Christmas Memories 2006

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas...and here is to having a Happy New Year!

My New Years Resolutions:

- Be Creative
- Be original (Be Me)
- Lose weight (all ways important)
- Stop smoking!
- Spend time playing with my family.
- Take lots of everyday photos and document!

And last but not least..enter my 40's with dignity!! he he!

Play Time!

Well here is a picture of some Christmas tags I created with some awsome supplies I have recently obtained from my favorite Scrap store "The Scrap Shack". I needed to play with Crackle accents, Glossy accents, Distress ink Peeled paint, some awesome Victorian Glass Glitter (Pea pod) which I won as a prize in Tena Sprenger's class! And not to mention these great scraps of cherubs which I purchased at this great online store called Victorian Scrapworks a great store to find little treasures such as Dresden stars, Angels, Old Fashion Santa claus and much more. I think I will use these on my christmas pages!

Scrap Gala News!

Oh goodness! what a great time we had! The place to be was in Moncton, NB Canada this past weekend at Scrap Gala. The teachers were awsome! The projects even more awsome. I don't know where to begin? Well, I suppose I will begin from the first day they arrived. Debbie Hill , Kah Mei Smith, Tena Sprenger, Carol Wingert, Christy Tomlinson were all on hand to teach us this event. What great ladies they all are! We all met at the restaurant in the hotel on Friday night. Gave them presents which were journals all the "git r duns" contributed pages to about themselves. We ate and laughed and sang (That was Christy's part) as a matter of fact I think it was a rendition of Celine Dion's "My Heart will Go On". She decided that our waitress looked like Celine! he he. The table in behind her loved her song! When Christy's supper arrived we where all like "What the??"
Tomatoes, french fries and Cake?? he he she is so funny.. I knew that we where gonna have a blast with this girl! At Christy's table Debbie Hill, Nicole, Rachel, Tasha and Amy. Of course our table was more reserved (he he) I was sitting at the table with Tena , Carol, Kah Mei, Debbie, Shirley and Tina. What a great Kick off to a great weekend!

On Saturday bright and early Scrap Gala Registration began. We had our pep talk from Debbie and off we went! Classed started at 10:00 am. In the evening we all hung out and had suppers together in Debbie's (Scrap Shack owner) "executive" room. That is where the sillyness began. The teachers bonded as a matter of fact we pretty much all bonded..I felt like I have known these ladies for years! Well Tena I have known for a year and Carol for about 8 months by chatting via e-mail they are all amazing ladies. Here are some more pics to enjoy!

Preparations!!!

I have been chosen by my awesome scrap sisters to design name tags for our upcoming event ScrapGala . It is being held this upcoming weekend on November 11 and 12.

I used some awsome material such as these awsome Junkitz Flowerz and Chatterbox pp. I had lots of creative juices flowing (can you tell by the mess)...of course it helps when you have people like Debbie Hill a designer from Junkitz coming to this event. "I hope she likes what I did to them?"

There are more great ladies in the scrapbooking field that are attending this event. I am so excited to see Tena Sprenger again and meet Carol Wingert (whom I feel I already know by chatting through her blog for a year!)
Also attending is Kah Mei Smith of Font works , totally awesome canadian entrepeuneur!! And Christy Tomlinson of Making Memories as part of the Book Team and is also a Contributing Editor for Better Homes and Garden's, Scrapbook etc. This is so exciting!! Can't wait to meet all of you! We are going to have a blast..see you in 5 days!!!

Create Art!

Oh my goodness!! How excited am I. I just received my copy of Artful Memories by Carol Wingert & Tena Sprenger in the mail today!! It is just beautiful...I am on a creative ride at the moment and just loving the scenery man! I am mostly excited because I met Tena Sprenger last Year at Scrapfest 2005 in Moncton. She is a Creative, fun and wonderful lady. This year I have the pleasure of meeting the other author of the book "Carol Wingert" at our ScrapGala 2006 along with many other memory artists!! I have been chatting with Carol through her blog and let me tell you that we are all excited to meet her as well as see Tena again.

I can't wait to have my book signed by these wonderful ladies and just soak up the creative vibe that these two have!!

Got Me Some Crocs!!!

