New cards and and a blog hop!

I have been feeling better and finally got some time to play in my scrappy space! Yeah! So I made this two cards. The first one is a card for Friday sketchers. (http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/) You had to make a card based on this sketch.
When I saw the sketch, I just knew what I wanted to do for it! I have been dying to use the doilies that I got a while ago as well as this Tilda stamp! I love how the card turned out!

 Here is the inside of the card! I made a gate-fold card this time.

Be sure to check out Friday sketchers this week, cause they are doing a blog hop and each hop has some gorgeous prizes to be won (like this site:http://rosaswelt.blogspot.com/2010/12/lovt-blog-candy-for-you.html) as well the original prize that Friday sketchers always has. Even more reason to visit them this week.

I also made this card. I am really liking the Easel cards right now! They are so easy to make and fun too!

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you liked what you have seen. See you all soon!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope that you are all in good health this holiday season. Unfortunetly the Christmas Flu has decided to visit our home this year and has clearly overstayed his visit. I will be more than happy when he has left! Sorry I have not been able to post much, nor bake nor create anything crafty. I have been held up in bed with my new friend the flu!
I would like to share however the topsy turvy cake that I made for my little nephew's Birthday. It isn't perfect, but I think it turned out pretty good for my first attempt! Take a look and let me know what you think!

Here it is before all the extra embellishments. I know the fondant is not perfectly smooth, but I will work on getting that technique down.

Here it is with the lustre dust on the stars.

Here is the proud little guy! I think he really liked his cake. Apparently he asked for seconds, and that is not at all something that he does! LOL!

Paper Secrets blog hop is here!!!!

Hello everyone! I am so happy that you made your way here. I am stop lucky number 13! You should have arrived here from Lynn's blog. If you are just joining me know and have not been to any blogs along the way you can always go to the bottom of this post and see the list and start at the top.

(This is my very first blog hop, so I hope you enjoy yourself and please bare with me as I try out this new adventure!)

Now onto my Christmas creations. I have made a few things this year, but have decide to share two items with you. The first is a paper lantern that I found online a few years ago. (Sorry I do not remember where I got it from. If you are reading this post and you are the original creator of this please let me know so that I may give credit where it is due!) I had so much fun making these. The first one took me FOREVER to make! But me being me, and having to make life difficult, I had to play with it a little more and make more of them! LOL!

Here is a side view of them. On the other side is a window, where you can see the candles that I put inside them. The roof lifts off so you can fill your lantern with some little gifts.

Here is the side with the window. I don't know that I like it with the red candle. I might opt to put some Lindor chocolates inside instead! Yum!

Now for my second Christmas item that I made this year. I found the tutorial for this card organiser over at Splitcoast stampers.  I thought what a wonderful idea. I could make half a dozen cards, with matching tags, and thank you cards. And then they would all wrapped up nice in a little box to give to the teachers.

Here is a picture of the front of the box. Oops forgot to finish the front. I still need to add some embellishments to it. Just imaging that there are some snowflakes and a stamped image of a snowman! LOL Can you see it? Isn't it beautiful?

When you take the lid off, the front half of the box falls open to reveal the card (back pocket) with the matching tags and thank you card. The little book you see on the bottom is for addresses or little notes, dates..... and the little square beside is actually a small little pocket for some stamps, (just imagine once again that they are there.LOL)

Here is a little peak at the tags and TY cards.

Well that is it for me on this blog hop. I hope you enjoyed yourself and will come back. Please leave a comment, I would love to hear what you think about my little creations. Your next stop on our little blog hop is : #14 Bronwyn Velazquez http://www.scrappinkitty.blogspot.com/

And like I said before if this is your first stop, please check out the list below and start with Kristi's blog.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

 1. Kristi Beisel http://www.devosmommy.blogspot.com/

2. Jen Patrick http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
  3. Crystal Cantu http://www.crystalscraftcorner.blogspot.com/
4. Rochelle Spears http://www.rochellespears.blogspot.com/
 5. Jenn Stockard http://www.bindingmemories.blogspot.com/
 6. Julia Sava http://www.beautifulcrazyscrappylife.blogspot.com/
 7. Barb Prendergast http://www.supermamascraps.blogspot.com/
  8. Julie Leonhardt http://www.scrappinjulie.blogspot.com/
9. Brittney Calgary http://www.brittneyunwritten.blogspot.com/

