Tomorrow is December...

Last night we celebrated the holidays with my extended family on my dad's side. I loved how in 30 years, so much has changed yet, so much has stayed the same. The next generation of my family were so busy playing and dancing, learning to walk and trying so hard to crawl. I watched with pure joy as my own son played with his cousins and watched them, curious to who they were and what they were doing. It's a whole new feeling to be a parent during the holidays, yet being with my cousins and my aunts and uncles and my mom, my brother and sister in law just felt like "home". We ate food, we visited, we opened gifts and laughed then finished our evening with the same carolling books we have used for the last 10 years. Horribly off-tune and full of life..that's the best way to describe my wonderful family last night. It brought joy to my heart to start the holiday season off with my loved ones.

But, it was inevitable. I found myself looking around each room, fully aware of the absence. In February it will be two years but I still keep looking for him. At Christmas more than ever, I miss my dad. He was a big kid who loved Christmas as much as I do. And I miss him so..

This year has been difficult. Wishing he could know Hudson and that Hudson could know him. Wondering how they would play together and what they would do together, it breaks my heart. If my dad were alive, this Christmas would feel whole. But it never will.

I read a quote on pinterest that said, "Grief is like the ocean; it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn how to swim."

And, even though it's been two years, I am still learning how to swim...

This Christmas will be magical because of my saving grace..my son. But I hope to god I learn how to at least tread water as well...

yay!

yay for... getting the tree up early

yay for... the season of magic

yay for... Hudson's first Christmas

yay for... more snow in the forecast

yay for... mornings under the tree

yay for... cuddles and kisses and endless giggles this morning

yay for... letting go of my to do list and just allowing myself to enjoy this time in our lives...

Week in the life - Sunday Photos

You guys...we did it! We made it the FULL week in documenting our lives.. I don't know about y'all but I think that deserves a fist bump ;) I cannot believe I stuck with the entire week.. its unheard of

Now of course, putting it altogether is another story entirely..Lord help me. But I am determined you guys...so so SO determined to stick this project through and have a completed album. And after this is done? I am going to start on my December Daily album...and that too will get completed!!

Sunday was a very quiet day for us. Adam worked in the field from 6 until 4:30 so Hudson and I stayed in and worked around the house. It was cold, windy and grey outside and even though we attempted a walk..it last maybe 5 mins...brr

Then last night we got a start on hanging our exterior holiday lights (hello happy momma!!) We didn't get much done but have plans to get up tomorrow morning and "get r done". I don't have many photos from today...but here are a few of what I did manage to capture:

Hudson was up pretty early today (6:15 but stayed in his crib til 7:10) then he proceeded to play and giggle and shriek for most of the morning. My kid is seriously awesome

the furnace was running, the slippers were cozy and the coffee was hot...perfect Sunday if you ask me ;)

sunday is also the day I attempt to get out from underneath all the piles of laundry..... *sigh*

Other than that..it was holiday light time!!

to finish the evening, we did the usual (food/bath then bottle of milk) and caught How the Grinch Stole Christmas on television...YAY!

all in all a nice, quiet Sunday spent with my family...my favourite way to spend the day :) I'll be back soon with my completed album (fingers crossed!!) Thanks for coming along this week as I share a few of my daily photos..its been such a blast and I feel a little sad its over but so happy to move on to the next challenge!! December Daily, here I come!

These are a few of my favourite things..

Hey guys!

I know it has been a very long time since I shared or discussed anything crafty on here but, to be honest, I haven't made a single thing since I packed up my belongings last October for our move here to the farmhouse! Every box was placed in the basement, renovations began and then Hudson came along and before I knew it..crafting had gone by the wayside :( But now, I'm itching to set my studio back up and get into the swing of things, especially with the holidays around the corner!

