YAY! I am on Tiffany Tillman's template team!

It's been announced. I made the cut. I'm on Simply Tiffany's creative team. Tiffany has created the label "page artist" for her creative team members and it could not be more fitting. Much better than creative team member. I get to play with her scrapbook templates! YIPPEE! I've noticed most of my favourite layouts that I've made are using her templates. Sometimes I rely heavily on them and other time they are a starting point, or guideline. I am so honoured to be on her team. She is such a professional as an artist and as a teacher. I'm definitely one of her biggest fans.

Anyway, here is my first layout using her Modern Master's #6 template:

Credits:
Modern Master Template #6 by Tiffany Tillman @ Design House Digitals
Dear Mom by Valorie Wibbens @ CatScrap (May Guest Designer)
Word Art 5 by KStudio @ CatScrap

International Scrapbook Day is almost here!!!!!!!

and do I ever have some fabulous and exciting news! I am debuting as a digital designer at CatScrap.com. Yes, it is true!!! Such perfect timing as there is lots of deals and events planned for the International Scrapbook Day!!!

Here is my debut kit called My Little Bento:

This is the paper pack included in My Little Bento or it can be bought separately on its own:

And the word art:

Stay tuned for more wonderful happenings.

My New Tablecloth

I've needed a tablecloth for quite some time. We moved here nearly three years ago. Soon after we bought a dining room table and chairs. The table is larger than a standard tablecloth. I wasn't concerned as I planned to have the table uncovered most of the time anyway. Until I realized my cat was jumping up on the table and leaving tiny little scratches on the finish. So a tablecloth became necessary. The ones I have gotten only go to the very edge of the table. I really wanted something special so finally one day I did a search on Etsy and came across a store I loved. I decided to treat myself and I'm so happy I did. I found a store called Cake4Breakfast. The seller makes the most beautifully whimsical tablecloths. I contacted her for a custom tablecloth and gave her some photos of my dining room. She came up with a palette and picked out the most loveliest fabrics for it. I enjoyed the whole process as she kept me in the loop with the progress (and photos!). She worked at lightning speed and now I have a handcrafted piece of gorgeousness gracing the surface of my dining room table. The dining room finally has some soul to it. Now I just need to have a dinner party!

Here are some photos I took after I picked up the parcel from the post office. I was so excited I put it right on the table. I hadn't even ironed it yet.

Oh, and the tablecloth has a quote sewn onto the back. I forgot to take a photo of it. It says: 

Happiness, not in another place, but this place.... not for another hour, but this hour. Walt Whitman
The seller selected some quotes for me to choose from and I liked this one the best. I think it is a good reminder to live in the moment and enjoy life, especially at a dinner table with friends and family.
I'm so happy I decided to make this happen! :)

So beautifully packaged!

A surprise gift! I love the added touches. A little corn tassel!

Isn't it beautiful? Now I just need curtains!

Aren't these fabric choices lovely?

My daughter admiring the handiwork

Another satisfied customer

CatScrap's Spring 2011 Catwalk Blog Hop

That's right boys and girls, it's Catwalk time!!! Say Goodbye to Winter and Hello Spring as we unveil CatScrap's fabulous products from their Spring 2011 Catwalk.

I've created a quick page for all of you to download and use in your scrapbooks. Here are the kits I used:

Sunday Girl: The Full Kit by Allison Pennington

Spring-A-Ling-A-Ding-Dong by Fiddlette Designs

Altered 365 - May by Danielle (Something Blue Studios)

Here is my page:

Here is the quickpage (click on the image to download):

Val's Blog  :  UltraCoolMama's blog

New52: Week 12 - Goodbye Alyssa, Hello Seitan!

So I wandered on over to One Little Bird Design's blog and decided to participate in her New52 project. Every week you try new things and then document them in some form. Check out her blog and you'll see what I'm getting at. She does a better job of explaining and her posts are very entertaining. Oh, did I mention I got to be on her creative team as a guest member for February? It was really an honour... I keep meaning to post about it... and show my layouts. It's coming... 

