Noah's 5th Birthday: 2006 pix

Here is a page I did for a challenge over at SBCH. I used Sketch #71 from Valerie Salmon as my inspiration! It's a LO featuring Noah's 5th birthday.

The challenge itself was set by Jenifer and it was to "use felt somewhere on a Layout."

Oh, the red Lego brads are STRAIGHT in real life, not in the pic... DARN!

Anyway: I used felt birdies and a tree trunk... so there you go... outta my usual "zone" as I junked up the page quite a bit... do you see the 2 blue buttons and the three blue brads? 2+3=5... Yes a little number symbolism. Enjoy, I hope you like it... TYFL!

A Christmas Floral Arrangement...

I made this for our dining room table. The angel is from my front garden: I brought her in for the winter. Thought that this would be a good place for her to stay over Christmas! She is my Guardian Angel. I have a good story about that... for another day...

An additional exciting announcement!

Announcing December’s Celebrity Guest Designer and a Celebrity Q&A Chat!!!

Scrapbooker’s Club House is proud and thrilled to announce that Canadian scrapbook artist, teacher and designer for Maya Road, Upsy Daisy Designs, and Scrap In Style TV, Andrea Wiebe, will be our December Celebrity Guest Designer! We will be treated to her creations all month long!
We also invited Andrea to participate in a “Q&A Chat” at Scrapbooker’s Club House. To our delight, she said it sounded like fun and she’d be happy to answer questions!

Scrapbooker’s Club House will be posting the “Celebrity Question and Answer Chat” with Andrea on December 1, 2008, bright and early! What better way to start and spend your time December, with a talented and creative gal like Andrea?

Everyone is welcome to come and learn more about Andrea, her creative inspiration and her artistic eye. Here’s the link where you can find the Celebrity Q&A Chat on December 1st: http://www.scrapbookersclubhouse.com/forum/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=46

That day, questions asked by scrapbookers are posted along with Andrea’s thoughtful answers in an easy interview format that’s unique to Scrapbooker’s Club House.

The Q&A Chat format at SBCH allows the interview to remain conveniently in place on our Forum for you to read, enjoy and refer back to at your convenience. Convenience is soooo important in these busy times, don’t you think? Pop on by the Club House on December 1st to learn more about scrapper extraordinaire, Andrea Wiebe!

Our community extends the warm hand of friendship to ALL newcomers. You’ll enjoy the Q&A Chat, the sharing offered by our Celebrity Guest Designer and the creations from the latest and greatest SBCH kit!
You’ll LOVE what you’ll find at the Club House: a sense of camaraderie, a fully stocked online store and LOTS of scrappy goodness!! Mark your calendar! December is going to be FAB at Scrapbooker’s Club House!
Feel welcomed and comfortable at the Club House: we know you’ll want to stay!
Our Homepage:
http://www.scrapbookersclubhouse.com/home.htm

This is going to be FUN!!

" All About Easy: December Gems" Announcement on SBCH:

http://www.scrapbookersclubhouse.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=142130#142130

It's awesome, check it out!

DT Announcement over at CY

A new Design Team has been chosen over at "Creatively Yours," another place where I can be found...

What a job to have to CHOOSE!!!

So many talented scrapbookers. Noella and I ended up choosing 2 Guest Designers for January 2009 as well, there was SO MUCH beautiful work sent in to us.

Here is the announcement: http://creativelyyours.wordpress.com/2008/11/24/great-news/
Please join me in CONGRATULATING the new CY DESIGN TEAM!!

Blog Sketch Contest Returns!!

Announcement!!