Now, I don't know about you but I am a huge sucker for holiday crafting supplies. I buy them up like candy and admire them year round..yes, I am that kind of person ;) Anyways, I have been anxiously awaiting the new holiday stamp catalogues these last few weeks so imagine my delight when I realized today was the day for the new 2014 Stampin Up holiday booklet! I love this company and buy their holiday stamps every year and this year? Wow they created some AMAZING sets! I giddily flipped thru their book and my wish list just kept going, and going, and going. I thought I would share with you a few of my favourite things from Stampin Up today, I know its only August but, the holidays will be here before you know it!

I love this image so much. The beautiful papers and homemade tags just feel so cozy! I love this page from the catalogue so much that I created a 3x4 just for this weeks PL spread. Now, that might sound silly to you but for me, Project Life is about what goes on in our daily lives. Documenting the ordinary and the extraordinary. Holiday crafting is a big thing for me and remembering days like today are what its all about in my album!!

Okay, so on to a few of the gorgeous goodies that have my mind swirling with ideas!

Okay so probably one of the things that really excited me was the new Project Life Cards by Stampin Up, they feature Fall & Christmas themed cards to really help wrap up your albums these final months of 2014. Here is a closer look!

On the left is the Card Collection and on the right is the Accessory Pack full of printed transparencies, labels, enamel dots..you name it!! And they also have come out with a Project Life Holiday stamp set!! I absolutely love it! They also came out with the stamp set in digital brushes you can download..genius!

And finally, 2 more stamp sets that I am very excited to start using

The gratitude for days stamp set will be my weekly prompt to stop and think about what I am truly grateful for that week. Its a practice I have realized I need to begin doing to sometimes remind myself of how blessed I truly am.

And the seasonally scattered stamps? How gorgeous are they!?!

All in all, I found inspiration on every single page and LOVE what they came out with for this coming holiday season. If you want to check out the PDF for yourself, hop on over to there site here and take a gander!

Every year I take our holiday photo and order our Christmas cards to mail out to family and friends. This year, however, I am tackling the job myself! Creating homemade cards for friends and family will be a little labour of love that I am looking forward to starting! Hope I have inspired you today to get those crafting supplies out and create something today!!

A Little Christmas Magic..

I couldn't sleep last night. I got a good 4.5 hours in before Jakey woke me up having to go to the bathroom, {he's a very good dog and never wakes me up unless its an emergency}, so I got up and let him out then came back to bed when he was finished and laid there, staring out the window at a pitch black starry sky and let my mind wander...

And, although I knew my body needed rest, my mind was awake so I dragged myself out of bed, enjoyed a nice hot shower, made coffee and sat in our living room staring at our Christmas tree. It was a moment of pure bliss for me. The soft lights, twinkling in the dark and the quiet that surrounded me was needed and it was so very welcomed.

The beautiful trees in our yard

 



To me, the Christmas tree has always been magical. From the moment its dragged out of its hiding spot to the first time the lights are flicked on right up until its taken down for another year..it holds so much power that sometimes I can't help but sit and stare at it. And thats exactly what I did this morning. My family is going thru a hard time this year with my dads illness and his still being in the hospital so close to the holidays has taken away quite a bit of the sparkle of the season for us - but its still a beloved holiday, and for that, I'm thankful.

And, while sitting under the tree, staring at it for a few hours enjoying the peace I felt..my mind got to wandering again. This time, I thought about the experience of Christmas as a child. Yes, in many ways I haven't changed much since then..I still "believe" in Santa, I still get excited to see the first Christmas commercial of the year, Christmas carols are played often {and thru out the year!} and I'm always so giddy at the thought of Christmas Eve and the magic that occurs thru out the world. But, Christmas is different as a child. It holds so many wonderful memories for me and I love how little things bring back those feelings..

For instance, often times my farmer will ask me to tell him a story about my childhood {we have so many conversations like this} and I delve in to my memory bank and conjure up some of the best stories. Recently, I told him about a particular Christmas when my brother and I fell asleep, anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival, and we awoke to a noise. We were so excited as we quickly yet quietly snuck upstairs to see if Santa had been to our house yet. When we looked in our living room, the lights were off but we saw Santa bent over, surely he was emptying his sack?! We raced back down to our bedroom and tried so hard to fall asleep before Santa knew we were awake. And in the morning, our stockings were stuffed and the cookies and milk were gone..
To this day, both Curtis & I maintain our stories of what we "saw" while mom laughs, saying it must have been dad checking on something...but its the little moments like those that make Christmas so special as a child.

