S: CY Sketch 7-13

 We have a great prize up for grabs this month at S: CY (entries accepted 'til May 30th) so be sure to get your LO in... Here's the Sketch:

S: CY Sketch 7-13
by Yours Truly

And the inspiration piece, painted by Noah last year:

Artwork by Noah

Here's my layout for this sketch...

"REWARD: School Dance"

Note: This is our littlest guy, Noah, with his Educational Assistant, at a school dance. (Noah painted the inspiration piece, above, for this week.) He has Autism Spectrum Disorder and was enjoying himself so much, the school staff had a hard time getting a great photo. I was so glad to have these, and loved the pictures, so they went on a layout anyway, blurry or not!

Journaling reads-
Event: School Dance

Reward for: Participation in recycling program 

Grades:  Primary to three 

Date: April 2012 

Noah had just turned 10 yrs old and these photos were snapped by his Resource Teacher, Mrs. W. He was dancing with his main EA, Mrs. S., alongside the other kids, and as you can see by their smiles, they were all having a grand old time! 

"Winsome Look"
 another LO using
S: CY  sketch 7-13
(LOAD DAY 16)

Journaling reads: One day in March, Argo was outside in the backyard. When we peeked out the window to check on him, there he was, ON the picnic table!! This was QUITE hilarious, since Argo is NOT usually a trickster at all. As he looked winsomely up at us, we took some photos. Who could resist that face? When Daddy called Argo in, off he jumped and away he loped, back into the house. SO cute and funny—but good thing he won’t be making a habit of THAT!

Photos- March 2012
Journaling by Mom- May 2013 

Thanks for peeking, everyone. 

Have a great Sunday- we're off to the Purina Walk for Dog Guides this morning... I won't be walking (for obvious reasons) but Noah, his Autism Assistance Dog Guide "Argo", Daddy, Bryan and Daniel will be  walking from our Mall in Greenwood over to the Lions Centre in Kingston.  (Kate will be at work.) The sun finally came out after 2 straight weeks of RAIN!! 

YAY!

PS:  I have been doing LOAD (Layout a Day) this month, so will be posting more of my month's worth of LOs soon! 

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S: CY Sketch 6-13 and Card Sketch B

Hi everyone! 

I've been a busy bee lately with family life and LOAD 513, so am combining 2 posts in one today. Here is the Sketch I created for S:CY last week... 

Sketch 6-13
created for S: CY 

And here are the two layouts I created for this sketch! 

"Gadget"
layout created using
S: CY Sketch 6-13

Stash bustin'- used up some Crate Paper: the "Orbit" collection, plus some of my buttons and Dollarama foam letters which I inked to match the pp!   

"55 Farenheit"
layout created using
S: CY Sketch 6-13**

**I kinda turned the sketch to the right for this one and took a little artistic licence with it! :) 
Stash Bustin'- 
'Life is pure adventure' chip-sticker from the "Snips and Snails" collection (3 Bugs in a Rug)
Used up some more of the fun "Orbit" collection from Crate Paper
AND...
Some new K&Co paper from a "Sheer Simplicity Blues" stack I purchased recently at WM. :) Perfect background because it looks like the pool liner! LOL 

And now for a card Sketch by Vikki Whittington: 

S: CY Card Sketch B
by Vikki Whittington

Here's my interpretation:

"Thank you" card***
created with
Card Sketch B at S: CY

***I sent this card to my middle sister (Mary) to thank her for her help in giving my DD, Kate, a place to live in Moncton, NB, for her 1st year of college at NBCC. 

TY to friend Lois S. for the lacy butterfly. :) 

Everything else on the card is from Close To My Heart. 

Thanks for peeking everyone! Will be back soon with MORE layouts!!  Would love to hear what you think of these 2 LOs and the card! :) 

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LAYOUT A DAY-- IN MAY!!!!

Ooooh, I am so, so, sooo excited!!!!!  Guess what I'm doing in May??? I'm doing Layout a day with Lain Ehmann and a fab group of scrapbookers from ALL over the world!!!

This month-long scrapbooking challenge is Lain's most popular class. It includes 31 daily videos, 31 daily prompts, and 31 sample layouts, and begins May 1.