In the meantime, I will tell you what her post inspired me to do today. I got two big boxes out of the basement and spent my son's naptime sorting through the contents with my 3-year-old daughter. She had a blast with all the crap I've collected over the years. Why is this "new"sworthy? HA... sorry, couldn't help myself! 

1.Well, I've been putting off this task for nearly three years since we moved here. Before that, all the crap was in various places piling up for years and years and possibly eons. 

2. I FINALLY threw out a bunch of stuff I've held onto since I was in grade school. I mean, really, do I need 30 BOP posters of Alyssa Milano from when I was 10? Uh, I haven't even respected her since I was 12! HAAA! I admit it was hard throwing out the page with Ricky Schroder on it... I mean, er, uh, THE RICKER!!! Now him I respect.

3. I got a HUGE, FANFLIPPIN'TASTIC reward for doing this task. I FOUND one of my MOST prized possessions I thought I'd LOST FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, it is worth all those points of exclamation. I found photos of my grandparents from when they were dating. I was heartbroken thinking I'd lost them. YAY!!!!!!!!

Well, I was so jazzed (I'm grinning because I just typed "jazzed") I dressed up as Liza Minnelli and performed a showtune in head to toe sequins. No, I didn't. I was so jazzed I decided to make Seitan from scratch. That's just nuts!!! Actually it is flour. Wheat gluten to be exact. Have you ever made Seitan before? Don't. Well, you can if you want but it makes a mess, takes some elbow grease, and an hour of your life will pass by. You basically knead dough in water until the water is clear. Then you slow cook it in a broth for 6 hours. Then you let it cool. Then you use it in a recipe. Then you eat it. Then you digest it... and so on. Then you begin the whole process again when you have an hour to waste. Something like that. I didn't get pictures of this. Flour was everywhere. Water was everywhere. I'm a messy cook.

I can't remember what else I wanted to say so I'll end here. Thanks for reading!

Oh, and last Saturday I took my son for his first hair cut. He got freaked out by the scissors so the hairdresser wouldn't cut his hair. Totally understandable! It wasn't a waste of a trip to the mall. I got some new glasses finally. I asked the sales person for help because I am horrible for choosing flattering frames (not to mention I can't see when I'm trying on pairs). I trusted her and I like what I'm now wearing. YAY, gotta love glasses in an hour! Got some sunglasses too!

Toot Toot, tooting my own horn

I'm on the creative team for the monthly magazine, The Artisan Notebook, which is published by Digital Scrapbook Artisan Guild. Each month I create a layout for the Making Headlines section. Today I went to download the March Issue and was quite surprised to see my layout gracing the cover. Yippee, this is a first for me!!! I am so honoured. I was also delighted to see this issue's store spotlight is CatScrap where I am also on the creative team. It is a wonderful digital scrapbooking store. Such wonderful designers, who by the way, provided freebies for the aforementioned March Issue of The Artisan Notebook. I also have a second layout in this issue which I did for Creashen's kit. She is this month's featured designer and her designs rock my world!

Here is the cover and my layout :)

Nancie Rowe Janitz rocks!!!

Heh, how's that for a blog heading? Really though, she does. She is an artist. Designs scrapbook paper, fabric, and sells her beautiful digital wares over at CatScrap. I am especially in love with her photoshop brushes. I use them again and again and again. Right now she has released some LOVELY overlays. I know, you're going "overlays, wha???". They are awesome. They are grayscale 12x12 files that you open in photoshop. You add a solid colour and play around with your blending modes and before you know it you have your very own unique digital scrapbook paper. You can take several overlays and place them on separate layers and make some pretty funky designs. Still confused? Well, Nancie has a very easy to follow tutorial on her blog: www.nanciejanitz.typepad.com . I recommend you ditch my blog and head over to hers right this very moment.

Here is a layout I did using three of her overlays:

I also used one of her Shmootzy Romance frames (photoshop brushes)

Here are some of my layouts that have used her products:

CatScrap's Winter 2011 Catwalk Blog Hunt

It's that time of year again... the winter Catwalk at CatScrap. Lots of great product all designed to coordinate. I'm in LOVE!

