Some recent creations!

The start of our 2006 trip to PEI: Vacation Ready: PEI Bound!

Closeup of flowers

One of my "Scruffy Posies"

"Love"

My cousin Elizabeth's Wedding, Nov 2009

Detail shots:

Valentine Thank You Card

Blast-off fun!

Snow Romp

"Thank you" Mini-Cards

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Some really GREAT NEWS!

Oh my gosh, I'm so very excited!

I have become a member of the new Savvy 'n Sassy Design Team!

I am really thrilled to be part of such a GREAT Team... March 2010- Sept 2010!

Here's the link to the announcement...

SnS DT Announcement...

Thanks for reading and sharing my excitement! I'm over the moon!

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Two WINNERS!

Congrats to Carla and Jeanna who have been chosen as random winners on my Blog from the recent Creatively-Green Blog Hop!! You have each won a Goodie Bag from Creatively-Green and can choose one of the "Chocolove" Candy Bars as part of your prize.

Just email me at peteali@eastlink.ca with your addy and choice of bar and I'll fwd the info to our Store President, Nicole Gailliot who will then mail you your prize!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!

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Vacation Ready: PEI Bound

I created this layout for a February Challenge over at Savvy N Sassy, called "Ann's Alphabet Frenzy!"

We were to use more than 2 alphabet styles on a layout. I managed to use quite a few styles as you can see, LOL! This was a LOT of fun! Why not pop over and try it out?

Here's my layout~

Vacation Ready: PEI Bound

(2006)

The dotted paper on the middle flower and the patterned striped paper are both Piggy Tales avail at Creatively-Green.

Closeup: One of my "Scruffy Posies!"

Thanks for being here- pop by again soon- and invite a friend!

((HUGZ)) ~

Just posted...

an installment about a card project on the Creatively-Green Blog.

Enjoy...

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Thru the Apple Valley

At Sisterhood of Scrap, Helen challenged us to create a LO in red and white in honour of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
Black pen was allowed.
Here is mine:

On August 22, 2007, on our our 15th wedding Anniversary, Peter and I took a jaunt thru the Annapolis Valley taking picturs of everything we loved about this place.
(This apple orchard was beside the road near Canning, Nova Scotia.)

"Thru the @pple Valley" LO created by moderator Ali Macdonald for the Sisterhood of Scrap Olympic Crop: Remember that participants have until Feb 28th to share their Olympic Crop Challenge creations at SOS and be eligible for MANY prizes!

The Jillibean Soup Journaling Sprouts came from Creatively-Green Scrapbook Store.

Red Checkered pp: Norcard Sb'ing paper set (From our Elem School fundraiser)

Pink Paislee lettering: white "Fashion Script"

"@" symbol : Simply Sweet by Doodlebug designs

Gel pen: Uniball Signo gel pen in white

Black Pen: CM fine tip

Hope you like it! Feel free to leave a comment if you care to!!

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For the LOVE of Buttons!

Good Day Everyone!

Happy February 14th: Valentine's Day!

Today is the last day of the Creatively Green Eco-Friendly Valentines Blog Hop. We have an assortment of things going today, click HERE for a complete list of challenges and events.

As part of the fabulous Blog Hop at the Creatively-Green Scrapbook Store, where I'm a Design Team Member, I am privileged to share with you today a project that embodies 3 things I really love:

1) Green crafting
2) Buttons and pearls
3) The Asian influences in decor items

I'm so excited to share this vase with you! I hope you like it.

"Eco-Friendly" Asian Beauty Vase

By Creatively-Green Design Team Member Ali MacDonald

1- A Febreeze container has been recycled into a vase (Peter, my DH trimmed the top portion off for me with his Exacto knife.) The leftover plastic was recycled and the pump discarded as per our province's recycling program.

2- All buttons are from my own collection: from a gift from my scrappy friend Helen H., old clothing & our secondhand store's button bin.

Note: Main adhesive to secure buttons to container was Elmer's Craft Bond. COVER work area WELL. Ventilate well. I rarely use this adhesive as it is in an aerosol can, but it was necessary for this project.

3- Hanging chain on pearl button was made of metal loops from discarded costume jewellery (ie: some dangly earrings that were WAY too long!)

4- Butterfly: from broken & discarded chinoise-style necklace.

5- Freshwater pearls: salvaged from broken formal necklace.

6- Sequins: not my "thing " but perfect here to camouflage edge of container. Were salvaged from a Dollar Store craft kit.