 Won't you join us?? We'd love it if you could.

Click the SIDEBAR clickable link about LOAD 513 to get more info and to find out  how to join us...  it's right over there!! ---------->

You will love it- LOAD is so awesome, WHAT an experience!
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Sharing a video/photo creation

I created this awhile back with Smilebox. My Dh gave me the yearly subscription, and I used Smilebox a lot that year. Here is a video/pictorial I made with their easy-peasy system. Love this one sooooooo much, the music was perfection and it went so well with the topic. Enjoy: Here is is... Autumn at the Duck Pond.

This free scrapbook made with Smilebox

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Sketch 4-13 at Sketches: Creatively Yours!

Using Sketch 4-13 this week over at Sketches: Creatively Yours, I came up with the following layout, using 5 photos from last Spring at Oaklawn Farm Zoo, in Aylesford, NS.

"Cute Zoo Horses"
based on Sketch 4-13
and this week's texture/pattern challenge

Journaling- It’s funny… I never really used to “notice” the horses at the Zoo until we had one of our own for Kate. As soon as we got Oakley in 2007, and then Grace in 2009, I took more notice of these magnificent animals. Pete took photos of them more often, too. They were just more “special” to see and watch.  Even the miniatures at the Zoo commanded our attention! They are such perfect little creatures--Noah knows that, too! Just look at this special photo of him connecting with this baby pony!

Photos: Spring 2012

Journaling by Mom:  Spring 2013

Here's the Sketch I created  for S: CY  this week-

S: CY Sketch 4-13
by Yours Truly

***Remember that there's a wonderful giveaway going on right now at the Sketches; Creatively Yours Blog!  Our Guest Designer Jenifer Cowles has a fabulous prize this month. Come see and participate for a chance to WIN BIG!!!***

Have a great day all!
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New layouts! :)

Hi everyone, here are a few new creations for you! Enjoy!!!!!!!

"Calzone Supper"
layout created by Ali MacDonald

The sun here was cut from a greeting card!!!!! :)

"Happy 18th"  
layout created by Ali MacDonald

Journaling:    The year you turned 18…
You were riding and working at Rohan Wood Stables
You had a wonderful sense of style
You chose HIM program at NBCC & were accepted
You drove yourself everywhere in the old Camry
You changed your hair colour
Your favourite dessert was Pistachio Squares :)

 "Angus' Fiddle is Home"
layout created by Ali MacDonald

Journaling is a story written by my Mom, Cari Grierson.

A story from the Scotch Colony of New Brunswick

By Cari Grierson

Many years ago, in the early 1900’s in the part of the Colony called Kincardine today, a man called Angus Adam played the fiddle. His daughter, Carrie Irene, chorded for him as she had the gift of being able to play the piano by ear. Carrie married James (Jim) Alexander Grierson, a young officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and moved away from her home to live in many small towns in the Province, wherever her husband was stationed. There were three children born to this couple, Roy Allison, Gerald Alan and Carolyn Marie. And as time would have it, the children grew up and had families of their own. Carrie and Jim passed away and the items of their household travelled in many directions 

Much later, in the early years of the 21^st century, Roy’s wife, Caroline also called Cari took an interest in learning the violin. She asked repeatedly where Roy’s grandpa Angus’ fiddle went. No one seemed to remember until one day it was found tucked away deep in the attic of Carolyn’s house in Long Island, New York. It was much the worse for wear, missing bridge, strings, large and small tuners, chin rest and bow but Carolyn packed it up and sent it back to “The Colony” where Roy and Cari now lived. They had given Carolyn the promise that the violin would be restored.

Cari and Roy met with Joe Farquhar, a fiddle maker in the Upper Kintore part of the Colony and asked him if he would be interested in repairing Angus Adam’s fiddle. Joe said he would be delighted to fix the fiddle and added that Angus was a really nice man and had worked with him years before. “But” said Joe,” get it to me soon, I’m 91 you know!” 