He he..isn't this a great picture? I took this picture of my crocs while I was swinging! Can you imagine that. These are a great pair of shoes..they are my most favorite shoes of all time! I get home and take off my uncomfortable work shoes and just put these bad boys on and I am in the comfort zone!!

I think next year I will get another funky color!!

Dreams.......

I just Love looking at this layout..don't it make you wanna go to Cuba??

Our good friend Deb always goes every February to celebrate her anniversary. That is where she got married to her wonderful husband (who I might add puts up with her crazy friends). Any who, this year I said for a joke..wouldn't it be cool if you would write our names in the sand..it might be the only chance to get there! Maybe someday I will get to see palm trees!!!

So Deb decides to make this layout homework for our Tuesday night SCRAP group.. We all have the same pic, postcard and pence. It will be cool to see all the different layouts with the same pics.

Gotta love Crate paper!!

Camping

What more can I say!! We are totally gonna have a blast this summer..I love the outdoors and so does my husband and son..So why not have a camper?? The adventures we will have, the people we will meet..the great pictures I can take..great layouts I will create, he he always thinking like a scrapbooker.

Are these not great pics??? I have been playing with my digital camera..Oh!! How I wish I had a digital SLR..

Have a great weekend All!!

My How I've Grown

Oh My!! How I have grown. I have been seeing this book on all my favorite creative peeps blogs and thought hummm I must have this book. So searching I went onto Chapters web site. I purchased one and so did my friend Nicole so we can totally discuss it, right??

Twyla writes about how creativity is not a gift from the gods that it takes preparation and effort. I totally agree..we can take from what she says through out her book and apply it to our own creative venue, whether it be dancing, scrapbooking or wherever your interest lies.

I love the title of one of the chapters in the book, I am totally gonna use this one: "Before you can think outside the box, you have to start with a box"..I love it. She says she uses boxes for every project she does, she stores things in them like notes, cd's etc.. Organization is what I need! I can totally be creative when my space is organized and I know where everything is..there is nothing more frustrating when you can't find that particular embellishment that would be perfect for your layout. urgggg...

My goal is to use Twyla's book to guide me into My "Creative Habit"!! If you don't have this book..you totally have to get it!!

True Inspiration

These colors inspired me!! Well I finally did a layout of me and I truly love it..I usually hate any layout that has a picture of me in it..except for the ones My friend nicole does of us..because they are so much fun. Usually we are doing something silly. I love the Sandy lion Karen Panacci line of PP Paper and stickers. Truly inspiring.

I also am inspired by reading Carol Wingert, Tena Springer blogs..They truly are creative women in every aspect. Carol contiues to post wonderful pictures of her every day. Which are truly spectacular.

Another blog I read is Donna Downey's blog...and I have to say is "Where in the world is Donna?" she is always on the road teaching her wonderful creations!! When I grow up I want to be Donna!!

PRIMA FLOWERS!!!!!!

aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh! angels are singing!!! laaaaaaaaaa. Finally, PRIMA FLOWERS..we have been waiting for a long time to get these bad boys! Painfully seeing them in Scrapbook Mags, oh and on QVC...to which we cannot get here in canada. My friend Nicole and I have had many many conversations abouth these little beautiful bottles of flowers! But to no avail our good friend Debbie got them in her store! Not only the milk bottle ones but the other cute little jars...oh the humanity..Thank you Deb...We love you!! he he

My New Glasses

Well it's a miracle I can see again!!! I finally after 8 years got a new pair of glasses...don't I look like a true artist!! I can just feel the power of creativeness just flowing through me..he he.. well, at least I can see again.

But you know new glasses or new anything for that matter can sometimes change the way you are feeling..The blahs sometimes creep over us but get something new and you will feel like a million bucks again!!

As for my weight lost update I have 14.6 lbs lost ...whoo hoo.. Let me just tell you that it is a constant struggle to keep up the eating healthy life style. Some times I am talking to my inner self alot!!

Have a great weekend!

Weight Loss Update

Well, here I am so far (Notice I have cropped my picture in a long skinny fashion)....I have lost up to date 13.2 lbs..whoo hoo. My clothes are getting baggy and I love it!! I am even wearing stripes!! The only problem is I will be needing clothes to fit.. Second hand stores here I come!!