10. Vickie Les ww.vickiesscrapbookingandtidbits.blogspot.com 

 11. Pamela Young http://www.pamelasworldofscrap.blogspot.com/

  12. Lynn http://www.supersmileysheep.blogspot.com/
  13. Shirley www.chillyscakesandscraps.blogspot.com (ME)
14. Bronwyn Velazquez http://www.scrappinkitty.blogspot.com/
  15. Veronica Meras http://www.handmadebymeras78.blogspot.com/
  16. Nancy Dare http://www.daretobeunique-nancy.blogspot.com/
  17. Fi http://www.allthingscreativescrapbooking.blogspot.com/
  18. Robin Redd www.robinredd.typepad.com/west_coast_scrapper
  19. Tina Connolly http://www.scrapdiva-tina.blogspot.com/
  20. Jenny http://www.jennyplace26.blogspot.com/
  21. Christy http://www.christysscrappin.blogspot.com/
  22. Giovana http://www.giovana-believe.blogspot.com/
  23. Silvia http://www.sillyscrap.blogspot.com/
  24. Kathy Carr http://www.kacarr61.blogspot.com/
  25. MissLou http://www.bydgiescrap.canalblog.com/

Just a few things to look for!

I have been so busy the last few weeks that bloggin has been put on the back burner. Sorry! I do however something to share. It is not any new LO's or cards or even a cake. (mind you there will be a few of those up in the next couple of weeks!) I have some blog candy from Paper, Ink Color! (http://paperinkcolor.blogspot.com/)
Here are the stamps that are for grabs there. Aren't they just adorable. I know I really want to use the bear!

The second is a little heads up on a blog hop that I will be participating in. My first ever. I am so excited and scared! I hope it goes smoothly. Here is the info for that!

A little bit of this and Lot of that!

Hello everyone! I hope you have all been fine. I wanted to share these cards that I made last weekend.

This first one was done using a Stamp that Darlene got at the Stamping Up party a few weeks ago. I LOVE this Stamp set. I think I just might be using it more than she does! LOL! I made this card with the sketch from Friday Sketchers. (http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/)

This card was inspired by a friends blog: Tara  (http://www.thynner5.blogspot.com/). She has some great challenges and this one really talked to me. How could it not, it has Pooh Bear on it! I printed the photo and the quote from her blog and used it on my card. I got the sketch for it at Sketch Saturday (http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/).

Now for a lit bit of my kids creativity. I know I am a little late posting some Halloween pics, but I have just downloaded them into the PC now. I know bad, bad me! LOL! But here they are.

Here is Anize. She really wanted to be something scary this year and chose to be a vampiress! Dad did her makeup while I helped Jared get his costume ready.

I think she got pretty scary looking, don't you?

Jared decided at the last minute (of course!) that he was going to be a Mummy! So bought a sheet, dyed it with coffee and tea and then tore it all up and wrapped him up!

He got many comments on his costume this year. Unfortunately he did not have a plain brown or black hoodie to wear underneath the costume, so you can see his camo sweater. But it was dark out while Trick or Treating, and I really don't think anyone noticed!

If you wondering about the LOT of that. Well it's head lice. Yes the epidemic has reached my house! GGGGRRRRRR!!!! We found some in Anize's hair last Friday, along with some of the little critters in mine. Well we were both treated the house vacuumed, beds stripped and sprayed with a special lice killer. The couches were all sprayed as well. I spent 6 hours( No joke, my kid has extremely THICK hair) going through her hair, and then Jeff went through mine that night. Well I can't seem to get rid of them. We have treated her twice and doused her head in oil and vinegar for a whole day. Today I have to pick through her hair again, hopefully for the last time.

