Thursday, December 22, 2011

10 years.... TEN YEARS!!!

It's our anniversary. Our tenth. I'm pretty proud of that. I knew the minute I laid eyes on Steve that he was going to be mine. Of course, it just took him a little bit longer (like 18 months!) to figure that out, but he did. Bless his heart, he did, and then 3 1/2 months later he asked me to marry him. I said yes. And 3 1/2 months after that, we got married. 3 days before Christmas.

When I was in the store the day before our wedding and I happened to mention to the clerk that I was getting married the next day, she took my hand and said, "Oh congratulations... I hope you get SNOW!"

What an awful thing to say to someone about to get married! Granted, it was 3 days before Christmas, but the last thing I wanted, in my sleeveless wedding dress, was snow. Good night lady, what are you thinking?!

It didn't snow. It was plus 10 on our wedding day and we even had some outdoor photos. I had a sleeveless gown and not a care that it was the 2nd day of Winter.

We spent our first Christmas together in Cuba. Such a great vacation for our honeymoon. Over the years, I've been adding pages here and there, to a scrapbook for Steve. I haven't done anything for awhile, so I thought I would do up a couple pages in MDS (My Digital Studio) and give them to him on our anniversary.

Happy Anniversary, Steve.
I love you with all my heart!

Here's the double layout...

Pages separated to show the detail better. MDS is such a great tool to use, and I find myself using it for far more than just digital scrapbooking.


Friday, December 16, 2011

Clearance Rack

Don't wait for Boxing Day - there's deals to be had now!

Tons of new items added to the Clearance Rack. Check out my website for savings up to 80%...


Online orders only... click here for my website: ONLINE STORE

Thursday, December 08, 2011

C is for Cookie!!!

Here's something new from Stampin' Up! I love the new cookie stamps from Stampin' Up!

Click on this link for more details and to see it in my online store: Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps

I bought them last month, but didn't get a chance to try them until now. I finally put them to good use (in time for last Monday's class!!) I cheated a bit on the cookie dough, and bought it through the grade 5 fundraiser at my kids' school. But there are 2 fabulous recipes included in the cookie stamps, so next time I use them (when I have a bit more time....) I will try out those recipes and then report back on them! I also want to try these stamps with my mom's awesome shortbread cookie recipe. That was a favourite growing up.




You can see the Sweet Pressed Cookie stamps in action on the SU! channel on You Tube: VIDEO


Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Online Extravaganza!!!

ENDS TODAY... Last Chance for some amazing Christmas Deals!



Check out what Stampin' Up! has in store for you this holiday season....

Starting TODAY! Head to my online store and check out the great deals.

SHOP NOW!! 24/7 CLICK RIGHT HERE!

** please note: to get these deals you must place orders online. Click on the link above to get to my website store. Orders of $200 or more qualify for great hostess benefits!
Happy Shopping!!
















Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Chowder 'n Biscuits

Last night Steve said, "I feel like chowder 'n biscuits - I'll make the chowder if you make the biscuits!" What a deal! I can make biscuits, no problem.

Then, I couldn't find my recipe. Should have it in my head, but it's not there. Happened to be on the phone with my sister at the time, so she pulled out her recipe and I quickly jotted it down. It's a good one, too! I'll be making these again.

Biscuit recipe is below... seafood chowder recipe is a secret :) (only because I don't know what Steve did... but I assure you that it was DELICIOUS!)



Cheesy Dill Biscuits

1 Cup shredded cheddar
1 1/3 Cups flour
1 TBS baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBS white sugar
1/2 - 1 tsp dill weed (I used an epicure dill mix that I had on hand)
1 egg slightly beaten
2 TBS oil
3/4 Cup milk

Do the dry ingredients together, wet together, then both together... bake at 375 for 15 - 20 minutes. Makes 12 in a muffin pan.

My sister recommended that I double the recipe... good plan! The kids LOVED them, and we polished off the lonely few leftovers for breakfast this morning. The only thing I will change is I don't think I'll use muffin papers again... just lightly grease the pan instead. It was hard to get them out of the papers. I don't know if that's because of something I did, or what, but I'd rather wash muffin pans than struggle with muffin papers. The ones this morning came out of the papers fine, so maybe they just needed to completely cool - but really, who wants to let fresh biscuits COOL before eating them? Yep, that settles it... I will not use papers next time.

Sunday, November 06, 2011

A New Blankie!

