Lines of Best Fit

Shine a Little Light

2011-12-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

A quick post about the lamp I made for my dear friend Wyatt Jonathon. In the summer I posted a picture of my "design board" for Wyatt's baby room. Kirsty (his Mom) loved it (she should - she came up with the colors) and we got right to work. It looks so good! Against (Lisa's) better judgement, they even painted the inside of the closest an accent color (yellow). So here is my little gift to Wy Wy. Okay, I have many gifts to Wyatt and you'll see them soon, but I just can't help myself. If you follow this blog, you know that I'm itching for the day I can have my own child to craft for.

I spray painted the base of the lamp yellow, pulled off the original "piping", cut the new fabric in panels, glued it on with fabric tack and glued on some new yellow "piping". Cute.

Halloween Rewind...

2011-12-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

I had SOOOOOO much fun at our Halloween party this year!!! Many thanks to all of the people who brought food and treats (Amanda, April, Leah, Jill, Victoria, Jen, Heather... I could probably go on for ever). There was way too much but it made me so much more relaxed to know that I would not have to refill food trays and worry about refilling drinks. Everyone took care of themselves and, while that makes me seem like a terrible hostess, I don't think that at this type of party anyone noticed. Thank also to April for helping set the food out and making me drinks while Leah and I feverishly got ready. Halloween was full of great memories (and yes, I do remember): Lisa had a REALLY good time (Acai Tequilla anyone?), the costumes were amazing, the dance party in the living room was non-stop (and bettered by KC's "the party stops here" sign which was assaulted in the process), and the laughter was constant.

In the end, the costume that Jill helped me put together turned out fab! It was totally worth the loss of skin that occurred when we glued the outfit directly to my skin by accident the night before. Totally! There was supposed to be two black swans at our party and apparently the other person thought that she would have outdone me. I dunno... I'm pretty awesome... Check it out for yourself:

And check out Amanda who won for scariest costume. Her "Two-Face" outfit and hand-crafted burns were incredibly awesome and disgusting. Well deserved win. I wish I had taken a picture of the trophies I made - you would have laughed at the grotesque over-crafting - they were hideously wonderful if I do say so myself.

Thanks again to my beautiful, kind-hearted friends and family. It was so nice to enjoy an evening with you! You made my favourite holiday a blast!

I'm not quite dead yet!

2011-11-23T22:09:00.001-07:00

For any fans of "The Holy Grail" you'll recognize the title of this post as a classic line. So fitting, as I feel almost, but not quite, dead. Ugh. So many things to gripe about but not here, not now. I went to the gym with Jilly and Jen for the first time in 2 weeks and I feel a whole heck of a lot better. Working out is a such an easy fix to my whoas. I wish it was easier to get myself to go because once I'm there I want to work out forever and I feel so great!!! Time. All I need is time. When you don't sit for more than 30 seconds in a day its really hard to put on the sneakers and sweat it out... but I did it! So enough of that.
I have the best news: my fake (I prefer the term "familialy challenged") nephew has arrived! He's perfect and adorable and wonderful in every way! Introducing Wyatt Jonathon:

Oh how I love thee!

My goal is to post a few short posts in the next couple days and actually accomplish something on a c~~rafty date with the SILs~~ (this did not happen :( but hopefully will soon) and at the TM Christmas party ~~this weekend~~ (this already happened and I DID craft - posts to come) to share in the upcoming weeks.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

2011-09-21T21:13:00.001-06:00

Ah... the stores are covered in spider webs. Shoppers browse in fear that they might set off a decoration that will shriek, moan or thunder. It's like Christmas songs for the demented and disillusioned folk like me who treat All Hallow's Eve like Christmas morning. I think it's the costumes... we all know I lurve a good costume party... but I also think it's the excuse to continue living out (your most adored) part of childhood, much like Christmas is. This year will be our 4th annual costume party - my friends are such good sports! I'm already finding it difficult to make the invites different than previous years. Last year I went all out but too late in the season and the invites I discovered (too late) were too large to send in the regular post. This year I kept it simple. Last year's My Mind's Eye stamps, this year's American Crafts Halloween line (clouds) and some printed craft paper (including Beetle Juice inspired stripes). The clouds are really a sleeve that slips up to reveal the details of our shin-dig. I've used this so many times but I'm too busy to judge myself right not. The dorky stamps make it all better :)

Five Minute Card

2011-09-19T09:00:00.000-06:00

So I set my timer again yesterday; this time for 5 minutes. I made a simple birthday card for my soon-to-be BIL. I thought it was cute to use the little boy patterns for his 28th birthday... why not? A quick post for an even faster card.

Mac at his Finest

2011-09-18T16:44:00.000-06:00

Finally getting back to some crafting. I've actually been desperate to craft but I've had the craziest week at school which included supervision every lunch hour, the swim team starting up (before and after school practices, one of which included one of our students being saved by a lifeguard), staff meetings, tutorials, the list goes on and on. But, I just sat down, set the timer and got to work. I managed to "finish" this page. I'm not actually sure it's done but the timer rang out and I didn't know what else to do. I'm off to complete another timed project instead of doing school work... I just can't bring myself to get to work just yet.

You can tell that I was inspired by the post of Lisa's.

Thoughtful Gift from a Beauty

2011-09-07T08:00:00.002-06:00

My darling Lisa, how wonderful are you?

Lisa bought me the most thoughtful (double entendre) belated birthday gift. Not only was it so elegantly wrapped and perfectly suited to my personality/personal tastes, it was also a great tester for my literary knowledge. I will not pretend that I am as well read as my beautiful friend but I did pretty well. (I have not yet brought myself to tote any to school for fear that a student may get their grubby hands on them and they may never return.)

Speaking of reading, I did manage to get a few books read this summer. A very few for me but one stunner stood out from the rest: Room by Emma Donoghue.

Now I definitely only judge books by their covers; books, not people. Promise. I DO NOT read the back/jacket of books. I like to let them unfold as the author intended, not with my own preconceived notions or expectations. Room (based on the cover) was a no brainer. I had heard that it was a dark book. I had also heard that it was a story of hope. I had also heard (from April who lent me the book) that many nouns were capitalized and it annoyed her :) I found the proper names given to everday objects clever and necessary. (We disagree about writing style again Apes :)) It spoke to the human condition and the determination of the human mind to create meaning in the (seemingly) meaningless. I really enjoyed the authors style and there were few artistic liberties that bothered me. April and I both agree that this book was excellent and, I speak for both of us, would highly recommend for an easy but powerful read.

Remember Me?!

2011-09-05T23:12:00.000-06:00

You know I was just starting to get the hang of this blogging thing finally and then I had to go and get a job! I'm so grateful to be working in this economy and the state of our school board this year but I really did enjoy my summer. I've set several "goals" for myself going into this new school year. Simple things like laying my clothes out the night before, packing a lunch in the evenings, etc. The next one on the list is obviously to build some time into my schedule to craft. I have so many projects on the brain and I'm really excited for them all. They are all very simple but do-able - hence my excitement.

Oh, yeah, my beautiful sister and her man got engaged!!! NBD. Wahoo!!! We went for a celebratory dinner at the Creperie... om nom nom. I had scallops, perfectly cooked scallops... and Flirt cupcakes for dessert back at Mom's... my blue jeans will thank me later. Anywho, in the car ride between the two epic food adventures I decided to conduct some self-portraits. A unique passion of mine, guests at our home will often find such spectacles on their cameras several days post party. What can I say? It's a gift. Perhaps they should also put a distracted passenger bylaw into effect to prevent such disastrous occurrences... but then you couldn't laugh at this. Remember me?!

A teacher at school once told me that I reminded him of Jenny McCarthy. I asked if that was because I was beautiful. He replied: "No. It's because your face seems to be made out of ~~leather~~ rubber. How do you make all of those faces?"

These are actually not my finest work...some are just too similar. It was hard to give them all a name. Any suggestions for the last, most nostrilly one? (Or I would love some hilarious renames!)

Crazy Baby Stealer On the Loose!

2011-08-03T18:50:00.000-06:00

Beware! There is a batty ol' lady obsessed with babies who has reached the point of possibly stealing a stranger's child, convincing them that their parents were just a bad dream and loving them to the point of adulthood, or until someone recognizes them as Edmonton's most recent Amber alert.... okay, okay, it's just ME!!! I can't help it - I've got babies on the brain. Not having my life in order and watching all of my beautiful friends start/continue to grow their families is kinda of like being on Survivor and watching the winning team chow down on burgers while you eat your crummy rice. I don't want to eat anyone's baby - I was just joking in the intro, really!

My bestest friend Kirsten is having her first baby in November. We have been friends since birth (seriously) and we always dreamed of having children together. I couldn't be happier about (if a bit jealous of) her bun cooking in the oven. I'm so excited! I can't stop thinking about it. Seriously, I haven't slept in days because I've been planning her nursery in my head. She asked me to "help out" and I got a bit loopy. Proof? I sent her this image last night after we talked on the phone about what she wanted.... like right after... and then I didn't sleep... NOT NORMAL. But hey, who am I kidding, I never was :)

Images stolen from: http://pinterest.com/pin/39241916/, http://susanweinroth.typepad.com/a_little_bit_of_me/2010/05/a-look-at-the-nursery.html, http://www.domesticadventure.com/2010/12/the-nursery-reveal/, http://www.yourdecoshop.ca/Shop/?typeGroup[]=WallTattoo&category[]=GROUP173ee94f48ff0aea84a7f450d27ebe94&gclid=CJPP2P20tKoCFQvKKgodp3KW4w, http://pancakesandfrenchfries.com/2009/02/a-little-hut-alphabet-cards/, http://gallery.tryhandmade.com/nursery-art-_-custom-birth-print/, http://www.etsy.com/listing/59081896/nursery-art-print-for-girl-or-boy-dream

Hopefully I can come back and site these in a more user friendly way but I've been on the computer organizing my school computer files for several hours now and I just don't have it in me.

