What a Birthday Week...

This past week has been very busy with Michael's Basketball, Soccer and Bowling. On Thursday it was my birthday and my boys took me to McDonalds for dinner, then Michael had soccer practice and then it was parent/teacher meetings at Michael's school. Michael picked out the best card for me, it really makes me laugh. He also got me some Purdy's White Chocolate and English Toffee, my favs.

Friday night was my Birthday Crop Nite and it was fun to have my friends help me celebrate. They had a pot luck dinner with two cakes, fun party hats and a great inspiring evening of Scrapbooking. I was working on and finished my layout for the "So you Think you Can Scrap" contest, week 3. It was romance and I love the layout, it was with a picture from 20 years ago. I'm really enjoying these challenges, I love stepping outside the box as well it is forcing me to Scrapbook. I'm also using lots of the older photos in these challenges and so that is exciting to be using the photos from yesteryear.

Friday night Michael played his first Basketball game of the season and scored 10 baskets. That is incredible since last year he averaged 1-2 assists per game and zero baskets. The Coach wanted to know what he ate for dinner. Frozen Macaroni and Cheese dinner. I'll try feeding it to him again this Friday. LOL

Saturday was the Clipper Street Garage sale and so I met my friend Robin there and we found a few deals. My two best buys was a Mimi Tote I have wanted for the past three years because I had past it up the last time it was on sale for a good deal and a Magnetic Poetry Stamp Set. I'm all about the words these day.

Soccer was at Noon Saturday and Michael's team was not in full form. They lost 4-0 and just didn't look like themselves. They get a rest next week so hopefully they will bounce back in a couple of weeks.

Saturday night I had my brother and his family over for dinner to celebrate Michael's and my birthdays. We had Chicken Wings, Salmon, Scalloped Potatoes and Veggies. For the cake we ate the left overs from the night before. The Chocolate cake was to die for, it was made by my friend Robin. Thanks Robin!!!

Sunday was an all day Crop in Lions Bay with my friends Kandice, Izzy and Jo. I love spending time with them, they are all so talented and just great ladies.

Monday was bowling with my Ladies League, I had a great day by bowling 142, 175 and 208. My average is 143 so that is a GREAT day :o) This afternoon I spent getting caught up on some work for the store as well as unpacking from the all day crop yesterday.

Pick of the Patch

This l/o was made on a 6x6 wood panel. It was alot of fun to work with a different medium. I enter it into the West Coast Scrapbooking Contest and made it to the top 15 finalists.

Michael was so happy with his pumpkin pick, he takes choosing the right pumpkin very seriously.

So you think you can Scrap Challenge #2

Well I have survived Crop for Kids 2008. I'm very lacking in sleep but had to submit my layout for So you think you can Scrap Challenge #2. I had a fabulous time at the event, got lots accomplished, enjoyed time with friends and even met a new friend. Hopefully she didn't find us too crazy and will join us more often. She is very talented and her name is Leah.

Hopefully I can make it through watching the Amazing Race before falling into bed. Good Night :o)

First Christmas Card of the Season

Here is the first Christmas card I have made for this Season.

I used bronze embossing powder and tissue paper. I love the fruitcake line from Basic Grey. Something a little different than the traditional red and green.

The Birthday Boy

Michael's birthday was yesterday and we spent the whole day together.

It was a Pro D Day and therefore no school.

For breakfast he requested McDonalds so off we went.

He ordered an egg mcmuffin, hash browns and a chocolate milkshake.

(I bet he didn't think I would let him get the milkshake LOL)

Then we stopped by Tammy's for a quick visit and while out for a walk with Kyle and Amanda the three of them found a one hundred dollar bill. Yes $100.00!!! They were so excited. Each will receive $33.33 and $33.34 for Michael because it was on his birthday.

Then it was off to his buddy Jordan's birthday party on the soccer pitch at 8 Rinks in Burnaby.

Back home to get his presents from us. Guitar Hero Aerosmith for the Wii, Webkinz, and a Portugal Soccer Jersey. Michael plugged Guitar Hero in right away and began playing.

Next we are off to Planet Laser for Michael's birthday party with 11 of his closest friends.

2 1/2 hours of laser tag, pizza, pop & presents. Pure fun for boys.

Then home to play more guitar hero with Jacob who also spent the night.

What a full birthday day. Hope you loved every minute of it Michael.

So You Think You Can Scrap Challenge #1

I can't believe that in the midst of renos I found the time to finish the SYTYCS Challenge #1. This is an event hosted by my friend Izzy and done with my scrapping buddies from the Scrapaholics. What a bunch of very talented ladies with loads of different ideas.

I have had to remove my photo because it is going to be published in the Spring 2009 issue of Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine.

Smack dab in the middle of renos

Well it has been awhile since I have any time to play on my computer. The renos are all consuming but I'm trying to keep a positive attitude. I'm still very excited about the vision I have for the finished project and that it what is keeping me going. I think I can, I think I can, I know I can. Chuga Chuga Choo Choo.

Back to School

September is here and Fall is on its way. I love the new beginnings of September probably more so than the first of the year. It is a time I look forward to learning new things and turning my interests inside and for me that means more time to Scrapbook.

I'm going to take on a two week home reno project starting on Saturday. I'm not going to share the details just yet but stay tuned for the photos.

Michael is back to school, grade 4 this year. Soccer and Basketball will be starting this week too. Back to the routines and the busy afternoon/evenings and weekends.

This summer was a great one with lots of mini trips and time spent with good friends and family. I'm looking forward to scrapping all the great memories. Even camping in the rain this past Labour Day Long Weekend at Alouette Lake.

I've been tagged.