I wasn't the kind of kid to have a "blankie" but I have one now!! I have been working on this rag quilt for quite awhile. I started it, and then lost interest, then worked on it a bit here and there over the past year. It's not very big, but it's still the biggest quilt I've ever made. It is about 55" square. I planned this to be my movie-watching blanket, and I am heading down to watch a movie right now... can't wait to try it out!


This is how the quilt started. A bunch of paper pieces glued together to make a pattern. I am very scientific when it comes to planning things (totally kidding... I am often called a "winger!" So the fact that I had a pattern, and that it came out relatively close to the original design is really amazing!)


Next, I gathered my fabric and used the scallop square die for my Big Shot and started cutting out fabric pieces. That part is super fun - best way to cut out fabric ever!


It's pretty cozy!


The back... one of the quilters that I follow on Google Reader always pieces her back, and I love that that gave me "permission" to use bits and pieces on the back of my quilt. Next time I'll get a little more creative, but it was hard enough keeping the design on track for the front of the quilt, let alone the back, so it is as it is on the back!


Close up of the rag squares. I have made several bags with this rag technique, but this is the first blanket. Love it... will do it again for sure!

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

November Hostess Benefits!

It always pays to be the hostess with Stampin' Up! and in the month of November, all the way until December 15th, hostesses are getting an even bigger reward. An extra $45 in free merchandise when you host a workshop of $450 or more.

Call or email me today for more information, or start asking around to your friends and relatives to gather $450 worth of orders for a catalogue party!

click on link for more info:
IT'S GOOD TO BE THE HOSTESS

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Christmas Card Classes

My October 17th Christmas card class is now full.

To get in on the next 2, please sign up early.
The dates are November 14th, and December 5th.

Sign up now to save your spot!

Friday, October 14, 2011

Auction this Weekend!

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Come on out to the Abby Christian School Auction and Garage Sale tomorrow... LOTS of stuff there - I saw it being set up today and it's going to be good! I've got a table there, and I'd love it if you stopped by to say hi and check out my goodies! Pancake Breakfast from 7:30 - 9:30am, Garage Sale and Vendors open at 8. All new and expanded Kids' Corner, too, so bring the kids! Hope to see you there!

Get started in scrapbooking...

I was just looking through some groups I belong to on Facebook, and someone asked the question: "What are some tips for a brand new scrapbooker?"

Since I wrote a long answer (no, not me!!!) I thought I would share it here, too.

I think the best way to start is to scrapbook the pictures that you really love. They will be more inspiring. Don't feel like you have to scrapbook every single detail of everyone in your family's life, or that you even have to do it in chronological order... you can always go back and fill in the blanks later. A single book doesn't have to be a single style, either, that way you can experiment with different styles of scrapping until you find what you really love doing. And most of all... have fun!

Sometimes, to get your creative juices flowing, it is helpful to start with a project that has a definite start and finish... like a trip, or a family reunion. Rather than your child's entire journey through elementary and high school... that is an ongoing process and it can be very overwhelming because it is easy to fall behind on something like that.

Remember, these are YOUR books, so as long as you are happy with them, that's all that counts. But, don't ever be afraid to show them off, even if you are a brand newbie! Others will like to see your layouts and you'll be able to inspire others with the things you create, as well. Google is your friend - find other scrapbookers' blogs and get ideas from them. Scraplifting is totally ok, as long as you don't sell another person's idea. If it's for your own books, go for it!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Cool Clock

I was just doing a Google Image search, and came across this very cool clock. It must be pretty big, but I can't find the original post to get the details.


The picture is from Google Images, and was linked to this blog: Made By Girl

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Abbotsford Christian School Auction

I'm excited to be a part of the Abbotsford Christian School Garage Sale and Auction this year. Come on out for some good family fun, and a great auction and food. Games for the kids, vendor tables (I'll have a table of stamping stuff... come by and say hi!!) and so much more. Don't miss the fun on October 15th. Hope to see you there!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Sept. 6th

It's Sept. 10th today, but Sept. 6 was a very special day in our house. It was Steve's birthday, and although I wished him a HB on Facebook, I didn't do it on here. Too many social outlets to remember to post on, I think!! At least I remembered to say it to him face-to-face!!

We had a good day that day, even though it was overshadowed by the first day of school. That was always a bit of a drag for Steve growing up... having his birthday in the first week back to school, and often (like this year) on the actual day that school starts.

But, we had fun. It was just a half day, so we took the kids to Boston Pizza to celebrate school, and to celebrate Steve.