There are still obstacles! I love comfort foods...such as chips and dip! I stay away from these foods because they are my downfall! But now and again I will treat myself. It is very inportant to treat yourself for a job well done. But, instead of treating myself to food, I will purchase new scrapbooking supplies..always a treat. Or purchase one article of clothing to make myself feel good.

Well "onward and downward" he he... Have a great weekend!

Blogger Block

Well, lately I haven't been blogging. I have been busy with homework and such. Homework? Huh? Well, a great bunch of gals started a Tuesday night group called SCRAP (Sassy, Creative,Rockin, Addicted, People)..We get together every Tuesday night and think outside the scrappin box. We create layouts that we would normally not create. Our first assignment was to gather information about ourselves and make a tag book. This requires alot of thinking. Each tag will contain People, Home, Inspiration, Culture, Spirtuality etc.. and the list goes on. These tags will contain things about ourselves that other people may or may not know..gets you thinking. Our next assignment was to scraplift a layout that you like. Well It wasn't easy, because I love alot of layouts..but one layout in particular caught my eye and that was one from Tim Holtz..he is fantastic. Tim uses alot of distressing in his art. Distressing is awesome!! I think He has created a distressing monster. I chose his layout which was featured in Creating Keepsakes Top Ten Issue, this layout was "A Boy with Big Blue Eyes" in the section of top ten techniques. I modified my layout for obvious reasons (LOL). This week our Homework is to do a layout with a card you have received....hummm, I am stumped..and gather stuff for a layout using fibers, this is not hard for me because I am the queen of fibers ( he he). Next few weeks I will be in charge of the classes..so I will be demonstrating how to incorporate patterned paper in layouts in creative ways..such as using different patterns (example. Stripes and polka dots etc...) of course coordinating, tearing or blocking.. This will be lots of fun...So to the S.C.R.A.P. Girls, get ready to have fun and create!!

A Need to Purge!

Well, I finally did it...I purged...For those who know me this is a big deal. In order to feel more creative I needed to organize. I moved everything out and started from scratch. I moved my table from the middle of the room to against the wall. Then moved my two five drawer keepers under the table (which my Mike discovered that they actually fit like a glove!) Then Mike helped me by getting shelving for above my table...with a few arguements!(Husbands and wives should never try building things together LOL) I threw out stuff that I will never use and giving away stuff that others can use...Now I feel FREE to create!! My inspiration comes from Donna who was purging too! AHHHH! She was giving away some cool stuff in which I could have put to good use in my new area!! he hehe Donna we so have to live closer. I also got my inspiration from My friend Nicole who is the organization "QUEEN". hehe (By the way nick, I still have some more organization to do hehehe) I will be getting some vertical paper holders for my shelves and organizing my paper by color and patterns etc.. So I still have lots to work on..until next time, have a great weekend!

Week 4 Weight Be Gone Journey

Well to all my Peeps I would like to thank you for being my biggest fans, I would also like to thank the people at WW for all the hard work in getting me this award!!! he he Sike! I just got my first 10 lb ribbon. Just like a kid we all like to receive awards for jobs well done. Now I have two 5 lb stars and 1 - 10 lb ribbon. I have to tell you this is so cool...but I sometimes fall off the wagon just like in anything else you just have to get right back on. I struggle sometimes but keep on thinking of my goals. I set small goals and when I acheive them I treat myself. My first goal was 10 lbs I would get pizza..well I tell yah, I had not had pizza in over 4 weeks (this is one of my fave foods) so I had pizza. My next goal will be 15 lbs I will get a piece of clothing..and so on!

Week 3 Weight Be Gone Journey!

Well.....scale says.....-3.2 whoo hoo for a grand total of 8.2 lbs gone. I am on a roll people. I would also like to congratulate my friend Rach on her first gold star!! You go Girl!