I created a quick page for everyone to download (see below product previews).

I used the following CATWALK kits:

Flirty Alpha Set by creashens

lickety split: orange sorbet by tiny toes designs

Winter Garden Papers by NRJ

Wonder of Winter Papers by Fiddlette Designs

I also used one non-Catwalk kit by KStudio called Sweet Life:

Here is my Quick Page:

Download HERE

You just came from Hutchie's Blog. Go to Domad's Blog next.

ENJOY! :) Thanks for stopping by!

Please share your comments if you please.

Time for a BLOG HOP....

Welcome to my first blog hop! I'm lucky enough to be part of a blog hop to promote an amazing collaboration between CatScrap and The Lilypad. This collaboration kit is so jam packed with goodies you'll need to buy a bigger Christmas stocking!


Wish List ~ a collaboration by The Lilypad + CatScrap (FREE with $10 purchase!)



With the kit, I've created a Quick Page that you can Download Here.




Now, hop on over to... Andrea's Blog

After the Blog Hop, don't forget to stop by CatScrap to see their forum. Challenges made specifically for this kit will be posted. Also check out the December Challenges. Santa has also left some advent goodies there too!

What wonderful things you can find on the internet!

Today my husband made a fabulous video for our family. He went to http://elfyourself.jibjab.com and selected photos of each of us to place into the video. Then he chose the type of music theme for the video. Then, magically we became dancing disco elves! It was hilarious seeing my 9 month old dancing around. Definitely worth a try and a laugh!

My daughter received a video from Santa. It was so personalized! If you have a little one who would like to hear from Santa, check it out. It had me in tears it was so perfect. When she watched it the magic really came alive for her. Definitely visit http://www.portablenorthpole.ca/home


Come back tomorrow as I'll have a special treat available for download... stay tuned.

25 Days of Christmas... am I crazy? Crazy for Christmas!

Yes, I think I must be crazy. I'm pretty busy raising my two little ones (2 1/2 and 8 months). Yet I am passionate about scrapbooking (obsessive perhaps?). Once the kids are in bed, I go to my computer and create digital scrapbook layouts while my husband works on his research. Sometimes, we just watch TV. Some nights, we're just struggling to get both children asleep... ok, a lot of nights! I am nursing and my son has been waking up hungry every few hours. Funny, at 2 months old, he sometimes slept anywhere from 5-8 hours. Now, every 2 or 3? Ugh. Love the little guy and I love nursing but I also really love sleep. ANYWAY.... none of this stops me from staying up too late so that I can work on scrapbooking. So, now that I'm beyond sleep deprived I've decided to take a couple paid courses. I can't help myself... they were just too good to miss.

I've signed up for Tiffany Tillman's 25 Days of Templates: The Holiday edition. I took it last year. That course inspired me to switch completely to digital scrapbooking (for now) and I've learned SO much since then (and even accomplished my goal of being on a creative team!!!) So, I'm taking this year's course too. The content is completely different.

Then I noticed SherrieJD's Countdown2Christmas course. It came with the cutest kit that I HAD TO HAVE! The course is geared towards art journals but sounds like it will be full of wonderful ideas and inspiration that I can apply to my digital scrapbooking. I thought I might use it in conjunction with the templates from Tiffany's class.

Oh, but why stop there?

I got an email mentioning that Jessica Sprague is offering a free December Daily class. Well, I can't miss that, now can I?

And finally I just found out that Leora Sanford is having a 25 days of Christmas on her blog. She'll have inspiration, giveaways, freebies, how-tos from December 1-25. She has oodles of sponsors for this. Check her blog out athttp://leora-sanford.blogspot.com/. As you can tell, I'm super excited! Now let's just hope I can stay awake!

Yes, my head is swirling with Christmas! Join me, won't you?

Been Busy....

Well, I've been busy. I had a baby. I moved. Life is full of surprises at every turn. I find myself writing letters and journal entries in my head throughout the day. I rarely take the time to write my thoughts down before they drift away. When I finally sit down to write I can't remember what I had to say and no new inspiration finds me. So, I've decided the only way back into my brain is blogging. I need to extract some thoughts. I think I'll call this thought mining. Has that term already been coined? Feels new to me.