Within days Joe had begun to work on the fiddle. Soon he called with a list of items that had to be replaced. When asked where these fiddle parts could be acquired, Joe recommended that Cari go to Paul Smithkey’s house in Kincardine. Paul had many musical items for sale and had all the pieces needed for the fiddle. The amazing thing was that Paul Smithkey now lived in the house that Angus Adam had built in the early 1900s! It was at the very same home where Angus had played that fiddle with his daughter at the piano, that the pieces for his fiddle were purchased, many years later. 

The parts were bought. Joe finished his work. He called Cari one day to tell her the violin was ready and that she would truly love its mellow sound. The fiddle that had come home after so many lost years was ready to sound music in the hills of the Scotch Colony again! Cari plays Angus’ fiddle regularly now and is touched by its beautiful tone. 

"All Boy"
layout created by Ali MacDonald

Journaling is in a list format...

Kind

Artistic

Curious

Creative

Inquisitive

Organized

  

Daniel, age 12

Grade 7

Autumn 2012

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Cards, Cards!!

This week at S: CY, we featured a sketch by Vikki Whittington.

Sketch by Vikki Whittington
 S: CY Card Sketch Artist

It lent itself to some very pretty cards!

Here are the two that I created!! Enjoy... and be sure to pop by the S: CY  blog!

TY Card created by Ali MacDonald
(Image courtesy of The Graphics Fairy)

Thinking of You card
created by Ali MacDonald

Hope you liked these, and TY so much for popping by here. Be sure to head over to S: CY to see what the Design Team has created! 
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Recycling Scrap Cardstock for Labels!

Here's a way to reduce paper waste and to add an historic touch to your layouts for years down the road.

Using a “Handmade by…” reusable stamp [mine is by Inkadinkado (#6706-L)], I stamp a bunch of labels on scrap cardstock pieces.

To save "trees," I even use the back of cardstock where I have made “journaling mistakes” for these labels.

Then I trim these and store on my scrap desk in a little caddy, within easy reach.

When I complete a page, I turn it over and glue on a label in a CS colour that “coordinates.” Then I sign and date it.

I also number my layouts using this method. For example, the latest page I created says:
~Handmade by~
"Ali MacDonald" (Signed, not stamped)
LO #56 in 2013 (= Layout #56 created in 2013)
March 19, 2013 (That's the date I created the page.)

Sometimes I also add a "~(HEART) Mom"  (= Love, Mom) to the back of the page. :)

Stamp, ink, scraps of cardstock and pen for the backs of layouts. 

Have a great day everyone! Thanx for popping by! 

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Sketches: Creatively Yours- A NEW SKETCH!

I created a new sketch this week for S: CY.  :)

S: CY Sketch 3-13

Here's the Color challenge inspiration piece:

Inspirational Image
from
The Graphics Fairy

And... Here's my layout! I was inspired by the beautiful greens in the peacock's tail. I also flipped the Sketch  2 "turns" to the left.

"Last Blast"

Journaling:

In April 2012, when spring had almost arrived in the Annapolis Valley, we had a good old-fashioned snowstorm. Usually winter gives us a rip-roaring “last-blast” in March….but April?! Brrrrr!

Of course the first thing Noah asked for was to go outside. Bryan, as always, was game to help his little brother, and out they went. :) 

Supplies: 

"Victory" paper collection (plaid)- CTMH

Outdoor Denim cardstock- CTMH

"Victory" star strip- CTMH
Mat under Star strip- "Footloose" paper collection: CTMH

Arrow and star corrugated shapes- CTMH

Olive ink- CTMH

Twill- Unknown: my stash

Title lettering- Dollarama: my stash

Chickadee sticker- POSSIBLY American Traditional Designs 

Sweet Leaf CS (CTMH)- sticker mat, lrgst photo & journaling block 

Font: Arial Unicode MS, bolded

We have a contest running right now over at S: CY. You'll have up to March 31st at 9PM AST to share the link to your layout with us. If you do this, we'll enter you in the draw for this wonderful CTMH Stamp set and send you an "I Played Along..." blog badge for joining in!! Go HERE to read all about how YOU can enter!! It's so easy!

And... here's our page on Facebook.
Enjoy- be sure to like us, join in at the Blog and on FB to say hi and let the DT know you enjoyed their work!! Don't forget to enter the contest! Have a super weekend all!
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Fun, easy layout!

