The pursuit of love, life, happiness...

Hey! I'm here... and a contest!

2011-10-06T15:59:00.000-07:00

Hey - I've been working on getting my new company going: Joie de Vivre Home Decor, Gifts + Accessories so I've been pretty quiet as of late.

But check it out - we are having a contest! Head on over to the blog and "Like" our Facebook page. We look forward to hearing from you.

2011-07-01T19:46:00.001-07:00

It is essential to our well-being, and to our lives, that we play and enjoy life. Every single day, do something that makes your heart sing.

-Marcia Wieder

2011-06-23T09:11:00.000-07:00

Do not wait for life. Do not long for it. Be aware, always and at every moment, that the miracle is in the here and now. - Marcel Proust

Yesterday + Today

2011-03-10T10:56:00.000-08:00

I've been taking Ali Edwards' Yesterday + Today course through Big Picture Scrapbooking since the new year.

Just getting started on completing the assignments and the layouts as I have time and I completed this one last night. This is my intro page. (Couldn't get the photo to load here for some reason today so please click on the link to go to my FB page).

Need a good book?

2011-03-09T13:01:00.000-08:00

I'd like to introduce you to "Joie de Vivre Home Décor, Gifts + Accessories". My new business.

"Like" my new business on the Facebook fan page and I will enter your name into a draw for this book,

The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women - A Portable Mentor by Gail McMeekin

I will draw a name at 8AM PST on Friday, March 11. Good luck to you all!

It's sucking me in...

2011-03-06T17:28:00.000-08:00

Why is it all I can do to get up and WALK AWAY from the computer these days? There is more to life than this and I want to experience it!

I need to get some stuff done this Sunday!

Bye for now...

And don't forget to check out Joie de Vivre Home Décor!

Hangin' in Iqaluit...

2011-01-20T14:59:00.000-08:00

Wish I had this snazzy snowsuit while I am here. It's not bad weather... -26C, and not a lot of wind thank goodness.

Stay warm - wherever you are...

And always keep your Joie de Vivre.

Karma... What the Bleep!?... The Secret... and other cool stuff

2011-01-16T09:16:00.000-08:00

I would say I am a spiritual person. I definitely believe in a higher power. I feel I have grown A LOT as a person these last 7 years. Various resources have come into my life to help me achieve this - and I feel this has not been by accident. God...? Karma...? Serendipity...? Fate...? Destiny...?

Whatever you call it - it has been working through my life these past few years.

It all started with this... I received a DVD from a guy I was seeing in late 2005 - What the Bleep Do We Know!? I think it was maybe a Christmas present???

Anyway, it started a kind of chain reaction in my life. It helped me realize that I am in charge of my life and my destiny. I can choose what kind of life I want to have. And I tell you - it has worked. (A huge thank you and many blessings to A.M.!!!)

I believe it was later that same year my sister Janette gave me a copy of The Secret on DVD.

There's been so much hype about this movie. The first movie is not as well known that's for sure but touches on the same concepts - the Law of Attraction. Creating your day, your life, etc.

I seriously believe that by following these principles I have received so many beautiful gifts in life. My wonderful, loving partner; a great job; wealth; the ability to travel; harmony in my family. Beautiful stuff that I wish for everyone in life.

I can't recall if it was before or after receiving The Secret that I read this book - In The Meantime: Finding Yourself and the Love You Want by Iyanla Vanzant. I remember being in a state of very deep depression after my separation and just really knowing that there had to be something out there to get me through. I usually will reach out to the Universe and start searching for something to help me achieve a higher understanding or give me some comfort. I found it in this book. Wonderful stuff. I finished it with a renewed hope and a very strong feeling that love was coming to me... I could see the man in my life coming toward me... maybe not right then, maybe 2 months from then, or 2 years. I remember having this discussion with my girlfriend in June, and then Bert showed up in October.

During December/January I read The Power - the follow up to The Secret. Very similar to the first book. I found Rhonda Byrne's writing a little repetitive, but it follows the same philosophies I try to use in my life - being positive, sending love out into the world, trying to speak well of everything.

Last week as I was leaving Vancouver airport I had the urge to read Wallace D. Wattles The Science of Getting Rich - the book that inspired Rhonda Byrne to produce The Secret (and the subsequent book). The urge was quite strong and I was in a small shop in Vancouver airport scanning the shelves of the Business Section, and as I was about to walk away a very plain black hardcover book (with a touch of lime green) on the bottom shelf made me bend down and have a closer look - sure enough, there was the book.

It was a good read. Talking about the principles to bring wealth into your life. Interesting concepts which I do apply quite regularly to my life, but I realized I needed to do more of it.

I have had a business idea percolating in my head now for over 6 months since I took Kelly Rae Roberts' Flying Lessons e-course this past summer.

There are things we need to do to make our dreams reality. The universe isn't going to make things happen magically if there is a piece we need to take responsibility for. I realized I had to get my financial house in order before I could proceed with my business. That would be TAXES!!! And bookkeeping for the last few years... I found an absolutely lovely lady (who just happen to be considering taking on one more client in the new year). I just don't have the time as I'm gone so much for work and trips these past few years. After the financial stuff is in order I can proceed with developing my business, but I have things I can do "in the meantime" like development of the creative pieces.

I will keep you updated when my new business gets close to fruition - you are going to love it! And here's a hint...

Always keep your "joie de vivre"....

Much love... Dawn

TurboFire Summary

2010-12-27T21:17:00.000-08:00

So - being Christmas Eve, etc. I didn't get a chance to do all workouts or follow the diet on Day 5, but did have one Shakeology that day.

Final summary - 7.4 lbs lost, 1 inch lost around my waist (only measurement taken) - so I'm pretty pleased. I tried on my jeans that day and didn't have a muffin top! Impressive!

I will do it again when I'm back from my ski trip, so hope to keep most of it off as I will be skiing (or floundering down the hill in the Swiss Alps) and burning lots of calories all day.

Bert and I are going to Bettmeralp. Wish me luck!

And so the TurboFire and Shakeology saga will continue in mid-January! Cheers and happy New Year to all!

Day 4...

2010-12-23T23:07:00.000-08:00

Okay - not the best day in some ways...

DAY 4 - Weight: 163.0 lbs YAY!!!

Meals:

PB & Banana Shakeology - Tres yummy!

Apple with almond butter

Egg salad wrap - managed to eat one of the hard boiled eggs I made

Missed pm snack

Steak with Spinach and Baked Potato - steak was actually Elk meat, very nice. Spinach was frozen but still good. And since I had baked potato the other day I had one Tbsp of maple baked beans.

Workouts included:

I was very stiff and sore this morning so did 20 minutes of Fire 55 EZ Class with good intentions to go back to it tonight - ha! Not!

Ummm... I kinda took a tumble again tonight after dinner... won't go into the details but it looks like I'm going to have a very black mark on my cheek and maybe even a black eye for a while, along with some other nasty bruises on my body. This kitchen reno is doing me in - I swear! Enough already!

A stiff drink again tonight and a couple of Extra-Strength Tyenol and I will be good for Christmas Eve tomorrow... right....

Anyway, we will see how I fair on the scale tomorrow. Depending how I feel after this fall I may have to skip workouts and just get into the next 3 CRAZY days!

Always embrace your Joie de Vivre...

Much love and many blessing for the holidays - Dawn

It's on baby! Turbo Fire and Shakeology

2010-12-23T00:28:00.000-08:00

Over the last 4 years I've slowly put on 10 lbs a year. That's 40... count 'em... FOUR - ZERO!!! Ugh... Five here, five there... never seeming to be able to get back down to where I was. And now that I'm 45 I know it's only going to get harder and harder to lose.

So I ordered Turbo Fire and Shakeology and they arrived last week.

I am currently doing The 5-Day Inferno Plan that comes with Turbo Fire which is a menu plan and workout schedule including one Shakeology drink per day. It's to be done Mon - Fri to prepare for a big event or to prep for Turbo Fire, etc.

Since Christmas Eve is Friday and the merriment begins, I thought I try to drop a few before then.