10 Random Facts about me at 11:26pm on a Saturday night in May of 2009:

1. I ate a dill pickle tonight. It made my tummy hurt. I can't prove the ache is pickle related but it will take the blame.

2. I need to cut my toenails. 

3. I have so little will power when it comes to giving up drinking Coca Cola. It is pathetic.

4. I love things that sparkle. 

5. I hate buzzing noises and the sound of electricity.

6. I'm really good at guessing the plot developments on TV shows... it is almost spooky really. My husband will attest to that.

7. My love of brackets and ellipses in my writing was inspired by years of reading Sassy magazine. 

8. I find it hard to concentrate with the dance music blaring from the neighbour's bonfire party.

9. Barbapapa holds a special place in my heart.

10. I need to lose weight.

Ok, since I'm out of practice that lightweight exercise wore me out. Wish me luck...maybe I'll write something meaningful next time. I know I have lots to say.

Crazy Goose

I was at Ivey's Tuesday coffee time yesterday sitting with a group of co-workers. Robin pointed to something outside the window. He said there was a Canadian goose in the tree. I couldn't see it at first. Sure enough, around 3/4 up the tree a Canada Goose was perched on a branch. Very very very odd! Have you ever seen a Canadian Goose on top of a tree? I believe it is rare! The goose then began pacing the branch. Good balance. I wish I could have taken a photo.

What year is it??? Seriously!

Robin and I flew to Las Vegas on February 21st for a conference/vacation. What does that mean? He worked, I played. Except for my crappy cold, I had a good time.

I'm too tired and busy to go on about the trip so I'll just get to the highlight.

Jelly Shoes. Who ever thought Jelly Shoes would make a reappearance into the fashion world? How wrong! How very very wrong.

I'd better go. I'd talk longer but I need to go out and buy some genie pants. I wonder if the Alymer Sales Barn has any left?

(photo taken at Urban Outfitters in Las Vegas)

Which Barbapapa Personality Are You?

You are Barbouille! You are visually inventive. When you're creating new things, sometimes you forget to eat. Intense!




|

2 weeks ago (continued)... Thank you Charles de Lint and MaryAnn Harris

My husband and I drove down Bank Street until we came to Patty's Pub. We were seated in an area where the stage was mostly out of view. I spotted Charles and his wife MaryAnn right away. So I knew we were in the right place. Robin (yes, that is my husband's name) and I ordered supper. I ordered a cooler to calm myself down. I don't usually imbibe. Why do I not drink? Silliness and obnoxious behaviour usually ensues. Sigh. However, I felt this evening would be an exception. Mistake? Perhaps.

In the middle of our meal, tables became empty and we moved closer to the stage. At this point, Charles and MaryAnn had begun their music session. They played original songs and some Tom Wilson, Fred Eaglesmith, and Steve Earle. Okay, I admit I wouldn't have known if no one had told me. I only knew when they were singing original songs. Either way, I very much enjoyed their style. I especially enjoyed a song about Crow Girls that MaryAnn sang. It reminded me of Julie Delpy's singing on the Before Sunset soundtrack. Ah, so lovely! Oh, and Charles's rendition of Phoebe's "Smelly cat" (which he sang as "Stinky cat") was an unexpected pleasure as Robin likes to sing his rendition to me on a daily basis ("Mellybird, mellybird" replacing "Smelly Cat, smelly cat")

A couple sat down at the table next to us shortly after the session began. A friend of theirs came over to chat with them and we invited him to sit at our table so they could talk. It turns out these are friends of Charles and MaryAnn. Robin got talking to one of the men and told him why we came to the pub. I was talking to Kenny (who later joined them on stage) and he said Charles would be delighted to know we were here. He said I should definitely talk to him. I told him I was too shy. He then asked if I had brought books to get signed. I hadn't. I didn't want to make Charles do "business" when the focus was on his music. Had I read www.charlesdelint.com and Mary Ann's website (www.sfsite.com/charlesdelint/mah/) carefully I would have known they encourage their fans to talk to them, to not be shy, and to bring books! Oops!