Have you ever had lice in your home? How did you get rid of it? I know they are attracted to clean hair, and that it has nothing to due with bad hygiene, but honestly this is crazy! If you have any suggestions/comments please leave me comment, I would love to hear about it!

A few cards....

Yesterday was a day for household chores and card making. I cleaned the main floor (it's amazing how fast things can get dirty when you are not home to clean up all day!LOL) Then I took some time to make a few cards. I needed to make a thank you card for a friend and a birthday card for Jared's friends. So I figured why not incorporate them into a few challenges as well.

This first one is a thank you not for my girlfriend who really helped me out in getting my stuff ready and organised for my new job. I used fairly Lily and a Stampin' up sentiment, along with some Basic Grey paper. This was my first attempt at making an easel card. I think the next time I make one it will a little bigger. I made this one for the sketch challenge over at Sketch Saturday (http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/)

This one was for the Friday Sketchers sketch challenge this week. Jared's friend from down the road just celebrated his birthday yesterday and I wanted to make him a card. I used a stamp I received in a stamping swap (I forgot the name of the stamp) and some scraps from my stash.

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Very Safe Halloween. I should have some fun pictures of the kids in their costumes a little for you. Off to work on a costume for Jared, plan our Jack-O-Lanterns, and cook up some fresh pumpkin pie!

Finally some Really Good news!!!

Well I got a phone call while at work today! It was from the school board, they were calling about a job I had applied for. He asked me to send in a copy of my diploma and then when he has it, the job is mine!!! Yup that's right: no job interview needed, it is now mine! I am so happy! I know now that I will not have to worry about work until next year.( school year) It is only a contract for this year, but their is a strong potential that it could become permanent next year school year! Yeah!!!!!

And now would you like to know what it is that I have been up to? Cake decorating classes! I just finished that set of classes this week. We had to design and decorate our own cakes for the final class.

This is what our kitchen table looked like for a couple of days, as I made the flowers for the cake! These are all made out of gum paste.

Here is a close up of the finished flowers. Aren't they pretty?

And here is the final product! I know it looks like a wedding cake, but I had a vision in my head and it got away from me! LOL! But it was good!!!

Osler castle

As promised here are some photos from Osler Castle. I am telling you this place is beautiful! You spend an entire day there, and not notice how long you spent there. There are trails everywhere, the old house and a lake to see. There is so much to see and explore. I can't wait to go back!

This is the sign that you see from the road. We were about to turn around, when another couple pulled up and said that it was fine to go up and see the old ruins. The castle is now protected by a barbed wire fence.

Here is the path leading down to the lake. You then hang a right where the path forks. The view from the lake is breathtaking!

I would love to post all the photos of the castle, but alas there were too many( I would be here all day just waiting for them load! ). So I only chose this one to give you an idea of what it looked like! On the other side, to the right is an arch way as well.

Anize walking along the path down from the castle.

Here is Jared sitting down by the lake.

Here is an exert that I found online about the old house:

"Britton Bath Osler (1839–1901) was a famous Canadian criminal lawyer, and also the crown attorney at the trial of Louis Riel on charges of treason. He founded the law firm of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt.

Mr. Osler was also a prominent figure in early Hamilton. When his wife, Caroline, began to suffer ailing health, Osler decided in 1893, to build the 15-room Osler 'Castle' near the Town of Blue Mountain. Mr. Osler hoped that the 'fresh air' would improve her health.

Caroline named this summer home "Kionontio", a Petun Indian word for 'top of the hill'. Unfortunately Mrs. Osler's time in her new home was brief as she died in 1896. Mr. B.B. Osler later remarried and spent a few summers at the castle. He died in 1901 and the empty house was left to deteriorate.

A diary excerpt from the early 1900's read as follows: "while working in that area, I along with a group of friends made several visits to the property on Sunday outings. Not only were all the furnishings gradually being stolen, but people were helping themselves to the stone work as well. However, I assure you, we were not among the vandals."

While the property is owned by Castle Glen Estates development of the area has been stalled by environmental assessments. The reason is that there is an ecologically sensitive lake in close proximity to the site. It is hoped that this structure will be saved from demolition."

