Banners&Pins

One of the latest challenges over at Scrapping Turtle board was to use the oh-so-popular banner in a layout. I used some yummy Crate Paper I picked up at Scrapfest and a cute pic of Sid and her buddy dressing up on a playdate. Man we've gotten our money out of these costumes over the years!


A few days ago, I picked up a badge maker for Sid's birthday party (did I mention I'm hosting 8+ girls for two hours. I.HAVE.LOST.MY.MIND!!!)
I, of course, needed to test it out to see if it worked. I love that Sid now has toys I can play with! So I made some cute Hambly buttons for my favourite, but really worn out, purse. Hambly makes anything look good!Come back July 1st...I have a some cool news! See you then and thanks for peeking.

everday idols

The latest challenge at the All About Me blog was to scrap our idol. Ummm...that was a rough one since I have many. And despite the fact that I live my life like an open book I really didn't feel like scrapping that. Shocking...I know!
So, I put my thinking cap on and had a little epiphany. I don't have one idol. I have thousands. No one is perfect and I treasure something about everyone in my life.
I picked people in my day to day life and narrowed down their best traits to just one (which was really hard!). They are my everyday idols.
Come play with us on the blog, there's an awesome prize this month!

Bella Blvd.

I love Bella Blvd, especially the Estate Sale line. I bought up a bunch at Scrapfest this past April. So I was thrilled to get some in my Scrapping Turtle DT kit this month. Here's a few layouts I made with it:As you can see it's perfect for my girly girl!!

Two challenges for the price of one.

I'm falling behind on posting my Turtle challenges. I've got the mother of all colds right now and all I want to do is sleep.
Here's my layout from Heather's challenge from the Turtle DT.
As well, this month our "Product of the Month" at The Scrapping Turtle was Dress it up Buttons. I received some very cute ice cream, pinwheel and flower buttons. I had to wrestle then out of Sid's hands to keep them. (Okay, not really but she wants any "leftovers"). Also they are 15% off this month, just click on the link above to see them. Here's what I made with them:
Thanks for peeking!

Still beaming...

I'm still feeling oodles of pride about my little girl. She's sooo excited about starting at the National Ballet School this fall. I have to say I'm pretty excited too, even though weekend sleep-ins will be a thing of the past.
It's no secret that dance was my first love and I always wondered what life would have been like if I'd followed that path. (Thirty pounds lighter, I'm guessing!)
Well, I'm doing my best not to project my dreams on to Sid and become a crazy stage mother.
Really. I. Am.

Since she could move she's been a dancer. Even before she could walk she would wiggle her shoulders and hands to the music. She's had a love for music and performing. Here's a video of her doing some ballet moves at the age of three...and yes there's some very silly crazy fat mother in there too. Hope you have a good laugh at my expense!


Next up for your viewing pleasure is her recital last year. Tell me that girl doesn't have presence!
Sorry for the gloating post....I'll be more scrappy next time!

Am I worthy...

That's the latest challenge up the All About Me Challenge Blog. I made a hybrid-art journal-layout type thingy(I think I just invented a new genre!).
First I took a photo of me, opened it in a 8.5x11" page in Photoshop Elements and covered it up in a transparent red. Then, using digital brushes and erasers I added texture. Can you see me there? After, I added the digital title and printed it out.
I dipped the end of an empty paper towel roll (stolen from my guinea pig...sorry Petal) into Gesso and stamped it all over the page. Next I went to town writing all my past insecurities out and doodled.
There you have it...not sure what I will do with it but it was therapeutic!!

Old buildings and a new Ballerina

This past weekend was Doors Open in Toronto. It's one of my favourite Toronto festivals. Interesting buildings all over the city throw open there doors for free tours. Over the past few years Sean and I have visited some very cool spots that are normally off limits to the public. This year we went to Sunnyside....or I should say what's left of Sunnyside. It's a beautiful old 1920's bathing Pavillion. My parents remember the original amusement park which was torn down in the 1950's, but I had never been near the site before. It was great fun to photograph and browse the Art show that was on, we even bought a couple photographs from this lovely artist. This man's photographs also blew my mind.
We then visited the Gladstone Hotel and had a lovely walk in the Queen and Ossington neighborhood.
We received some fabulous news this past week; Sidney was accepted into the National Ballet School's associates program. So, it looks like my life as a stage mother has officially begun.
I celebrated by creating a layout with my DT kit from The Scrapping Turtle. This month I was so lucky to receive Bella Blvd's Estate Sale line. Very cute, retro and cool! Thanks for peeking!