Cottage Charm

This past weekend, Mr. B and I had the wonderful pleasure of spending a weekend with friends of ours at their new cottage. It was a delightful time as we enjoyed their company and easily settled into the warmth and comfort of their lakefront getaway.


The cottage has a huge great room off the back with windows on three sides and a wrap-around deck. My girlfriend has impeccable taste and everywhere you looked there was some little delight for the eye. Whether it was on the deck, in the garden or inside the cottage, there was always something interesting to discover!


The inside of the cottage was tastefully decorated in shades of red, white, tan and blue. Bead board adorned the walls, and the wood floors and ceilings gave each room the added feel of a true cottage.



Our evenings were spent down by the lake, lounging in the Adirondack chairs as we indulged in tasty food and drinks.

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As the sun began to set, we canoed and kayaked around the lake. It was peaceful and beautiful and the loons sang their lonesome song to us!



When the weekend was over, it was hard to leave. It was a great way to start our summer and we look forward to our next visit.

Little Red Wagon #35

Where has the week gone! I have been so busy enjoying each day that I haven't had time to post - but I do have lots to share :)

To start, today is Little Red Wagon Wednesday and it was my turn to post the challenge. I thought it would be fun to play tag :) Tags are so versatile, so I thought it would be fun to see a tag that you have made, used, altered, or added to a card or layout!

For inspiration I started by making a tag.

I began with a rectangular journal card that I cut into a tag shape. Then I added some bits of paper, some buttons, twine and mini alpha stickers! The papers are from Echo Park and the alpha stickers are from October Afternoon.

Next, I couldn't resist this adorable little tag element from the same line from Echo Park, so I turned it into a quick card.

I added a bit of Glossy Accents for some highlights and a bit of ribbon.

So there you have it! Two cute tags that I hope will inspire you to play along this week. For more inspiration, go to Little Red Wagon to see what the other Girlfriends have created.

Little Red Wagon #34

It was Dee's turn to post the challenge at Little Red Wagon this week and she challenged us to create something using Canada Day or the 4th of July as our theme. How fun!

I saw a card style recently that I really wanted to try and I thought this would be the perfect time. Of course I went with a 4th of July theme as I am the resident American among the Girlfriends!

I dug deep in my wagon and found this really cool paper from Reminisce that I have had for quite a while. I also used some red, white and blue cardstock and there you have it! No buttons... no ribbon... just paper.

I am sure there will be some fun creations at Little Red Wagon this week so be sure to check them out. And whether you are Canadian or American, why not create something to celebrate these amazing countries of ours!

Happy 17th!

17 years old already! Time certainly flies when you are having fun.

You have brought tremendous joy to our lives, bud.

May all your wishes come true!

Card Sketch

I posted a new card sketch on i.love.sketches and this is the card I made for inspiration!

I used an adorable stamp from Stamping Bella called Kiss Me You Fool and some papers and ribbon from my stash. I colored the image using my Prismacolor Pencils and I just love the soft finish they give. I also used my Martha Stewart Loopy Punch which I adore!

For this and other sketch ideas, visit my sketch blog at i.love.sketches :)

Spoiler Alert!

I am taking a chance by posting this before Father's Day! In the event that my dh reads this, his Father's Day gift will be spoiled. But I had to share this great idea with all of you!

I saw something similar to this on the internet and I knew I had to give it a try. It is a decorated Chinese food container with paper fortune cookies. How cool is that!

So this is what it looks like when it is all finished. I started with a plain container that I bought from 'M' (lol). Then I took the handle off, opened the container and traced the sides onto pattern paper. I cut out the paper and then glued it onto the container using Zip Dry adhesive. I then refolded it and reattached the handle.

I made up a coordinating tag that I tied to the handle with ribbon.

Then, the best part - the fortune cookies! These are made using 4" circles that you fold in a special way. I have to admit I had to try it a few times before I got it right. Luckily, my BSF (best scrapbook friend) came to my rescue and talked me through it!

I made up a fortune for each one that I added before I folded them.

So there you have it - a great Father's Day gift made with love! This would also be a fun idea for other occasions, like birthdays. You have to give it a try - uber cool!

Loonies for Lindor

I attended a charity crop this past weekend that was hosted by my wonderful and dear friend, Dianne. A couple of years ago, she became involved with the National Service Dogs, by adopting a chocolate Labrador puppy, Lindor. Since then, she has found that she has a real passion for working with this volunteer-based organization. Her first crop this weekend, was just one of the many ways that she has given her time and energy to help NSD since becoming a puppy raiser for Lindor.

Not only did we have a visit by the guest of honor, Lindor, but we also had our heart-strings tugged by two sweet puppies looking for volunteer homes.

Can you say A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E?

We were also very well fed, with cakes, fruit, tea and coffee in the morning, a delicious lunch, Lindor chocolates, decadent desserts and ice cream treats! I don't know what was more pleasurable - scrapbooking or eating!

Dianne received many donated prizes for her crop (three tables full!) and even though I held my breath waiting for my number to be called, I didn't take a single prize home :(

Nonetheless, it was a great day and I totally enjoyed myself. I even got a few cards made as well as a layout!

This page was created using a new sketch from my sketch blog, i.love.sketches. The photos are from our trip to Myrtle Beach last summer and I have been wanting to scrap them for a while now. I am happy with how it turned out.

Thanks Dianne for a very enjoyable day. You are an amazing person and I look forward to your next crop!

Little Red Wagon #33

It's time for a new challenge at Little Red Wagon:) This week Rosanne challenged us to make something with beads on it. Hmmm...

I started digging in my wagon and I found these really old alpha beads and decided to make up a baby card with them.

I also found this sweet paper from MLYB's Snugglebug line and it was the perfect paper to go with my beads. How sweet!

Be sure to head over to Little Red Wagon to see what the other Girlfriends have created using beads this week. I am sure you will find lots of inspiration!

Pomp and Circumstance

It was a proud day in our family this past Tuesday. We attended the Convocation for our oldest son as he graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University! It was such an emotional and proud moment for us, knowing that he diligently and successfully completed his years of study and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Honours Business with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Global Studies.

It was a very impressive ceremony as we watched the procession of the faculty and students and listened to the Chancellor as he announced that the Convocation was in session.

After a couple of speeches, it was time for the Conferring of Degrees. Each candidate was announced, they received a hood (an outward sign of their new status) and was acknowledged by the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Science.

It was all very formal. It was also very emotional. My heart just swelled as I watched my first-born receive his degree. I wanted to run up to him and give him the biggest hug I could... instead I choked back the tears as I sat in my seat. I had flashbacks of the day he was born, his first steps, his first day of Kindergarten and his graduation from High School. I could also imagine his future - bright with promise!

When the ceremony was over, we met outside. That's when the hugs and handshakes and pictures took place.

We ended our day with celebratory dinner at a nice restaurant.

It was a day that I will always remember. I also know that there will be many other proud moments in Tyler's life. He is a gentle, kind, intelligent, hard-working young man. I know the future holds great promise for him.

Congratulations my son.