LOAD 2-12 (Layout a Day): Days 1-10!!

LOAD 2-12 Day 1

Grace

Journaling reads: March Break arrived, and along with it, the time to have some photos done.I love having these photos of Grace as a keepsake. What a gentle and beautiful mare!   

Photos March 2011

Kate’s horse Grace

Photos By Danique Rowsell

(Century Classic Photography)

LOAD 2-12 Day 2
Eventing

Journaling reads:

Hobby Horse Farm Eventing Show, June 2011 Kate and Grace were approaching the very last jump on the cross-country course, their last event of the day.

As Kate says, “All of a sudden I realized I didn’t have support under my foot. That was when my stirrup leather broke!” No-one was injured, and Kate got off her horse. She led Grace off the field.

When you look at the photos, you can see the loose stirrup leather under Grace’s tummy. Kate is carrying the stirrup iron. It was just an unfortunate occurrence because they had been having such a great round!

Hobby Horse Farm

Coldbrook, NS 

Cross-Country Field

LOAD 2-12 Day 3
 35 Years and a Gluten-Free Squirrel

Journaling reads: Kingston, NS; June 2011

Daniel loved to see the squirrels in our yard. We have at least two, since we have huge pines and lots of space. This little fellow loved being fed the crusts from Noah’s gluten-free bread. He was very healthy looking and busy, visiting every morning. Daniel called him “Hammy.” He watched for Hammy before school while very quietly looking out the laundry room window onto the deck. It always made me smile to see how much Daniel enjoyed his morning encounter with the little guy!

Andover, NB; January 1976

Apparently my grandparents also loved little critters like Daniel’s friend Hammy. He kept them entertained! They were gentle people. Wild creatures were fascinating to them, even though, like us, they lived in a semi-rural area and saw them fairly often. Grammie was wonderful about writing letters to us. She always had something interesting to tell. We looked forward to getting her letters! This is one that my sister Mary and I received from Grammie and Grampie in the winter of 1976.

(I was 10 yrs old, and my sister Mary was 8.)

LOAD  2-12 Day 4
Grade 5 Graduation

Journaling reads: Daniel’s Graduation from Grade Five at Kingston and District Elementary School was held on the last day of the 2010-2011 school year. The students from his class were called up one by one and received their certificates from their teachers Mrs. Fitzpatrick, Mrs. Lincoln and the school principal Mrs. Harris and vice principal Mrs. MacAloney. The gym has always been hard to take pictures in, but today, Daniel was walking soooo fast that he was like a speeding bullet! So, we have a photo of a grey blur passing in front of the teachers after he received his certificate~!! We did manage to get a photo of him walking out of the gym, though, after the ceremony!

LOAD 2-12 Day 5
Experience Connections

Journaling reads: Kate, you and Grace have such a strong tie. You can see it from every angle in these beautiful photos by Danique.

Your connection is effortless and beautiful: it truly must be an “emotional experience” for you.

Love you both, my beautiful girls…   ~ Mom

Photos: March 2011

By Danique Rowsell

Century Classic Photography

LOAD 2-12 Day 6
Little Girl Dreams

Journaling reads: Little Girl Dreams

Kate, when you were little, you always told me you wanted to grow up to be “Subway sandwich artist in the mornings, and a vet in the afternoons.” It was so cute, and it always made your Daddy and I laugh.  As the years went by, your dreams changed. One of them was to own a horse… In 2008 we were able to make your dream come true when we bought you Oakley, a 14.2 hands high Haflinger-quarterhorse pony. When you grew too tall to ride her, we found Oakley a wonderful new family and, on the advice of your riding coach, bought you Grace, a 16.2hh Hanoverian-thoroughbred. You and Grace definitely have a special bond. You’ve been dedicated to working with and training her- she’s been a worthwhile project and has taught you so many life lessons! As time goes on, your dreams are changing- you graduate from high school this year and what dreams arise and are fulfilled remain to be seen. “Dream On,” my beautiful girl. Love, Mom 

Photos by Danique Rowsell of Century Classic Photography: March 2011

Journaling: Feb 2012 

LOAD 2-12 Day 7
Ball Time

Journaling reads: Bryan, you and Argo had the most wonderful time playing ball outside together! Playing ball is not Noah’s fave thing to do, and so, thinking that Argo might miss it, I asked you to run out and chuck the ball for him. It soon became apparent that the two of you were having a blast! I couldn’t resist snapping a few photos of the fun!