7- Curved chinoise-style black enamel-look decoration at top of vase is a barette, purchased from button bin (!) and saved for use in crafts...I think I paid 25 cents for it... Peter removed the clip portion for me with pliers. (TY again to Pete.)

8- To adhere the glass beads, iridscent shell-shaped sequins, freshwater pearls, and faux-pearl bead accents, I used ONE adhesive: Glossy Accents by Ranger. This also just added shine in any spot where it may have "shown." For this part of project, only ONE product was required to adhere multiple types of craft items. Convenient and FAST!

9- HUGE Mother of Pearl button: Guy's Frenchy's button bin- Wilmot, NS- adhered with a large Glue Dot. Butterfly also adhered with large glue dots.

10- Chain links were attached to pearl button, then a large Glue Dot was "wrapped" around the very last link of chain, which was "hidden" by affixing it between butterfly and large M-O-P button.

Thanks for looking, I really hope you like it!!

Now here is your Challenge for Feb 14th!!

Break out the buttons, cardstock, patterned paper and glue ladies! To play along, create your challenge entry and click HERE to visit the C-G Forum, then leave a comment with a link to your button creation!!

CHALLENGE:
Find a few (or MANY) buttons and create a layout or card with them.
I will leave this up to YOU.

Here is the prize you could win!!!!

It's a "Petite Jar" FULL of BUTTONS from Creatively-Green! Aren't they gorgeous!?

Be sure to play along!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to see your entries! Post the links to your project on the appropriate date on the C-G Blog! Here is that LINK (Feb 14th).

**Remember that every challenge you do, and every comment you make on recipes, and so on gets you a ballot for our GRAND PRIZE!

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Blog Hop Continues

The wonderful Feb 11-14 Blog Hop at Creatively-Green continues TODAY! Please be sure to check out all the fun HERE

Remember there are tonnes of prizes nd chances to WIN just by visiting blogs and leaving comments! :)

See you there~!
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The Blog Hop...

at Creatively Green continues today! Here is where you can find out about today's fun events and prizes!!!

See you there!

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SWEET TOOTH RECIPE!

As a Designer over at Creatively-Green, I am in charge today of posting a "Sweet Tooth Recipe" this morning for our Eco-Friendly Valentines Blog Hop!!

We have a prize to be given away...drawn from among the commenters, too! So be sure you leave a comment as the prize is gorgeous!

Here is our recipe for today:

Cracker Candy

Source: Christmas with Southern Living 2004

(** Ali’s comments.)

2 sleeves round buttery crackers (approx 76 crackers) ( ** I bought “Toppables” which are rectangular shaped crackers. Delicious and easy to use as they are the right shape!)

3/4 cup real butter

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 cups real milk chocolate chips (** Chipits make good ones I have discovered.)

3/4 cup toasted chopped pecans

1/2 cup chopped white chocolate (**I used white chocolate chips or a big sized white chocolate bar cut into little chunks.)

**OPTIONAL: 1/4 package of butterscotch chips… (I used no-name ones and they were a DELICIOUS addition… just a sprinkle of them!)

Place crackers on a lightly greased (** Pam-type cooking spray) aluminum foil-lined cookie sheet. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bring butter and brown sugar to boil in a saucepan, stirring constantly; cook 3 minutes stirring often.

Pour mixture over the crackers.

Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Turn oven off.

Sprinkle crackers with chocolate morsels. Let stand in oven 3 minutes until chocolate melts.
Spread melted chocolate evenly over crackers.

Top with pecans and white chocolate. (Add a sprinkling of butterscotch chips if using.)

Cool completely, and break candy into pieces. Store in refrigerator.

Yield: about 2 lbs.

The prize for the Blog Hop Sweet Tooth recipe, to be drawn randomly from among comments is:

A gorgeous set of Valentine Vintage Blooms!


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Blog Hop Starts tomorrow! HUGE Grand Prize!

Creatively-Green has put put together a sweet blog hop! It's called the CREATIVELY-GREEN ECO FRIENDLY VALENTINES BLOG HOP!

The Hop event will run February 11th through 14th! Get ready for some fun and Prizes!! We will have exciting challenges, a ton of inspiration and a few treats too!
Here is a list of the events! We hope to see you all there :)

Oh and be sure to go here and sign up TODAY FEB 10, for the Bingo Game which starts tomorrow Feb 11!

