Graduation Party

We had a wonderful high school graduation party for my son and my niece this past weekend. We held it at a beautiful park in Michigan and lots of family and friends were in attendance. Of all the photos I took – and there were many! – these pictures are my favorite!

At the end of the day, Danielle suggested that they each let their balloons go, symbolizing their farewell to high school. Of course I was there with my camera and when I looked at the photos after I downloaded them to my computer, I couldn’t believe what I saw. These pictures totally capture the true essence of their relationship – their camaraderie, their playfulness, their connectedness.

I applied a special effect to the pictures with my photo editing software and I love how they look!

They say every picture is worth a thousand words, so I will let the pictures speak for themselves…

Their futures are bright with promise! And even though they will each take separate paths, I know that they will always be a wonderful support and friend for each other along the way.

Little Red Wagon #96

This week at Little Red Wagon we are challenged to make something using a border punch.

Border punches are awesome and I made this fun card using a border punch, digi image and my Copic markers. Then I added some of my favorite ribbon, a bit of stitching and Glossy Accents on the bottle cap.

Let's see what you can do with your border punches! Join in the challenge at Little Red Wagon :)

Little Red Wagon #95

This week's challenge at Little Red Wagon is to use newsprint on our project.

I used some papers from MME that has a gorgeous newsprint pattern.

I used a flower and scallop punch to create a layered flower and I added a bling center!

Try to stop by Little Red Wagon and join in the fun! Check out what the design team has created and show us your own newsprint creations!

My Minds Eye Blog Challenge

I decided to play along with the layout sketch challenge at My Minds Eye this month.

I used papers, brads and chipboard from the Lost and Found Two collection and it was perfect for a photo of my niece's little boy!

I decided to keep the layout really clean and I only added a couple of embellishments. I punched out some scalloped circles and made a couple of flowers. On one, I just added a brad that says, "You are so special."

On the other one I added a brad along with a couple of chipboard flags that I adhered to decorative pins.

I punched the scalloped border, added some awesome ribbon and finished with chipboard letters for the title.

Another sweet layout of a darling little boy! Thanks for looking ~

Relish Cooking Studio

My neighbour and friend, Donna-Marie, has opened her own cooking studio in Uptown Waterloo! She is a professional home-economist and has authored four best-selling cookbooks. Opening a cooking studio, where she can share her knowledge and passion for cooking, has been a long-time dream of hers and I am just thrilled for her!

She has joined forces with her friend, Maria, who is a wonderful Italian cook that has shared Donna-Maria's vision of opening a cooking studio. I am sure they will make an incredible team as they teach us how to prepare great food while having fun in the kitchen!

Their studio will offer cooking classes as well as offering top quality kitchenware, tableware, linens, accessories, cookbooks and much, much more.

Their official opening will be Monday, August 29th. Drop in to see their fantastic new cooking studio space as well as their beautiful kitchen shop. Coffee will be on and the cookie jar filled! They are located at 56 Regina Street North, Waterloo, and you can check out their web-site here!

I wish you all the best Donna-Marie and Maria! I will see you on the 29th!

Little Red Wagon #94

I can't believe that it is the middle of August already and that in a couple of weeks, school will be starting!

This week at Little Red Wagon, Regan is challenging us to create a back to school project. I decided to make up a little card for someone special.

I dug into my wagon and pulled out my Copic markers. It has been a while since I used them, so I thought I would color in a digital image (please don't look too closely at my coloring - I am clearly out of practice!). I paired my image with some Jillibean papers, brown ribbon and a button from my wagon!

Why not send a student back to school with a smile on their face? Make up a back to school card to give to someone special and then link up your creation at Little Red Wagon. We would love to see what you create :)

The Smallest Things

I am playing along with another Sketchy Thursdays sketch this week :)


I loved this recent photo I took of Nolan (such a cutie!), my niece's baby, so I decided to pair it with the new Baby Steps line from Simple Stories.

I also added some brads from MME, a heart from Jillibean, and some twine.

I love the inspiration that a great photo and an awesome sketch gives me! Thanks for looking ♥

Little Red Wagon #93

This week's challenge at Little Red Wagon is to use a bird on your project.

I adore birds so this challenge was easy for me! I used a felt bird that was in my wagon and I combined it with papers from MME.

Then I used a Die-namics ticket border die with yellow cardstock to add a punch of color to my card. An SRM 'Thank You' sticker and a couple of gems created the sentiment.

Last, but not least, I used some ribbon and black twine to create a little nest for my bird to sit on!

Join us at Little Red Wagon this week - we would love to see what you create!

Journey

I am still scrapbooking a trip we took to Mackinac Island, Michigan, a couple of years ago, and this week's sketch from Sketchy Thursday gave me some great inspiration for another page.

I used papers from the Destinations line from Simple Stories (my fav!) and they worked perfectly with the colors in my photos.

I added some Tattered Angels Chalkboard Mist to the background and did some machine stitching.

It felt good to squeeze some scrapbooking into my busy summer schedule! Thanks for looking ~

I Love It!

I received the most amazing, awesome, perfect, wonderful gift for my birthday this year! It came from Carolyn and her daughter, Amanda, and it is a gorgeous hand-made quilt that they both worked on!

I actually saw this quilt when it was being made a couple of months ago and I fell in love with it. The colors are my favorite and I adore rag quilts. I dropped a few subtle (?) hints that I would totally love to get this for my upcoming birthday, but knowing the time and effort and $$$ that goes into a quilt, I never thought I would actually receive it. In fact, I totally forgot all about it.

So when Carolyn gave it to me I was seriously shocked, surprised and delighted! I held back the tears, but I was so very touched.

Thank you so much Carolyn and Amanda. This is one of those special heartfelt gifts that will be forever treasured. Hugs to both of you!!

Little Red Wagon #92

Happy Wednesday! It is my turn to post the challenge at Little Red Wagon this week!

I thought it would be fun to see a card, layout or project with a critter on it!

I had this cute little alligator die-cut and I paired it with some left-over paper from my stash. Then I used a Die-namics die to make a great die-cut border, added a button and floss and I had a sweet little card in no time!

Check out Little Red Wagon for some fabulous critter creations this week and join in the fun!