Anywho, so we talk about getting exercise in...hum, I wonder if painting your bathroom is exercise??? UHHH yeah Hellooo!! My back is aching, my arms feel like lead etc...full body work out or what? So I am painting my bathroom a lovely Sahara Shade (which is kind of a mustard yellow) thats the only way I can explain it... (See pic on right)
So I also got new Martha Stewart Linen Shower Curtain from Sears (Sundance). http://www6.sears.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&categoryId=31920&langId=-1&rrc=1&productId=158353908
I of course got the bath rug to go along with it...oh! and the nice hooks... Well back to the grind! Gotta get the other coat of paint on....

TLC Kits..Gotta Love um!

Gotta Love TLC Kits...All in one scrapbook layouts! I had these two pics of my son's first time in the sprinkler...well, more of a hose but anywho, he has the most funny look on his face! He just loves water!

My First Goal!!

Hip Hip Horray!!! I did it my first 5 lb Gold Star...I lost 2.4 this week for a total of 5 lbs in two weeks. It has been so simple, just keep a good meal journal and count points. I haven't been hungry at all. But I have to say that by the end of a week I get anxious..I just want to get the weigh in over with. This morning I was so nervous going into WW...ugggg. I have a great WW partner, we keep each other motivated..you go Rach... anywho, 2 weeks done 5 lbs gone. Going to the grocery store to lug around a 5 lb bag of potatoes to really get my head around what I have lost....Weight be gone!!!!!

First Layout!! On My Journey...

Well, here it is... my first layout entry in my Weight Loss Journey Album!! UGGGGG. I have quite a journey ahead. Today I went to the Scrap Shack and got coordinating patterned paper and cardstock along with coordinating vellum stickers with inspiration quotes from AMM. I decided that since I don't get to use pinks very often (having a boy and all) I would girly girl my album..
I tied two tags together..the top one has an inspirational quote and the bottom one has my top weight and my feelings journaled..Onward and forward...

Ribbon Box Pizzaz

I saw an article in Creating Keepsakes Mag about how to make a ribbon box to keep all your ribbons in...I thought WOW what a great idea. I can't stand have ribbon strewn about every where in my craft room. It is available when I need it. In order to be truly creative you have to be clutter free UHHH Did I Say that????? (Nicole I know you are proud at this moment) Anywho, I thought how could I make this my own...Hummm, well Donna D. loves Hodge Podge...Well, guess what people....Podge is my new Fav friend... You can use that patterned paper you may not use on a layout or you can use your most favorite patterned paper that inspires you. So...I decide to use different patterns "color coordinating of course" and podged them onto a photo box. I used my new favorite Drill (to which Donna refers to as some sort of male genitalia) (he he) to drill the holes for the eyelets along the sides. I also got to use my husband tools.. So cool.. So now I have an excuse to buy "MORE" ribbon (Like I need an excuse to buy scrappin supplies....HA).

Weight Loss??? Or Weight Gone Forever??

Whoo hoo!! I have officially completed my first week on WW!! And survey says.... 2.6 lbs lost. ("Lost... I really don't want it back so bye bye forever!!")

Someone once said that weight is not a loss because when you lose something you are always looking for it! Hummmm?? Ain't this the painful truth!! So you should say "reduction" or something like "weight be gone" he he!

To assist in my "Weight Be Gone Program" I have created a 8 1/2" x 11" album to help me with my journey. I have taken a plain album and podged patterned paper on to the front an back covers along with quotes that will inspire me to keep on keepin on! Monthly I will enter a layout in my album until I have reached my goals...

My first layout entry will be of my most hated pic of myself at the BEACH!! Uhhggggg... Anywho!! I swear on my weight be gone that I will take a better beach photo summer 2006!!! This is ""My Promise"".

Looking forward to my next entry.. Noella

New Beginnings

To New beginnings!! I have recently decided to join weight watchers once again! I have stayed the same weight for over 4 years..basically, I am tired of all the fat! I will journal my success as I go through this "Trying time" he he. Anyway, I came to this decision because I want to live a healthier lifestyle and be there for my son.

My inspiration came from a repeat Oprah show that was on last week about a woman who weighed 500 lbs... and she lost 300 lbs...can you imagine! If she can do that I certainly can lose 50 to 60 lbs.

My journey will consist of eating right, exercise and journalling my achievments. I have decided to make my own journal to inspire myself along with inspirational quotes.

Well wish me luck!