Friday, 13 May 2016

I'd be lost without you | #tgifc55


Hi all! It's Frrrriiiiiiiidaaaay!!!

When I saw this sketch for the TGIF Challenge this week, I immediately thought about the 2x2 squares in the Project Life by Stampin' Up! (PLxSU) kits.  And that's how a sketch can trigger a quick burst of creativity.


To finish off this card, I had that some doilies on my table.  I layered them together with a bit of the pool party glimmer ribbon along with the a sentiment to create this 4.5"x4.5" card. The stamp came from the Cottage Greetings stamp set from Stampin' Up!


I hope you play along with us this week!
Cathy






Thursday, 12 May 2016

Hello Tuesday | #witl2016


Hello Tuesday.

This is different isn't it.  I am creating pages instead of just the photos and the words.  It may not continue.  But for the first two days of Week in the Life, I have not taken more than 10 photos for any single day.  That's ridiculous.  You'll also see how I put these pages in albums.


"I don’t know how my purse gets in this state every single week.  When going through my New Years resolutions this year, I’ve been trying to make small changes which helps me stay organized and focused in my quest to spark joy.  Cleaning out my purse every Monday is one of those changes.  This week, my purse was cleaned on Tuesday. Truthfully, it feels like a weight off my shoulder every single week. Go Cathy Go."

"Lately I crave waking up with the sun.  The quiet in the mornings helps me focus and get ready for the day.  I like to reflect, start lunches, go for a walk.  The hour flies and its not long before I crave the quiet the next morning.

On this early Tuesday morning, I had no Keurig cups so I went to Tim Hortons in my PJs. Back home in 6 minutes, I begins to sort through the piles of paper.  Jack woke up first. This is a blue moon.  He ate his lucky charms.. just the marsmellows. Sorting them by colour.  He never ceases to amaze me.

Joyfully, Jane catches the bus by 8am and Jack starts to get dressed.  On a typical morning, Jack is often still in bed when Jane gets on the bus.  He’s going to be a sleepy head.

The work day goes quickly as Ryan works in the storage units and I move through my to do list.

It's a typical day but there was no time for any physical activity, which I crave lately.  Tomorrow I will do better.

The swimming lessons took a toll and I needed a break.  Ryan’s friend popped over with his bull dog, which brought a sense of joy to me.  I like people. I like drop ins.

Bed by 830pm for the kids. I stayed up too late doing #witl. Go figure. But I was feeling it. A better day.

Goodnight Tuesday."
"Amongst all the choas of the dogs outside, the dishes, the wet hair from swimming, the phone - Jack looked up at me and said “let’s play a game”. Carefully selecting this memory game, Jane and I sat down and played the way he wanted (as much as it pained me). For 10 minutes, we played - we each took turns. Jane boasted of her two pairs and Jack kept picking up the same card. Does life get better than this?"

"The worse part of the day was taking my son to his first swimming lesson while at the same time my daughter was beginning a new level.  You better believe I was "that mom" in the middle of the pool. On stage. Sweating. Soaking wet. Complete with frizzy hair and cramped feet. Until finally after 15 minutes he decided it was okay to get wet.  Kid loves water but hates to get wet. No kinder egg in this world could help me.  I remained there for the remainder of the lesson but I knew that most parents were feeling my pain.  Pretty sure I won Mom of the Year.... and I want to thank... well. my son... Ahem. No photo for that.  You wouldn't want to see that mess.  But man.  Life was real in those moments.  So proud of Jane thriving in her lesson.  Yet longing for Jack to co-operate."

Isn't it interesting how this project gets us to look at the good and the bad and what's real life?

Until tomorrow,
Cathy


Wednesday, 11 May 2016

I'm in. Monday | #witl2016

I was set to begin my Week in the Life project led by Ali Edwards but then Monday happened.


"Today looks a little like this.  

It was what I call a down day.  Nothing makes sense.  Nothing is black and white.  It’s definitely a “redo day.”  And it wasn’t because I put my clothes on backwards or dropped my breakfast on the floor, it was just how I felt when I hopped out of bed.  I tried to work through what I was feeling in the morning and I couldn’t make sense of it all. Reluctantly, I went to the grocery store to get   enough food to make a ham sandwich and BBQ in the evening.  This was not how I wanted my #weekinthelife to begin. I decided I’d scrap it. I thought about my intention of this project - this is the reality.  This is life.  And everyone feels this way from time to time. I feel blessed that my down days are few and far between but I’ll embrace them for now and learn from them.  What did I learn? To get on my feet. To take a walk. To smile with my kids. To live. 

Let’s start over, shall we?"



I didn't take many pictures on Monday but nobody really cares except me.  I am realizing that I don't even care that much.

For me, my intention and my reason why for this project is reflection. This is something I've done a lot of lately.  I am trying to align my goals and my responsibilities to find joy and to find what it is that I want to accomplish while I am on this great Earth. (Good luck to me, right?)

If you are wondering, I went 100% digital in my layouts today. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Have a great day! See you tomorrow!
Cathy

Friday, 6 May 2016

Welcome little Sunshine | #tgifc54


It's another Friday and another TGIF challenge!
The first challenge of every month is a colour challenge!


I am always at a loss for baby cards.  In fact, its the first one I've made in way too long.

I kept it simple but at the end decided that it needed something more.
I like tiny embellishments so I cut up the yellow trim and added it to a sliver of patterned paper.

Tiny is best!!

Play with our challenge!
Happy Friday!
Cathy


Monday, 2 May 2016

What a Beautiful Blessing You Are To Me | Creative Scrapbooker Magazine



I am featured every month on the  Creative Scrapbooker Magazine blog.
Make sure you check out the Mother's Day cards that I created using Stampin' Up!'s Rose Wonder bundle.

Drop by. Send your love.

Cathy

Welcome to the Jungle | Simple Scrapper


Jennifer Wilson of Simple Scrapper is always inspiring us with story starters and sketches.  This month she inspired us with the 1980s. Being born in 1981, I can certainly relate.  I turned by photo into a spin off of the Taylor Swift album cover, 1989.

The photo was taken in 2008 at my home as I hosted an 80s party with friends. You can be sure this life was pre-kids.  

It was great to re-kindle those memories!!

Cathy

The Premium Membership at Simple Scrapper provides skills and shortcuts to help you simplify and find more meaning in your memory keeping. 








Sunday, 1 May 2016

An Awesome Day | Simple Scrapper


I want to remember//
how a last minute decision to go sledding became a beautiful adventure and a new family tradition.

I want to remember//
that Jack would refuse to wear mittens but on this sunny Saturday afternoon, he was content to wear them.

I want to remember//
that Jane loved every single second of each ride but Jack was ready to go home after a couple turns.

I want to remember//
how getting on a crazy carpet sent a flood of childhood memories back - and guess what? It was so fun.

I want to remember//
To do this every time the snow and sun is just right. Because the truth is, there’s not many perfect snow sledding days each season. Seize the moment.


The Premium Membership at Simple Scrapper provides skills and shortcuts to help you simplify and find more meaning in your memory keeping.