First Time

My track record has been pretty poor lately. Sorry for that!

There are a couple new layouts that should be added to my Pinterest in the near future; for now, I'll share my most recent layout (which I haven't uploaded yet, so look for it late tonight or tomorrow).

Back when Addison was still a little baby and we were trying to cope with her Colic, we brought her to the lab in Arcola to see if her blood work would turn up anything (because at that point, we had no idea what was bothering her so). Of course no little ones like having sharp objects stuck into their arms (or tied around their arms, for that matter), but she was a trooper. The girls at the hospital (naturally) thought Addison was adorable. I don't think its often they have little ones grace their lab, so it was a highlight in their day to see someone so sweet and wiggly.

To reward Addison for her bravery, the lab tech gave her a purple stuffed teddy, and its been a favourite stuffy ever since then. I just had to scrap it!

I absolutely love how this layout came together. I love the papers together, and the colors are gorgeous. I began with the half circle banner (which is from Carta Bella's Merry & Bright collection), and based the colors I chose on the colors in the banner. I also began with a sketch that I found on Pinterest.

What I love most about this layout? The clustered elements. It draws your eye in and keeps your focus on the picture and keeps it there. Next, it would have to be the colors and how the patterns weld so beautifully together.

I hope you enjoy this layout as much as I do!

Take care, and until next time...

~a

Fascinate{d}

I love this shot of Addison. It was kind of a fluke, really, but a happy fluke. I get all giddy inside when stuff like this happens!

We were out in the garage helping Kyle clean up and sort through the loads of junk and garbage we've got kicking around, and after a while, the kids discovered daddy had some of his old toys kicking around the garage. They also discovered there were some neato things in there- such as sand paper- which is what Addison is holding in this photo.

Everything on this layout is from scraps- in one way or another. The orange and gold flower sticker is actually a 12 inch border strip (K&Co) that I cut into four strips (all varying lengths), to get more mileage from. The white netting is packaging from toys that I bought from Walmart for the kids' prizes (for their weekly chore charts). You'll see it popping up on a few different projects in the near future!

The flower I am especially fond of. It came from a cheapo flower arrangement that my MIL bought the kids for their bedroom when they were first born. Truthfully, I was never keen on them (there were three), but now they seem to have grown on me a little. Now that the kids (aka Addison) tore them all to  shreds (except for one). I kept some of the flowers from one of them, and plan to incorporate them into my layouts. Here, you can see one of them- I used a black rhinestone for the centre of the flower.

For the title work, I threw together some sticker letters (I don't know where they came from- my sister gave them to me!), but the green banner is MS. The phrase sticker in the top right corner is K&Co.

All this was done for sketch #153 over at Lets Capture These Sketches. If you get the chance, head over there, and see what the design team has come up with. If you choose to use the sketch, let me know- I'd love to see how it inspires you!

~a

Cheers

Good evening! Where has the day gone?! The weather has been gloriously beautiful today- although muggy. The weather is supposed to be gorgeous right through next week, and I suspect that all the thunderstorms that have by-passed us this past week will probably dump on us this week. At least, I hope! Some cooler weather would be almost a good thing :)

I have another layout to share with you. Today, its a two pager! The next few layouts are going to contain a number of pictures. I've finally made it to the point in the month where we celebrated with the girls' twin cousins on their first birthday. If you recall, a ton of pictures were taken that day, so a few layouts are going to be dedicated to that day! I'm waiting on permission from my cousin, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to post the layouts I make with her kids in them. But, if this is the only layout you see of that day (possibly one more), then its because I don't have permission to post pics of her kids on the net! Just a little forewarning!!

The inspiration behind this particular layout comes from the incredibly talented Kelly Klapstein. She created this layout for a new segment in the Canadian Scrapbooker magazine called 'Double the Fun'. We were encouraged to play along and try this sketch out for ourselves- with the possibility (I think) of being published along with her. After thinking on it for quite some time, I decided to try it out. I must say, I just LOVE how it turned out!

All the accent patterned papers are from the same sheet(s) of 12x12 paper. I cut out the mushroom portion of the paper to make the border along the top of the page, and the lined/stitched portion for the bottom of the page. The flourishes were also part of that paper, so I fussy cut it out, then cut it in half and adhered it to the bottom right corners of each page. The banner was also created using the same paper- the parts of the paper that hung off my 8.5x11' card stock base got transformed into that- its double sided paper, so both sides were effectively used. Its incredible how much usage a single sheet (well, two, really, so that I could take advantage of the all the mushrooms and lines) of paper can give you!