The popular Blog Sketch Contest is returning to Scrapbooker’s Club House.
Come enter and gain added exposure for your creations!
Nov 19th will bring a BRAND NEW SKETCH by Nicole Drewniak, right here: http://scrapbookersclubhouse.wordpress.com/

Create a card based on the sketch and upload it to the SBCH Gallery here, in the Blog Contest folder: http://www.scrapbookersclubhouse.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=323

The winner's interpretation will be posted on the SBCH Blog next to the sketch.
In addition, the winner will receive the honour of designing a sample LO for a SBCH blog contest scheduled for Jan 2009. Her design sample will be posted on the SBCH blog for all to admire!

Let’s see those entries: Interpret the sketch and put your own spin on it! Go, go, go…!

Deadline for entries is Nov 30th at midnight MST.
Judging and announcement of winner will be Dec 1st.
Please be sure to put your name and BLOG SKETCH #20 on your submission.
One entry per person, please.
Gallery requires that images be no larger than 1024 KB.
Questions? Email Ali at~ peteali@eastlink.ca or Trina at~ carbertt@gmail.com

HAVE FUN!!!

Canada Day Pound Rescue: Ocean

New curtains...

Amazing what $50.00 and change can do for one's psyche.

Figured if I cannot have my red wall, I should have red curtains! Took a few tries to get the right shade, but I found them. And, now I have my curtains!

By the way, they are a beautiful heavy-weight jacquard. Gorgeous weave, with tone-on-tone squares for visual interest!

You can tell Pete is a tecchie, the man has all the connections to all the surround-sound system and whatnot (??) neatly bundled and fixed so no-one can trip. God bless that man!!! He is amazing.

The taaaaalllllll cabinet on your left is NOT peachy- it's Palliser's Opal oak-- more of a taupe-y/cream. I am not sure what's up with that... The sofa shows as EXACTLY the right colour, as do the new curtains.

The walls are Manor Hall's "Stonington." It does NOT look dirty in real life! Too funny. It's a light taupe.

LOVE these curtains, hope you do as well!!

Dear Noah...

This layout was done for a challenge set by Design Team member Mary Chong over at Scrapbooker's Club House, for the November "Challenges by Design Collection."

Here is the link: http://www.scrapbookersclubhouse.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10044

It was a toughie- hope you like it. :o)

Later today I am going to add some black gel pen swirls and tendrils coming out from & surrounding the flower clusters. The black "stripe" across the right of the photo is actually a strip of deep purple velvet ribbon. Sorry it looks so black!

Journaling reads:

November 11, 2008

Dear Noah,

You are still too little to read this, but I want you to know how much I love you. You have the most beautiful little face, with your big brown eyes… This photo makes you look like a cute li’l curmudgeon…all full of milk and not wanting to grin for the camera… but WOW: you’ve grown to be a stunning child at six!

ASD was to become part of our lives soon after this photo was taken—too soon afterward… of course there is NO right time for a diagnosis as devastating as ASD. But we didn’t know---- had NO IDEA --- at this point, looking back in time at this photo; and it wouldn’t have mattered anyway because you had so completely won our hearts.

You have our hearts to this very day. Along with all the quirks that ASD brings, your personality shines and you are loved by many.

That is not to say it is easy, because it isn’t easy, for you or for us. Certain noises hurt you no matter how many times we say “it’s all right, it’s all right,” trying to comfort you. No matter how often we hope and pray that it will subside, the auditory sensitivity you live with is a huge factor in our lives. Everything can be a culprit, from the sound of the winter tires when we are riding in the van, to the sound of a piano or trumpet. To see your anxiety level climb breaks our hearts. Daddy and I so wish we could make that easier for you.

The ASD has brought you other challenges as well, socially and learning-wise; including issues with the development of your ability to speak. Thank God we have been able to hear your sweet voice as you speak to us, and see this very tough aspect of your learning expand little by little, with great effort for us all. Your brain is just wired differently from others’. Speech is very hard for you.

Many parents apply the “fix-it” approach to their children with ASD. There is a huge controversy surrounding that. Never fear! Your Daddy and I disagree with that approach.