"SPRING is finally here!"
Layout created by
Yours Truly

Hope you are having a wonderful day!

Here's a new layout to share with ya'll...The journaling on this one is done in my own handwriting, & is basically part of the title.

It says:   

Time for the zoo, Spring is finally here!

April 2012

Noah, almost 10

Oaklawn Farm Zoo

Supplies: 

Lots of older supplies used here—Basic Grey lettering—2007 stash Patterned paper from Imagination Project—again, 2007 stash

New Products: 

CTMH cardstock: Gypsy; Goldrush. 

Ink: CTMH Goldrush

Pens: Zig Millenium 0.5 mm tip for doodling  (Another thing that relaxes me! LOL) 

Fiskars edge punch used for scallops.

Enjoy! Have a super day! 

xoxox 

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Sketch #2-13 at S: CY... AND a contest!

Hi everyone! I posted a brand new Sketch over at S: CY this AM, along with a Sketch Challenge and the interpretations of all our designers. There is also inspiration from our March Guest Designer Lynnette Nagle.

YEP: FREE INSPIRATION!

This Sketch was a fun one to create!!

S: CY Sketch 2-13 created by
Yours Truly

Here's my interpretation!

"A Folk 'Tail'" created by
 Yours Truly
using S: CY Sketch 2-13

Thanks for coming by -- please pop by the S: CY Blog for a treat in terms of inspiration- and a chance to win a CTMH prize at the end of the month!
See you there!
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CHANCE TO WIN!!!!

Hello to all my Close To My Heart clients, and friends who scrapbook, or make cards….

Just wanted to let you all know that there is a wonderful chance to win an ENTIRE “Close To My Heart” collection including stamps, ink, patterned paper, embellishments, cloth, scissors, an idea book and so much more!!!

Just go HERE: http://www.canadianscrapbooker.ca/jackie/?p=6049 and then leave a comment on the post for a chance to win.

You have UNTIL MARCH 1st at MIDNIGHT to enter! Do it today! It’s easy peasy.

Good Luck everyone! 

Happy FRIDAY! J 

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GUEST DESIGNER over at S: CY!!

Guess what?
We have a talented Guest Designer over at S: CY this coming month. Please come learn about her and welcome her warmly to the blog on this last day of February.

March is coming SOON!  LOL

I promise, you will LOVE her work!! Who is it?
Well, come see!

We're located at Sketches: Creatively Yours. ALL WELCOME!

Lots o fabulous FREE inspiration for the taking.
See you there!
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S: CY is back up and running!

A friendly Sketch Blog, where inspiration is free for the taking and where all are welcome to come play, is back up and going strong! Come visit Sketches: Creatively Yours, HERE! 
Here is my newest Sketch, which is numbered 1-13.

Sketches: Creatively Yours
 Sketch 1-13
by Yours Truly

And here's my layout...

 "Choices"
 layout by
 Ali MacDonald
based on Sketch 1-13 at S: CY

The journaling reads:
"Choices"

There came a time in January 2013 when we had to make a decision for Grace’s benefit. It was unexpected, a massive surprise, and put us in the situation where there was only one choice to make. We made it: the only RIGHT choice. Grace came home on Kate’s 19^th birthday, January 12, 2013.

Bless their hearts.

We’re so glad they’re together again. 

Really happy you were here today! Thanks so much for visiting. Please be sure to visit Sketches: Creatively Yours as soon as you can. I also "heard" that in March, there will be a prize available. Hope to see you there soon. 

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LOAD UPDATE!!!!

Hi everyone!
I have 2 new LOAD layouts to share. I made these for Layout a Day this month... With the guidance and encouragement of Lain Ehmann, we are creating a layout EVERY day!
Here are my  2 newest LOs for February 2013 LOAD... as well as a little freebie for you!
These two pages are posted in reverse order of how I created them because they make up a 2-page LO and I did the second page first! Yep, I am a free-wheelin' gal! LOL

These are photos of Noah at his first riding lesson. Journaling is below each photo.

LOAD DAY 3
 "{Ride}"

Journaling: We started Noah in Therapeutic Riding at Rohan Wood Stables in September 2012. It was a pilot program. 