Please don't forget to leave a comment for my previous post expressing your innate desire to throw me (and 5 other wonderful people) a bone! Come on!

Pay It Forward!!! (Finally)

2011-08-02T08:45:00.001-06:00

Many, many moons ago, I got overly excited at the thought of Ginger making me something that I eagerly commented on her Pay It Forward post. And despite the gleeful, pee-your-pants anticipation I can't get over this nagging feeling... perhaps it's the fact that I, in commenting, also agreed to PAY IT FORWARD. Sheesh! When will school and life stop getting in the way of my crafting?!

Here's the deal in Ginger's words: "I promise I will make something handmade to the FIRST 5 people who leave a comment here specifically stating they want to join in the Pay It Forward fun. The original "rules" state that you must repost this status, offering something handmade by you to 5 other people and it must be sent to your 5 people some time in 2011." I mean, really, a homemade gift is great any time, right? So perhaps, because of my failure to post until the 11th hour, you could cut me some slack and I'll have your beautifully crafted project to you by March, 2012. Common... you know you want to!

As I am only beginning to post regularily I anticipate gathering participants might be a tricky task. Please do not be shy!!! I love strang....ers! Even if we have never met and do not live in the same city, country or continent, I think that this idea should be spread all over!

Baby Boutique

2011-08-01T16:37:00.000-06:00

Did you know that Shoppers Drug Mart offers its patrons these beautiful bags? All you have to do is start worrying about aging, spend many sleepless nights picturing yourself with 100% more wrinkles and greys and, as such, spend $150.00 on gourmet anti-wrinkle cream in the Beauty Boutique section of the store!!! Ugh. When did I get this shallow? I thought when my grandmother told me that my dimples would become craters at the end of my wrinkles, my laugh was genuine. Ha. Ha. Ha.

Moving on. Because this bag was so purdy to begin with and because I purchased these most incredible baby Vans in Vegas for Madison, I just had to turn it into a "welcome to the world" number. Here's some before and after shots of my 5 minute make-over and, of course, those shoes!!!!!!!! Awww :)

"My Favorite Aunt" Kit

2011-07-27T07:50:00.002-06:00

Yippee! August was my month to make a kit at TM! I never used to like taking on this task but I'm really enjoying it now... maybe a little too much actually. I always have way to much stuff and seem to be going in a million different directions. I simply cannot help loving multiple patterns and colors on a page. The kit turned out to be a scrumptious combination of kitschy patterns and cozy colors, reminiscent of cabins, quilts and all things campy. With so many of the papers being double sided, there were so many options it was so hard for me to showcase all of the components of the kit. In the end I did what worked with my pictures and hoped that people would see the value of this kit on their own. I ended up with four 12x12 LOs, two 8.5x11 LOs and what I hope will be two cards (yet to be completed). Pretty sweet! I also really tried to only use what was in the kit, including only your basic tool kit. No dies, no Glimmer mist, only a little bit of ink and a couple printed sentiments. (Note: this was really more so a constraint of trying to craft at my home rather than in my crop room (still at Mom's) and not some sort of highfalutin scheme.) Here's a sneak peak of "My Favorite Aunt":

Actual LOs will be posted in the store at the beginning of the week as well as on the TM blog.

A Birthday Card to Finish the Week

2011-07-17T18:50:00.000-06:00

Here is my last card from my Whack-a-Stack with Jen. I'm thinking it will turn out to be a birthday card for Bella as her birthday is in October and I'll be teaching and well, let's be realistic, crafty will become a distant memory. I had fun designing a little sentiment for the front using Microsoft Word; I swear I use that program for everything! Helpful hint: buy mismatched envelopes at Hallmark for a buck. You get approximately 25 envelopes depending on the bunch and then you can make your cards to suit. It saves the frustration of trying to find an envelope that fits your beautiful, handmade card after the fact and it's super cheap. The first Kidz Kamp at TM is tomorrow - hope we have a blast!

Side note: We will be flying home from Vegas today. Sad face.

Swinging from the Chandeliers... In Vegas!!!

2011-07-16T10:42:00.000-06:00

Today is Mom's birthday and we are celebrating in Vegas. I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures from the actual day (I'm really writing this before we have even left) to post and scrap when we get back. For now here's a little card that I made for Mama. She loves pink and bling so I put a little of both on the card. The interior reads: Hope you find yourself swinging from many chandeliers! There are also a few sweet sentiments written inside but because we were to be in Vegas, I simple could not help putting something a little more Vegas-ee than sweet. I bet we're having a blast right now :)

Carried on Butterfly Wings

2011-07-15T16:26:00.000-06:00

This is a card for two of my dear teacher friends who recently lost their son only a few months into his new life. He was born with a heart condition and subsequently suffered a stroke. I still cannot fathom this tragedy but I believe that everything happens for a reason. Instead of a funeral, they had a celebration of life at the Devonian Botanical Gardens. In their invitation they expressed their desire for everyone to come and enjoy a moment of peace and tranquility with their loved ones as time together is a precious thing. I could not be at the service but I will be sending this card in the mail and David and I still intend to visit the gardens for the very reason they expressed. The interior of the card reads:

As a butterfly graces our lives with a moment's fragile beauty, so too has {your baby's} presence blessed you, and those that surround you. May you find peace and joy with each butterfly that passes, knowing that {your baby} lives on in the hearts of all they touched.

Thank you for reminding me of the importance of love and relationships and to be grateful for the life and time I am given little baby. You have shown your parents a love they never knew and reminded us all of an important lesson.

All Little Girls Love Bunnies... Don't They?

2011-07-15T09:46:00.000-06:00

As promised, another card. This one is meant for a new baby girl. I did a baby boy one with the same sentiment on the front and I loved it so I made one for a girl. My bestie Kirsten (K2, yes I have a best friend with the same name, no it's not weird) is pregnant with her first child. She doesn't know what she's having but if she has a girl I'm sure her girl will like bunnies, right? I still think the card is lacking but I'm not sure what I want to do yet... think, think, think.

I used my new We R Memory Keepers SEWeasy. It was fab. I actually have a blister on my pointer finger from forcing some embroidery on another page earlier in the week so I was very grateful to have this handy lil' feller.

Whacking Another Stack... or Small Pile

2011-07-12T22:51:00.000-06:00

Well Jen (my SIN) came over for dinner and crafting last night. As per usual, she was much more productive than me.That girl really knows how to whack... a stack that is! She made some adorable cards. Sixteen to be exact. My most favorite is the card using the high school cut-outs that I forced her to use as a wedding card. I'm totally going to copy :)

I was crafting at my usual snails pace but enjoying every minute of it. I finished 5 cards; a triumph! Here's a really cute one that someone (I'm not sure who; David, Jen, Heather and I were all in on the action at one point) came up with. Everyone seemed to think that they were squid. Only once I started to put my card in an envelope did I notice/remember that they are jellyfish. Ugh! Meh. Still cute.

I designed and printed the little quote in a circle using a liberated ink splat from Google. The paper is ancient Bam Pop, I believe, and the other circles are a cut Hambly transparency.

I'm hoping to post one of my cards each day these week. I craft so slowly, I have to drag it out :) Plus, I'm going to Vegas this week so I'll have these posts ready ahead of time. Yeppers! Vegas with my mom and sister - we are going to have such a good time! I can't wait!

Unconditional Support

2011-07-11T14:56:00.000-06:00

I allude to the fact that life has not been sunshine and daisies for the past year quite often. Those of you that have the pleasure of hanging out with Debbie Downer herself get more than an earful more often than you would like I'm sure. But I'm very lucky to have people in my life who have not turned their back on me. They continue to ask me to do things, even when I constantly turn them down (for reasons I will not explain at this time). They offer advice and are patient when I'm quick to defend or are hypersensitive. I have so many of these beautiful people in my life. I am eternally grateful for their friendship, I try to make sure I tell them I love them whenever I get the opportunity. And I really do love them. Not just in jest. They warm my heart and keep me strong. If I haven't told you I love you today - I do. Thank you for making my life that much brighter.

One of those wonderful people is, of course, Amanda. Love you Bear!

Kidz Kamp at TM

2011-07-10T22:15:00.003-06:00

I'm really excited to be teaching Kidz Kamp at TM again this year. Our first crack at it went so well last year we decided to give it another go. Apparently KC is cooking up something for the winter as well... She asked if I would be okay with that. Ha! what can I say? She had me at "kids". I love 'em. And they usually think I'm alright too :) So here are a few sneak peaks of the upcoming classes but you can find more info here and here.

Canada Day in the Hood

2011-07-03T10:09:00.000-06:00

I love the Millwoods' Canada Day celebration. Most of the years David and I have been together we have walked down the hill at the corner of 23rd Avenue and 66th street and enjoyed as good a fireworks show as I have ever seen. It's delightful and snuggly - what could be better? So that's what the two of us did. I tried to get a few shots with my iPhone. You can tell I had to take a couple by the apprehensive look creeping across David's face :) When we got home the furry bambinos were so scarred by the noise of the fireworks and so happy to see us. Awww...