Sorry for not blogging earlier. I really wanted to be the good blogger, you know the kind that post something at least once a week. My goal was to post something every Sunday, and here we are Monday night! Oh well better late than never. I have a few projects to share with you.

The first one is a Layout I made using the monthly sketch over at Paper Secrets. (http://papersecrets.friendhood.net/paper-secrets-challenges-f34/october-sketch-challenge-due-10-31-t1025.htm) This is Anize on her 7th birthday. I can't believe she is seven already! Time sure flies by.

The second was for another challenge at Paper Secrets. We had to use My Minds Eye papers for our Layout.Sorry about the colours being washed out, It happens whenever I resize the photo! :o( As you can see this one features Jared with his long hair this summer. We teased him so much about the length, that I was surprised he left it all summer long.

And last but not least here is a card for a friend who is getting married.

Thanks for stopping by. I will be updating a little later this week with some pictures from our little trip to the Osler Castle in Collingwood! Man what a beautiful place to see!

Crafty time

Here are few cards that I made last week. The first one is a Thanks Giving card I made for the in-laws. I just this Tilda stamp. I think I will be using it again and again!  The second is for my brother in-law's birthday.

For all those that love Magnolia stamps here is another blog candy give away. Just go to http://paperinkcolor.blogspot.com/2010/10/october-blog-candy.html for your chance to win some awesome stamps.
 Here is what is up for grabs. Aren't they just adorable?!?!?!

It is Fall and Leafs are falling.....

Well they aren't really that bad! Last week my sister surprised me with some Leafs tickets! I mean really surprised me, she called me at 7 in the morning(first she left a message on the machine telling me to call back and that it was very important.) and asked me what I was doing on Friday night. My first thought was when do I need to watch the little guy. But it was really for a Leafs game.  We had so much fun! The game was great. The leafs scored with only a few minutes left in the third period, and the croud went wild cheering and then to the disapointement to all the fans the goal was called back. Philly went on to win in the shootout! :o(  My sister and I however still say they won. That goal looked really good to me! LOL!


This one is for all you stampers out there. Here is a link to an awesome giveaway over at  Paper, Ink, Color! They are giving away an complete stamp set of Magnolia stamps. If you have not seen these before go check them out there are the most adorable thing ever!
http://paperinkcolor.blogspot.com/2010/09/september-blog-candy.html

A little bit of everything!

We've been very busy the last few weeks. Last weekend was Jeff's baseball tournament. Of course it threatened to rain all morning and the clouds finally opened up in the late afternoon.  But despite the weather, the boys did good., and really enjoyed themselves. Maybe next year I'll join the team too!

Isn't she darling? Anize has just found out that she needs to wear glasses. She was very excited to get them and asked us EVERY day when she would be getting them. I think she looks so much older with them on now. Man how quickly our little ones grow up.

Even our pup has had a busy week. Just this week he had a spa and dress up day with the kids. Yes that is one of Anize's old Halloween costumes. Eddie actually got very excited after the girls tied up his fur and put on the fairy costume. He ran all over the house wanting to play! LOL! What a funny dog we have! Gotta love him!

As for me and Jared well we have embarked onto new adventures as well. Jared has started at a new school. I am such a bad mommy/scrapper, I never got any pictures of his first day! I guess we'll have to fake it next week! LOL!  Romeo Dallaire, is the new french high school in Barrie (starts with grade 7).  It is all Green and has received it gold "recognition" from the government. He is loving it there! I don't know however if it is because the school is new and fun or if it is because half the staff at the school were once all my old teachers from high school at Le Caron in Penentanguishene and some are even our cousins! LOL! He has come home a few times telling me that his teachers were talking to him about me! Me thinks I need to talk to those teachers!

I have also started a new venture. I have been giving a full time three month contract with the school! I am so excited! I have been working towards this for so long. I started last week and I am loving it! I don't want it to end! Hopefully I'll be able to stay longer, or get another position when my three months are up.

I have also started taking cake decorating classes. They are so much fun. I'll have some pictures to share at a later date.