February 11 Events:
Eco Friendly Valentine’s Day Cards
*PRIZE*Chocolaty sketch contest!
Sparkle and Shine, Eco friendly V-Day Glitter Project
*PRIZE*Sweet tooth recipe to share
*PRIZE*CG BINGO starts

February 12 Events:
*PRIZE** A little something GREEN and eco friendly just for you
Valentine’s Day goodie bags or altered treat boxes:
*PRIZE*Valentine’s Card Sketch Challenge
*PRIZE* CG scavenger hunt for a chance to win a sweet prize

February 13 Events:
*PRIZE*Pink and Red ATC Challenge
*PRIZE*Simply using your sweet scraps
Sweet tooth recipe to share

February 14 Events/The Grand Finale:
*PRIZE*For the ♥ of buttons
*PRIZE*Valentine’s Day Colour Challenge

I will also be posting a Sweet recipe on February 11th. Yummy! There is a beautiful Prize too. I'll Show it to you tomorrow!

My Challenge for you on Feb 14th will be "For the love of Buttons" , and I can't wait to show you what I have created for you! Here is the prize!

I

And... get this: there will be a grand prize awarded to the person who takes part in the most events or challenges! In the event of a tie there will be a random draw to pick a grand winner!
*Deadline for all challenge entries is February 19th, and winners we be announced February 20th on the CG Blog and Forum!*

Here is the Grand Prize, worth $150.00! So, come and play with us!

Feb 11-14th- Save the date!

See you at Creatively-Green's Blog Hop!

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News article about an Autism Assistance Dog from the Lions Foundation of Canada!

Here is a news article about the VERY programme we have applied to for an Autism Assistance Guide Dog for Noah!

http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/lifetimes/article/949820


Thanks for reading-- there is a pic of a little boy, the Lions Foundation of Canada's Dog Trainer (Chris Fowler) and one of the Autism Assistance Dogs in the article!

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Eco-Friendly Valentine's Blog Hop is COMING!

Won't you join us? More details to follow!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned! :o)

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"Repurpose with Love!"

Just wanted to let all my scrappy friends know that Create it-GREEN has a Blog Hop coming up this weekend-- SATURDAY, FEB 6 to be exact!

Please join us! We will be repurposing a VERY interesting item at another of my Blogs: "Scrap and Share: Tutorials for crafters!"

You'll start off at noon EST on Saturday at the Create it-GREEN blog then hop along to lots of fun places where you'll see GREAT love-themed projects, play games, collect a few digis, and have the chance to win some fun Prizes!

So come on- Hop along with us! See you at the HOP!

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Go check out Create it-GREEN!

I just posted an idea for a "green" way to use cropped-off photo scraps!

You can check it out here!

Have a wonderful day!

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Update!!

Feb 2, 2010

GOOD MORNING! Just wanted to update you on what I had heard from the Lions Foundation Guide Dogs of Canada in terms of an Autism Assistant Dog Guide for Noah!

Heard from Alex Ivic, Client Svcs Supervisor at Guide Dogs of Canada. He called me yesterday am.

He said that they have all they need from us in terms of our application.

Next step: Autism Assistance Dog Guide Trainer Chris Fowler will call us from Oakville ON and set up a home visit here in NS. He will be flying in to assess the situation with us, the home and to check on Noah’s needs.

He will see other families in the Eastern part of Canada while down this way.

THEN: no longer than 2 weeks after Chris gets back to Oakville, Guide Dogs of Canada has an Application Acceptance Committee meeting and decides based on info from Chris and our application, whether we can receive an Autism Assistance Guide Dog for Noah.

Either way, we will receive a call and a letter telling us the decision from Mr. Ivic (Alex--who is a nice, NICE man, by the way.)

IF accepted, Noah would be in line to receive the first available dog who MATCHES HIS NEEDS as a child with Autism.

The next class for the parent and the chosen dog runs in June 2010.

If there is not a dog to match Noah available in that batch of Dog Guide critters, then the next class is Dec-January 2011. Alex said it is likely there WOULD be a dog in that batch)(JUNE 2010), if not the very next one: DEC 2010/JAN 2011

Alex told me straight out that if we are approved we can expect a dog in June or Dec/Jan.

Chris Fowler then trains the 1 parent (ie: me; likely; not with the child…) in class in Oakville, ON, and and I fly home with the dog. Then Chris makes a home visit(s) to tweak the training to fit Noah's needs.
Amazing news.

I PROMISE I will keep you all posted.