"Kitty, Kitty", Sniff, Sniff

2011-07-02T12:18:00.001-06:00

I made it! School is officially out, my 186 report cards are complete and I have lugged all of my stuff out of the school... and most is still sitting in my car. It was a challenging semester (I may have mentioned this one or two times before...*wink*) but I got through, and more importantly, most of my students got through with me. I don't really want to get into anymore "shop talk" but I do want to say that I will miss my school and the kids. There is a (brilliant) glimmer of hope that I will be back at the same school working full-time, if on a temp, next year. With the hundreds of brilliant teachers who are out of work here in Edmonton, I will NOT complain! So here is a picture of me on my last day of school, bedraggled and sad looking in multiple facets. If I am back next year I will not have a classroom of my own anymore but will be forced to wander the school on a cart like a gypsy. Oh government, can't we just have a few more dollars so that I can have a classroom, as well as less than 35 students? Asking too much? I figured. So long delightful classroom! But what's more is that I have these ubber fancy nails to lighten the mood. I got these hilariously gaudy but irresistibly "me" "Salon Effects by Sally Hansen the other day and I can't get enough! Mom and I have been on multiple missions to find more - no shocker that I have to race the 14 year olds to the shelves - they're really hard to get :) These ones are called "Kitty, Kitty" which makes them all the more better!

The Starfish

2011-06-10T13:17:00.000-06:00

Last night was the athletics banquet at school. I simply love seeing the kids dressed up - they almost look human :) I joke, I joke. We had a nice meal and some laughs, handed out some awards and parted ways by 7:00 p.m. A success in my books. I have only one (YES ONE!) more teaching day left of school. The rest will be filled with supervision, marking and catch up... and I can't wait! This challenging year has taken a toll on me but even more so my students. I have simply not improved as a teacher as much as I would have liked. I guess I should repeat what I say to my students to myself sometimes: "life is hard and then you die". Oh wait, I say that when they are complaining..... "Live and learn". That's the one I use when they don't do as well as they would like. One of my delightful swim team managers made me this re-purposed notebook as a gift. She came to raid my recycle bin earlier in the day promising to show me what she made out of it at a later. It's so cute! It has the story of "the starfish" on the front. It's the one about the old man throwing starfish into the ocean one at a time and then a young man comes by and asks him why he bothers when it won't make a difference (the old man's efforts are futile in the young man's opinion). The old man replies, as he throws another starfish in, that he made a difference "to that one". Awww. So nice! And with a nice little personal message inside to boot! You know, as much as the kids are getting to me these days I truly do love my job and them.... it's when they are all together that the problems start ;)

Camping in Alberta/When Will I Learn

2011-06-05T21:23:00.001-06:00

This past weekend was David's mother's side's (usage of apostrophes questionable) annual camping trip at Jarvis Bay (Silvan Lake, Alberta). Half of this side of the family lives in Calgary so this is a nice mid-way point for us to meet. As per usual Alberta weather - expect the unexpected. Friday night was very cold and we spent all evening crowded around the fire playing camp fire games and making the best of it. Having taught all day I decided to go to bed "early" sometime between 11 and midnight only to find that despite my touque (sometimes worn on my head, other moments me socked feet), fleece jammies and a heavy duty sleeping bag I was shivering so badly that I could not sleep. At 2 am I went to find the hubby to try to convince the radiator of man to get his butt back to the tent. Whilst waiting for him I found the ultimate solution and a little shut eye thanks to my LuluLemon hoodie which I managed to put my feet through. Honestly, those things are soooo warm. In the morning, David and I woke up at immediately the same time. No, we are not so connected that our circadian rhythms are in sync. We both woke at the same time because our tent had fallen on our faces and the cold snow on top of it awakened us! Yeah. Snow. I thought we were out of there for sure but we built a new fire and toughed it out and by 3:00pm it was 17 degrees out and lovely camping weather. More about the weekend when I managed to scrap some of these pictures but here's a pics from our adventurous stay.

Trying to stay warm in bed and questioning our choice in provinces to live.

Great book! Highly recommend if you're into neuropathology or just think that learning about how the brain works or, in this case, doesn't work is extraordinarily interesting!

Little BIL playing the gey-tar. Very talented.

David's camping beard... yummy... Didn't know he had the mountain man in 'em but I kinda like it :P

Trying to stay warm. Heart.

Learn to Nacissist...

2011-06-02T21:54:00.002-06:00

A favourite (mostly of David’s) signature saying around our home is “learn to _________”. The blank could be filled with a verb, I guess, but is most often filled with adjectives, adverbs or nouns. For instance, if I was having trouble finding some viral video about a teenage pop star in angst or something, David might comment: “learn to Miley Cyrus”... I guess it’s just one of those things you just had to be there for...

Not sure about this page. I haven’t posted it for two reasons: (1) I feel like it needs some distressing, etc. but I’m too lazy to take it apart and put it back together (2) I feel like such a loser when all I scrapbook are the handful of pictures where I think I look decent. I am one of those girls who suffers from a complete and total body-dysmorphic-self-conscious-beat-yourself-up-‘cause-you’re-not-good-enough complex. For most of my life I have been very un-photogenic; so much so that people near and dear to me have, in a kind way, said as much themselves. Yes, part of this is because I make ridiculous faces at the camera 99% of the time. However, that just solidifies the picture as weird/funny/funny-ugly thus not allowing me to fall into the category (god forbid) of unattractive. So the narcissist in me has started to keep a folder of pics entitled “Me”; only the photos which I consider to be me at my best go in there. But wait, it gets worse. Every now and then I pull up the folder and go through the files reminding myself that I’m not half bad. Is that sick? Is it nothing? Is it just plain weird?

Well, whatever it is, it feels kind of good to share the quirky tid-bit about myself on the good ol’ interweb. Now I just hope someone has a similar tendency so I can’t sleep at night ;)

Death Cab is Dreamy

2011-05-26T20:05:00.000-06:00

Tuesday night I went to Death Cab for Cutie with my bestie and her husband. Better yet my sister in law and her bestie were also there. Death Cab was simply scrumptious! I so wished David had come with us too, he would have loved it. So many songs have become "our" songs over the years that called him about 14 times during the concert and just held phone up so he could "hear". The only song he managed to decifer was one of our favorites: "Transatlantism". The lyrics are, in part, "I need you so much closer" and David told me it was what he listened to over and over when I was away for a week in Scotland a few years ago (the only week we have ever been apart since we started dating). Melty heart. Here's a few pictures from my iPhone, which I am currently using to post while in the bath tub. Must flee!

Glamour, Above All Else

2011-05-23T20:52:00.000-06:00

Teaching is clearly taking a toll on me lately (as evident by the bags under my eyes). There are only 3 WEEKS left of classes before exams and my students are itching to get outside and away from their books. Actually, not just itching, practically clawing to get out. If I'm being honest - so am I! It's been a hard year and a hard assignment this semester. I tried to give myself a break tonight by giving myself a mini facial. I couldn't help but take a picture once I put on this mask. It has the most unforgiving likeliness to baby poop.

You know me, I can't risk a missed opportunity for a stupid face and a worse photo... Hope your long weekend was restful and that you didn't put anything on your face that looks like it came out of a diaper!

And Then There Was Finn

2011-05-15T18:08:00.000-06:00

There are A LOT of showers happening on my husband's side of the family lately. Everyone is pregnant or getting married, or both! I met the newest addition to the family today: Finn. Not Finnegan, just Finn. He's adorable. I would show you some pictures if I had had the where-with-all to take some. You see, I was in a fender-bender today and I have to tell you - I hated it! I was pulling out and then correcting, she though I was letting her go, I wasn't, crash, boom, bang. Sigh. The worst part was that she was such a nice girl and I'm sure her day is now ruined too. We shall see what insurance decides but not exactly the happiest moment before going to a baby shower. Mostly my ego is bruised. I consider myself to be a good driver, if not a little too speedy at times. But I'm defensive and generally careful. Now that I've been to the police station twice, to my father's and now home, I'm jumping into a nice bubble bath.

Rose Moca alphas, American Crafts paper and ribbon, Hambly transparency and sticker and random patterned paper from Costco purchased approximately 1 million years ago.

Don't be a Drag, Just be a Queen

2011-05-06T19:04:00.000-06:00

The dust, feathers, eyelashes and miscellaneous costume paraphernalia has settled and I'm still here. My 28th birthday was another great excuse to get my friends together and have a fantastic get together... in drag of course. Originally I invited everyone to, what I called a "tickle trunk" party. More often than not we have theme parties but I recognize that not everyone is as "into it" as we/I are/am. So my thought was to put out a bunch of costume pieces and some cardboard cut-outs you put your head in etc., and have everyone be a outrageous (or not) as they wanted to. Great idea. Stole it from Jill. But then Jill had another idea, she wanted to dress up as a male drag queen. Flash back to my 26th birthday: equal amounts of glitter, hilarity and "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" antics. That party was one of my best costume ideas yet! So Jill and I decided to relive the party from a few years ago by dressing up ourselves. Just her and I. When Victoria got there she dolled up in record speed and the three of us looked like idiots for the rest of the evenings. Many people played along with the "everything goes" theme, including Heather (astronaut outfit, shiny silver wing, butterfly wings and a top hat) and Jen (boa, Cruella Deville wig). Yours truly? See for yourself:

Terrifying I know. But admit it, you want to try drag now. Don't 'cha? And here are some of my gifts. I'm so spoiled! Note the homemade card with googly eyes. The brown card stock in the background has been made to look like cork by my SIL Jen using a little black ink and a mean flick of the wrist. The phrenology head is wicked! Jill found it for me. She's so smart! I just recently bought some lazer cut chipboard from TM with a phrenology head. I reminds me of my psychology days... sigh. Those were the days....