My sister had a quote on her Facebook the other day... "It's not what you eat between Christmas and New Year's... it's what you eat between New Years' and Christmas that counts!" So true.

I'm also heading to Switzerland on Dec 28 with my fella (my birthday / xmas present) so must learn to ski when I'm there and squeeze into a pair of ski pants - YIKES!!! I need to be fit and a few pounds lighter.

I was a little skeptical about Shakeology as all these "green drinks" and diet shakes I'd tried before were kinda gross and a bit hard to choke down, but I LOVE the taste of both... they are really decent. The chocolate is like a thick, rich, creamy milkshake. The greenberry is a little more reminiscent of the "green drink" but still good... I added raspberries to my first one today.

So here's the breakdown so far:

DAY 1 - Weight: 168.0 lbs
Turkey Bacon Breakfast Sandwich (I bought sprouted non-flour bread for this)
1/2 banana and 7 walnut halves (forgot to buy bananas* so substituted a mandarin orange)
Tuna Salad (forgot to buy celery*, but it was good)
My first Shakeology was Chocolate with 1/2 Tbsp of almond butter - very yummy
Honey Dijon Chicken with Steamed Garlic-Parmesan Broccoli (ate tons of this!)
* and yes... I went shopping without my list! Chalene Johnson would say Tsk-Tsk I'm sure!

Workouts included:
Fire 55 EZ Class / Stretch 10 Class

Day 1 - fait accompli!

(P.S. Though I did have a headache on Day 1 - and I understand that is from the detox effect beginning with Shakeology).

DAY 2 - Weight: 166.2 lbs

Melon and Yogurt (skipped the honey on the melon)

Chocolate Shakeology with peanut butter

Turkey Avocado Wrap (forgot to buy avocado* so used an edamame / lemon grass dip from the deli)

Celery with PB and raisins

Teriyaki Salmon with Ginger Rice and Bok Choy (no bok choy at my grocery store, so we had spinach instead. Skipped the rice as just didn't have time)

Workouts should have included:

Fire 55 Class / HIIT 20 / Stretch 10 Class

So I got the Fire 55 done in the AM, planning to fully do HIIT and Stretch in the PM before dinner, but I've been renovating my kitchen and was fighting to get the jigsaw through the countertop while cutting the hole for the sink and I slipped and whacked my head on the stove... don't ask me how!!!, but I thought I might actually have a concussion for a bit. But... checked the pupils in the mirror a few times, felt a bit nauseous for a few minutes, but then just a bit woozy for a few hours that night.

Needless to say HIIT 20 was not done, but Stretch 10 was!

And I had some Balkan style yogurt with honey and a drink to calm my nerves later in the evening. A bit off track... but Day 2 done.

DAY 3 - Weight: 164.8 lbs

Pineapple and Cottage Cheese

Missed the morning snack

Baked Potato

Greenberry Shakeology with Raspberries (I added water before I realized I was supposed to use NF milk)

Chicken Tacos with Beans and Quinoa (no time for beans and quinoa - bad girl!! - that would have been good too!)

I had a bit of yogurt again tonight, but figure I could afford it since I didn't have the milk, beans or quinoa.

Workouts included:

Since I was supposed to do HIIT 20 yesterday, I did it today instead, wow - intense, but over before you know it! In the evening I did Fire 45 and Stretch 10

HIIT 20 / Fire 45 / Stretch 10

Just a little goose-egg on the head today, nothing too bad at all... thank goodness.

Am liking the HIIT workouts as I am definitely a sprinter type of girl. Long cardio sessions were never my forté. As a former can-can dancer I could last as long as the song and then I was done! So I felt the HIIT would be a good fit for me.

No Before photo, but I did take measurements, so we will see where we are by Friday.

I will say this too... on any eating plan I try to follow I usually cave in by dinner on the 1st day - and B-I-N-G-E like crazy. My mind/body thinks I'm depriving it (how dare you!) and the binge begins in earnest by the end of the first day, or by lunch on the 2nd day for sure. I am wondering if the Shakeology is doing the trick at keeping the mind calm... I have a hard time fitting in all the food it seems and have been really good about being at home when I am supposed to be eating so I don't get drawn to a Starbucks like usual.

I also love the fact that Shakeology comes in individual serving packages as one option - that's gonna save me from having to eat airplane food a lot when I travel! Or sometimes when I fly east I am STARVING and find out the restaurant in the hotel just closed... So this is gonna be wonderful. Hallelujah!

So - that's it for now... Day 4 tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Cheers!

Ruche

2010-11-28T14:07:00.000-08:00

Just received a box of goodies from Ruche that I'd ordered before we left on our trip. Love every single piece!!!

Here's the goods...

Elsie Ankle Boots in Taupe - these are a higher heel than I thought!

Sunday luncheon pencil skirt

it even came with a gorgeous thin faux croc belt!!!

Aspen Getaway Knit dress by Tulle

and I think this is my favourite piece of all:

Salute Your Soldier Ruffle Jacket by Tullle

Absolutely gorgeous... but makes me realize I have some extra poundage to lose after Grand Cayman - too many Cayman Colada's and rum punch!

We... in Grand Cayman

2010-11-27T13:02:00.000-08:00

Click image to see details

Us on our trip to Grand Cayman... loved it!

P.S.: I used Jessica Sprague's free class to create this "quick page". Loved it!

{ Another digi layout... }

2010-10-28T22:17:00.000-07:00

Love those Basic Grey tutorials!!!

Here is my second digital layout using their Mellow kit. Learning a lot about Photoshop and methods. I love their kits, they look so real. Will have to reserve judgement though until I actually get the layouts printed.

{ Elizabeth Gilbert speaks about nurturing creativity... }

2010-10-25T22:07:00.000-07:00

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Eat Pray Love at the movie theatre last month. Julia Roberts seemed to pull it off. I was worried she would be "the same character" that she always is. But is was enjoyable nonetheless.

It has been quite some time since I read the book.

So I was thrilled to find this clip and listen to Elizabeth Gilbert when she gave this talk.

It is true... people always wonder about your sanity when you decide to become "a creative". But never question your sanity when you work for government, or a bank, or an arms-length publicly-funded agency (like CBC, or Canada Post, or other similar agencies that shall remain unnamed).

I want to be "a creative" when I grow up... and I've been taking baby steps to get there... soon - very soon - it will be a reality - by age 46 for sure!

Thanks Elizabeth for giving me another reason to continue to strive to be a creative soul.

And by the way... I absolutely LOVED the follow-up to her life's greatest work.

{ Doin' Digi... }

2010-10-05T20:45:00.000-07:00

Just learning to digital scrapbook - this is the first official layout created with Photoshop Elements 9 and Basic Grey's Recess digital kit. Whew!

{ It's On Baby! }

2010-09-21T21:24:00.000-07:00

So I challenged my son tonight that for every blog post he did, I would do the same... It's on www.yukonexpat.blogspot.com!

So here we go, I've not blogged for far too long.

Lots has happened recently - we sold our house, moved back into the upstairs of our little 3-bedroom up/down duplex.

It amazes me the crap that we carried with us to the big house, and then carried back to the old house after 11 months. I really didn't buy that much new stuff this past while - really!

I'm sorting through it all though - one box at a time. Right?

It was a lovely deal - a first for me to make money on a real estate deal - that has allowed me to be debt free (except for the mortgage on the duplex) for the first time in my life. Hallelujah!

Good news too... because of that Bert and I will be heading to the Grand Caymans to visit my son in November. I will be there for my 45th birthday. Sweet... I have not been to the tropics.

So - more blogging to come soon. Perhaps I should challenge my sister and my daughter to blog more often as well?

Always keep your joie de vivre...

Doin' It Old School...

2010-07-21T21:47:00.000-07:00

I just finished Step Reebok: The Video again for the second day in a row.

I used to own this video years ago... like 1992. I think I've bought and sold a "step" about three times. But I keep coming back to this one over the years. I'm kinda the same with workout videos as with books (see this post)... it's gotta grab me from the start - it's gotta "click" with me.