SO in summary: Call from trainer Chris Fowler soon- visit in March or April, approval meeting; possibly training for me and the new critter in June or Dec... IF APPROVED.

I am blown away with hope.

Thank You all for listening...

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Exciting news! Application sent Jan 25th!!!!

This came from the from the Sept. 2009 issue of the Canine Courier: Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides Newsletter...

We are excited and proud to announce the introduction of
our fifth program: Autism Assistance Dog Guides.
Spearheading this new initiative is Chris Fowler, who has
worked with over 300 families that have children with autism.
In 1996, he co-founded the first autism service dog program
and for several years has helped other schools worldwide
train dogs to assist families living with autism. “His guidance
and expertise will make a tremendous difference in the
advancement of this program, and will allow us to help even
more Canadians each year” says Sandy Turney, Executive
Director.
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the country and is estimated
to affect more than 1 in 150 people. This new program will provide Autism Assistance
Dog Guides to children 4-12 years of age, providing calming relief in high anxiety
situations and reducing the stress commonly experienced in public places.

This is the programme we have applied to for an "Autism Assistance Guide Dog" for Noah. It was quite an involved and extensive application with documentation and support from our physician, Noah's Occupational Therapist and his Resource Teacher in addition to written statements from us and descriptions of Noah's needs. We also had to include 3 character references including our veterinarian. We are very excited to let you know that we sent it on its' way to Oakville, ON via registered mail on January 25th.

So now we wait for an assessment of our application.

Noah is the sweetest little guy, we just adore him and want the best for him.... for him to be able to enjoy life & be safe....

See article here: Info about Autism Assistance Dog Guides of Canada

Too many more details to add right now... let's just get past this first hurdle! So exciting!

Please pray that Noah will be seen as a good candidate for a special friend- an Autism Assistance Dog Guide to help him. Thank you...

Noah Adam Scott age 7 1/2, December 2009
Photo by Tammy Pyette

More information you'll enjoy reading...very encouraging:

1] Siblings with ASD and their Autism Service Dog

2] Article about an Autism Service Dog and a little girl

Much love and THANKS,

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New cards...

Here is a sample of some of the cards I created to fill some card orders.

I had 2 orders for 20 birthday cards each! These were such fun to do!

And... as the icing on the cake, on Jan 27th, I was so thrilled to be given Kudos of the Day over at Sisterhood of Scrap for these "guy birthday cards!" Made my day let me tell you!

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Carrot-pineapple Muffins

"Cooking with Carla" (Carla is my friend from Sisterhood of Scrap) is having a Make it Monday Blog Carnival again today!

Share a recipe on today's theme....and link it on Carla's Blog... she will visit, and I bet others will too!

The theme Carla has chosen today is BREAKFAST!

Here is a recipe for some delicious carrot-pineapple muffins that the kids, Peter and I all just LOVE. My mom used to make these all the time! I am going to make some this week as Kate, my dear daughter in Grade 10, is writing exams. This will be good energy food!

CARROT-PINEAPPLE MUFFINS

Source: A lady from our Church in Riverview, NB- 1985

Ali's NOTES: These muffins make a delicious breakfast food, and a nice healthy dessert or sweet snack, and are an easy way to tempt kids into eating more fruit and vegetables! Substituting Whole-Wheat flour for white flour also helps increase the nutrient content.

These muffins are not low fat but the fat can be reduced if you like by substituting unsweetened Apple Sauce for part of the oil called for. Weight Watchers gives instructions on how to do this, I believe (amounts to use, etc... I always go look it up when making these, LOL!) Buy canned pineapple when it is on sale and save it for when you want to make these muffins!

Often, I substitute equal amounts of freshly grated Zucchini in place of the carrot. Do not peel the zucchini! Be sure to add the nutmeg if using Zucchini- more flavor this way!

Makes about 18 muffins- recipe doubles well.

These freeze well.

Oven at 350 F

INGREDIENTS~

2/3 cup white sugar

2/3 cup oil (I use canola oil for baking)

2 eggs

1 ½ cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp mace (optional) OR allspice (opt), OR Nutmeg (opt) OR ground cloves (opt)

½ tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

2/3 cup coarsely grated fresh carrot OR freshly grated Zucchini (unpeeled)

½ cup crushed pineapple in its’ own juice (spoon into the measuring cup right out of the can, do not drain the can first)

METHOD:

Mix as usual for muffins. Do not over mix.

Bake 18-21 minutes til top springs back when a muffin is lightly touched with fingertip..