LOAD 2-12 Day 9
Eager to go

Journaling reads: In these shots taken by Daddy, Kate and Grace are heading onto the Cross Country field at hobby Horse Farm. They are looking so “together…” Grace was clearly looking forward to this, as you can tell— Cross Country was her favourite event. Kate looks so proud to be riding her!

Coldbrook, NS, June 2011

Journaling by Mom, February 2012

LOAD 2-12: Day 10
Walk the Walk for Autism 

Journaling reads: 
June 18, 2011- Daddy took his boys to Middleton for the annual “Walk the Walk for Autism,” which is an awareness and fundraising event that is province-wide in Nova Scotia. Several locations hold “Walks.” There were many local sponsors, and a huge turnout of over 150 people. The rain held off— skies had been grey and threatening looking all day!  Argo was there beside Noah as his faithful Autism Assistance Dog Guide. Iris, our friends’ AADG, was there with her little boy, Zac, too! Argo and Iris were the only AADGs present at the Walk. A few people did come up to Daddy and ask about Argo, since AADGs are fairly new and there were two at this event!! The funds raised at the 2011 “Walk the Walk for Autism” were used to help fund an Autism Summer Day Camp in our area. (Notice how Daniel has a book under his arm in the first photo!) 


Hope you liked the 10 new layouts! I am having sooo much fun with LOAD- yet again! See you soon! 
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New creations at S: CY !

Here are some Sketches from Sketches: Creatively Yours and my interpretations of them! 

Sketch #5-12

by Yours Truly 

And my interpretation:

"I'm so proud of you!" created by Yours Truly
with S: CY Sketch #5-12

S: CY Sketch #4-12 by Ann Seleshanko

And my layout based upon the Sketch: 

"Little Guy- at School"  by Yours Truly
created with Sketch #4-12

Another S: CY Sketch: 

 S: CY  Sketch #3-12 by Yours Truly

"Outdoor Dude '07" created by
 Yours Truly with Sketch #3-12

A Card Sketch: 

Card Sketch #112 by
 Ann Seleshanko, Senior Designer at S: CY 

My card: 

Happy Birthday Card
 created with Card Sketch #112

Another beautiful LO Sketch by Ann: 

 Layout Sketch #2-12 created by
S: CY Senior Designer Ann Seleshanko

"Slurpee with my Bro' "  layout created by
 Yours Truly using Sketch #2-12

Sketch #1-12 created by
Yours Truly for S: CY 

"Brindle" layout created by
Yours Truly using Sketch #1-12 

That's it for today folks! Later on I will post a few layouts I have created for Layout a Day! 

Here's a new Sketch!

I created this multi-photo sketch featuring circles for Sketches: Creatively Yours. Hope you like it! Pop on over to S: CY and see what the Design Team created! Well worth a peek! :) 


Remember that we have a Design Team Call on at S: CY too. You have 'til Jan 30th to apply. 


 Here's that new Sketch: 

Sketch #3-12 created for the
Sketches: Creatively Yours Blog

"Outdoor Dude" Layout
 This is Noah at school during recess in 2007

All papers and cardstock are from Close To My Heart
Ink: Close to my Heart 
Stamp: 7Gypsies
Lettering: BasicGrey
Small lettering: Cosmo Cricket
Numbers: Flair Designs
Photo Credits: with extra SPECIAL THANKS to Noah's amazing school team in 2007- Grade Primary/One


Thanks for checking this out... Have a wonderful weekend! We're dealing with an awful winter storm here right now but all will be fine. :) We're used to it! LOL 


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A new card...

The S: CY blog had a new card Sketch posted this morning- one by Senior Designer Ann Seleshanko. Isn't this a great sketch?

S: CY Sketch #112 created by
 Ann Seleshanko

Here's the card I made using the sketch. It was for January 12th... Kate's 18th birthday. 

"Happy Birthday" card  created with
 S: CY Sketch #112

Thanks for peeking, everyone... please don't forget to check out the S: CY Design Team Call ~ There's still time to apply! 


Have a wonderful weekend!


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LOAD 2-12

~~ I am so very excited about LOAD! ~~


Pete gave me a registration to "LOAD 212" for Christmas... as part of the scrappiness he always gives me that time of year. 
So... not only did I get oodles of awesome Close to My Heart (*CTMH) goodies to scrap with, I also got my LOAD registration! Thank You hon.