My first Christmas - 10 months old

And so while Christmas this year has lost some of its luster..I will hold on to these memories and to the knowledge that next year, when Christmas comes around, I'll be ready for it. But, for now? I'll keep sitting and staring at the tree. I'll keep walking thru the yard and enjoying the exterior lights we put up that are now covered in snow and I'll keep watching favorite Christmas movies that make me feel all warm n cozy inside. Tonights movie? A classic from my childhood - one that I loved from the age of 5... its One Magic Christmas. And if you have yet to see this movie - please do so this holiday season!!

 

The Christmas Dress

Hello my friends!

I am so sorry that I have been MIA on the blog here...trust me, I had huge plans for making everything festive..every post was going to be filled with sparkle and cheer. Holiday recipes, decoration ideas, December Favorites posts, cards, etc...and what happened? Well, its officially December 17th..Christmas {my most favorite time of year} is coming up in 8 days and..I have zero Christmas spirit. Gifts are bought but not one is wrapped & under the tree. One batch of holiday cookies has been baked, Christmas cards were {thankfully} ordered in November and so have been sent out to friends and family. I'm trying desperately to get some Christmas spirit going here, but this year..its just too dang hard. Its the circumstances of the year and our family health issues so I'm okay with it..but it sure does make me sad that this beautiful holiday...the one I get giddy for by August and wait all year long for, has passed me by.

But - we still have a few days so I'm going to try my best. First and foremost, I would like to thank each and every one of you for all your kind emails, comments, messages, etc about my dad. It has been more appreciated than you will ever know. My dad is still in the hospital, recovering, but Adam & I came home last Wednesday and have been busy running errands and working on the dome. I swear, no one here realizes its Christmas soon either! I will be writing a post about my dad's surgery and what we've been up to for these last 2 weeks but, I'm just need ready to write it out yet so until then, lets look at a little festive layout I completed a few weeks ago using my new American Crafts stash and a Christmas photo of my mom, 4 years old, in her Christmas dress!! The year was 1963 {sorry mom for aging you, lol}

 

I love this layout! Its a little bit busy compared to my usual style - but I couldn't resist! I just kept adding more and more patterns, I was having so much fun!

 

 

Those wood veneer stars from Studio Calico? Yeah..I'm hoarding them ;)

 

 

Ugh..I just love every aspect of this layout. The black and white polka dot thickers for "1963" just seemed like the perfect vintage embellishment to mark the photos' date

 

 

And thats my very first Christmas layout of the year!! Thanks so much for stopping by everyone!!

 

 

 

Icy Sundays..

Happy Sunday everyone!!

We were taking off to Calgary today for a very important date tomorrow but Mother Nature made other plans. Its below freezing here and it started to rain..and I don't have to spell it out how those two elements don't mix! The entire city is a skating rink! We tried to take off this morning and, with Adams injured knee, it took us 15 minutes to get him to the truck which was then preceeded with sliding down the driveway, spinning tires and a 180 in the middle of a very busy street. After the little turn I decided enough's enough and we turned back around and headed for home. I feel terrible for not making it but its better to be safe then sorry! We will attempt to go again in the morning, so please, keep your fingers crossed!

In the meantime, Adam is resting his leg and I am sitting here on the good old laptop pinning away on Pinterest and dreaming up fun ideas for this, our most merriest month of all!! In fact, today I decided to go thru my moms old photo albums and pulled a few favorite Christmas photos to scan to my computer for scrapbooking later (maybe a mini book is in order?!)

I thought I'd share with you a few favorites here...

My brother & I after we opened our presents in 1989

I'm not going to lie, I still make this face when opening presents!

I love this photo!!

 

Happy December 2nd everyone!!

Its Christmas time in the city..

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style..