For a little bit of drama, I outlined the flourishes, banner and photos in black pen, then decided to make the only horizontal photo a focal photo, by drawing two lines around it, and adding the buttons and ribbon (I wanted to highlight the fact that it was the only picture with both girls in it on this layout). I guess the journalling helps draw the eye to it, as well! (And, speaking of how well things worked- how about the flourishes underneath the only two pictures with water?? In my mind, they kind of mimic water...perfect, or what?!)

Here's a few close ups:

Oh, I forgot to mention that I stamped in a few places on my layout with SU's whisper white ink, using an Easter stamp (of all things) for a bit of a subtle 'something else'.

301* that Maren finally told me (numerous times today) that she loves me (which I never doubted, but its always nice to hear)
302* all four of us had the opportunity to really play this afternoon
303* and how good it felt
304* the slushy/treat dear husband is bringing home for us
305* cuddles with Gregory
306* someone came and had a look at the trailer (here's to hoping they buy it!!)
307* how excited Maren was over their tickle trunk full of toys
308* that their trunk full of toys finally made it into the house!
(and thus begins my nightmare---I'm seriously going to have to go through their toys and donate all the ones they no longer need/play with--they're no longer babies and don't need baby toys!!!)
309* that their (my) storage trunk made it into the house
(now I can put all the clothes that I want to hang on to into their 'trousseau', or whatever you want to call it)
310* that dear husband (and J) made an even bigger dent in the garage clean-up tonight. yay!!

Here's to a great day, and looking forward to doing it all again tomorrow! Cheers!!

Another Stage

192* for Dr. Naidu
193* the ambulance trip to Regina from Estevan (even though it was a gong show!!)
194* for the awesome nursing staff in labor and delivery at Regina General (and, ironically, how many of them were pregnant at the time!!! LOL)
195* that they only spent 12 hours in critical care after their birth
196* for the great team in the NICU (once again, how ironic it was that so many of them were pregnant at the time!!!)
197* that they were able to make room for us in the NICU
198* that I didn't have to deliver my children in an unknown place( ie. Toronto)
199* for the blood transfusion they gave her
200* and how well she responded to it after it was done
201* that my blood pressure didn't get any higher than it already was before they were born
202* that I had no seizures from said high blood pressure
203* that I didn't need a blood transfusion (my platelets were low)
204* there were no complications from HELLP
205* that they smartened up after realizing I'd become dehydrated from waiting in Triage for 12+ hours waiting to find out what was going to happen to us (when I was first admitted to Regina General)
206* that her brads were nothing serious
207* entering another growth stage
208* potty training
209* big girl panties!!!!
210* (even if they are thick waffle panties)
211* big girl beds!!!!!!
212* play sets!!!!!!!

Yep. Thinking about pregnancy again. And how I am not. Laying in bed last night, while my thoughts were obsessing on the friends who are pregnant, they eventually turned to how thankful I am that me, the twins and my husband were so well taken care of when I was admitted to the hospital and they were born. Honestly, those two weeks were the longest I've ever had to endure in my life, but the reward at the end of it was PRICELESS!!!! (I do, however, wish that I never need to spend time in a hospital- anywhere- for a length of time that's longer than 8 hours- ever again!) Ugh. How boring!!!!!

Yes. Potty training. The last two days Maren's been complaining about being itchy, and I've noticed its every time she pees in her diaper. So, I've been putting her in pull ups, but I went out this afternoon and bought her big girl underwear. We are starting FOR REAL potty training tomorrow. I'm tired of changing diapers, so I figure its about time! I think Maren is tired of them, too. And, I'm sure, Addison will follow suit very shortly. I'm so glad I found waffle underwear at Walmart! I've never seen them there before. I thought the only place I'd ever be able to find them is at Babies R Us. Thankfully I was wrong!

We are also going to convert the kids' cribs into big girl beds. I'm hoping it will make story time at bed time go a little more smoothly. I also realize my nightly scrappy routine is going to fly out the window. I'll probably not get as much done when their beds are converted! We also picked up safety railings (or whatever they are called) to put in front of them so they don't roll out of bed).

Big, big changes are happening in this household! Its pretty exciting!