What's LOAD? Well, it's Layout a Day, with scrapbooker, teacher, author and FUN, CARING, REAL PERSON Lain Ehmann. This will be my second LOAD...  I did one last year as well. That's in addition to completing one of Lain's LOAD-based online classes with my friend Ann Seleshanko. So, really, I guess this will be #3 LOAD for me. 

So, what do I love about LOAD? 


1) I will get 29 new LOs done in 29 days.


2) I get new and interesting prompts from Lain every day to spur me on.


3) There is a  Flickr group of awesome scrappers to share and chat with.


4) We LOAD-sters have a Gallery all our own, where we can post our LOs in a Photostream & give/receive feedback/support to our sisters. 


5) The Gallery will remain handy & accessible to us online after LOAD is completed! LOVE this!


6) I get to spend virtual time sharing and discussing LOAD-related scrappy things with my good friend Ann S., who lives 5000 miles away in AB.


7) Lain is genuinely funny, and a blast to have around.


8)There are prizes!!!


9) I get to share ideas for FAST crockpot meals! LOAD-sters last year loved this & some asked me to share again, LOL! LOVE to share recipes. 


10) During LOAD, I will scrap some BIG photos. Do you know how many of those we HAVE? Yes, we have 4 kids. That means we have a bazillion big pics to get scrapped, & saved. They're fast to do up, but it seems that except for when I am a little pressed for time during LOAD, they do not  get done! I have saved some up for this very month! LOL Those will get done, and that's an awesome thing to accomplish. 


11) I get to use MANY "Close to My Heart" goodies from my scrappy supplies and scrap a LOT after the little kiddos go to bed during February!


12) I get to dig into my stash of scrapbooking goodness. WHAT could be better than that?


There are 12 things-- FOR STARTERS-- about why I love doing, LOAD. 


It's easy to register for this awesome month-long scrappy event.
I guarantee you'll love it. Here's the link: LOAD 212
See you there!

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A little contest at My Little Bit of Whimsy!

Little contest! 

Hi Gals... Stephanie Hart, at the My Little Bit of Whimsy Blog has an easy contest going on! It's super simple and she has a fun little prize, too. Her stuff's adorable-- and she lives not 1 hr from me! 
Go, see... and then enter!! 

FUN CONTEST

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Another Layout!

Had a beautiful Sketch by Ann Seleshanko over at S: CY this week. Here it is:

S: CY Sketch #2-12 by my friend and S:CY
 Senior Designer  Ann Seleshanko

...and here's my interpretation of the latest Sketch...

"A Slurpee with my Bro' " - layout #2 in 2012 from moi
 using Sketch #2-12 at S: CY 

The journaling reads: 

Bryan, just look at the way your little brother is looking at you. He is so thrilled with the blue Slurpee that you brought back to him when Dad took you to the store! Noah knows how cool and delicious it tastes and how much he’s been enjoying it. The expression on Noah’s face as he looks at you says it all. He adores you… AND that Slurpee! Thank you for being such an awesome big brother. You always have been, and I know you always will be.

Love you both ~ Mom

Photos~ Summer 2011

Journaling~ Jan. 2012

Sure hope you enjoyed this one... I just LOVED using Ann's Sketch! Have a super Friday the 13th everyone!

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New creations over at S: CY

The very first Sketch of 2012 has been posted over at the Sketches: Creatively Yours Blog. It's one by "Yours truly."
Here you go, I hope you like it!

S: CY Sketch #1-12  created by
 Team Leader Ali MacDonald 

And, here is my interpretation of the Sketch...

"Brindle" layout
This is Noah's Autism Assistance Dog Guide, Argo.
(This is my first  LO for 2012)

Closeup of the hand-drawn and cut stem
 as well as the floral embellies on this layout

The journaling reads: 

Argo, when they meet you for the first time, many people ask us if you are an older fella since you have some colouring on your face, legs and muzzle. They wonder aloud if maybe you are a bit grizzled, like many older Black Labs do become. But, with a closer look, they see that it is brown/tan colour, not grey. You have what is termed "brindle" colouring. It sometimes shows up in the Lions Foundation of Canada's breeding program... it's not very common, but AADG Head Trainer Chris Fowler told us that it makes an appearance every once in a while.  Some folks have asked us whether you may have a wee bit of “Rottie” in you. I am able to assure them that you are a purebred Black Lab and that your special colouring can be explained through genetics. It’s so interesting! Your brindle shows really well in this photo. You are just so darned cute with your brown eyebrows and touches of brown and tan on your legs and face!