There is no magical “cure” for autism. Our focus has been on trying to make things easier for you, while helping you reach your potential at the pace that best suits your learning style. There is no rushing anything: it doesn’t help. We continue to use many interventions, too many to list. We fight for you all the time. Teamwork with the school is also a huge part of this, although it doesn’t always go perfectly for them or for us. We are all working for the same person: YOU.

We love you no matter what. You are just the way you are supposed to be, and we will love “who you are” forever. Daddy and I will keep researching, learning and trying everything we can in order to make things easier for you. We will ALWAYS fight for you.

We are your champions, Noah.

I love you sweetie.

xoxox ~ Mommy

"Love" card...

Made this card for a DT assignment over at Creatively Yours: Sketches by Noella. It was created with Card Sketch #22.

Enjoy!! Thanks for looking...

Supplies:

Basic Grey's 2-Scoops Collection

Buttons from my Frenchy's stash

Scalloped lace from my Mom

Fancy Pants and Prima flowers

Bazzill brads

Uniball Signo Gel Pen for doodling

Grateful

One of the "Challenges by Design Collection" challenges this month over at SBCH was to make a LO of something you were thankful for. This was a challenge set by Nicole.

It required at least 2 photos.

Well, I am SO THANKFUL for my work at SBCH...

I took photos of:

1- my calendar sheets which contain SBCH and CY PR and Promo stuff only. I write in pencil and colour code with Highlighter. I keep the calendar sheets in a page protector for easy access. They are right on my desk held in a clipboard.

2-There is also a pic of my "ideas" notebook and my typed sheets of SBCH plans for contests and events.

3- Plus, there is a photo of the PR and Promo file folder I made for my work at SBCH.

This LO took me about 6-7 hours to create but I really love it. There are six kinds of patterned paper in this LO!

Notes:

Thread is by Guterman.

Dye ink is khaki by Ink it Up!

Font: Century Gothic

Hidden journaling is inserted in scalloped pocket and sticks up (IRL) so it is easier to pull out. (Not seen here.)

Short form journaling reads:

Grateful

I am thankful; so thankful, for my work at Scrapbooker’s Club House.
I am thankful that I’ve discovered something new to be “good at.”
I am thankful that I’m flexible enough to have learned to “stretch” in new ways.
I am thankful that I’m a writer; to have that confidence.
I am thankful for my new scrappy friends.
I am thankful to be working in PR and Promo.
I LOVE it!

~November 9, 2008

I hope you like it... Enjoy!

Article I wrote for SBCH... ENJOY!

http://scrapbookersclubhouse.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/scrappin-green-cropped-off-scraps/

Creatively Yours Design Team Call!

Check this DT Call out... Fun~!!!

It's awesome designing from Noella's superb card and layout sketches. Be sure to apply: she is looking for 8 Designers!

http://creativelyyours.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/creatively-yours-design-team-call/

Guest Design Team Member Contest/Call:

Come check it out!

http://www.scrapbookersclubhouse.com/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10071

Could YOU be the NEXT Guest Designer over at the Club House?? Come on over and try out! It's FUN!!

"My Busiest Day..."

This layout is up over at Journaling Junkie, where I am a Guest Designer this week!

What a treat! Thanks to Stefanie Semple and the Journaling Junkie gals for this opportunity!

Here's the link for JJ: http://journalingjunkie.blogspot.com/

Pop on by and have a peek! It's a great site with tons of inspiration for those wanting to do a wee bit more with their journaling!

Waterplay w/ Shawna June 2006

Journaling reads:

It was near the end of your time in the NS-EIBI program, Noah—and our coordinator (Natasha) had Shawna come and spend a few sessions with you, along with Kelly, one of your usual therapists.

Shawna had been your private therapist since just before you turned three…and well before EIBI came into existence. She had been like a lifeline for us right after you were diagnosed: she was very, very special to your Daddy and me.