He went every week, on Sundays, for 10 weeks. We hoped that Noah would enjoy being around the horses, and would maybe get on for a little ride by the end of his sessions. He was already used to horses because of Oakley and Grace, and our regular visits to the barn. Turns out Noah loved riding right from the beginning. He couldn’t wait to get in the saddle!

Photos~ Sept 2012

Journaling by Mom~ Jan 2013

LOAD DAY 2
"Walk On" 

Journaling: These are photos of Noah’s very first lesson with Evelyn, the coach for Free Spirit Therapeutic Riding Association (FSTRA). Noah is riding ‘Bay Willy,’ a Welsh-cross pony.

Although noise at the barn such as rain on the metal roof --and worrying about that noise-- became a challenge for Noah over the course of the 10 weeks, he still really loved riding, enjoying every lesson. He called riding lessons “Pony Club” and liked to trot, which he called “jump.” 

We were so happy we’d enrolled him in “Pony Club” at the “green barn!” He can’t wait until it starts up again in the spring!

Photos~ Sept 2012

Journaling by Mom~ Jan 2013

For anyone who doesn't ride, "Walk On" is a command that we give horses to get them to go forward :)  Hence, the title! 

And... I made up a new 12x12" Sketch for all my LOAD friends! I used it to inspire my LOAD Day 2 layout. Hope you like it... Here you go! 

Sketches: Creatively Yours Sketch
created for fellow-LOADSTERS
DAY 2

Have a wonderful day, everyone! 
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LOAD Layout #1: Counterfeit Kit used!

Hi everyone!!
I created a layout today based on Lain Ehmann's "Layout A Day" prompt for Day 1... it was to be "speechless" and to use NO WORDS to convey the emotion of the photo.
Well, I decided to use my Counterfeit Kit-- the one I named  "3 Boys and a Girl"  from January 2013 to do up this 5x7" photo that Pete took of Noah in November 2012.
Here's the layout:

"Our enigma"
 LOAD DAY 1

Hope you like this... I scruffed up my picture's edges using my trusty old Heidi Swapp edge distresser and used a large number of CTMH products to round out the Counterfeit Kit.
Some of these were:  the cork star, Chocolate and Dutch Blue cardstocks, and CTMH inks in Corn Flower Blue, Chocolate and Desert Sand.
The "Sweet music" set of CTMH stamps was used for keyboard stamp.
I cut the small flowers and the leaves out of the navy blue pant-hemming scrap (corduroy).
The tiny pearls were from CTMH.
The puzzle piece was from an old kids' Dollarama puzzle and represents Noah's Autism Spectrum Disorder. I distressed it and added ink.
The light blue flowers were blooms I took apart and inked - they also came from Dollarama.
Buttons came from my stash.
I also added some Smooch pearlized accent ink  ink in 1) Moonlight  and 2) Gold Lame.
Thanks for peeking, I hope you liked  my layout!
Please come back again soon!
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Guess What?????

LOAD: "Layout a Day" the best event EVER for scrapbookers and memory-keepers, started today! It's called "Scraphappier 213".
There are still a few spots left for LOAD213 & they will fill up fast. If you'd like to join, you can click on the happy face icon in the box  to the right of this post and simply follow the directions to get yourself all registered. 

There is still time to get in on the fun, productivity and enjoyment by signing up for LOAD213. Yes: there are still a few spots open if YOU'D like to join us. There are so many benefits to being a part of LOAD-- here are a few that come to mind immediately:
1) Regular scrapping- Ahhh, Love it. :) 
2) Inspiration to get 28 LOs (layouts) done in 28 days- Ahhh, Love it. 
3) LEARNING and encouragement
4 ) All the prompts,  which I save!! Then, I have a set of prompts I can use later. (I have a folder in my email files where I save 'em.) 
5) A group of scrappers to be friends with. A place to chat (private Forum) & share layouts if you wish (private Gallery) .... LOVE THAT MOST OF ALL!!!!! :) 

LOAD is such an awesome experience and so fulfilling. JOIN US!!!!!!!!!! You will not regret it for ONE second!  Be sure to sign up- TODAY!!! See you at LOAD!  

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