We are still in the city while Adam recovers from his surgery and tonight we celebrated the first of December with an outing that involved Christmas lights, Starbucks Peppermint Mochas and Christmas carols on Sirius XM Radio (channel 4 & 17, if you're interested!!) I absolutely love the holidays and being in the city just brings me right back to my childhood. As a little girl, our family would hop in to our vehicle, listen to Christmas carols and drive around all the neighborhoods, looking for the prettiest lights. Every time we drove by a pretty house with a decorated tree in the front window, my heart would soar with excitement as I anticipated Christmas Eve and the arrival of Santa Claus.

The Christmas season is a very special and magical time for me. I'm like a big kid! I'm a little bit like Will Ferrel's character, Elf..I could celebrate the holidays all year thru!! Today, we started our advent calendars (yes we are not children any longer but, who cares??) and tonight, while driving around the city, Adam & I made a pact that this December would be the merriest of months we have yet spent together..I'm so excited you guys!!

 

I hope you are getting geared up for the holidays! I will be sharing my favorite holiday traditions, crafts, movies, etc all month long..stick with me, this will be fun!!! Happy December 1st everyone!!

Holiday Style & a Card

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!

Hope you all enjoyed a beautiful long weekend :) As this was my first long weekend at the farm, I have to admit that I almost forgot it was a holiday weekend altogether! Days seem to run in to one another here..and thats alright with me ;)

This morning, I woke up to an email regarding October Afternoon's "Holiday Style" line being released for Pre-Orders and I have to admit..I think I've been living under a rock! As you may very well know, I am a little "obsessed" with October Afternoon. Their lines are always so beautiful and I always make sure I stock up on them...some may even call me a collector more than anything!! But, how is it that I never heard of Holiday Style until today?! Where on Earth have I been?? But, sure enough..I clicked on that link and my heart skipped a beat..this line is beautiful!! My favorite Holiday release of the year by far! Of course, I stocked up..so excited for it to ship near the end of the month!! Have you seen it? Not to worry if you haven't..I've got you covered!!

This, my friends, is:

Walking the downtown sidewalks that are freshly covered with a light powder of snow. Shopping bags in one hand and your child's hand in the other. On the corner you hear a choir singing Silver Bells. Along with others, you stop to look at the department store holiday window displays. Lines out the store doors of families waiting to see Santa. You can feel it in the air. It is Christmas time in the City. It is times like this that you wax nostalgic of being a kid yourself during the holidays. That is Holiday Style, the latest holiday collection from October Afternoon.

Although it isn't until next Christmas that I am hoping we'll make it to NYC, doesn't the above paper, City Sidewalks", make you want to go now? I have wanted to go to NYC at Christmastime for years now..and this line makes me even more excited!

I am a sucker for anything vintage, especially at Christmas and this paper, Toyland, is perfect!

Here is the entire paper pad..trust me, it is gorgeous!!

Okay, confession time: I may have snatched 3 packages of miscellany...yep, 3. I couldn't stop myself!! How awesome is this?!

So...what do you think of the new line? Are you helping yourself to some Holiday Style this coming Christmas? I can't wait to see what everyone does with this line!!

Alright..I also have a festive card to share with you all today. As I have been in the Holiday mood lately, I couldn't help myself once my new Papertrey Ink stamps came in the mail last month and made 4 cards in one quick sitting...I love when that happens!

I don't know about you but for me, when it comes to Christmas, the more traditional the better. Yeah some color combos on the trees look gorgeous, but for me? I'm all about the good 'ol red & green. And making my cards on Kraft just makes it that much richer!

I die cut my holly leaves and berries using PTI's dies and my Cuttlebug. I love how the felt gives the card a nice cozy feeling!! Of course some Stardust Stickles on the berries didn't hurt either ;)

On the inside, I stamped PTI's Holly Jolly border with New Leaf Green and dotted the berries with red Liquid Pearls to give it some dimension. I have to admit..I really, really love this card!!

So how about you? Have you gotten in to the Holiday spirit yet?? Happy Crafting Everyone!!

Not a Creature Was Stirring..