TurboJam seems to be the other one that engages me fairly well... I find myself wanting to do it... and the music is infectious. Go Chalene! I'm thinking stepping it up and trying TurboFire next.

So I ordered Step Reebok: The Video again (this time on DVD instead of VHS) and bought another step (the ZON step) at Canadian Tire.

It's got great music - and not your usual flaky workout video. This one is really different... So - now I just have to make time in my day to do it! Isn't that the way???

Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zbRQpJ2wmQ

The visual and verbal cues are fantastic so it's fairly easy to follow along (although I am still challenged by some sections!) But all in all, it's good. I feel like it's something I can accomplish and actually feel like I've worked out.

Have you tried this workout? What do you think of it? Do you have a "Reebok" brand step or another brand? Which one?

Always keep your "joie de vivre"...

Sweet Giveaway!

2010-07-08T21:16:00.000-07:00

Check out my sidebar for a sweet giveaway from French Garden House. And an amazing interview with Connie Eyberg. She does gorgeous work.

Your inspiration for the day...

2010-06-15T01:08:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when BP spills coffee...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AAa0gd7ClM

Open House was a hit...

2010-06-12T21:32:00.000-07:00

I didn't have a few of the rooms as tidy as I would have liked, but at least those darn carpets got steam cleaned - took me for-freakin'-ever!!!

I think 11 people / families came through the house today from 12-2. Was going to list on PropertyGuys but don't think I will need to. Sounds like at least 4 serious offers may come my way. Cross your fingers for us!

I'm selling my house...

2010-06-09T22:27:00.000-07:00

The big one... moving back into my duplex in the fall. So if you know anyone who is looking for a 4-bdrm, 3-bath house... you can send them over here:

http://www.145northstar.blogspot.com/

I'm having an Open House on Saturday, June 12/10 from noon to 2PM.

I miss you...

2010-06-08T21:13:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I had mentioned that I was really struggling with some things in my life. One of the reasons why is we lost our sweet Sionnach (pronounced Sheh-hon-ack, and Gaelic for "fox").

We only had her 5 years, but she meant the world to us. She was such a faithful companion. And she saw me through some of the darkest times of my life.

I will never forget camping with her out at Marsh Lake, going for walks down at Chadburn, and almost turning inside-out whenever I got home from a business trip.

She got very ill, very fast, back in November with full liver failure and then full gallbladder failure. I tried absolutely everything I could to bring her back including homeopathic medicine, raw diet, investigating drugs that could be given (and the vet agreed with me). Her liver and other enzymes returned to normal in February and we figured we had it all beat. But then, immediately after she received a clean bill of health she started to have some symptoms which we thought were arthritis in her hips that even glucosamine just didn't seem to help.

When I returned home in late April after being away for 10 days on business she looked just awful, she barely made any noise to greet me. She had lost a ton of weight very suddenly and I knew something was terribly wrong. She was just not the same.

Turns out she had a mass in her gall bladder which was most likely causing colic pain so she had a hard time getting up and down (but seemed to be fine once out on the trail walking), and I imagine she may have had mets (metastases, or spreading cancer) which caused the rapid weight loss and perhaps other pain as well.

So after a night at the vet for some IV fluids we brought her home for a few days of palliative care. We said goodbye to our dear girl on May 3, 2010, a little over a month ago now.

Here are some photos I took the day before we had to let her go. When I sent them to a friend it really struck me how terribly tired she looked.

I loved her deeply and I've had a really hard time letting her go. I grieve her loss every day. She was the best. So smart, so loving, so faithful and completly loyal to me.

Love you "Boobies"! Rest in peace without pain my sweetie.

Graduation...

2010-06-07T22:40:00.000-07:00

Wow - what an amazing weekend. Megan graduated from high school. We celebrated with family and friends all weekend - a little overwhelming at first, but turned out to be fabulous all in all.

Her "Cap and Gown" ceremony was on Thursday evening, then a family barbeque at my place on Friday night, and her "prom" on Saturday evening.

I cried like a baby when my son graduated 5 years ago. And for some reason I was pretty good this time... until I saw her do this... and saw the look on her face...

Love it!

And at her prom she was absolutely stunning... the trip down south to buy the dress was totally worth it.

Many thanks to my handsome son for manning the camera. His mad skillz are getting better every day! You can see more of his photos here.

All my kids looked absolutely stunning. It was so nice to have them all in the same place and looking so gorgeous. (They love each other so darn much!)

As my wonderful guy Bert said, it really feels like the big transitions are going to start happening in our lives and this one kind of kicked it off... with many more to follow these next few years as his oldest graduates next year, and his youngest the year after that. Three in a row.

Gosh I love him! The big German goof!

Always keep your joie de vivre!

I'm Flying!

2010-05-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

I've signed up for Kelly-Rae Roberts' e-class, "Flying Lessons", over these next few weeks. I'm going to try and flex my "creative muscle" a little bit. I'm very much looking forward to connecting with other like-minded people.

I found this through another students blog... I've been struggling with a lot in my life lately and every once in a while we all need a little reminder to just... breathe... and be thankful... and be joyous.

Me and my boy...

2010-04-15T10:06:00.000-07:00

I read this post by Karen Russell the other day... and it brought back many memories of struggling along as a single mother, just me and my boy.

I remember also always wishing for time to go faster, hoping he would get to the next stage, and grow out of the one he was in.

I wish I could rewind that time, and slow it down, live it again - but this time, be "in the now".

And now he is almost 23... jeez! Where has the time gone? He's grown into a wonderful young man. I am blessed, with him, and all my kids.

{ Book Review: Paris Times Eight }

2010-01-16T20:34:00.000-08:00

Due to my recent obsession with la joie de vivre I've been devouring anything I can get my hands on lately that has to do with Paris, France or French Country decor so I thought I'd share with you a book I recently read.

I read this one on the way to Ottawa last week and back (for work meetings), Paris Times Eight: Finding Myself in the City of Dreams by Deirdre Kelly.

This book is a really poignant journey of a Canadian journalist from Toronto who shares with us her growth from teenager (a recent graduate from high school), to a woman with her own two children, through eight visits to Paris over the years.

This book struck a chord with me as Deirdre struggles with her relationship with her own mother who is difficult and doesn't understand her at all, and her passion for the City of Lights.

(For those of you who know me you understand how I can relate to this. My biological mother has rejected me for years and really is incapable of being a "mother" in the true sense of the word. Although I respect and love her as the woman who gave me life, it has been a difficult journey to finally realize that she is dead to me, will never be able to give me what I need as a "child". I consider it a mental unstability of sorts and have forgiven her, knowing that the mothering instinct is just something that was not in her. It took me a long time and some counselling to get to this point... but I'm there in acceptance finally.) Anyway... back to the book! LOL

Diedre Kelly writes with poise and grace and draws you in with the visuals she gives with regard to the sites and sounds of this lovely city, and the little tidbits of daily life in Paris that make us all want to be Parisienne as she tries so hard to do throughout the years.

Having been to Paris last April and hoping to go again in May, I'm a little behind the author in the number of visits I've made. But hopefully I will visit many times again. This spring I hope to visit a few brocante or flea markets to find some treasures to make jewelry with.

A lovely read. For anyone who has been to Paris, or who still has it on their "bucket list".

Have you read a book lately that features Paris or France as one the "main characters"? Leave me a comment and let me know...

Always keep your Joie de Vivre...

{ My colour is aqua... }

2010-01-11T17:28:00.000-08:00

My sister said to me last week that she cannot look at the colour aqua without thinking of me. I'll take that as a compliment. I do love the colour, and I am really drawn to anything that colour certainly.

And I found the COOLEST website dedicated to this gorgeous colour recently (along with many variations of it): The House of Turquoise blog... check it out! Everything in those beautiful shades of blue/green are to be found here. What inspiration!

And though I love it, I'm not sure I could go as bold as this in my bedroom! Stunning.