You, Kelly, Daniel and Shawna had a blast with the water table out on the deck!! What a hoot: It was an awesome, hot, fun, water-play day. I will always remember it with a smile~! I know Shawna does too. She was SO EXCITED to hear all the words you could use by then!

June 2006

Supplies:
Chipboard Circles: Bazzill
Button: Frenchy’s; Wilmot, NS
Dinosaur pp: BasicGrey Archaic Collection: “Dino” arc-1122
Circular patterned paper: BasicGrey Archaic Collection: “Rock” arc-1109
Background: BasicGrey Archaic Collection: “Rusty” arc-1111
Jagged chipboard sticker: BasicGrey
Curved arrow chipboard sticker: BasicGrey
Dye Ink: Ink it Up! Khaki Green #1027-14
Taupe Jrnling Block: Fiskars Photo Memories Card Stock “Country” Collection #2615

Created on Nov 1, 2008

Pterodactyl: 2006

~Pterodactyl~
Daniel created a pterodactyl from the firewood that he found on the ground at the NS SAndy Point Camping Park in Five Islands, Colchester County, NS.
This was the campsite we stayed at on the way home from PEI in the rented RV (2006). It was on the Minas Basin, an easy 3 hrs' drive from our home in Kingston, NS.

The patterned paper used here is~
1) HOTP-20480 Tan Leaves by PaperPizazz for Hot Off The Press [HOTP]
2) Archaic Collection by BasicGrey- green background
3) Archaic Collection by BasicGrey-"rock" arc-1105; patterned section on the right.
3) Lettering: Archaic Collection alphabet Stickers arc-1195

Dye Ink: Ink it Up! Khaki Green #1027-14

"Experiment" Card~ MM "Daily Dose," a treat from Nicole; Thanks Nic!

Pen: Chestnut AC-Slickwriter

Thinking Outside the Box!

Here's a contest that Nicole, Noella, Trina and I developed for November over at SBCH.

Come join us! We are the friendliest site on the net!

“Think Outside the Box” Contest at Scrapbooker’s Club House for November 2008...

Ever wanted to use those scrappy supplies for something besides pages and cards?
Here’s a unique contest to help you create something that will be handy for the holidays!

ALL are welcome to submit entries. (Exception: SBCH Design Team Members are not eligible to enter.)

Here are the “rules.”

*Create a box that you can use later to place a gift in this holiday season. Theme: “The Holidays.” *Boxes for this contest can be totally handmade or pre-made, but MUST be decorated with your scrapbooking supplies. (Patterns/templates can be used to create your box. Be sure to give credit if pattern is not your own.)
*ANY SIZE box is acceptable.
*The box MUST have a top or flaps so that it can be closed.
*Boxes can be decorated inside and out. If decorated inside, include an extra pic of inside.
*You may submit a maximum of 2 boxes.
*Please upload your box entry (ies) to the Scrapbooker’s Club House Gallery in the “November Box Promotion” album here: http://www.scrapbookersclubhouse.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=490
DEADLINE for entries is Saturday, November 22, 2008 at midnight, MST.
IMPORTANT: Please include your NAME on ALL photos uploaded/submitted.
A winner will be announced on Monday, November 24, 2008.
The prize for this unique contest is four-fold:
1) The winner will receive the fun, easy privilege of being the Scrapbooker’s Club House “Morning Cheerleader” for 7 days, and will even have a specially-made blinkie to proclaim it! (Details will follow once winner is chosen.)
2) A small prize will be sent to the winner from SBCH.
3) A package of craft/scrapbooking supplies will be donated to Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in the name of the winner.
4) A photo of the winning box and a short bio of its’ creator will be posted on the SBCH site’s blog.
Are you ready to think OUTSIDE the BOX? Then “Go, go,go!!!!”

We can’t wait to see your submissions!
If you have any questions please email Ali at peteali@eastlink.ca or Nicole at nicole@scrapbookersclubhouse.com
Good Luck…have fun!!