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve!! haha

I'm still plugging away at the office so it doesn't completely feel like the holidays yet, but we are coming in again tomorrow til noon and then I'm off for 10.5 glorious days!! I'm so excited!!

Last night I spent some time with my mom, wrapping a present for Adam's family, eating dinner and watching "Four Christmases".. and then Jakey and I drove around to look at lights before coming home to wrap presents on the floor by the tree watching my all time favorite childhood Christmas movie, One Magic Christmas...do you remember this movie? It was made in 1985 (I was one!) and mom taped it for Curtis and I and we watched it every Christmas! I haven't seen it in years so last night I poured a glass of wine, PVR'd the movie and felt instantly giddy watching a movie that made me feel like I was 4 years old again, waiting for Santa to arrive!!

Adam and I will spend some time with my family tomorrow night but when we go home, we will snuggle up on the couch and watch this movie together..I am so excited!!

Other than that, I have a few small errands to run and I am ready for Christmas!! Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

Through the Years..

I don't know if its just because the end of yet another year is upon us or I'm just feeling a little nostaligic, but I have been spending some time thinking about what all has happened in 2010 and how blessed I feel for everything and everyone in my life. Yesterday I went through my day planner and wrote out everything significant that happened so that I could create a layout chronologically organizing my past year..and it was amazing! I bought a house, took a fun class with girlfriends, got published in Paper Crafts magazine for the first time, found out friends were getting married/having babies, met "The One"..the list goes on and on!

This made me realize how truly important it is to keep scrapbooking. I've let it slide over the years, but I would really like to keep an updated scrapbook for 2011. Every month review what all happened, create layouts for specific events, etc. Time goes by so fast now a days, and I want to remember everything I can!

With that in mind, I went to my besties' house last night for our gift exchange with each other, as well as with my niece Makiya. We've done this every year, but the last three years has been even more special with the birth of my niece. Now that she is 2 1/2, she is SO much fun at Christmas and so excited for Santa (it helps that you can tell her Santa is watching when she starts pouting too!). I went home and downloading my pictures from the night on to my computer and realized I have captured a photo of her and I every Christmas since she was born..and it mystified me as to how much she has changed! And with that, I give you my 3 year Christmas with Makiya in review:

Here she and I are for our very first Christmas together! She was born in August, so would have been 4 months old here...awww :)



And here we are in 2009, she turned in to such a munchkin so fast! I love her goofy little grin here...gosh I hope she knows how much she is loved!

And finally, our annual photo, taken last night:

Poor sweetheart has had the flu bug that's been going around, so last night she was allowed a couple of chocolates from her princess advent calendar..just so she could catch up! She has an amazing personality and my Lord she is busy! Running and playing and laughing! There are still moments when I have absolutely no idea what she is saying, but at that age you can nod and play along with them and they won't know the difference ;) She warms my heart and I love her so much..and I'm so excited for next Christmas, where she will be the big sister to a little boy or girl!!! ;)

Happy Crafting everyone...I hope you are taking in everything that the holidays has to offer and cherishing every moment!

Countdown to Christmas

Its the 21st...can you believe it?! This month has completely flown by! In fact, this entire year has gone by so ridiculously fast..I can hardly stand it! In just 10 days it will mark a YEAR since I officially bought my new home that I am now in! A YEAR?!? Jeez...time really needs to slow down now..

But since it is only 4 days til the most wonderful day of the year arrives we are busy putting the final touches on presents, buying those few last minute gift ideas, baking cookies and watching holiday movies. My favorite holiday movie by far is - Elf. Who doesn't love Elf? "I'm singing...I'm in a store...and I'm SINGING"..hehehe, love it ;)

Adam will be home on Friday and will be busy wrapping presents to place under the tree..and we are so excited to start our holiday festivities!! Its pretty dang cold out there but it makes me happy to know that means we'll have snow for Christmas!!

I'm off to continue my merry making...hope you are all ready and settled in for the holidays!!! Happy Crafting everyone!