2009-12-15T13:16:00.000-08:00

So trip to the “Other Great White North” is done. Yellowknife was lovely as always. My NWT Board Member talked me into attending a “Pilates” class with he and his wife one evening. Turned out to be a “Turbo Sculpting” class with weights and cardio and bands and weighted balls. Yikes! I don't think my muscles have seen that much action in a long time! And the sweat... don't even get me started.

Went down to Hay River on Thursday. Lovely little place. The folks at the hospital there were pretty busy between the session that I offered on using evidence when making healthcare decisions, a session on how to complete your budget, and a session on how to utilize the new iEHR (integrated electronic health record). Needless to say mine was not first choice for folks... I mean, come on, how can you beat EHR and finance? But the trip was not fruitless. A few attendees, and the promise of more sessions delivered via telephone or web-based, so all was not lost.

AND... I spent the afternoon at the most lovely little shop... The Woodshed. Chances slim as they may be, but if you are ever in Hay River I highly recommend a little tour of this enchanting place. A huge greenhouse à la Winter Wonderland; the front of the store an oasis filled with greenery and beautiful plants; the middle section is a beautiful gift shop and book store with everything from candles to furniture; and the back of the establishment is a lovely café with the most delightful cheesecake and other delights. I had a “grilled cheese” with swiss, bacon and apple. YUM! Will have to try that at home.

I also picked up this book, Bead. Gave me some wonderful ideas for Abby and I to make for the season of craft fairs late next year.

Friday took me back to my second home in Vancouver where I had an early Christmas with Bert and the boys on Saturday evening. So much fun finding gifts for them. They are so sweet. I got Julius a snazzy navy pea coat (same one my boy has – thanks for the tip Brock!). He looks very smashing. And Oliver a cool “leather” jacket so he can keep up appearances. For my darling Bert I made a pillow from an old German grain sack (will get him to send me a picture). Seine Mutter (his mother) was instrumental in finding me some grain sacks as I had a heck of a time sourcing them for less than $100 each on E-Bay. I even tried ebay.de to see if I could find something more budget minded direct from Germany. But no luck. So I enlisted the assistance of my lovely “mother-in-law”, Doris. She came through (as always) with four grain sacks printed in German. PLUS she sends etwas Schokolade (some chocolate!) in the package with a lovely note saying “the chocolate is for your nerves when you are sewing”. God bless her. AND on top of that she refuses payment stating that it is enough that I am making this for her “sweet boy”. Well... she got me there... he is an awfully “sweet boy”. So thankful that I can share him with her. (I promise some sort of payment is coming next time we see each other Frau Cervo, along with many hugs and kisses for you and Herr Cervo and the rest of the clan in Germany.)

So I now have three and a half grain sacks left. One, dated 1886, is almost as tall as I am and so I wasn't quite sure what to do with it because if I made a pillow out of it I would have to cut the fabric between the lettering and it just wouldn't do it justice. Bert had the wonderful idea to make a wall hanging out of it, so I will add some tabs to the top with some nice old mother-of-pearl or primitive wood buttons for accents. It will hang in his bedroom from a brass or wooden rod to hide a hole in the wall where he keeps his server and printers and other business stuff. I've heard its best that this type of stuff is not out in the open anyway in a place where you are supposed to rest your head. I will make some pillows for my place, now that I'm going all “French country” style. And maybe try to get some return on investment by making a few to place in an Etsy shop or E-Bay.

I also got the Cervo boys a fabulous piece of artwork from Alphabet Photography with their last name. Check it out. You put in the word or name and it gives you a stunning piece of art with the letters represented by architectural details. And if you don't like one of the pictures, you click on it and it gives you other options, amongst three different frames to choose from. Very cool. Very easy. Very affordable. If you are looking for a great house-warming or wedding gift this is a great option.

Bert and I spent the day Sunday driving kids around to friends' houses to do homework and go skiing at Grouse Mountain. In between drop-off and pick-up though I managed to talk him into letting me go into Fort Langley (my two step-sisters lived here before moving to the Yukon) and scour the antique shops for some bits and baubles to make jewelry with. A few good finds - will have to go back in January when I'm there or scope out some other antique shops in the Lower Mainland. A nice latté and a lovely lunch, and trip to Michaels to round it off made it a perfect day. Besides being with my baby, which always makes the day perfect.

So my handsome boy made it to England safe and sound. He is being spoiled by his girlfriend's mum already. Typical charmer that he is. I told him before he logged off today to be sure to mind his manners and to help out a lot around the house there. Be a good boy! Make me proud! (Like you always do.)

Looking forward to getting back. (On the plane from Vancouver to Whitehorse as I draft this.) But apparently my eldest daughter spent the night wrapped around the base of the toilet. I have heard rumours of a nasty stomach bug floating around Whitehorse, but it looks like it finally caught up to our household. And most likely it was my ensuite in which she slept as she likes to snuggle in my big bed when I'm on the road. Oh well... an evening spent unpacking and washing sheets and cleaning toilets... hmmm... it will be good to be home?

And to top it all off when I spoke with my little one last night she has a cold and cough. Wonder what our Christmas break brings? Hopefully health, along with wealth and happiness. The latter two are undeniable if the girls and I are together.

Always keep your Joie de Vivre,

{ Update... }

2009-12-07T14:08:00.000-08:00

Okay, between my sister and my son, I'm feeling the pressure to update the blog, and hopefully post a little more regularly.

Lots going on the past few months. I bought a new house, rented out the top of the old house. A good move I think. Rent from the downstairs pays the mortgage on the old place, and rent from the upstairs pays the mortgage on our new house (almost). But alas, a lot more expenses involved with owning two houses of course (taxes, fuel, utilities, insurance, etc.) Will have to watch my budget closely these next few months.

Lots of illness in our family the past few months with tummy bugs and flu. But all past it now I think.

For those who haven't heard, we almost lost our beloved Sionnach (Sheh-hon-ack) to complete liver failure a while ago. She's still not out of the woods, very jaundiced with a high bilirubin (causing her to be yellow). Her liver enzymes have now gone up again (bad), so still watching her and waiting.

Currently sitting in Vancouver airport on my way to Yellowknife / Hay River this week. Hopefully the weather will be forgiving.

With travelling so much I'm always on the lookout for a great travel bag. Just found this beauty at the airport here but in a lime green with brown combination. Paid 3 x as much of course here in the lovely Vancouver International Airport. YIKES!

Had a ton of CADTH paraphernalia that I was carrying in a tote bag and with the troubles with my neck/ear/facial nerve (whatever that is!) I thought it best to transfer the weight evenly over my back. I loaded it up, and put it on, and it was like heaven! Feels fantastic, lots of foam padding on the back and straps.

May order this one in the next few months.

My son Brock has been visiting the past few days. It is too bad I had to take off for work. I always enjoy his sense of humour and zest for life. He is off to England next week to see his girl, Tara. Then the two of them may go to Spain or Morocco to an all-inclusive for a bit of R&R over the holidays. Then he is off to Thailand again to work as an intern to get more diving experience. His plan is to go to Salmon Arm again in the spring to work for the "hard-scaping" company he has been with the last two years.

Did a photo shoot for Abby's school picture (the girls have decided they want me to take their school photos every year now for some reason). Will do Megan's when I get back. And also decided it was time I get a nice picture of my boy as well. Lovin the "dressy look". Gosh he's handsome! Where did he get that from?

Been feeling "Uber-crafty" these days. And tres French (have to figure out the "Alternate Keyboard" on my new netbook).

I started making jewelry, similar to this. Been collecting all the tools, sterling silver, and crystals and things required to make it over the fall. Made myself one with all three kids and their birthstones using a pearl for Abby (June) instead of Lt. Amethyst which I did for Brock. Megan has an emerald channel drop (May). I hope to take some pictures of it soon and post. (if you'd like one for yourself or as a gift, just contact me.)

And the French thing... well it all started with this scrapbook kit, which went up for sale on my birthday (birthday pressie to myself). Which led me to this, which led me to this... oh joy! Been collecting a few things off E-bay the last few weeks so that I can make some LOVELY jewelry. So looking forward to it.