Then, later, we took the kids to Steve's parents' place and we joined up with another couple for some delicious Mexican food.

Here are a few memories from our day.

All ready to go for the first day. How can I possibly have 3 kids in school already? That went by so fast!


Elise listening to her first story in Kindergarten. She was so excited to be there!


Lunch at BP's, I love father-daughter pictures!


Olé!! Dinner with friends at Del Pollo Restaurant.


The food was delicious... we love Mexican food!



Happy Birthday, Steve. Glad I got to spend the day with you :)

Sunday, September 04, 2011

More Norway

** To see all my Norway posts at once, click HERE.

For dessert, after dinner tonight, the kids got to dig into some chocolates from Ellen Randi, my cousin in Norway. Inside the wrapper was a Norwegian kids' story. There are different ones in each chocolate, but the story we read tonight was the story of the 3 Billy Goats and the troll under the bridge. It was in Norwegian, so I read it and then translated for the kids every couple of sentences. Of course, it helps that I already know the story!! I can't speak or read Norwegian, except for a very small amount, but knowing the story, and having the slight advantage that my kids and husband know even less Norwegian than I do, made me look pretty smart!

Hearing and seeing the Norwegian language tonight made me want to share a bit more from my trip last month.

I posted about Preikestolen, and now I want to share about our amazing cruise along the Lysefjord a couple days after the hike. My mom and aunt didn't hike with me, just my cousins and their kids did. While we were off hiking, my mom and aunt were spending time visiting their cousins. So, this cruise was very special because they got to see the wonders of the fjord that I had told them a bit about.


We are ready!


The view was spectacular, even before we set sail!


Rocks straight up to the sky, and below the water they go straight down. The boat got so close to the rocks that we could almost reach out and touch the wall.


Preikestolen from below! I cannot believe that I was up that high!!


Sisters... enjoying the peaceful scenery.






An old schoolhouse along the fjord that was in operation until the early 1900s.


Abandoned farms along the steep hills of the fjord. It is said that farmers used to tie ropes to their children when they would play outside so they didn't fall down the steep hills and into the deep chilly waters.


I don't know if I could get used to the isolation, especially in the wintertime, of living in a place like this. But, the gorgeous scenes you would wake up to every morning might just make it worthwhile! Most of these places are abandoned, except for some tourist activity in the summer months.


It took my breath away.


A few years ago, the government took this little village over and built a power station. Behind this white building is a wooden staircase that reaches up to the top of the mountain. It is 4,444 steps and is the longest wooden staircase in the world. Plus, it is open to the public! The brochure says that it is an ideal day trip... pack a picnic and head up to the top. Ok... after you!!


This is Kjerag, the highest peak along the Lysefjord. A popular place for base jumping. The captain stopped our boat for about 20 minutes so we could watch the jumpers. Amazing! I couldn't do it.... I get sick to my stomach just thinking about jumping off of that cliff. If you see the waterfall in the photo - that's where the jumpers were starting from on this day.

All the jumps we saw were safe ones - thank goodness! Over the course of 15 years, and 30,000 jumps, there have been 9 deaths. Even one is too many, however, it seems like for such an extreme sport, that is pretty low.


And, the famous Kjeragbolten... a huge bolder stuck between two walls of rock. My question is, "When will this fall?" But it's been there for ages, and people love to climb up to the top, and out onto the bolder. I Googled it to share some info and I came across this travel blog... Some great photos on this post, so check it out! Martin's Travel Blog. Perhaps on my next visit to Norway I will have a chance to tackle Kjerag, and if I am feeling brave on that day, I might even step out onto the bolder. But, don't hold your breath for a picture of me on this thing... I have issues with heights! Plus, the next time I go to Norway I will have my kids along, and there is not a chance that I am going to let them go out on that rock!



Once the boat docked, we traveled up this windy road. 27 hairpin turns, and random sheep all along the way, so watch out! My aunt did an amazing job of driving this scary road - some of the turns were inside tunnels, and the road is only wide enough for one car at a time, except for little pull outs, and fancy maneuvering.... She got us safely to the top, where we enjoyed some Daim ice-cream and a strong cup of Norwegian coffee. What a great day!


The view of Lysebotn from the top.


And finally, here are some very cooperative sheep. It still makes me laugh when I think of these 3 running toward us, and then stopping in perfect formation, almost begging for us to take their picture. Maybe you had to be there, but it was a memorable moment. My kids sure enjoyed seeing this picture when I got home, anyway!!