Beautiful crafting supplies from the hubby. I'm dying to use that yellow Basic Grey paper - yum!

Beautiful flowers from my mom who found the time to be sooo thoughtful while taking care of my step-father overseas. Geez. What a lady.

Thank you loving friends and family. May day was delightful!

My Little Cupcakes

2011-05-01T22:43:00.000-06:00

Having a delightful birthday weekend - more to post later. Those of you that are my friends on FB already have a glimpse of the antics.

I have much to do still tonight so just another quick post. Here is my challenge page from TM using the newest My Little Shoebox. It's super cutesy and bright and fun. I loved the colors instantly. This is certainly not my most inspired page however. I'm hoping to do some more with this great new line next weekend, redeem myself while doing justice to the line. I also added some of the new Sassafrass flowers - they are wicked awesome! - and some of my usual embroidery. I love the awkward hand writing :)

Jungle Fever

2011-04-28T21:52:00.001-06:00

Oh my, oh my, oh my! I should really be doing school work so I'll make this quick. I made another mask for the weekend crop. This one is African/jungle animal inspired. Cheetah print mask with feathers and rhinestones says "jungle" to me... Jill and Victoria sang most of the original score from "The Lion King" while I worked - a delightful experience. Then Vic and I (we were trying out new names for Victoria, I'm going to push for "Vic") staged a photo in the backroom in front of a fake evergreen. African? Sure! Nobody mention that I'm a biology teacher...

Must. Get. School work. Done. I really need to get to it so that I can watch the Royal Wedding! I'm sort of into the Royals. I was named after Princess Diana (Kirsten Diana) so I feel compelled to watch her first son get married. And Kate is just stunning and I'm dying to see her dress :)

National Scrapbooking/Birthday Weekend!!!

2011-04-26T21:36:00.000-06:00

I've been helping out at the store a little, reving up for National Scrapbooking weekend...which also happens to be my 28th birthday celebration! There are so many AMAZING prizes from so many great companies. All of the scrappers are going to be so excited and have such a great time. I would be jealous if I wasn't having a hilarious, catch-all, drag queen, tickle trunk party :) I'll post whatever pictures I can.

Here is my mask for the crop. Each staff member got two masks to decorate. I have an idea for my second but some how managed to leave it at home tonight, instead of bringing it to the store. Sigh. I used the new and fabulous Basic Grey paper, some grey lace and some ribbon to create this unique mask. I hope however wins it, loves it as much as I do.

Photo courtesy of Jill's iPhone and Jill and Lisa's beautiful spring display.

Thank You Ginger!

2011-04-17T18:51:00.000-06:00

So 1 month ago today Ginger was kind enough to award me with a Liebster Blog award.

(Yes. One month ago. I have been terribly lazy lately... can you tell from the lack of posts.)

Well I think that Ginger is pretty much the coolest thing since sliced bread. She has completely branched out, taken on new challenges and become quite the member of the blogging community. Basically, when I grow up I want to be just like her, and Lisa, and all of the wonderful crafters out there who reach out to each other and take online classes and try new things... I'm hoping that this summer I can become one of those people. From when I started blogging, I think I've already made some (small) leaps and bounds. It's true that my school work takes up the majority of my time but this year I have really tried to set aside some time for me. Judging by the sheer number of posts each year alone, I'm already getting better. So thank you Ginger for recognizing my minimal posts and I hope to live up to a fraction of your awesomeness this summer break.

As for recognizing some small blogs that I think are fab, well I just can't help but be biased.
Jill - my sister who used to have a fantastic scrappin' blog. I'm hoping she will come around and bring the Infamous Crooked Scrapbooker back. She is so talented. Another one of her talents however is making things look good. Her new company Tilt Staging and Design is going to be epic!

Kara - oh how I love thee. Style icon? Yes, I think so. I can't wait to visit her new store. She is also an all around crafter and the thriftiest, most adorable girl I know. Need some wardrobe inspiration? Check her out.

My last nomination is really a bribe. Chantel has been promising to post a craft every Monday. Now I know she is very busy owning a store and raising a baby, but seriously, she's so awesome who doesn't want to see more? More, more, more!

Thanks again Ginger!

Our 1st Anniversary

2011-04-02T10:57:00.000-06:00

Thursday was our first anniversary. It was delightful to just do nothing together for the whole day, exchange gifts and go for a casual dinner at OJs (Original Joes). Just our style (you may remember that Original Joe's is where we had our engagement photos taken). David got me a beautiful, thoughful card that made me cry, flowers, two novels and some stickers for school; this being our "paper" anniversary. Delightful. I made him a card and bought him an antique, a cookbook from 1871: "Mrs. Porter's New Southern Cookery". He loves to read cookbooks and loves "old" things. It was too good to be true! Some images from our cozy day...

MySpace Photos

2011-04-01T10:38:00.001-06:00

Sigh. "MySpace" photos (or what some may call long-arms) are my favorite. Hilarious. Awkward facial expressions, distant eyes, a messy bedroom in the background. So funny! Victoria cut my hair this week and I love it. I was concerned that if I did not love it our friendship would be over and working together would be uncomfortable. V assured my that this would not be the case and she was going to make me look good. She came through! I lurve it and I've already tried it with headbands, clips, messy... who knew short hair could do so many things? Lisa did, that's who. And so, my "MySpace" photos of my new do:

Show Love With Your Hands

2011-03-30T17:46:00.002-06:00

So I fell short of my goal, sort of. I was trying not to buy any new product but when you are receiving the incredibly gorgeous new Crate Paper at the store with Lisa (who agrees all of it is drool worthy) well, your will power goes right out the window. And then you have to buy some Glubers and embellishments from Cosmo Cricket - they were the last pack of butterflies and doilies - I HAD to. And then you also have to buy some more flowers/dollies from Prima because you simply do not have enough! Sigh. The mania. It all added up to a delightfully (if I do say so myself) eclectic, yet matchy-matchy page. The title is care of our engagement photo photographer, the ever talented Ashley Champagne. She told us it might sound strange but "show love with your hands". It totally worked! We continually repeated this to each other during our pics in Jamaica too :)

I love this man. Tomorrow is our one year anniversary - eek! So excited!

Got Me a (Staple) Gun

2011-03-29T20:58:00.000-06:00

Wow. This whole spring break thing is a really good idea. Went to TM today, played with Junior, Anna and Scarlet for hours. Got covered in drool. Loved it. Worked on my mask for the TM National Scrapbook weekend. Bought myself a staple gun and recovered some hideously defaced stools. All in all, a good evening.
Here's one of the culprits on the formerly maimed chairs.

And here is the stool in my basement now. I was too lazy to get out a sewing machine so I just folder the corners - anything is better than the ratty stool I had before. The fabric is from IKEA and was dirt cheap. I bought two yards and have a lot left over to re-craft into something else. I was so lazy that I didn't even cut off the excess fabric nicely. I was getting a bit concerned when David mentioned that I could take off the feet. Aha! I jammed the excess under the feet to hold it up and cut the rest off. Great cheat! Such a smart husband I have.

And a picture of the other culprit, just 'cause he's so darn cute!

Keepin' it Cool with the Old School

2011-03-24T20:59:00.000-06:00

Continuing my old school scrappin (in both product and technique), here is another page from my no tools, paints, etc. evening with Jen (sista from another mista).

I really have too much school work to do before the last day of school... before spring break (worst sentence, ever). A picture says a thousand words, question mark.

More "Green" Gratitude...

2011-03-23T04:46:00.004-06:00

Here's another layout for my gratitude book. You may recognize the oldies but goodies: American Crafts paper, Heidi Swapp stickers, Basic Grey rub-ons, Prima flowers and Chatterbox letters. I realize that the last few pages have been wedding or engagement photos but what better times to be grateful for, right?
This picture is taken on the second floor (balcony setting) of the restaurant which housed our dinner in Jamaica. We are shakin' our boo-tays... and also rubbing them together. Grateful. (Use Charlie Sheen intonation for "grateful".)

So Proud!

2011-03-20T20:41:00.005-06:00

My sister, Jill Williams, is working so hard to make her dream a reality. I am so proud that she has decided to make the life she sees for herself happen now and not wait for some serendipidous happening in the future.
Need a home staged? A retail space re-energized?

She's AMAZING!

March Showers...Bring New Cards!

2011-03-19T13:15:00.003-06:00

I had a simply loverly evening with my sister-in-law. A glass of wine, the most delicious Papa Murphy's pizza (chicken, bacon and artichoke = yum) and the unquenched desire to "whack a stack". I packed up most of my scrapbooking room minus all of the tools/machines and we worked with what we had. I do know if I've mentioned this (you've probably noticed) that I have not bought anything new and have been using very old product. I have so much of it and most of it is still so nice! I'm trying to work a little greener. I've challenged myself to make 20 pages with only products that I have in my house. I'm loving the challenge so far. (My wallet thinks it's great too!) Jen came up with a new "technique" and was totally showing off... in a great way. I'll see if I can steal some pictures from her and post them later.

I'm off to a baby shower just now. Here is the card that I made for the latest edition to David's cousin's family. (Old Sassafrass stickers/chipboard and old Basic Grey paper)

Perhaps I spoke too soon...

2011-03-05T22:14:00.004-07:00

I really have the craftin' bug lately but I keep running into the same problem, namely, teaching. I spent many, many hours today putting together a beautiful workbook for the next unit of Physics 20. I wanted to get so many pages done but I made myself finish the entire Physics booklet. Hopefully the students will appreciate it... I'm sure they'll all thank me... Ha!