And now decided I want to decorate my new bedroom / ensuite in the new house in the French country style. Making something fabulous along these lines for my darling for Christmas too. Will post pics of those after the weekend as we are having our "early Christmas" in Vancouver before Bert and his boys head off to Switzerland again for skiiing with the family over the holidays at Bettmeralp.

Well, almost out of battery power, and almost time to board the flight to Yellowknife. So will sign off and hopefully post a wee bit more while I'm on the road. Ciao all.

{ Wanna be a "Wealthy Wilma"? }

2009-09-07T10:11:00.000-07:00

So - I'm now a "Wealthy Wilma". I'd love for you to join me. Apparently there are only two of us in the Whitehorse area at this point.

I enjoyed last month's book, and am certainly looking forward to this month's book selection - and would love to have someone to discuss it with. Will head down to Mac's today to see if they have it.

I may go back and read this one too... The Story of Stuff. Check out the video on this website... very intriguing.

Cheers.

{ The greatest generation... }

2009-08-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

I read something interesting in an article in one of my scrapbooking magazines today (Creating Keepsakes - Sept 2009) entitled “Connecting with your Grandparents”. But this quote applies more to the parents of Bert and I actually.

My grandparents were part of the generation that gained a sense of personal
responsibility and honour during the tumultuous times of World War II.
Instead of giving way to a sense of entitlement, they carried a sense of
duty throughout their lives. They’re what Tom Brokaw called the “greatest
generation”.

{ Great Quote... }

2009-08-03T17:52:00.001-07:00

"Blessed are the children of scrapbookers, for they shall inherit the
scrapbooks." ~ Author Unknown

{ More scanned layouts... }

2009-08-01T18:18:00.000-07:00

A few more layouts I completed last weekend. (Click to see more detail.)

I'm still not sure about that scanning program. I changed my attached by changing the setting from "scrapbook page" where you had to make 4 scans of the 12x12 to "long page" with only required 2 scans and seemed to confuse the program less when stitching the two images together, and I only lost a smidge of the layout.

{ The Mojo has returned... }

2009-08-01T00:31:00.000-07:00

Well, for a while anyway. I was without children last weekend so me and the dog packed up in Mom and Dad's motorhome and headed out to Marsh Lake campground for 2 nights.

I literally just threw a pile of random pictures to be filed, several sheets of cardstock from each colour group, some pattern paper, and filled a large ziplock with some embellishments and away I went.

I tell you... that has to be the best way to scrapbook - I think sometimes I get overwhelmed by my huge stash of supplies (which I am trying to pare down by the way). This minimalistic attitude helped me pump out the layouts like crazy! I got 20 pages done over 2 days between walks around the campground and walks along the beach for the dog and I. Oh - and a few white wine spritzers in the evening of course.

I have always had a hard time scanning my layouts and had been taking pictures of them instead recently but find you just dont' get the detail, so I decided to try again. My scanning bed isn't quite 12 inches and even though Photoshop CS3 does "auto-stitch" them, it still leaves a gap on each side.

So I searched the Two Peas message board for insight. And there I found the answer.

ArcSoft Scan-n-Stitch! Free download, even has a "scrapbook page" mode. Seemed to work like a charm. A few problems when I tried to stitching together two pages below that perhaps were a little to similar as no matter how hard I tried it kept wanting to reverse the order, and some of them didn't line up so great, and tall embellishments obviously don't scan the area surrounding it well... but it is much less painful than Photoshop.

(Click on the picture to see details.)

Some other layouts, and I will post more tomorrow now that I have it all figured out. It's late... Good night.

{ I love this guy... }

2009-07-30T23:14:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows that I always try to always be optimistic, and joyful, and believe that things happen for the best, even though we may not know why at the time.

So I just love it when I come across stuff like this:

I had seen this ages ago and had forgotten about it until I stumbled upon it again today. Check out his website: http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/ Enjoy.

{ Six String Nation }

2009-07-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

I was in Yellowknife last week at a conference and was so excited to meet Jowi Taylor, founder of the Six String Nation project. He was there for a book signing related to the project. Jowi is a good friend of Bert's whom Bert helped collect several of the pieces for Voyageur. Have a look...

What a project... learn about all the pieces used to make the guitar.

I first heard about this project through Bert and heard the stories of how he assisted in collecting the artifacts from the arctic. And I was very sad to hear from Jowi that the project is heavily in debt and he is having a hard time getting the word out.

So, if you love this country, its history, its music and all that it stands for... please help spread the word about this worthwhile project by purchasing the book at your local bookstore, and making a donation by visiting the website and clicking on "Donate".

I even got my picture taken with the guitar... awesome!

{ Throwing My Arms Around Paris... }

2009-02-26T10:25:00.000-08:00

That's right... if you haven't heard - Bert and I are going to Paris!!! So excited.

{ A few layouts }

2009-01-07T22:29:00.001-08:00

Just a few layouts. The one below I created especially in application for the design team at Lotus Paperie .

My girl at 16.

A favourite day out at Pt. Roberts, Washington with Bert and the boys.

Took a great road trip to Dawson City with my girls this past summer.

Want a FREE Photo Session for Your Baby, Children, Pet?

2008-12-19T11:11:00.000-08:00

As per my previous post, I’ve decided to live a more creative life in the next year and am learning so much with my photography that I want to expand on it a bit. I will be starting a new lifestyle portrait photography business.

There is a place and a time for "studio" photography, but I will never ask your kids to say "cheese". And I prefer to use natural light. I want to capture the essence of who your family truly is and the relationship between everyone.

To begin my portfolio I’m going to offer a couple of free sessions, and in return I would be able to use those images as start up advertising for print marketing and on my website.

A session is valued at $150 and will be up to 2 hours duration on location (or several locations possibly). You will receive a CD with your post-processed images (color popping, B&W conversion, skin softening, etc.) That way, we both share the copyright and you can choose to have your photos printed where you want.

I will be doing the following free sessions:
Maternity – 2 sessions
Newborn – 2 sessions
Babies – 2 sessions
Children – 2 sessions
Teens – 2 sessions
Family – 2 sessions
Pets – 1 session

If you are interested in applying for one of these free sessions and don’t mind being a “model” please contact me at celticdawn65@hotmail.com or you can call me at 867-633-5771.

And happy holidays...

Living a More Creative Life

2008-12-19T11:05:00.000-08:00

So this year I've made a commitment to live a more creative life, to focus on the craft that I love so much, to make time for creativity every day. To expand on my photography skills daily. So looking forward to it!

Scrapbook Supply "Garage Sale"

2008-11-07T11:18:00.000-08:00

It's time to clean it all out again! I have WAY TOO MUCH STUFF and am trying to pare down so I will be hosting another "Scrapbook Supply Garage Sale" (similar to what I did two years ago.)

I have American Crafts linen albums (3 dark pink D-Ring, 1 green / 1 sky blue / 1 brown Post-bound), cardstock, TONS of patterned paper, embellishments, books, stamp sets, ink, organizational units, you name it!

It starts at 9AM and starting at NOON verything will be reduced by 10%, and every 1/2-hour after until it at 4PM it will be 90% off. Anything left at 5PM will be donated to my daughters school or the Teen Parent Centre.

So COME EARLY to get the GOOD STUFF!

Saturday - Nov. 8th 9AM to 5PM
101A Wilson Drive
Call 633-5771 if you need more info.

Hope to see you there!

{ Altered Magazine Files... }

2008-11-02T22:00:00.000-08:00

So I was feeling inspired a few weeks ago as I was rearranging stuff for work and looking for a new way to store reports. I decided to move them into my current magazine folders from IKEA and bought some plain white magazine files from Staples.

I chose some coordinating pattern paper and Mod Podge'd it onto the files, then painted the edges with the same blue acrylic paint to tie it all together.

I was looking for some 1" metal grommets for the holes, but those are extremely hard to find! I ended up ordering some from a sewing notions place, but they were a 2-piece plastic job and just wouldn't work. I ended up using some humongous washers from Canadian Tire and just glued them on with Diamond Glaze. The center opening was just the perfect size and adds a nice "industrial feel" to them I think.