 Photo~ Dec 2010

 Journaling Dec 2011

Thanks for stopping by!! Love seeing you all!

**Remember that there is a DT call out at the Sketches: Creatively Yours Blog right now-- please do pop over and read about it... the call is open for applications until Jan 30th!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
~

 Guess what? 
We have a Design Team Call out over at Sketches: Creatively Yours. 
Be sure to apply! S: CY is a no-stress environment so you'll love working there... lots of inspiration and sharing there!  
Check it out! 
~

Value and Beauty Built in...the BEST scrapbook Albums EVER!

Value and Beauty built in: We R Memory Keepers Albums

By Ali MacDonald

I’m a scrapbooker… I save memories through photos and stories.  I’m making sure those memories, thoughts and little information tidbits will be available to future generations.

Because I see the value in memory keeping, I’ve always had an appreciation for items that are “can’t live withouts” in my role as protector of these precious memory treasures.

I’ve discovered products that I can rely on to help me safeguard what is important. These are products that I know and love for their quality finish, richness of design, ease of use, and most especially for their sturdiness.  Today I’ve been asked to share one such product with you.

The We R Memory Keepers Album made for 12x12” scrapbook page layouts. I was given one of these by my parents a few years ago as part of my Christmas gift, and wow: I was very impressed! Here’s what happened.

In 2004, I’d been scrapbooking for about two years, and intensely disliked post-bound albums. I had recently discovered the convenience and ease of 3-ring binders for my layout storage. This happened right around the time that many scrappers had discovered the handy nature of 3–ring binders and there was a big demand for them. The binders were being made for a hasty sale and a quick buck, with poor quality materials and awful workmanship. Having to spend money on albums that were flimsy, unattractive, and made of cheap-looking materials had me discouraged. There seemed to be nothing sturdier and attractive available!

My Mom, a lifelong crafter and home economist, listened to the frustration in my complaints and asked me what would work better. Then she looked for a solution every time she shopped in craft stores. She kept me posted on her progress, and lo and behold, Christmas arrived: she’d done it! I had never seen anything that could be called a decent 3-ring 12x12” scrapbook album until my parents happened across the WRMK ones and rescued me! 

I now use the WRMK 12x12” D-ring albums exclusively in which to store all of my newly created layouts. I’m working on transferring the pages stored in other MUCH less sturdy 3-ring albums over to these. Once I am caught up with WRMK storage for my 3-ring pages, I will also need to transfer several of my post-bound albums, which are falling apart!

I unhesitatingly recommend these albums to EVERYONE. Let’s go over exactly what these albums look like and WHY I am such a fan. Here is a photo of the wine coloured album…

These We R Memory Keepers albums are imported from Italy. They’re made of acid free archival materials and are readily available for purchase.  You’ll be thrilled with these!

The colours are richly-toned and look classic no matter where you display them. Colours available (through Scrapbook.com) are varied: black, cinnamon, navy and wine, aqua, lavender, plum, buttercup, burgundy, orange soda, and more other colours than you could ever count! So be sure to check them out... I can attest that they are just gorgeous!  I currently buy the colour I like- a rich vanilla tone, at Scrappin' Great Deals in Komoka ON.  I buy online, though they do have a brick and mortar store. 

As a major benefit, this is a 3-ring binder style album, so you can open the D-rings to load or move pages around.  This is a convenient time-saver, meaning no need to feel that you can ‘only’ scrapbook chronologically!! The D-rings are sturdy, “sit” properly, and can be popped open and closed when you wish.

The album is roomy; more than true 12x12” in size. I measured: the closed album is = 15.5” wide x 12.5” tall.

The finish is a smooth-to-the touch yet faintly-textured faux leather and can easily be wiped clean. The album is very slightly padded. 

All edges are beautifully finished with decorative, sturdy stitching.

The lining inside matches the cover & is securely stitched in place.

Album corners are tipped in durable, attractive metal. This metal has been shaped to prevent any snagging or scratching. This feature is also self-protective and keeps the album’s corners from becoming bumped or damaged.  