I've decided that Murphy (last post) and this new page are going to go into a gratitude book. A book that I can keep out all of the time and use to remind myself of all of the wonderful things we (David and I) have to be grateful for. Really I could just take ANY of my old pages because they are all about things that make me happy, but part of (my) gratitude is being able to take time for myself to do the things I love. Making new pages is certainly one of those things.

Thank You GETCA!

2011-03-03T21:54:00.003-07:00

So I had a superbly wonderful time at the Greater Edmonton Teachers Convention today. I went to an awesome session hosted by Dr. Gary Anaka. Brain-based learning. Wow. I love being inspired. I really love teaching (seriously, no sarcasm, it's stupid hard but I love it) and I'm so excited to get better at it. I have so many things I want to say about teaching it almost makes me want to blog about teaching and then I remember that it's hard enough to get me to post on this blog much less another! In addition to my wonderful session I had lunch with some fantabulous teaching friends, bought an adorable skirt and got some scappin' done tonight (as I do not have classes to plan for).

I'm really trying to focus on the positive things on our life right now, starting with good ol' Murphy.

Also, you may notice all of the old product on my last couple pages. I'm trying not to buy anything new and make several pages with the truck loads of stuff I already have. I even busted out the magic mesh (inspired by one of Lisa's latest posts)!

A Gift for A Pond Jumper

2011-02-27T20:56:00.003-07:00

Anam, a great scrapbooker and all around crafter, is back off to the UK very shortly after several rounds with Canadian customs. She will be sorely missed but really will not be far, at least not from our thoughts. The internet is a wonderful thing. Some of Anam's crafting buddies got together and made layouts for her to remember our families and with a note to say how much she's meant to us. As she has never met David (or Murphy and Onyx), I thought I would put a picture of Jill and I. I chose one of us laughing as Anam is always up for a good laugh and may even be more sarcastic than me. I do hope that dry sense of humour will translate in email and blog posts from across the pond. Here's my LO for a great gal...

Also, Juli and little Ellie (with hubby in tow) stopped by the store today. She is soooo sweet! I can't wait to get one of those adorable bundles of my own. Oh wait! I guess I could wait until I had a steady job. Nuts...

Stitch in My Side... (shoulder, really)

2011-02-24T21:55:00.003-07:00

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming swimming... stitch a sweater, sew a button, stitching, stitching... holding it together and in the meantime making cute sweaters even cuter. I bought this cute cardi from Old Navy the other day whilst shopping with mon mere. Loved it just as it was but I was really in the crafy mood so we went and bought "Grandma's Bag of Buttons" from Michaels and some embroidery thread and I went to town. I still want to add some more craziness but here's what I have so far...

I wore it to school and the several STUDENTS complimented me, so it MUST be okay. Ha!

Also, what is with my cartoon face. Honestly. Who has a nose and eyes the size of mine. Drop an anvil on my head and run me off a cliff. That's all folks!

Cookie-Cutter Cuteness

2011-02-23T21:35:00.003-07:00

Recently, my dearest K2 invited me over to "whack-a-stack". Slightly frightened but oddly curious I accepted. I arrived at her house at 6:30 and was not done "whacking my stack" until 10:30. But I wasn't alone! Wonderful company, easy instructions and cooki-cutter cards were just what I needed for a nice evening out. Generally speaking, I'm the kind of crafter who just slaps stuff together and hopes for the best, complains when it doesn't work, takes it all apart and tries again (see second picture). It was nice to have limited options and work within a framework, rather than creating my own. I think I need to use sketches more for this reason alone. I wasn't going to post them because they were not completely, originally mine but then I thought: "I should post just to post". I find I am at a point in my life where I am just doing things to prove I'm still breathing...

Two interesting things I noticed (or re-noticed) during this class:

1) I like to jam everything into one corner. This makes card makers uncomfortable. They like to fill the whole card and kept telling me the card needed "something on the other side". Fooey! Just mash it all together I say!

2) I like to play off of a theme. Our teacher REALLY liked the embossed butterfly die and we used it on so many cards that I just started putting them on every card for the heck of it. I even used one for the flame of my candle. Nonsensical? Always!

Stay calm. Carry on.

2011-01-10T19:55:00.004-07:00

One of Jill's favorite sayings: stay calm and carry on.

This is my new mantra. There are some (for lack of a better word) uncomfortable things going on in my life but I also have lots to be grateful for. Thus, I shall stick to the positice until I snap and write a ranting, biting, scratching, spitting blog post that will make you all shudder. Nah. Stay calm. Carry on.

You know sometimes I feel like I have to give up teaching. I want to do so much for my students. I always have this constant feeling that I have not done all that I could, that kids have slipped through the cracks, that I've missed goldern opportunities. Plainly, that I am not the teacher that I dream of being. Today, however, one of the department heads at our school stopped me in the hall today to tell me that "all of the kids are talking about me". Apparently some of them do think I half decent. Not to toot my own proverbial horn - but I needed that.

In other news... here is a picture from the break of my husband and I being our dorky selves. Decked out in our Oiler's gear before going to the game (thanks Dad!), we look like we are trying to converse with the camera. Trickery, as we are really just trying to get our small Oiler's Christmas tree in the background with us. Check out my cool vintage sweater from Mom. Do you think that the Oil is using my mantra as well? Sigh.

My best Zach Stortini impression. (I was unwilling to knock out some teeth for this photo.)

Save the date!

2011-01-02T15:06:00.002-07:00

I've had the pleasure of working with a good friend Leslie (and soon-to-be-husband Rich) on her wedding invitations, save the dates, etc. She is so organized and thorough; she knows exactly what she wants. Delightful! And because she lives in Toronto, this is a great help to me. So far we have come up with this most adorable save the date. Leslie will be printing these as actual postcards using a service offered by Staples.We may need to tweek some things but I liked them so much I just had to share. I cannot claim that I designed these ('cause I found a similar image online) but I did make them happen and we did make them "our own". The invitations are did create but they are still in the works. I love graphic design on the computer. I wish I could do this on the side but where would I find the time? Only for great friends for now ;)

Jumbo Tron

2010-12-20T09:28:00.002-07:00

So we finally used some of our wedding money to buy a couple things for our house. Our not quite finished basement always seems to attract the less social people at a party and/or the people who are dying to sing and dance along with our Wii. (Yes, these indeed can be the same sort of people. I've seen it with my own eyes.) In addition to this the basement had also collected a bunch of funiture destroyed by the cats, hand-me-downs, etc. Now I totally agree that basements should, by definition, include some of these token items. However, they we uncomfortable and not as functional as I would have like. (Plus - no secret - I also really like pretty things.) Enter very ginormous LG. It was a "good price" (ha!) and will actually be wonderful to game on. The 240 Hz are crazy! We watched a movie last night and it's actually noticable. Actually. We also picked up a value village buffet find from the TM trade show booth. I painted it black and it looks almost brand new and is perfect for the space. Thanks KC and Chantel! We also got a great deal on this tiny sofa. It is the only sofa that would fit down our stairs. I'm so excited to entertain now this season. To some of you this may not seem like anything fantastic. But to others, you know what it looked like before :)

Christmas Cheer and Christmas Fear

2010-12-18T11:36:00.004-07:00

Hello Friends! I simply must apologize for my previous post. You see, I said that if you didn't get an invite to our Halloween party it was because we didn't like you or something similar and equally neglectful of other peoples feelings. This rash comment did have reasoning behind it - just not very good reasoning... I was unable to send my rather adorable (if I do say so myself) in the mail and thus ended up handed out some in person, calling people, fb-ing people and just generally hoping everyone knew they were invited. This was not true in all circumstances however and I felt like a big ol' rotten apple shortly after all hallow's eve. I'm so so sorry to anyone who did not come because they thought they were not invited. Everyone's invited! It's my favorite holiday. We jammed approximately 40 people into our small home and the party was a blast. Mine and Jill's costumes were hilarious (all thanks to her). That is, to those who knew who we were. Because I have students that read the blog I will not post my whole outfit. For any of you who still watch music videos, you may be able to decifer who I am.

On to Christmas! I made cards again! What's up with that? Got me. They are simple and that's why I like them I guess. (GAWD I love Sassafrass!) I'm still no Nadine :)

All of my shopping is done and wrapped (Lisa - I know this would horrify you and I will most likely blog about this later). We are getting a new couch to put in the basement so our guests are more comfortable when they are forced to watch me play "Just Dance" on the Wii ;) My new Dyson vacuum is a Godsend. So what, you ask, is the "Christmas Fear" about? My newest contract. Currently I have 6 classes to teach in 4 different subjects, 2 of which I have not taught before. Now this could be much, much worse but the thought of being responsible for 200 plus students, calling home, homework checks, keeping myself sane... I cannot sleep. I know I can do it, I just also know what it will cost. Such is the life I have chosen for myself. Enough complaining - I'm happy to be blogging again and will hopefully be back soon!

Halloween Invites

2010-10-17T21:50:00.004-06:00

Well I don't have as much time to catch up as I would like. (I actually have zero minutes, but I'm desperate to blog again.) I am slowly drowning in both my personal and professional life but here is neither the time nor the place to vent my woes. Instead I leave you with my version of Martha's invites for our third annual Halloween costume party. If you have not received yours yet, it's because they will not send these little packages as letters and I have been hand delivering them... or you are just not invited :P I'll hopefully be back soon again! I miss this!

Martha's uber cute but far to fancy (and I'm far too thrifty) design. My much grosser, but, I think, equally enjoyable version.

It's beginning to look a lot like....

2010-10-16T13:04:00.002-06:00

HALLOWEEEN!!! My favorite time of year!

