he barfed it all up-always on the carpet, never on the lino!). And so I had a moment of weakness, and said yes, we would take one home in a few weeks. A few weeks went by, and it was time to pick up the kitty. I had chosen one that was a girl. She was very pretty, dark brown tips on her ears, nose, feet and tail. I went and picked her up, brought her home, and the kids were enthralled with her for the whole weekend. Chase slept with her on the couch most of Saturday, and Rayna just loved picking her up and packing her around. We named her Beans, as she's the color of coffee and cream, and I love coffee! Then on Sunday, Beans was laying on the couch beside me, butt pointed at me, and I kind of thought she looked a little like a he. Turns out our sweet little girl kitten was actually a sweet little boy kitten. My friend asked me if I wanted to switch him out with another one the same coloring, but we're attached already, he really is the sweetest kitten, is awesome with the kids, tolerates them and all their abuses. He loves to play with our dog Keiko, and I was a little worried about that. I've busted him clawing the stairs, so I've had to re-direct him to his climbing house/scratching post. I also busted him climbing my curtains once or twice as well. I realized though, that as with Bud, even with all the bad behaviour, it's worth it. I've so missed having a cat around the house. So of course, I had to do a scrapbook layout about him, and Vicki is having a challenge, so here is the layout I did of our new kitty Beans, he was having a snooze on top of his climbing house, which I thought was pretty quirky and cute: I used a template by Fizzy Pop Designs and Vicki's kit Pompey Blues which is in the store for only $1.00!

If you're interested in entering the challenge, please check out this blog post, and get registered. The first challenge is already closed, but I'm sure you could start playing in challenge two! Have fun if you enter, can't wait to see your layouts! Have a great week :)

Vampires Suck

I don't know if any of you have seen the preview for this Twilight spoof, but if you haven't, here it is; I'm such a Twilight fan (as I'm sure you know by now!) but I think this looks absolutely hilarious, and I can't wait to see it! For the full screen version on you tube, click HERE. I don't know why Blogger cuts it off all the time! Augh. **Edited to add, I figured it out, and I FIXED IT!! Take that Blogger!

As usual, I'm short on time, I'm so exhausted tonight, I'm so glad tomorrow is Friday! Gonna do my quick post and then go to bed! So here are the new kits out for this week, and first of all Melly is back with a couple new kits that are awesome! Check these out, this one is called Savannah's Favorite Things:
My layout, freebie template by Steffi:Mel's second new kit is called Mother Earth, her mojo is back and better than ever!My layout, Rayna helping dig potatoes, so cute! Template by Kelley Mickus.And last of all but definitely not least, the August collab kit, I just love this one, it's gorgeous! I love all the teal and orange together, this one is called Fairytale Summer:Here is my layout, my soother baby, we sooo need to ditch that pretty soon! Template by Sara Gleason.That's it, have a good week everyone!