The titles are on with business card holders that Judy at Yukon Office Supply was kind enough to order them for me. I heard about them from Aby Garvey at Simplify 101 - they are great for labeling the ends of storage boxes in the closet to recycling bins, and lots of other stuff.

I used a Rhonna Farrer brush from a free digital kit I got at Two Peas in a Bucket for the title block and the font is Bleeding Cowboys (downloaded from the internet). I'm loving this font right now!

I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. A nice addition to my scrap space. And in my fave colour combination too.

{ Proof that a good time was had by all... }

2008-10-31T18:53:00.000-07:00

Yes - that's a Herma Tab stuck to my sock! I was sorting through my laundry from last weekend and found this. (For those of you who don't live in the scrapbooking world, a Herma Tab is a double sided sticky-tape square used for scrapbooking, hee, hee...)

We had a fantastic time at our annual scrapbook retreat out at Sundog. Cheryl makes arrangements with Heather and Andrew to have a great little cabin that we stay in every year called "Panorama".

There is just enough room for four of us to have our Canadian Tire fold-out tables and we each bring a light and are responsible for a couple of meals... oh yeah... and the wine, etc.! And CHOCOLATE!

I had to miss it last year because of work but this is the 4th year we've done it. We have the core group of the four of us that usually go, but we had two other gals join us this year - thanks Loretta and Vanessa for stepping in for our two regulars who couldn't make it!

Lots of old projects finished off and was very inspired by the other gals and got a few pages completed even!

And Saturday was a lovely day to take some photos.

{ Crazy Week... }

2008-09-16T22:49:00.000-07:00

Well, the van was sold before I left on a business trip. Lady wanted to rip the keys out of my hands and gave me cash right there. I set her straight and made her go get insurance and plates first. I rented a car for the rest of that week.

I left last Monday for Fort Simpson and Yellowknife, NWT for work. Good meetings, always love meeting the people and seeing the sights.

New car should be here late this week, or early next - can't wait! Carcare Nissan was kind enough to give me a loaner for this week. Those guys are great! I must admit I've always been a Nissan kinda girl and have missed it when I haven't owned one. New car is a 2009 Nissan Versa Hatchback in metallic navy blue with CVT transmission, Sport and Technology package (Woo, hoo! Bluetooth and XM Satellite radio!) Can you say "LOADED"? So excited.

Haven't had a chance to update the blog re: our "family" trip to Alaska in August. Was good... Bert and I, four kids again, and his parents. They are FANTASTIC - love those folks.

I leave you with a picture of us all from the trip... Cheers.

{ Moped for Sale... }

2008-07-29T22:16:00.000-07:00

Oh, yes... and I also have this for sale:

2007 Honda Jazz

Burgundy / Cream colour (very classy!)

Windshield added

Extra rear trunk storage added

Less than 10 km on it

Motorcycle License not required as only 49 .cc

Liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine

Can be viewed at Yukon Honda

Or drop me a line at celticdawn65 at hotmail dotcom or

call me at (867) 633-5771. Thanks!

Oh yeah... $3,300 FIRM and it reaches top speed of 60km /hr apparently.

{ So - it's all about the Mermaids... }

2008-07-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

So my fabulous boy took off for Thailand yesterday. I wasn't nervous until I knew he had actually taken off from Vancouver. At the time of this posting he should have arrived there about 6 hours ago. I told him he MUST contact his parents somehow within the first 24 hours so we know that he has arrived safely.

He is going to Mermaids Dive School in Pattaya. If anyone has visited the area, please let me know. His plan is to become a Dive Instructor.

I'm so thrilled that he discovered his passion when he was in Australia for that year when he became a Dive Master. So cool.

And I've come to accept the fact that my baby boy will most likely live half way around the world for the rest of his life - considering he is 21 now... not such a baby anymore.

{ Loving this... }

2008-07-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the opportunity to break open the "Interactive Scrapbooking" kit I ordered from Karen Russell - she is the creator of the Creative Imaginations - Narratives line.

Everything about her style is how I wish I could scrap with my own sense of creativity. I loved this kit so much - I ordered her other two - "Snapshots of a Good Life" and "10 Reasons". Perhaps the style will rub off on me... hmmmm....

I will definitely be buying her products when I see them from now on.

This is the first layout which a little mini-book which was inserted into the page protector after the whole thing was completed. Very interesting. Click on the photos to get a better view of the details.

This second layout is done by creating a folder and again, attaching it to the main body of the layout after it is already in the page protector. Inside the folder is some of Abby's schoolwork from Grade 3:

This final layout is my favourite, inspired by one of Karen's layouts - no interactive elements on this one... but the journalling is great. Again, click on the picture to see the details.

Thanks for looking!

{ Photo ShaZAM!!! }

2008-07-12T19:52:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to learn how to do this FOREVER! And Jessica Sprague has a great tutorial on her website to learn how to enhance your photos and really make them POP!

So here is the original photo - a picture of my daughter Megan on her 16th birthday - and the comparison after the magic:

So glad I've finally learned how to enhance my photos this way. YAY! Thanks Jessica!

{ Chadburn Lake }

2008-07-01T15:04:00.001-07:00

Went for a hike around the Chadburn Lake trail today - Canada Day. Weather was just okay... trying to be sunny, spitting a little, but nice. I'd had a dream about bears the night before so put the bell on the dog just to be safe...

The scenery was great, but honestly, the thing I love more about hiking the trails here is the SMELL! The combination of the pine needles, the wild roses, the lupines, the sap - it's absolutely intoxicating. (I know, I'm weird.)

I bought the book Whitehorse Hikes & Bikes some time ago and had good intentions to do one of the hikes every weekend last summer... will have to make the same vow now that I am home for more than a week right now.

{ A message to my boy... }

2008-05-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

as he struggles with his next step in life...

Promise me you'll always remember:
You're braver than you believe, and
stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
~ Christopher Robin to Pooh Bear

{ Grey's Anatomy - Oh Why Do I Love it So Much??? }

2008-05-09T11:34:00.001-07:00

I was watching Grey's last night, and as usual started crying during several moments. It made me wonder why I like the show so much. What is it about the characters and the plot that draws me in. I think it's the fact that I am very much like Meredith - same issues - just not as screwed up (some would beg to differ, I know)...

And I think it's because every week when I watch the show I get to cry a little and laugh a little. I think it helps me to relieve the pressures from the week past. Pure, simple, stress release.

So glad the writers strike is over! BRING IT ON!

{ A year and a half... }

2008-05-07T22:17:00.001-07:00

It's been a year and half since I met this amazing man... and if you're wondering if this is going to be a smoochy-woochy type of blog entry - why yes - it is.

Someone said to me a few weeks ago that if we've been doing this for 18 months, then there must be something to it. And yes, there is definitely something to this crazy back and forth, BC / Yukon, relationship.

It's so great to be with a person who is so loving, giving, romantic, and amazing. We just fit... we just get each other...

Now if we could only live in the same town... Hmmm...

I always say to Bert - at least we live in the same time zone! That's gotta be a blessing.

{ She's back... }

2008-04-22T09:23:00.001-07:00

So this morning went like this:

Mom: Come on out my man-eating spider.
Abby: I'm not a man-eating spider
Mom: Oh? What are you now?
Abby: I'm a butterfly

WHEW!!! She's back...

{ She's a Man-Eater... }

2008-04-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

So - I go to wake Abby up for school this morning and she's all snuggled up in her blankets.

Mom: Okay my beautiful little butterfly come on out of your cocoon.

Abby: I'm not a butterfly.

Mom: Oh? What are you?

Abby: I'm a MAN-EATING SPIDER!

Yikes, watch out for that girl!

{ Self Esteem... so important for our girls }

2008-04-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

{ It's been a while... }

2008-03-24T17:50:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a while now... been very busy as per usual. Gave up my Close To My Heart scrapbooking business as it seemed to keep getting pushed to the bottom of the list. Picked up a few contracts with the consulting business and have been very busy travelling for my job as well.

