Good Finds - Finding the Joy - Decorating for Christmas

Your probably wondering where Day 5 -13 has gone from my trip to Italy but I have to tell you I have thousands of photos and of course I love them all, want to print them all but it takes so much time. How did I think I was going to do this while I was on my trip I really don't know. What makes it worse all of my other projects are getting behind which then throws me off. So I am going to be posting some of my projects and then some of my trip and so on.

Lately I have been humbugging about Christmas on Facebook. It's not the celebration but the speed to which things are moving. All those commercials are freaking me out, they all sound like you have no time and have to get it done now. I want to enjoy the season, slow down the pace, enjoy the moments that happen. Not run around with my head cut off.

So I am slooooooooooooooooooowing down and to do this one of the new projects I am taking on is Ali Edwards December Daily 2011 I love her "Capture Life" Create Art" its so true. I have been struggling with doing this because I don't have children that I can capture day to day things about. But during my trip to Italy I had an opportunity to sit with her and discuss what I thought was a dilemma, how do I "Capture Life" when it's just me (my husband, 3 dogs and 5 birds). True to what I already knew but seem to not realize is that I do matter. Just because I don't have children doesn't mean I don't have joy, my joy is just different. There are moments, there are things, there are feelings that I feel and can capture and create with. So I am taking the challenge and I am doing it. My book is going to be December Daily 2011 - Joy in My Life. Twenty-five days of joy through the eyes of a camera. I am so excited! So stay tuned

NOEL in Shadow Box

For today's project I used a shadow box I found at where else HomeSense and of course this one was in Barrie, Ontario when I visited my old but favorite neighbour Lee-Anne in August. Again when you find a good find don't hesitate buy it trust me you will use it eventually.

For this project I used a complete Christmas kit with everything matching the rest of the supplies I will use later for presents that I will be making.

This was a red shadow box that I found at HomeSense size is 10 x 10. Door opens on the side with two hooks on the back in case I want to hang it on the wall. I rubbed chocolate ink on it to give it a rustic look and some age. I will be adding this to my tea cup cupboard on the top with some other items but will take a picture so you can see the final project.

I only adhered the page with two way tape so that I can change it up if I wish. My kitchen is chocolate and red with a Parisian twist and I just might change it up and use it in there when the holiday is over.

The picture does not do it justice maybe you will have to come for a visit to see it live.

A Door Closes and Another One Opens

Hello everyone!

It has been awhile since I last posted and I am sorry for that.

Yesterday was a hard day for me but even more for my peers that have been left behind. Yesterday I was laid off from the company that I have worked for, support and invested in for the last 10 years. As hard as it is for me to leave it is even harder for those that are left behind. And I so feel for them. But like anything change is good, I have not felt good about some of the decisions I was forced to make against my best interest nor was I happy with how the job made me feel, untalented, second guessing my ability and well unsupported.

I would love to thank my wonderful girls, Bonnie, Sarah, Simone, Chelsey and Yvonne. They made coming to work worth while. They are a incredible bunch of women and so talented, I love you and know that you will succeed in everything that you put your mind to. Always remember to take a deep breath, and another and remember you are talented, wonderful and always remember to keep your head high, you are great at what you do.

Thank you to everyone for the supportive e-mails, Facebook and twitter notes. If you are in Carleton Place feel free to stop by to craft or even help me in the gardens if you want or sit on the deck and enjoy a cup of tea or a late afternoon cocktail or two! Remember drinks will be served at 4 pm sharp.

On another note ...

This past weekend I attending my second Creative Escape Spring Weekend Retreat and it was absolutely the best. It is a Friday - Sunday event that is non stop fun! One of the projects that I personally wanted to work on was this shadow box that my good friend Kim found and of course I had to have!

The shadow box came with nothing other than the cream material in the background I added everything else including the rub-ons on the glass and the sides including the knob. When I first saw this paper I fell in love with the whole line and everything that went with it. If you would like to know what I used send me an e-mail and I will send you the supply list.

Over the next few days I will be taking a break from everything to re-energize my creative batteries and to do what I like to call the "detox" stage. I will be doing a lot of creative things that I have wanted to do for awhile, creating workshops during the week and maybe even some on-line course who knows what will happen.

Where Has the Time Gone...

Gosh it has been so long since I have blogged, in fact it has been over two months and I have to say I am sorry I haven't posted more but a lot has been going on. First I would like to thank those of you who have sent me private e-mails asking me if I was OK, wondering if I was still designing, how my Dad has been doing and reminding me very gently about my FREE blog candy that was very late in getting out. If you have not received your blog candy please e-mail me privately here.

Lately I have been working hard on my next Wedding Workshop Class and getting ready for Xmas Workshops, traveling and of course weddings, weddings weddings. So things have been very busy and I will be posting everything I have done over the past 2 months in the next few weeks.

As for my Dad he has completed his radiation treatments and is doing very well, in fact he has had his first ALL clear and will be returning in November for another MRI, and if all goes well another 3 month ALL clear. Lately we have been very happy and taking advantage of the downtime that has been allowed since his first diagnosis. Just trying to have some normality after the last 7 months. With all that said my Mom however has seen better days, 1 week after getting Dad home she had a fall and ended up breaking her arm really bad and required surgery. She is now proud to say she has metal plates and screws in her arm and is taking physio one day at a time. Needless to say it has been a busy time looking after all their needs and trying to have a normal balance of home life.

My first post is a birthday one, for my lovely Miss Olivia or Missy "O" as I like to call her who celebrated her first birthday about 3 weeks ago. I was absolutely honored to help and attend such a wonderful event and like everything Kimmie does it was fun and fantastic.

For the initiation I created a really cute cup cake card which I have now misplaced but when I find I will post in hot pink and turquoise. A sweet Happy 1st Birthday Olivia banner, water bottle sleeves, cupcake toppers and a absolutely adorable shadow box with wish cards. Here are some pictures of her big day! All created in shades of pinks, turquoise, and lime green.

Miss Olivia AKA Missy "O"

Here absolutely beautiful mother Kim (Kimmie to me)

Kimmie wanted to create something that Miss Olive could keep and a reminder of her special day. What better then to create a shadow box that sends her wishes for the future. I created little cards for guests to write their wish for Olivia on her first birthday, these will be placed inside the shadow box for when she gets older. This we created in beautiful cherry blossom design and on the left branch is the date and place the event took place. On the right are is the following message ...

"May these wishes guide you on your journey through life..."

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Mohammad Gandhi

Each wish that is given will be tuck into the pink band with chocolate ribbon at the bottom ready to be taken out and read at anytime. Isn't this a cut idea? Everything was made using Stampin' Up products except for the shadow box.

Close-up of the message card and the wish card.



Sign to match the shadow box asking guests to leave a wish for Miss Olivia on her first birthday.

Happy Birthday Banner




Memory Tree

I absolutely love this idea very simple yet elegant. This actually branch was used at Kim and Nicks wedding holding beautiful crystals and the place tags for the guests that attended the wedding, so it has some history also.



Water Bottles, very simple and personal such a great idea!




Cup Cakes

Absolutely yummy with little lolly pop sticks with Olivia's personal silhouette!