During their intermission, MaryAnn sat down at our table. The friends told her that Robin and I had come to hear them perform. We had a lovely chat. The problem with my writing this blog two weeks after the event is that I've forgotten details. Not to mention I was on my second cooler by this time. Oh dear! She called over to Charles and he joined us. Introductions were made. He thanked me for reading his books. I thanked him for writing them. I mentioned that I even named my blog after one of his books. When I told him it was Tapping the Dream Tree he said to thank MaryAnn as she had come up with the title. So, I did.

We talked about how authors don't make a lot of money unless their books are optioned as screenplays. I've often wondered why his books haven't been made into movies. There could be a whole series! Why stop there, let's make video games too! I'm serious. I'd play video games if they took place in Newford and Mabon!

They toasted us to our new marriage. That's very cool, if you ask me.

Charles was about to return to the stage and asked if I was sticking around until the end of the set. I said I was. He said "okay, then I'll wait and say goodbye then". Very nice of him! Back at the stage, Charles dedicated a song to me. He asked me if I had read Medicine Road. I said "uh, no" then added "but i'm honest!". I just meant that it's hard to tell an author you haven't read one of their books when you're asked. It would have been easier to say "uh, yeah, sure...great book, yeah". Plus, I wasn't sure that I hadn't read it. I've read so many that I can't put the title with the book all of the time. Turns out, I haven't read it. Anyway, he asked if I was familiar with the Crow Girls and I said "yes!" a little too enthusiatically. So, he played a song for little old me!

At the end of the show, one of the men at the table asked if I had brought my camera. I had. He offered to take a photo of me with Charles. So up to the stage we went. Charles was busy packing his equipment. I told MaryAnn that I wanted her to pass on a message to Charles as he was busy. I told her that his books meant a lot to me because I was able to connect with the characters when I couldn't connect to anyone in life. It's very true. His writing is unlike anything I've come across before. The characters and the writing sing to my soul. That's the only way I can describe it. I didn't mention that part to her. Just the connecting with the characters part. Anyway, that led to a really good conversation with MaryAnn. She is such a warm, engaging person. We had lots to talk about. Let's just say that I really should get off my bum and work harder at being an artist. Life is too short to shuffle paperwork. Charles had finished for the time being, and I had the chance to tell Charles what I had just told MaryAnn. He seemed pleased to hear I had been affected in this way by his writing. He then went and signed a postcard and bookmark from his latest release "Widdershins". I haven't read this book yet. I'm going to buy it soon. It should be a wonderful read as the plot, involving two of my most favourite characters, has been building in several previous books. Yippee!! Then we sat for a photo and I asked MaryAnn to sit with us. It's a lovely photo. I'll post it if I get permission first. Then Charles gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek! Hazukashii!!!!!!! It was at this time, that I really should have left but instead I felt compelled to finish my drink. So, I sat talking to Kenny for a few minutes. It's enough that I was slightly looped the whole evening but I was starting to babble and get annoying (to myself and others I assume). Luckily, I was with it enough to suspect I was annoying and bid adieu. So, Robin and I returned to our hotel where my dreams were very sweet.

I also have to admit something. When I read books with the characters Cerin and Meran, I always picture them as Charles and MaryAnn. Ever since the first time I saw their websites. Now that I've met them in person, I can still agree with my initial assessment. I hope that is alright with them!

(I have forgotten much of what we discussed in the evening. Funny how I was able to obsess for several days or what I said, or didn't say, or should have said and now two weeks later I don't remember any of it anyway.)

Two weeks ago tonight was a very lovely night

Picture it...Ottawa...summmer 2006. I was but a young woman of 31. My newlywed husband and I went to his family's cottage at a lake near Perth for a week of nature worship and family communion. When planning this visit, I recalled that my favourite author performs in a band with his wife and various others at a local pub in Ottawa on Thursdays. I'd been eager to do this pilgrimage for a couple of years and now the timing was just right. Auspicious even. Well, maybe not. Either way, off to Ottawa we went.

