Flying a Kite!

One afternoon at the end of June was a perfect kite flying day! Kite flying has never been an activity I've done a lot of but we were given a kite in May and the kids were wanting to try it out. After a few tense moments trying to put together the very cool pirate ship kite we were ready. I'm happy to say the flying was a success! The kite flew, we didn't hit a power line or a tree and we got it back down in one piece. Thank you Simon for sharing one of your kites with us!

Cards – Birthday cards

I made these cards for a card workshop I taught the last week of April – in between packing and cleaning! I used a CTMH layout and Lucy paper. I wanted to teach ink distressing and focus on stamping. We stamped the title and the images – either flowers or the cupcake and ice cream cone and then coloured them in with ink and the watercolor brush or blending pen. I also wanted to show how you can make a feminine card or masculine card with the same pieces of patterned paper  – just my using the reverse side of the double-sided cardstock-weight patterned paper!

Stamp set "Card Word Puzzle" coloured in with blush ink and a waterbrush

On this card I used the Lucy glittery rub-ons to show how they work and that you could use them to make a card with little or no stamping.

Stamp set: "Look Who's..." coloured in with blending pen and ink

We embellished with pearls, sparkles, clear or bling buttons! I love to see the beautiful cards people in my classes create with the same supplies. I wish I could show you all the variations. Next time I'll take try to remember to take my camera with me and then post pictures of everyone else's creations!

Noelle's Birthday Party

Noelle celebrated her birthday early in Toronto but I didn't have time to share these super cute pictures of her party so here they are now!

Turning 7 with a gummy topped angel food cake.

Super cute matching dresses from Noelle's friend!

Yummy!

Having fun at Woodbine's Fantasy Fair indoor amusement park for the afternoon.

 

Scrapbook layout – Sweet Little One and Computer Journaling Tip

Another layout about Jeremy's determination and mechanical interests! I used retired  Zippidee paper from CTMH (still available through Studio J though!), rub-ons from Making Memories, and chipboard stars from a variety of companies. I stamped the stitching lines around the journaling block and the strips of patterned paper with a retired stamp set “All Stitched Up.”

Do you like computer journaling but hate using a new piece of 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper every time you do?

Here are my steps to my favourite way to add computer journaling to my layouts:

1)Cut the journaling piece the size you want

2) Make a text box in your word processing program the same size as your journaling piece

3) Type your journaling and size to fit the box

4) Print out your journaling on computer paper or scrap paper

5) Adhere your journaling piece on top of the box on the computer paper with removable adhesive

6) Put your paper back into the printer so it will print right on top of your journaling piece

7) Remove the lines on your text box in your word processing program

8) Print again

Voila! You have your jouraling right on your journaling piece without having to cut up an entire piece of 8 1/2 x 11 piece of cardstock!

Field Trip - Markerville Creamery

The kids and I were able to go on a field trip with our homeschool board, Northstar, at the end of May to the Markerville Creamery, Stephansson House, and Hola School -  one room schoolhouse. Extra special was that Grandma Jefferies was able to come with us! It was a beautiful day and we had a great time.

All of us in front of the Stephansson House - Stephan G. Stephansson was born in Iceland, moved to Canada and became a famous poet.

Looking back at the pictures I took brings to mind memories of growing up. We always had beef cows as well as a few milk cows. My Dad sold the cream and we grew up drinking the skim milk. One of my jobs and later my sisters' job was to wash the separator and have it ready for milking time. More than once I remember washing it at milking time and then running it over to the barn where my Dad and Uncle were waiting!

The last month has been hard since losing my Dad suddenly in early June and I wish I could share these pictures with him. I rest in the comfort of my Lord Jesus Christ, whom was also my Dad's hope, but I still really miss him. It has been hard to get back to blogging (not that I've ever been really faithful) but I know how much he enjoyed reading my posts, especially of our trips back and forth to Toronto. I am going to try and post more this summer - of our adventures and my scrapbooking, we'll see how I do.

A picture of a separator very similar to the one we had.

Noelle energetically shaking up a jar of cream to make our own butter. Yum!

Nathan collecting slates in the one-room school house (boys on one side, girls on the other!)

Noelle and Jeremy intently carding wool.

Day 6: Olds, AB

We made it! Through some rainy weather and ... welcome to Alberta ... a spring snow storm today (yes, only a few second thoughts about the weather in Alberta vs. Ontario)!

It was clear and calm when we got to Olds though which was a blessing as we unloaded our car-top carrier and emptied our van! Now the unpacking and settling in begins. Thank you everyone for your prayers. I'll continue to blog this summer about our continuing adventures, God's provisions and my scrapbooking creations.

Scrapbook layout – First Steps

It was fun to remember when Jeremy was first learning to walk. Although, he didn't really want to walk – he wanted to run! Right from the beginning he has been an intense boy who wants to do more than he is capable of and keep up with Nathan and Noelle.

I used Typeset paper and the coordinating canvas stickease. I was even able to write my journaling on the canvas journaling sticker with a black pen.

I love the look and feel of CTMH's new canvas stickers – it is easy to see the texture yet they add very little bulk to my pages – a new goal of mine as I am trying to put one whole year of layouts into one album. After three albums for 2008 I decided I needed to take action or we'd be swimming in scrapbooks by the time the kids graduated! Digital pages, less bulky pages and trying to not scrapbook all the events of the year have been my strategies to have fewer albums.

All supplies are Close To My Heart other than the “First steps” rub-on title and footprints.

Work in Progess Monday - ScrapScene