You can tell that school has started and that I currently have no life if you've checked in lately and heard the crickets call through your speakers and the tumble weed roll across your screen. I have some projects currently on the go and desperately want to dive back into the craft world. For now here's a few crummy pictures of some of the decor I've put up so far... more to come!

My halloween tree.

How cool is this witch's boot? Heart.

Indie Girl Pages

2010-08-25T15:18:00.008-06:00

For my challenge kit this month at Treasured Memories, Chantel gave me some of the lovely "Indie Girl" line from Sassafras. Score! The line is so pretty - I'm not sure my pages do it justice but I enjoyed creating them. And Sassatras is such a good deal I still have lots of product to work with. In fact, I did complete another page but it's... icky.

i*color

2010-08-24T22:10:00.002-06:00

Hello World! Wonderful, beautiful, bright world that I can SEE!!! Wow, laser surgery was traumatic, though I went to a wonderful clinic with wonderful doctors and technitions (Eye Q Premium Laser) and they made it the best that it could have been. I won't go into the gory details but the bottom line is I can see. I had 20/20 vision less than 24 hours after my surgery and it has been the best thing to happen to me since sliced bread. Honestly, I still feel like crying when I think about it. Glorious! So what did I do with my new found eyesight? Well I can't do a heck of a lot at the moment. Ensuring proper healing of my eyes excludes working out and dust, excluding many household chores and going out in the sun for prolonged periods. A person who usually has multiple jobs and commitments does not do well under these conditions. My dear friend April and I were discussing the sheer therapy of coloring the other day and I became inspired. I printed off one of the first coloring pages available on Google and got to it. So relaxing! Despite my own best advice, below of a sampling of my latest most nerdy adventure.

Why not? I ask you. Color. Get out your pencil crayons, or perhaps your kid's pencil crayons as I fear most grown adults do not have their own 60 color Prisma Color set, and color. You NERD :)

Da Da Daaaaaaaaa...

2010-08-19T08:16:00.004-06:00

Well folks, in two hours I will have a corneal flap, yes flap, created and the underlying layers resurfaced and reshaped. Yep. Having laser eye surgery. I have already had some major gastrointestinal and sleep issues relating to this wonderful invention. I became a biology teacher because I love things like anatomy and physiology... but let`s face it - eyes just gick me out! Therefore, the mental preparation for this surgery has been unbearable. I have not slept; visions of zombies with bleeding eyes dance in my head. This morning I am very ill which generally happens whenever I`m extremely nervous about something. Seriously, I would rather watch them remove my gallbladder or perform open heart surgery on MYSELF than this. BUT I must keep reminding myself that I WILL BE ABLE TO SEE!!! Having glasses since grade two means that I don`t ever remember waking up and just seeing. The thought is just unfathomable. And now an homage to a bygone era: last year's glasses.

The blue and lime green ones:

The pink and black ones:

The black and white ones:
I do plan to actually get some scrapbooking done when I can finally see again so in the meantime, I leave you with some pictures of my latest attempts in cupcakes. Ah, cupcakes. Why can't I just think about those? Got to go - I think I'm going to be sick...

Be Funky

2010-08-08T10:35:00.004-06:00

So I'm working on some wedding invites and save the dates for a good friend of mine who is sadly living too far away from me in T-dot. I am really enjoying this new past time - I've discovered I'm really into computer and graphic design and should do this in my next life (note to self). Anywho, one of the save the dates is something adorable that I totally stole from some nice couple in the states. I will give the website credit at a later date when I show my version compared to theirs. It's amazing what you can do without Photoshop and a limited knowledge of Microsoft Word, really! While you anxiously (Ha!) await the photos on the invites, I bring you Be Funky, a website (from what I can gather) completely dedicated to 17 year olds, enabling them to make funky photos to place on their myspace page. Because I do not have Photoshop yet, I was forced to search for a free online photo editing resource. (I needed the photos to look cartoonish or hand-drawn.) And so I played around with Be Funky. It's free, easy and totally rad. I have big plans for this site - I promise to remove all notions of young girls making pouty faces in their long-arm photos. Here are some examples...

Yikes!

2010-08-05T20:14:00.003-06:00

I should be in a vampire movie with eyes like this:I had to have them dilated today to check everything out for my imminent LASER SURGERY!!! That's right! I'm going to be able to see when I wake up for the first time since grade 2. As I am still waiting on a teaching job some very generous donations from the Bank of Mom and the Bank of Dad, oh and a whole lot of Atavan, have made this miracle possible. I am so excited (and also terrified)!!!

Grateful!

2010-08-02T08:31:00.005-06:00

Hello Friends! I have just returned from a GREAT camping trip with great friends. Despite several severe changes in weather (we are talking sunshine to golf ball-sized hail in T minus two seconds) we managed to go on a couple hikes and enjoyed camping 20 metres from the riverbed. If you ever have the chance to visit the Bragg Creek, I strongly recommend it. The walk-in sites at Beaver Flats (where we stayed) are hugely unpopular, namely because you have to hike your coolers and all smelly articles to the car each night to prevent being eaten by a bear. We love them however! (The sites, not the bears, well I mean bears are cute and all but also hungry and strong.) They are so close to the river you are lulled to sleep each night by the sounds of the water. The pictures taken below are mere steps from our siteView to the right of our site.

View to the left of our site.

We walked down to Elbow Falls one day, an hour hike each way. Breath. Taking. We all just kept saying "this is the time when you are proud to live in Alberta". (It completely wipes away all images of silver genitalia hanging from the back of trucks; if you live in Alberta, you unfortunately know what I mean) I didn't bring my camera on the first hike as we had to cross several rushing streams but I managed to get a few photos the second time. Except for the first picture below, I literally just held my camera out on the automatic setting and clicked while I walked. Gorg!

I have some craft challenges in the works for myself... I'll be updating again soon I hope!

Song Killer

2010-07-19T09:43:00.002-06:00

It's official: I'm obsessed.

How much do I love this? I can't say. I just continue to press replay :)

The whole CD (Yes I still buy CDs to support the artists I like) is wicked! And because it was 2 for 20 I also got the best of Depeche Mode. Yum.

Cards, Cards and More Cards!

2010-07-13T19:40:00.005-06:00

As promised, here are my cards for the upcoming "Kids Camp" at TM. I think I have mentioned before that I do not normally make cards. However, this class as required me to do many things outside of just scrapbooking than I would normally do, and so, I give you CARDS! I actually really like doing cards now. They require fewer supplies, they do not take as much time and you can give them to people. I mean I simply lurve having my memories captured in the unique art form we all know and love, but who doesn't like to hear the reaction: "you made this?"? Nobody. That's who. Also, I decided to incorporate a little more of myself in this blog by setting the cards on my most prized possessions: my books! I heart reading. My parents used to give us one dollar for every novel we read during the summer. I would make big bucks! I'd climb into our treehouse and read for hours - not for the money, that was just a bonus - but because I loved reading. So I'll point out a few of my favorite reads from the pictures where possible. I would love any author/book suggestions that you may have for me! Anybody out there?
The "Book of Negroes" (the small face in the upper left-hand portion) by Lawrence Hill is the best book I have read in a long time. Powerful, yet and easy read, I couldn't get enough. Interesting point, the book is only called this in Canada but is based on an actual historical artefact.
Tucked in behind this card is one of my favorite books of all time: "Kit's Law" by Donna Morrissey. This is the only book I cried after reading. It's heartbreaking, heart-warming and just downright touching.
Harry Potter - yes its true! Can't deny these fantasy favorites.Wally Lamb's "I Know This Much is True". He creates such real characters. Heart.
Anne-Marie MacDonald's "Fall on Your Knees" Compelling, disturbing, still fantastic.
For those of you "real readers" out there, Diana Gabaldon might be considered smut but I want to marry every male character in her books. Dreamy.
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" (Mark Haddon). Need I say more than the title. I think not.

Purdy Flowers

2010-07-12T16:42:00.005-06:00

So I've been working on a few new projects for the TM Kids Camp that happens to start this week. I'm really excited for the camp and I think that KC and I have put some cool projects together. The first class is creating a Card Kit and then one or two cards. I'm still finishing up the cards. (Check back tomorrow for pictures.) The second class is a canvas class. Having just recently started in this mixed art form, I think this will be an excellent way for tweens to be creative. If young Kennedy is any indication, I'm sure that they will come up with some wicked ideas and have canvases that surpass the demo. Hopefully pictures of the other projects will be posted soon but I wanted to share my favorite creation yet. You've seen this before in a smaller version. A few weeks ago I made earrings. Today I made a sweet ring. In large form it was even easier to create, so much so that I'm sure little hands will be able to enjoy creating these funky statement peices. Also, I was blog surfing (thanks Lisa for always leading me to the most beautiful things on the net) the other day and found this. I thought: "Where does Samantha get her flowers?". She must buy them and then glue them to handbands and other adorable things? Do you think? 'Cause her flowers look a heck of a lot better than mine but not all that different... Headband anyone?

Branding Myself

2010-07-06T21:00:00.004-06:00

Do not fear.

I am not partaking in this...

... because it scares me. What? It does. Not much into the altering my body permanently. I'm too fickle for that.