The album spine features a timelessly attractive metal-rimmed identification holder for labeling the album’s contents. Simply change the ID tag in the holder if you change the contents of your album. 

Each album retails for $34.95 at Scrappin' Great Deals and comes complete with 10 top-loading page protectors (ie: holds 20 layouts). I counted, and currently one of my WRMK albums is filled with 30 page protectors (= 60 layouts). If your layouts are “lumpy,” I’d recommend storing no more than 25 layouts in each album. (Tip : Remember that scrapbook albums are meant to be stored standing up.)

I have also used my favourite brand of panoramic style (fold-out) page protectors in my WRMK albums, and have been thrilled with the results. They fit beautifully, fold out the way they’re meant to, and perfectly display memories that “need” to be seen together.

Scrappin' Great Deals in Komoka Ontario carries “We R Memory Keepers 12x12 Three Ring Faux Leather albums as part of regular stock. Here is an easy way to find what you’re looking for!  


LINK:Scrappin' Great Deals

$34.95 per album: Worth every single penny!!!

Try one: I guarantee that this will become your “go-to album” style. Its’ high quality and richness make WRMK albums the only ones worth storing your precious memories in!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Late-Breaking Tip: If you’re into thinking about Christmas why not ask a family member add this to your special list? Better yet, treat a scrapbooking family member to the value built in to this beautiful product.

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SUGAR COOKIES!!!

I'm making  1-2 batches of cookies today for a Bake Sale at Daniel's school. The Grade 6 classes are raising money for Art Supplies as there was no money in the budget this year for them. Art is an important subject, IMHO...

So--  I am baking some simple and easy Sugar Cookies! Thought I'd share my favourite recipe for them here today. I have been making this recipe since I was a teenager. It came from our neighbour, Carol C., in Riverview, NB.

Enjoy!

Sugar Cookies 

Preheat oven to 350 deg F

Ingredients:

1 cup margarine
1 c white sugar
1 egg
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp Cream of Tartar
1 tsp soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Method:

"Pam" a cookie sheet.
Mix all ingred.
Roll into 1” balls, roll balls in a little wht sugar. Place on cookie sheet.
Press down gently with a fork or the bottom of a glass.
Bake 10-12 min, just watch carefully-- til SLIGHTLY golden- my ovens have varied over the years so not sure of exact time. 10 min seems about right most times.
Enjoy!
These are delicious and light tasting and they freeze like a DREAM  so you can make them well ahead of time! 
~

A new layout to share

Over at Sketches: Creatively Yours, we share a new sketch and Design Team interpretations every single week.
Here is the latest sketch...



Sketch #22-11 created by
 Ali MacDonald for Sketches: Creatively Yours



"Sand Dollar" created by Yours Truly
 using my own sketch from S: CY as inspiration 

Journaling reads:
Daniel, in grade four, your school’s teachers helped their classes do a study of different aspects of Grand Pré, the National Historic Site. Your class was tasked with exploring the Tidal Mud Flats so vital to that area. The creature you were asked to focus on was the Blue Mussell. You drew it, too, and talked about its’ special features. Your class did a montage of a tidal mud flat on the wall, complete with the students’ drawings and 3-D representations of some of the creatures found in a Tidal Mud Flat. You can see it in the background of this photo. Here you’re holding one of the papier-maché Sand Dollars made by your class. This exploration was such an amazing way to learn about and explore a topic! You also had a class trip to the Historic Site in late spring.
~Daniel, Grade 4, Spring 2010


Be sure to pop on over to S: CY and see what the Team has created with Sketch #22-11!

Also, we have special words for our Blog readers/ followers at the end of our post this week... did you know we are always looking  for talented Guest Designers?
No??
Well go on over and check!  
See you soon!

PS: Be sure to check our FB page too...


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A Christmas Layout!!

Hi everyone,

We have a brand new Sketch up this week at Sketches: Creatively Yours! It's by Ann Seleshanko, our Senior Designer. It's awesome! Here it is:

S: CY Sketch #21-11  by Ann Seleshanko 

 ...and here is my interpretation~ from Christmas 2009... 




Our Tree: 2009

 Here's a closeup...


Glass beads, ribbon, and brads- a closer view...

 Here's the journaling: 

Thanks for popping by!!
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