Oven at 350 degrees F in muffin cups sprayed with Pam.

Cool on wire rack before packing in containers for freezer.

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Sharing a cookie recipe today!!!!! YUM: Cookies!

Today my friend Carla (who is also a founder of the wonderful Sisterhood of Scrap forum, ) is having a Cooking Blog Carnival!

The theme today is COOKIES! Here is a recipe I developed when Daniel (now 9) was little. He liked to help me bake, so I named this recipe after him!

Dan-Dan Houdini-Man Cookies

(A recipe by Ali & Daniel MacDonald)
Makes about 5-6 dozen cookies

These freeze really well. Can make ahead!

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup softened margarine

1 cup brown sugar

½ cup white sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten with a fork

3 teaspoons vanilla flavouring

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 1/4 cups shredded or flaked coconut (I use no-name brand, but whatever’s on special is great.)

1 (300 g) bag butterscotch chips (Any kind, Smart Choice butterscotch chips work well. I get them at Foodland!)

1 1/2 cups oatmeal

METHOD:

Cream margarine & sugars together.

Add eggs & vanilla and mix.

Add flour, soda & salt. Mix again.

Add oatmeal & mix.

Stir in the coconut and the butterscotch chips by hand. ***This will make a pretty thick batter- don’t worry.*** It's OK!

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a lightly greased cookie sheet (we use Pam spray).

Bake at 350 for about 9 minutes.

Cool on cooling rack.

Store in airtight container once totally cooled.

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"Scruffy Posies"

Yep, I am back with the topic of recycling old jeans again!

I created this project as an "Altered Item" design team member for Create-it GREEN's January 15th Design Team Reveal.
Remember:

NEVER throw out an old pair of jeans... the denim is SO useful!

So... here are TWO ways I used denim to embellish a scrappy layout this week.

1. Make "Scuffy Posies" (c)

I made 6 different types of "Scruffy Posies." They're listed over at Create-it GREEN.

2. Make a Denim Border strip:

It's so easy to make this!! Go to Create-it Green and check out my explanation of how to do it!

Here is the layout I created with clusters of my "Scruffy Posies" and the denim border strip.This is my middle sister Mary and her spouse Gil way back in 1999.

The BasicGrey "Boxer" collection patterned paper asnd the cream grosgrain ribbon across the bottom portion of the layout is from Savvy'n Sassy.

Remember to check out ALL the projects at Create-it GREEN!

I must say, it was "quite" a wonderful reveal day- many fun and beautiful projects: well worth checkin' out!

Thanks for poppin' by Lovingly Created!

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Our First Design Team Reveal!!

The Create-it Green Design Team has revealed its first batch of projects! Mine was a layout incorporating my Scruffy Posies and some denim circle trim that I made! Curious?? Here is the link so you can go see too!

Enjoy!

Scruffy Posies and Denim Circle Trim

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January 2010 Guest Sketch Artist is up!!!!!!!!!

Our Guest Sketch Artist over at Sketches: Creatively Yours has been posted! I am sooo excited! Come see!

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Happy Sunday everyone!! Here is a Digital Scrapbook I just made of the kids playing in the snow... Play and enjoy!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

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RAK over at Sketches: Creatively Yours!

Check it out!!

All welcome!!!!!!

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Daniel is SO funny!

He is always up early, usually drawing, writing stories, creating comic books ("graphic novels") , or designing a new Board Game.

He is a HOOT. Never stops learning. Some of the things he comes out with make me giggle.

This AM, he was drawing and told his big sister Kate: "I am using news-leaf because I couldn't find any tracing paper! "

I think he meant "LOOSELEAF!!!!"

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My word for 2010....

Ali Edwards always encourages scrappers to choose one little word for the upcoming year that they will use symbolically as a touchstone-- to strive toward. Here is her post about this concept.

My word for 2010 will be HELP.

Help others, help causes like Autism Spectrum Disorder awareness and animal protection and welfare, help my kids and be a helpmate to Pete.

I did a few things re: HELP- ing over the past 72 hours

-I wrote a letter to all my friends explaining re: the situation for adult cats needing forever homes at the Animal Care Centre (shelter) here in Kings County. I encouraged them to consider adoption.

- We allowed Kate to adopt an adult cat from the shelter.

- I sent in a letter to Noah's school principal asking her to sign a form regarding getting an Autism Service Dog for Noah.

- I started filling out the forms for the Autism Service dog (16 pages!)

- I completed my volunteer form for the Shelter.
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