What this blog is actually about is creating a logo for you! When we started planning our wedding I was really into the idea of coming up with a "logo" for us. I wanted to put it on everything. The problem with that of course is that it is A) pretentious and B) expensive!!! I had many grand schemes but I was really hung up on this. I love seeing weddings that are all coordinated loveliness. Of course I love the vintage or shabby chic weddings that are totally not matchy-matchy but again - the molla decides the type of wedding you can have. If I had a fabulous planner like Juli then maybe I could pull that off. But alas, I could afford no planner. (O. M. G. is Juli doing beautiful things lately!) So, I created our brand. I put it on our wedding envelopes, our Jamaica favours and welcome letters, our table cards, our thank yous, you get the idea. It really made a difference, to me anyway, to have this common denominator on all of the things we gave our guests. It looked super professional in my opinion and the best part was that I did it in "Paint". Yep. That cheesy program that comes with your Microsoft software. That one. No expensive Photoshop here people - just K and D brand thank you cards and envelopes. Seriously, the simple things in life really make the most difference to me. I'm a details person. What you can't see in these photos is that our logo for our destination wedding was our initials with two palm leaves in the background. Our thank yous are creamy and taupy and the taupy palm leaves didn't show up too well here. But trust me, if my camera hadn't died, you would have seen the beauty. That's another thing that I love about branding yourself. I used different colors on the invites, welcome letters and now thank yous but they all look similar.

P.S. The thank you cards themselves came from Costco. You get approximately 1 million for less than $40.00. Sweet deal!

Roller Disco Immortalized

2010-07-03T18:09:00.005-06:00

A couple months ago Jill and I went to a birthday party at the Edmonton Sportsworld Inline Skate and Roller Disco. The theme: tight and bright. Yah. I know. Best birthday party idea....EVER!!! You know that Jill and I live for theme parties. So we hit up Walmart (Note: people of Walmart theme party soon to come) and found some special touches. Safe to say that most of our outfits came from our closets. What?! Everyone likes to cherish our childhood era; the eighties. Our friends Kelsey, Robyn and my best friend Kirsten (yep, her name is my name too, and whenever we go out...) rented the rink for the evening and had the wherewithal to purchase a liquor licence for their young (most were in their early twenties) party goers. Jill and I had approximately one drink each and it was a stellar night. I wish I could show you all of the short shorts, spandex and (apparently) mullets that come with a tight and bright party, but here are just a few pages. Pardon the bad photos, no patience.

In case you are confused, my friends lovingly gave Kirsten the name K2 to prevent confusion between me (K) and her (K2). Hence, "K2 turns 27".

I'm pretty sure that I scrap-lifted the crossed scraps of paper from Chantel. The Riff Raff Snowflakes are really hot pink and orange. I thought they looked pretty sweet and geometric until I got home and David immediately asked why there were snowflakes on this page. Sigh. "Tight & Bright"

I don't even know what this is but some ladies at the store today had some excellent insight. Something along the lines of it doesn't matter what your page looks like - a done page is ANOTHER PAGE THAT'S DONE. "Roller Girls

Artwork and Thunderstorms

2010-06-24T08:44:00.004-06:00

Last night I hung out with Jilly. We really don't get to hang out with each other as much as I would like. She is such a bright light in my life. While we can get rather aggressive with each other at times, it is only because we are so close that such abuse can be tolerated. Even with a migraine last night we were making each other laugh; speaking in bad accents, being crude, just our usual deranged selves. And to add to all of this love and happiness, there was a thunderstorm last night. Me and thunderstorms are like peas and carrots... or maybe that was someone else... It certainly helped the pounding in my own skull to hear the relaxing sound of rain, thunder and the smell of rain, so much so that I got 3 pages done.
The first one I love, the second is old school. But what's wrong with a simple, old school page every now and again? Meh. Nothin'. As you can't read the jounaling tabs (I said old school right?) lemme'splain... I bought this adorable scratch off "coloring book" for our dear friend's daughter Bella when she was born because it was called "Princess Bella". I have been saving that book until now to ensure that she would not impale herself or lose any soft tissue to the sharp wooden tool. When I brought it over about a month ago, she was just as pumped as me. She watched her Mom color and then trotted off to her unfinished tree house to sit and work. She was soooooooo engaged and worked so hard: it was the most adorable thing I've ever seen. So I Paparazzied the moment. Happy Thursday!

"Art=WORK"

"Even Picasso had to Start SOMEwhere"
P.S. I can't wait to have my own kids so that I can stop creeping on my friend's children.

Cupcake Queen!

2010-06-21T19:59:00.004-06:00

So I'm having a pretty sweet day today all in all. I made some ridiculously cute cupcakes! My friend Amanda bought me this awesome cupcake book which I had yet to try out. Granted they were time consuming, but come on, how adorable is this garden? I must admit that I cheated and used cake mix but I was really more concerned with the decorating. Yum!
Also, half of my students had their final exam today. It went really well and their average was super high - wahoo! In honor of the biology exam I wore my most nerdy but equally awesome science shirt...

Wishing I had better handwriting...

2010-06-20T21:16:00.006-06:00

You know, lots of people comment on my handwriting in real life. I've been proud of my printing since at least grade 1 :P However, as soon as I go to write on a page things get sketchy. If I try too hard I come up with perfect printing like my mother would do - which is lovely but not natural. It doesn't even look like I wrote it. The other option is to just "go for it". The problem with that option is that my brain is not really a "got for it" kind of gal. My brain is more like "don't screw it up, but make it natural, but don't look like your trying too hard, but try not to ruin your page..."etc. Which brings me to my latest page. I was going to cover up the unnatural writing (I may still) as it can be likened to a "silent but violent" - sneaks up on you with no warning and kills the mood. I know that many of your brave souls handwrite on your pages all the time and the whole point is to tell a story or portray a feeling but my OCD just won't let me get there yet. At least I'm keeping up with the posting and crafting. Some more ideas in the works... This is a picture of my babelicous Mom, I belive shortly after my birth. I just love her soooo much! *Note: it is not mounted on that terrible pink color, I just had that paper down when I took the pic.

In other news, Jill was asking me why you can't click on the images on my blog to enlarge them anymore. My answer: I don't know. If anyone knows how to change this, please enlighten me. Love.

Same Same but Different

2010-06-19T12:09:00.008-06:00

Just working at TM this Saturday and I thought I'd see what was in my cubby. Lucky for me I had some old photos from old page ideas. I was so excited that I scrapbooked a page right there and then. It kinda hurts my eyes a little but I'm so in love with patterns and colors. I know Jill is probably trying to stop herself from leaving the comment "too much! too much!" but I've decided I love it. And the pictures are hilarious to boot! Kurt Cobain inspired hair AND attire - Kara, I needed you then :) I've always known that my Dad and I share similar features but not until I found these photos did I realize how similar we really are.

Dad 1966. Me 1995. We were both in grade 6.

Enjoy your Saturday!

Scrapin' at TM

2010-06-17T21:08:00.005-06:00

So I went to keep Jill company as she was working at the store alone tonight... and that way I could also bring her dinner. (I know, I know, I wish I could be your sister too.) I completed a page in half an hour. Yep. Me. Procrastinating, whining Kirsten. Trust me. This is an accomplishment. It's not anything special to look at but it had hidden value to me. The paper was a kit from the store. I challenge that is now met. It also means that I am starting to feel a little more like my old self - coincidence that this coincides with the last day of teaching being yesterday? I THINK NOT!!! I'm excited to work at TM this summer and get into "it".

Wedding Reception Pics

2010-06-10T16:47:00.004-06:00

So. I'm dumb. I never did give our FAB photographer any credit in my engagement photo post. Her name is Ashley Champagne and you can find her here. She is incredible and has photographed Gaga - who, she tells us, introduced herself as "Gaga" not "Hi! My real name is Stephanie Germanotta but I prefer to be pretentious, disyllabic and completely deranged." What a weirdo. Anywho, Ashley came to our reception to take some candid shots and man did she ever. I will just post a few of the details (I know you crafty folk like the details) and a couple of my favorites. "Cootie catcher" favors (they were fun to design and fold - not- thanks for the idea Martha) with chocolate bars nestled within - yum!Also my beautiful tropical inspired centerpieces were created by none other than Lindsay Best. She is amazing and has recently started a new blog to showcase her incredible talents.

The head table had long intertwined pieces of bamboo with orchids and palms and other beautiful delights wrapped around them... so cool! I found a similar design on internet and Lindsay did it even better!!!

Dave and I love to laugh. I heart this photo for that reason.

Grammy. I had a reception in Edmonton with the hope that both my Grammy and Grampy could attend. Unfortunately, Gramps was ill but Gram was looking fineeeeeeeee....

Anyone notice that I've uped the posting? Woot! Woot!

New Guest Bedroom

2010-06-06T09:50:00.003-06:00

Oh la la! I just recently started to refinish our guest bedroom. Like Nadine, I too was so inspired by Whiteberry Reinvented and decided a few weeks ago to paint David's old crappy bed. He had this bed when I met him and ever since we have been living together, it has found a home anywhere but our room. With a new coat of distressed white paint, it's a good as new. The dresser Jill and I painted ages ago - it was actually her dresser from childhood but I totally scammed it :) I still need to add some pictures and candles...

Sorry for the crappy pictures (still learning).

Getting My Mojo Back... Slowly

2010-05-26T22:39:00.002-06:00

Well I finally have some crafting to post. I worked at the store on Saturday and I realized just how much I miss the creative world, and so, this evening I got my hands dirty - literally. Lisa inspired me a few weeks ago with a picture of orange flower earrings. I had a cream pair myself but never did I think "I can do that", until now. First attempt = not too shabby.(The cream flower is the earring I bought and wear all of the time. My ears will don the others soon.)

In other, more exciting, news WELCOME BABY SCARLET!!! I can't wait to meet you. I was already crazy about your furry brother, who knows to what extent I may lose my mind around a real living, breathing bundle of joy.