Holiday Train

Last nights' Holiday Train was awesome! Jodie picked me up after work with Makiya and we made our way down through the mass of people to find our spot in the crowd. Makiya was amazed at the lights on the train and for the first time since I was a little girl, I remembered what Christmas was like through the eyes of a child...and it was amazing. When the train door opened and Santa Claus appeared she was beaming and waving "hello" and my photo's captured a sparkle in her eyes that makes me melt!

I will upload my photos this evening and add them to this post, I can't wait to see them all myself! Also, a photographer from the Medicine Hat News took our photo last night and now we are in the local newspaper today!! I tried to scan the image in to share here today, but alas, it won't work :( But trust me, its cute!!

Now today I'm meeting up with a friend of mine that I've known since Grade 3 but due to our lives being so crazy lately, we only get to see once every couple of months..and we have SO much to catch up on!! I just love the holidays, don't you? Take every day in and make it worth remembering...you'll be glad you did!!

On the 2nd Day of Christmas..

Alrighty, my JYC page for Day 2 was completed last night and I must say I am loving it! I will add it to my lil bloggy here this weekend once I get a chance to photograph it! You see, I'm photographing my very first wedding tonight and to say that I'm a little distracted and freaking out would be a slight understatement! The blushing bride and groom were introduced to me thru common friends and before I knew it, I had my first wedding gig booked! Now, I've been shooting cameras for years..but being someones' actual photographer?! This is fairly new..I'm very excited for this experience, but so nervous that I won't live up to my standards I've set for myself...keep your fingers crossed for me, please?!

Other than that I will be home this weekend, scrapbooking, making cards for my cousins' store and addressing the envelopes for this years' Christmas cards which I just received this morning from Mr. Postman (I love you Mr. Postman!)

And since I have no photo to share with you just yet, I found this one from Urbanic's blog and it just made me happy...oh how I love you pretty papers and ribbons!

Its the most wonderful time of the year...

Its here! Its here! December 1st is just around the corner..and its the most wonderful time of the year! I'm so excited!! I have so many blessings to be thankful for and much to look forward to..I can't wait to take in all that the season brings!

I have also vowed to actually complete my journal this year, which, if you remember at all, last year went about as far as .... well, thats about it! If you haven't heard of the unique month long class, Journal Your Christmas, then you need to check it out. Sign up once and you are free to join in for the rest of your life! Beginning tomorrow, December 1st you will receive a prompt in your inbox with helpful photography tips, journal ideas..the works! I picked up my album last night and have already been busy taking my holiday photo's ...

Okay, not that I'm bragging..but,  "hello, beautiful Christmas tree!!" hehe..sorry, couldn't help it, I am very proud of myself for this one ;)

Anyways..the motivation is huge, the photo's have already been started and I'm feeling the love for my 2010 Christmas Journal!! What are your plans for recording the holidays?!? I'll be back soon with pages from my journal..happy crafting everyone!!

Happy World Card Making Day!!

It's here!! World Card Making Day!!



I've been making cards for quite a few years but, sadly, this is the first year I've ever participated in the great event that celebrates crafty card makers all over the world! Last time I checked there was 115 amazing participants on the list, I am lucky #71!!

Since this event kicks off the holidays card making "season", I decided to create a Christmas card with my favorite holiday image..the snowman =)



Isn't this card fun? I LOVE the bright colors and the happy lil snowman...so cute! I made my card base out of Kraft CS and used my all time favorie MME DP that I bought in a jumbo paper pad at Michaels last December



The snowman image is from Impress and the sentiment is from PTI's "Made of Snow". I stamped both in PTI's Raspberry Fizz ink and filled in the strips of his scarf with Fruit Punch Stickles



And to celebrate this paper crafting holiday, I'm having a give away! To enter, please leave a comment below before 12:00 am GMT on Oct 4, 2010.



I'm officially in the holiday card-making spirit!! How are you doing with your holiday cards? Thank you so much for stopping by my little corner of the blog world..can't wait to see what everyone else is creating!! Have a great Saturday everyone..Happy Crafting!!