Will just share a few layouts with you for today. Bert and I did a road trip to Seattle last fall. It was so nice.

{ Christmas is nearing...}

2007-12-17T20:01:00.000-08:00

I always know that I'm getting in the Christmas mood finally when I search the internet for this video... an absolute classic - it always gives me goosebumps...

{ It's been a while... }

2007-12-03T20:08:00.000-08:00

... since I posted on the old blog... things have been very busy. Lots going on these days between travelling to Vancouver to see "my boyz", and my #1 boy came home from Australia in September (was so happy to have him back on Canadian soil, let me tell you); my new job with the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health - http://www.cadth.ca/ ; and so much more.

For now here are a few of my favourite pictures from the last while.

{ Haines }

2007-08-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time in Haines when Bert and the boys were here... missing it already.

Here's a few pics...

Oliver - strike a pose! Work that catwalk baby!

Megan - sitting on the dock - right before the grizzly encounter - 7 feet away!

Abby - amongst the fireweed at Klukwan

Julius - run Dude!

My gorgeous little "She-poopy" as she was nicknamed by Oliver on this trip.

(Tired parents with 4 children on holiday - can you tell??? )

And my guy... Bert. Love spending time with him, and this was a great trip! We hope to do a few more like this and soon!

{ It's all about the ATTITUDE! }

2007-07-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

That's what I try to live by. I remind my kids and my partner of this on occasion as well.

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. we cannot change the inevitable. the only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it. - Charles Swindoll

Another quote I love is:

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. - Mary Engelbreit

{ Easy Patterns - Part 2 }

2007-07-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

So this is the one-page layout I created from CK's Easy Patterns. A sample chapter from the book can be found here.

This layout is when Abby's Kindergarten class hosted a "Parent's Tea", celebrating both Mother's and Father's day with songs and skits, and the kids served us goodies with tea and coffee. So sweet!

This card was fast and easy. And something I never think of doing... drawing around the edge with a pen. It just add's a little bit of "something. You'll notice on the layout above that I did the same thing around one edge of the photos.

TIP: Add some sparkle! I placed crystals in the centre of the flowers instead of brads to add a little sparkle to your layouts.

( I love adding sparkle!)

{ CK Easy Patterns }

2007-07-11T22:23:00.000-07:00

Over the next few days I'll be sharing a couple of layouts that I created using CK Easy Patterns. These have been appearing in the last few issues of Creating Keepsakes Magazine (aka CK).

I don't know about you, but sometimes the urge to create gets so absolutely overpowering. I've been extremely busy lately trying to get a deadline met with a project, starting a new job, travelling, etc. and a couple of weeks ago, while coming across this article again in the March 2007 issue I got inspired... right before I went to bed.

I tell you, I lay there with ideas floating around in my head, visions of layouts danced through the air, and the urge to get out of bed and create something RIGHT NOW, at 12:30 at night, was hugely overwhelming!

I felt like it had been SO LONG since I got into my little dining room nook and created something that I would absolutely BURST if I didn't do it RIGHT THEN!

(Please tell me some of you also feel like that????)

So - needless to say, the next night I put my work aside, grabbed the last few issues of CK and started looking at these "Easy Patterns". I chose a combination of papers that I normally wouldn't choose at all, chopped them all up, and started slappin' those layouts together! Boy did that feel good!

In the span of two nights I got two double-page layouts, one single page layout and a card done. Man - did I need that!

This is one of them. Some of the photos are blurry (or of my daughter Megan's hand!) but totally help to "tell the story". I love the way Ali Edwards will use blurry photos on her layouts for the purpose of telling the story. Check out her style ~ her work is so inspiring to me!

Journaling reads:

Sometimes you slow down just enough
to let me take your picture ~ and sometimes you don't.
You are so very beautiful...
even with your new glasses and
braces,
and the world really needs to see that.

Technique: Journalling on strips

Something I've never done - very cool.

Technique: Cover chipboard letters with patterned paper "Shy"

I used a glue stick to cover the chipboard and then placed them face down on the back of the patterned paper. Rolled over them with a brayer to get any bubbles out. Then once the glue had dried a little turn them back upside down and trim the excess paper off. A little more time consuming than what I'm used to - but love the effect!

If you feel like you need to break out of your shell and just produce something, try an Easy Pattern. There's a sneak peek here.

{ Scrapbooking }

2007-07-10T21:43:00.001-07:00

Okay... this blog was originally supposed to be a place I could share my work with family and friends and keep them up to date as to what was happening with my life.

And possibly to help my customers get some new ideas and learn a few techniques.

So - here's the thing. I'm finally going to post some layouts that I've done over the past few months and share them with you.

So, here's the first:

Journaling reads:

Yes, it was a perfect day! Abby and I took our bikes out to Wolf Creek and rode on the trail. Then we had a picnic lunch in the campground while enjoying this rare sunny day! date: May 27, 2007

Inspirational quotes on transparencies read:

"A memory is what is left when something happens and does not completely unhappen. - Edward de Bono"

"won-der: 1. to be curious about; think about; wish to know 2. wonderful things

TECHNIQUE: I've created a pocket on this layout so that the trail map can be taken out and looked at. I cut a slit in my page protector so that you can access the map without reaching inside the page protector.

With your layout inside the page protector draw a line with a wax crayon or dry erase marker where you'd like the opening to be. Remove your layout from the page protector and slide your cutting mat inside. Then take an exacto knife or scissors with your ruler and cut along the line you just drew.

Slide the layout back in. Place the map into the slot you just cut and into the pocket on the layout - et voila! An interactive layout.

{ Paul Potts - Greatness Being Born }

2007-06-18T14:18:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard the name Paul Potts, it won't be long until you do. Similar to "American Idol", Simon Cowell's show "Britain's Got Talent" provides Brits with a similar viewing experience.

A simple, humble man that works at CarPhone Warehouse in Cardiff, Wales.

Check this out... man or woman, it will be sure to bring you to tears...

An exerpt from The National Review Online:

His expression before he begins to sing is that of a man resigned to disappointment. Even when he smiles, his eyes convey a profound sadness. He has been a nobody all his life. He, and perhaps only he, knows he has greatness inside of him, but he is obviously a humble man, massively insecure, afraid of rejection, unsure of himself outside the cocoon of anonymity. But you get the feeling he also knows that this may be the one chance he gets to escape the cocoon, and as he begins to sing, you can see him fighting down his fear. I think that is the wellspring of the emotion that pervades his performance. He is fighting against a life of obscurity. By the song’s end, what was an average Joe has stepped up, beaten back his fear, and broken through. In those few seconds, he put the void behind him, and his life will probably be changed forever because he called up the courage at that moment to show what he was really made of. We saw greatness, long denied, finally being born.

You can read the full review here.

Oh, and by the way... he goes on to the semi-final, wins the final... of this competition and wins £100,000 and will perform at the Royal Variety Performance... for the Queen.

{ Life is not easy... }

2007-04-24T09:16:00.000-07:00

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”

—Marie Curie (1867-1934), double Nobel laureate (physics and chemistry)

2007-04-20T09:14:00.001-07:00

"The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost."

—G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936), writer

{ When good things happen... }

2007-04-19T12:34:00.000-07:00

Why, when good things happen (like yesterday) are they always balanced by something not so nice?

I got home from work last night and found out my new renters, who were so keen, just backed out on me. Now I have to find someone to take the place immediately, and it's not like someone will be willing to move in this Saturday! And, on top of it, the people are being nasty.

It is a sad statement, but I guess I have to quit putting so much trust in people that they are good, and will do the right thing.

I've now been advised by various sources to take a full months rent for a security deposit, and get them to sign the tenancy agreement BEFORE taking any money, and never take post-dated cheques... who woulda thunk? If you have a rental unit you'd be wise to take this advice. I'm learning as I go.

So that being said ~ wanna rent a loverly 2-bdrm suite in a cutesy house in Granger?