Engagement Photos!

2010-03-18T21:27:00.003-06:00

Only one week until our Jamaican nuptials and we finally have some engagement photos to show. I'll just post some of my favorites. I can't wait to be married to this adorable boy :)

My First Cards.... ever!

2009-12-20T20:03:00.003-07:00

The Treasured Memories team just had a fabulous crafting Christmas party. I know all staff present will enjoy that I am doing just as I said I would - I am posting the two things that I made during that time. Pfff! I am not into cards but Jilly needed me to help her make some for James' family in Ontario, so I "gave 'em a whirl"*.

*Note: Someone has been watching way too much Home Alone...

Christmas Crafts! Oh My!

2009-12-15T21:54:00.003-07:00

Well... believe it or not, I have been creating as of late. I just haven't taken many pictures and thus I have no prove. Until now, that is.

I made these cute candy cane vases and filled them with flowers for my teacher friends. They were super easy once I figured them out and I think they turned out pretty well. Now if only they will survive the trip to school....

More Christmas crafts to come, but in the meant time, I lurve me some presents under a festive tree! Ta-ta :)

New Bracelet

2009-07-09T22:57:00.004-06:00

My beautimus friend Amanda gave me a gorgeous charm bracelet as a wedding party gift. I love it soooo much and I wear almost everyday. I even have a name for it - my jingle jangly. You don't have to say it. I know I'm a dork. Anywho, here's this evening's work... if in a rather dark, but somehow appealing photo.

Hoo-ray for Forced Relaxation!

2009-07-04T20:55:00.004-06:00

Well... teaching summer school is certainly something I will never do again, but on the positive side I have been forcing myself to do the following (as a form of compensation to yours truly):

reading, even if it's just a few pages, every night (new Wally Lamb!!!)
planning my wedding, shopping for dresses, etc. (my turn!!!)
crafting... I even tried painting... it was going really well and then things went a bit sideways... but I have a plan of action and I will not give up on the painting thing yet
relaxing (currently having beer with David's youngest sister and loving an evening of no work and all play!

Other happy things:
When I called home today, David said that he bought me a prize for a "real teacher". He even picked out the plant!

AND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I made another necklace. More chunky. More my style... but not in my colors. Meh! It was fun just to craft. I know Lisa, you could have done some fancy magic with my camera but I was just so excited to prove that I did something tonight I took one shot and here it is:

Look at Me Go!

2009-05-24T12:51:00.003-06:00

I know. A post. Shocking. I'm worse than Mernickle now ;)

So me and the boss lady did some crafting this past late night crop. Here are the fruits of my labor. Lisa was kind enough to model them on her BEAUTIFUL freckled skin (I heart freckles)but the pictures just didn't have the same level of detail.

In other news I got a new camera. Hooray! And it takes really nice photos... including the first ever nice picture of me. I know. I've shown everyone... and it's my facebook profile picture... but you don't understand how I tend to ruin photos. I'm a relatively decent looking gal in real life but NEVER in pictures. Look ma! No scrunchie face!

Challenged.

2008-12-10T15:58:00.004-07:00

So Jilly challenged me to use the following things on the following page:

two of the almost nudey potty pics (yep, yours truly)
the color orange
the two pink flowers
a Riff Raff shape

I came up with this:

The second page was one that I actually whipped up in a jiff - and if you have ever seen me scrapbook - that's an accomplishment in itself. I broke one of the rules that Anam taught me a while ago. That is, I ignored the blue in the picture and now it really stands out. But I've decided that this is a random picture that I just recently found from a trip that is already scrapped and so I went with it.

Sheesh!

2008-11-23T00:24:00.002-07:00

Friday night I made a date with my good friend Mer to scrapbook. We both had a lot we wanted to get done but as we all know, it takes me forever to complete one page. I don't think anyone over analizes to the extent that I do. Anywho, here is the ONE PAGE I managed to get done.

This is Murphy`s hiney the day after his surgery. The little spot that looks like a mole is the beginning of a long series of stitches. Murph had a femoral head osteotomy - essentially he no longer has an actually hip joint and his body is slowly rebuilding a false joint. Recently he has started to jump up onto the couch - pretty amazing!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

2008-11-14T20:21:00.005-07:00

Christmas!!! I do love Halloween but who can argue with Christmas?!? I had a rough day today as my own mother hit my beautiful car with her even nicer car - rest assured it was a total accident - but I was still very upset. The solution? Crafting! I really enjoy the tree that stands in front of the cash at TM. I accurately named it the "Who tree". I've seen similar trees at Homesense, etc., so I decided that I would attempt one myself. Some foam, wire, pins, sequins, a bottle of sparkles and a whole lot of craft glue later, this is what I came up with. I think it's hilarious and it looks even better in person. (Ohhhhh ... sparkles...) And I've just convinced Daver that he should make me a stand for it. Tada!

Hurumph.

2008-09-26T12:26:00.005-06:00

I'm a little choked. This was such a cute picture/story (as per former Bella post), and I'm just not loving the page. However, as it takes me days to do anything I thought I would post it anyway. Help CONSTRUCTIVE criticisms are welcome (wouldn't want to damage my delicate ego now would we :P). but I think I'm just tired of starring at this thing. Hurumph.

My Favorite Holiday!!!

2008-09-22T18:46:00.003-06:00

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. Well, okay. Christmas is up there too. But I have always had so much fun during Halloween (with the exclusion of last year - Halloween fell right in the middle of my advanced practicum - no tricks or treats for me that year). I love the decorations, I love the costumes, I LOVE the chocolate. Now that we are in our house we will (hopefully) have some little trick or treaters. We are going to be that "good" house that gives the full chocolate bars as I am sooo in the festive spirit. AND I will have my own fun as I am hosting a costume party on Nov. 1st. This allows all my friends with little ones to do their parental duties on the 31st and ship their darling off to Grandma's while they party the following day. Chantel and I made these simple but wicked Halloween invitations. The best part is that no two invites are the same. I can't wait to send them!!!!!!!!

My Little One

2008-09-19T11:07:00.003-06:00

Jilly is going through a very rough time right now but yesterday I saw some glimmers of her old hilarious self during our sleepover party for two. She is trying to be strong, and getting better at it everyday. I love her so much! Thanks to all of the staff members at Treasured Memories for making her book so special - I know it has helped to give her a lot of that strength she is working so hard to maintain. Here is one of the pages I did for me little one because I love her so:

Pretty Accident

2008-09-10T19:54:00.002-06:00

I'm currently working on a few pages that I cannot share but something really cool happened so I thought I'd put a picture up that didn't give too much away. I painted this heart with metalic acrylic and then put some clear embossing powder on. Did the heat gun thing... and then suddenly it looked like small rain drops. So pretty! And a total fluke!

Hrm... Not too Good at this Game...

2008-09-04T21:56:00.003-06:00

So. Um. About this blogging thing? Yeah. Not so good at it. Hopefully I'm back on the wagon (or off? not sure which term applies here). Although, this post is a bit of a cheat. This is my Sept staff kit project, which almost certainly any of you girls who read this have already seen... but hey! I'm trying. I can thank a dying camera battery for the bad picture. The adorable 1 year old in the picture is Bella, the daughter of two very good friends of ours. She is/was one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen and a sweetheart to boot. She came over the day after Murphy's (my cat's) surgery, and was rubbing her peppy ponytail all over his head - a gesture of comfort perhaps? Whatever she thought she was doing, it was a great moment. I did get pictures... hrm... I sense some pages here...

In other news: I love my sister and I would go to the ends of the earth for her.

New Buttons...

2008-07-23T13:25:00.004-06:00

I spent part of this morning crafting some new buttons; something that I have been meaning to get around to. Some are really cute (hello man and heart!*cough cough Lisa cough*) and some leave a little to be desired. But, a wise woman (Jilly) once said, "someone is going to like it somewhere". I'm still working on a few other ideas before I sell them at the store but I thought I'd put them "out there". Also, apologies for the crummy pictures... my camera has been less than cooperative, even post-coercive beating.

My Three-Legged Love

2008-07-13T22:19:00.002-06:00

One of my nearest and dearest friends, Amanda, has recently adopted Lola, a beautiful boxer cross. Lola had some surgery complications early in life and, as a result, she has had her right front leg entirely removed. Sadly, after her surgery she became a resident of the veterinary school in Saskatoon where my smarty-pants Amanda is in the last year of her studies. Amanda and her beau fell in love with this gentle, loving creature and came to her rescue three months ago.

I had the pleasure of meeting Lola a few weeks ago and she makes me melt. She is AWESOME!!! (And can run like the wind I might add!) As her godmother, I simple had to do a page of her, especially when her auburn hair was the perfect thing for this week's staff kit at Treasured Memories. I simply love my "little three-legged wonder"!!!

Here goes nothin'

2008-07-07T16:40:00.002-06:00

Well I suppose I am officially a blogger. I originally thought I should call this blog "The Ultimate Over-thinker", as both a parallel to my beautiful sister's blog and to pay homage to my severe disability in decision making, but it turns out that someone out there has a similar problem and got to the title first. And so I turned to one of the most delicious bands of all time - Death Cab for Cutie - for some inspiration and slightly altered one of their song titles. I think it is perfect for a number of reasons. (1) I am afflicted with a need to scrapbook everything orthogonally and I am now trying to break free of my straight line obsession (2) It's a nice mathematical concept and everyone loves math... oh wait... that's just me (3) Is there anything better than Death Cab lyrics? Not much!

And so I will leave you with a few shots of my most recent crooked scrapbooking adventures as tour guided by my talented little sister.