I've received an 'I love your blog tag' from Jo. Wow! Thank you Jo. I'm loving blogging and thank you for sharing, you are a great inspiration to me and others. I needed some where to ignite my journalling fire that is hopefully buried deep down inside.





The rules:I have to pick 7 of my favorite blogs and…

1. The winner can put the logo on their blog

2. Link the person you received your award from


3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.


4. Put links of those blogs on yours.


5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls or boys you’ve nominated.



I may have to bend the rules since I have not been blogging for long and most of my friends have already been tagged.



1.Kandice ~ because she is a very talented woman and I enjoy listening to what she has to say. I hope she takes the plunge and gets her own blog or at least starts making entries on the family blog.


2.Jo ~ You are one of the most talented ladies I know. You are a real inspiration.


3.Kathy ~ I love your blog. You have lots of energy (especially at 1am) and are always willing to try new things. I love your spunk.


4.Sue ~ A very special lady. I enjoy getting creative with you.


5.Izzy ~ Heart of Gold + Talent + Fun = Izzy.



6.Ali ~ Love your outlook on life and scrapbooking.


7.Aby - I love being organized and your blog is very inspirational with great ideas.

Mini Vacation

My Mini Vacation

I have spent the past few days as a tourist is my own town.

I love doing this since it makes us really appreciate the

beauty that our tourists see everyday.

My dh cousins came for a impromptu visit from California.

We went to the Museum of Anthropology, there are a lot of totem poles there. Most artifacts are housed in drawers so you spend your time opening and closing the drawers alot. Kinda a nuisance.

We went to Stanley Park,

Granville Island

and Queen Elizabeth Park on Wednesday. Then I went home and had a family dinner for 16. What a crazy day. It was nice to see the local relatives since that doesn't happen very often.

Thursday was a road trip to Victoria, we caught the 10am ferry to Schwartz Bay.

We started our tour down by the harbour and went to the Parliment Buildings and walked around the inner harbour.

Then we made our way to visit the University of Victoria, an interesting fact is that the grounds are covered with stinkin' cute bunnies.

Then we were off to Butchart Gardens, ooh la la, what beautiful flowers and landscaped grounds. I took oodles and oodles of photos.

At 6pm we arrived at the ferry terminal to come home and found out there was a two sailing (which turned into a four sailing) wait due to an out of service broken ferry. We ended up on the 11pm sailing and arrived home at 1:30am. Whew! What an adventure.

Smurfs Up!

As a child I would always create pictures for my Mom each day. When she was at work I would post them around our apartment so that they were the first thing she would see when she got home from work. Tonight I was going through some of her things and I found a pile of drawings and artwork of mine from years ago. This drawing was most likely done when I was age 10 or 11.

I've been tagged.....

My friend Izzy tagged me! (First tag -- second tag shown at the bottom) The rules are you have to take 10 pictures of the following things, and you have to do it right away. No straightening, cleaning, or wiping your child's nose. Then you tag five others.Here we go!!!

1) Closet.... Looks like there are a few holes, maybe I need to go shopping.

2) Laundry Room.... This is my brand new washing machine. The old one died last week just after we returned from a camping trip. I was on the second to last load when it died. The new one arrived yesterday. I broke it in today with 8 loads of laundry. I dry only 50% of our clothes in the machine and the balance hang to dry. My legs are too long to allow for any shrinkage.

3) Fridge.... I know you don't normally put red wine in the fridge but it is the only way my dh drinks it. And he only drinks it because it would be alcohol abuse to pour it out.

4) Sink... Messy since this is right after dinner.

5) Favorite Room... since it is night time you can't see my view through the sliding doors. On a clear day I can see Mt Baker. I love my kitchen for the view and I love to cook and entertain.

6) What the kids are doing.... Michael has a friend over for a sleep over and they are playing Lego Indiana Jones on the Wii.

7) Toilet.... could be worse.

8) Favorite Shoes... I love my little runners from Nordstroms Rack in Seattle. I could live in them 24/7.

9) Dream Vacation... One day I want to take a South American Cruise and I must stop in Montevideo, Uruaguay.

10) Self Portrait - This is my most recent shot from last weekends crop.

Second Tag -
6 quirks about me:
The rules are to link the person who sent it to you (above), mention these rules in your blog, then (the fun part) tell us about 6 random, unspectacular quirks that you possess. Then tag 6 others to do the same.

1. I am terrified of needles and I had 23 on the day my son was born.

2. I'm a junk food junkie.

3. I always have cold hands and feet, even in the summertime.

4. I'm adopted.

5. I LOVE my 1980 Camaro Z28.

6. In 18 years of living in the same house I have never re-arranged my furniture.

Since I'm new to blogging I don't have anyone to tag who hasn't already been hit.

Happy Anniversary

Today DH and I are celebrating our 16th Wedding Anniversary.

This is the card I made for him, he loves receiving my cards.
This I know because one year I was in a rush and so I purchased one and boy did I hear about it.

Day 2

Izzy & Diane

Cruisin Buddies

Crop & Cruise Acrylic Album

I'm not very creative with titles just yet but I'm sure that will change.

Today I want to add a photo to my post. Fingers are crossed.

Yay! It worked. It is not in the spot that I wanted but those are little details. This is the mini album I made in a class at Clipper St Langley last Saturday with guest teacher Trisha Ladouceur from Edmonton. She is a fabulos teacher and designer.

Our hostess for the Crop & Cruise was Deana Hutchinson who along with Trisha has been selected to teach on the Crop & Cruise to the Carribean.

6 months, 8 days and counting...

My first post, hmmm what to say. Well I'm looking forward to a new place to inspire me creatively and spirtiually. A place to showcase the photos throughout my life that make me smile everyday.