Keep smiling...

{ What is no longer meaningful }

2007-04-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

Alan Cohen : It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power.

Okay - I am SO blessed, I cannot stand it sometimes. I've been thinking a lot lately about making a big lifestyle change and realizing that I really wasn't being fulfilled with my current government job. Well, as my good friend Jo says... I "put it out there in the universe". And guess what? It worked! Again!

I'm starting a new part-time job with Air North soon. What a great change. I was so tired with politics and writing stuff that didn't really make me feel passionate about what I was doing. I will still be with government in my old half-time job, to keep the benefits and pension going... all the good adult things we are supposed to have. But I truly think it will allow me to enjoy more moments like this...

Megan and Oliver driving each other crazy... love these kids...

{ Taxes... and Birthdays!}

2007-03-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

So been trying to get my taxes done, but it just feels like there's never enough time in the day (especially for taxes!).

Made another Mother's Day card last night and posted it in my Etsy store.

Looking forward to getting out of here and heading to Vancouver next week. It's my sweetie's birthday - YAY! Can't wait. He doesn't seem to think that birthdays are important, but that's a different story now that I'm around. I love birthdays, they should be celebrated to fullest! My girlfriend JoB was born Jan 4th and she tells everyone that January is her "birthday month" and that they are welcome to take her for lunch / dinner / drinks or buy her a gift anytime during the month of January - no restrictions. How cool is that? What a girl!

{ Blood Oranges + Mother's Day }

2007-03-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

So - what do they have to do with each other? Well, it's kinda just what I did this weekend. Besides having a huge scrapbook supply sale (awesome!).

Blood oranges ~ never had them before and saw them in our tiny, local organic family grocery store. (See Rebecca's blog for more on Riverside Grocery... it's been there, like, forever!) So, I tried them - love the colour, it's amazing... saving the 2nd one for Abby to try 2nite. Fun stuff.

I also got a chance to get back to creating something. One of my co-workers has been encouraging me to create more, and try and sell my creations... always a thought, so I created four similar Mother's Day cards last night and started my own Etsy store. What's an Etsy store? It's like E-Bay, but only for handmade crafts. Amazing stuff on there, mine doesn't even compare to some of the items for sale there. I will get back to my creations tonight, and add more to the store. Fun stuff...

{ Homeless }

2007-03-05T08:47:00.000-08:00

Well, I've been homeless the last two nights... well, not really. I've rented my house out for the 2nd week of the Canada Winter Games to two lovely couples whose daughters play for Team Alberta Hockey.

I spent Saturday night at my friend Julie's house and her pipes froze overnight, so no shower. Then I spent last night at my friend Jocelyn's house. (THANKS GIRLS!)

I was able to immerse myself in a bath tub last night and finally get warmed up (still -35C!) I felt like Sam McGee from Tennessee as it felt like the first time I'd been warm in a very long time!

Plus I'm getting sick... that doesn't help at all. You just want to be in your own bed when you're not well... 5 days to go until I'm in my own bed.

{ Reading }

2007-03-03T14:29:00.000-08:00

I used to just read magazines ~ must be my short attention span. But a few years ago I picked up my daughter's copy of Harry Potter, and there I went, immersed in the world of reading again. Then I got hooked on Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, thanks to my Dad (if you can believe that!) and my girlfriend JoB.

I like this quote from Sarah Ban Breathnach's book "Something More" ...

"It would seem to be an easy thing, really, the reading of a book. You pick a book up, open it, fix your gaze, and begin. Well, maybe so and maybe not. As a reader, I'm hard on books and other writers. A passionate woman, I like my men and books to knock my socks off. It's got to be love at first sight. I need to be bowled over by an author's insight, to wonder how I lived before the book explained it all to me, or how the author knew me so well."

That is totally me! A book needs to grab my attention immediately or it is lost on me. No use continuing past page 3. Not to mention the part about my men knocking my socks off... so true! Hmmm....

{ Ice Fog }

2007-02-28T08:55:00.000-08:00

Okay... it's freakin' cold here! Not loving the weather this week. Although I will admit it is beautiful.

It's -36C here this morning, plus a wind chill bringing it down to -45C... jealous????

Check out the local weather for Whitehorse.

{ Absurdities }

2007-02-22T10:11:00.000-08:00

Last night my son reminded me that it was time to update my blog... have to make it a daily habit I think...

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Interesting quote from a guy whose middle name is "Waldo"... I think all of our life is like that, not just each day... I totally agree with Waldo.

{ When your kids drive you crazy... }

2007-01-17T10:24:00.000-08:00

Remember this when your kids are driving you crazy... remember to hug them, and hold on tight...

2006-12-21T11:22:00.000-08:00

Zurich

My Bert and his boys are in Switzerland right now enjoying sun, blue skies and skiing. Wish I was there, even though I don't ski - LOL

http://www.bettmeralpbahnen.ch/e/live/

{ Quote for today... }

2006-12-01T11:17:00.000-08:00

Some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what is going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity... ~ Gilda Radner

{ My Birthday - 41 is a GOOD AGE! }

2006-11-29T09:53:00.000-08:00

My sweetheart, Bert, was kind enough to come to Whitehorse for my birthday on the 19th of November. My 41st birthday was absolutely fabulous!

He took me to Inn on the Lake - very posh, very warm and welcoming. His cousin, Carson, is a fabulous host. The food is fabulous, the rooms are wonderful. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday present.... except for the stunning gold and diamond earrings Bert gave me... lovin' those... haven't taken them off yet.

This is a picture of the room we stayed in - FAB!

{ Bad Blogger... }

2006-11-28T15:47:00.000-08:00

Well, I have been a bad blogger. I have not posted in a very long time.

Well ~ I have good reason for that actually... You see... I have been busy, very busy... falling in love.

I kinda dig this guy...

he's very sweet, trés cute, and treats me like an absolute princess. Only problem is... he's in Vancouver, and I'm here in the frozen north.

Ah well... distance is the only thing that keeps us apart. We talk several times a day. Thank the universe for technology... e-mail, cell phones, webcam with mic/headsets... all good stuff when it comes to long distance relationships.

At this point we will see each other almost once a month. I think our visits are planned until June right now. ;-)

Who would have thought that a first date in Vancouver would lead to this...

{ Great Clock! }

2006-10-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

Found this great clock at Superstore last week and put the pictures from our "Mother's Day Photo Shoot" in it... lovin' it! Hung it up at my office.

{ Quote for the day... }

2006-10-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.

~Foster C. McClellan

{ Colin + Justin }

2006-10-09T21:23:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what it is about these fellas... but I sure like them. They make me laugh so much every time I watch them.

I first came upon Colin + Justin when watching The Million Pound Property Experiment. I love that show... and was thrilled when I stumbled upon How Not To Decorate. Now that's a funny show!

I love these guys! They make me laugh every time I watch them... My favourite line so far has to be Colin's "I'm so happy, I think I'm pitching a tent in my design panties!" but with a Scottish accent - lol.

{ My House }

2006-10-05T09:36:00.000-07:00

For my family who lives across the country, I've posted some pictures of my house. Had to take these because I'm renting out my place for the Canada Winter Games and had to send them to the applicants. Eventually painting each room and putz-ing around. Just need to concentrate on one room and finish it! You know me...

This is the living room... Debbie Travis' Tiramisu on the walls with Aqua accents - love it! But been thinking about changing the accents to red this winter...

Hmmm.... But maybe not... cuz my bedroom is that combination....
Megan's Room - very funky! We are getting ready to paint the last two walls shortly. The wall behind the computer will be pink - to match the mirror, and the very small wall that you can't see {beside the closet} will be orange... so very little of it {thank goodness}.

Abby's Room...

I did this room last Easter when I took some time off... very "dreamy"...

Well, that's all for now.... must take some pictures of my dining room - it has my scrapbooking / creating area in there now... and I'm loving it!

Switching blog hosts...

2006-10-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

Well gotta love something that's free... so, as a girl on a budget, I've moved my blog to a free site. I'll keep you posted...