The day was lovely. We found a convenient hotel in Byward Market. We had a bite to eat at an Indian restaurant. Quite tasty. We walked to the National Gallery of Canada to view the Emily Carr exhibition. She just happens to be one of my favourite artists. We were disappointed to find that the painting "Decorative Landscape" by Lawren Harris was nowhere to be found. Loaned out to another gallery, perhaps? Oh oh, I feel a tangent coming on....and I'm off! In highschool we studied the Group of Seven. I hated them. The paintings were dull and cold and stark. I didn't see what all of the fuss was with these foolish artists who didn't know when to come out of the cold. Several years later (okay, maybe only five) I went to an exhibit at Kleinberg. Then I understood. Their art captures nature in a way that is almost otherworldly. It is mesmerizing. Then one day I was at the National Gallery of Canada and saw the aforementioned painting by Lawren Harris. Seeing that painting struck me in that way that only occasionally happens. My heart starts to ache and I want to cry because of the beauty or truth the moment (or in this case, art) possesses. I stared in awe. After pulling myself away from the painting, I went to visit the boutique. I had planned to buy a print of the painting but was disappointed to see the beauty could not be reproduced. That's when I realized why I couldn't appreciate the Group of Seven in school. Slides, prints, and posters, cannot capture the magic living in their work.

Okay, back on track. So, my husband and I left the gallery and wandered around a few shops. I was tired and thirsty. We returned to the hotel and decided to have a swim in the pool. I have quite a fancy for hotel swimming pools. Luckily it was dinner time so there were no other occupants. We sat in the jacuzzi and swam to cool off.

Then it was time to get ready for the big event.

Before we get to that (in the next post) here is a little background info. I first came across the writing of Charles de Lint in 1998. My sister had a copy of "Traders". I'm guessing she thought it was business related as that is her type of thing. When I asked her about it, she said "it's ok, a bit weird, but ok". I was hooked with the first page. The second book I read was "Memory & Dream". The story hit a little too close to home as I had studied art at college with a class of 18 students. The instructor who claimed to be a wiccan priest was quite eccentric and took to whispering in my ear while I sketched. He would say that I saw things differently and that I understood the magic in the world would soon be sniffed out. Many strange things happened that year. Including his boxing my ear one day and encouraging the students to take acid. But I digress... I had to rely on the library to read anything else by Charles. The bookstores weren't selling his books. At least no where that I could find. Luckily, my library had quite the selection. Recently, I've found his books are showing up in abundance at Chapters (in Canada) and Borders (in the US). My favourite book is Onion Girl. Okay, that's enough background info. Read on...

August is ending

It has been a crazy summer and the end is on its way. I have much to say and yet my blog says so little. What did I do with all my time this summer? I got married, I went on a honeymoon, I worked, I went to a cottage, I met my favourite author, and that brings me to the present. I hope to describe all of these moments but I don't know when I'll get around to it. Wish me luck!

Wild Turkeys, the whole bunch of them!

Last Saturday, I attended a family reunion in Vittoria, Ontario. This tiny little town (if it is large enough to call a town) was settled by my ancestors. They were originally from France. As Huguenots, they left France for the Netherlands. Then they moved to New York. That was great and all until that whole revolution thing. As United Empire Loyalists they made a wise decision and moved to New Brunswick and made their way down to Ontario where they settled the area. Centuries later, I sit here writing. I'll post a more in-depth blog entry about this when I feel like it.

Anyway, Vittoria is near Turkey Point which is near Long Point. As we were driving around the scenic area, we had several run-ins with wild Turkeys running amok. Very amusing. Now I understand why the point is named after these creatures.

I found Long Point to be noteworthy. Well, aspects of it anyway. There are these beautiful marshes. Lovely! And true to its name, the point is long.

That's all for now. My posts lack lustre. Hopefully that will change soon. :)

Don't be Alarmed...I'll be back soon

So sorry for my absence. I've been ill...again. So with wedding planning and illness, I've not had time for my blog. Hopefully I'll make some time this week. Please come back soon! :)