The last big change, is finally biting the bullet and purchasing a play set for the kids. They'll now have their own swing set, slide, sand box, rock wall, play house and (I think) rings. Phew! I felt kind of bad for them, watching them chase each other around the yard. I couldn't help but think how boring for them that must be! (Luckily there's two swings on this set, so there'll be no fighting over who gets to swing first!) Pictures will follow. Promise!

This happy little number is based on Canadian Scrapbookers' February sketch, and features my sweet little Maren. It will also work perfectly as the last entry over at Scrapbook.com, for the circle challenge, which is the last national scrapbooking month challenge over there. Its my one last chance to win some goodies! Here's to hoping, and if not, there's always next year!!

The picture is another of the ones that my sister took on Mothers' Day up at my parents'. And, from that day, I think this is the last one of my faves. Pretty cute, isn't it?

I embossed the circles with my cuttle bug, using the 'baby's breath' embossing folder

The happy sticker is k & company, and the white letter stickers are...unknown...

I used decorative edge scissors to cut the scalloped circle, and then regular straight edge scissors for the circle inside it.

And, of course, journalling in my own hand. Nothing personalizes it better, I think! Also, the hearts were punched with my Creative Memories heart punch.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend! Its going to be a crazy one in my household!

My Little Star

My dearest Addison; obviously the trip to grammy's was necessary. We both had a much needed break away from each other. I don't mean to say that we don't love each other, but we sure needed some time to breathe and allow our hearts to grow fond again for each other.

I don't know what happened while you were gone, but the change in you is incredible and absolutely welcome. I had noticed the day or two before your departure that you were becoming more vocal; so, your vacation may not have had anything to do with your dramatic change. It could have just been starting to come around at the time you took your vacation. Maybe your vacation just facilitated the change in you better.

On the other hand, maybe it was your vacation that allowed this new, vocal, outstanding, incredibly brave girl to suddenly emerge. I love listening to you talk. I admit, I have a hard time understanding you most of the time. I have to listen closely to you, and I have to think hard while you're talking. Your c's and k's and ck's sound like t's. You often forget an 'r', or other letters, so knowing exactly for sure what it is you're saying it sometimes tricky. Your th's are sometimes translated as 'f's...

I'm not trying to nit pick and make a big deal of the way you're talking. You're still a toddler and you're still learning, and it is super cute. I've always thought other children that talked the same way were the cutest things on this earth. Period. And, I still do. I wouldn't change a single little thing about you. I am enraptured with every little thing about you. From those striking blue eyes, to that single, lonely dimple of yours, to the way you pat my back when I'm holding you in my arms, to the way you love to snuggle in and just cuddle...the list is endless...

The point I am trying to make is that I am happy you've gone through this transformation, and I hope you stay this way. Don't ever lose your twinkle, little one. For, you are my little star- the little star that twinkles and shines bright and makes me thankful.

Mama loves you. Very much.

38* personal transformations
39* little stars that twinkle and shine bright
40* i'm thankful for the ability to be thankful and to have things to be thankful for!

And, on a totally different note, remember how I mentioned that sometimes, there are projects that we step back from and totally allow ourselves to be awed by? This is it!!

Lips

Its been characteristic of you since birth. And, I love it.

Things that simply just make me smile.

4* bottom lips that unconsciously like to stick out, forming what's affectionately called the 'pouty lip'

Weary

How is it possible for the pendulum to swing from one extreme to the next from one day to the next? Its been so long since I had a day where I (almost) enjoyed having children again--the last one being when they came home from the hospital--and it was the first time since then that I felt myself begin to relax even, too.  (A little prematurely, unfortunately). That is how I perceive our days should be- full of happy, content-to-play-on-their-own-and-succeed-at-entertaining-themselves--without crying for no explainable reason ninety percent of the day--babies, and mama's that can get some chores done, and some reading (if she wants), and relish/bask/soak up the warmth, peace and serenity the break has provided her.

A day has passed between the 'full of happy, content-to-play-on-their-own-and-succeed-at-entertaining-themselves--without crying for no explainable reason ninety percent of the day' day and the 'so-miserable-I-don't-think-I-can-possibly-go-on' type of day. I was reminded during a phone call last night that a new day always begins and we have the opportunity (gracefully) to start over again. What great encouragement! And, so true. Each and every day I have the opportunity to choose my attitude; each and every day is another opportunity to practice my belief in the power of positivity. Good will come if I believe it will.

I believe it will, and I hope with every ounce of me that it will.

And. it. will.

So, although my spirit today was blessed with another much needed rest--with children, the rest of me desperately looks forward to a couple of hours this weekend--without children.