You Know How I Roll

Post #496

2009-11-10T12:57:00.012-07:00

Must plan on doing something "new and lovely" for my 500th post!

Inspires me to search "new and lovely" on Flickr. Results as follows...

Lovely Louise

Oh tatonen...now if only i could knit something other than a straight line (and not very straight at that!)

This reminds me that I need to pull my sewing machine out...I have big plans!

And if I could one day get up enough talent to make this, I would be forever happy!

Maybe one day, I'll get to visit and see this in person.

Lately I've been thinking about what Russel & I will be like when we're old and grey. I think mostly still hilarious! I can't wait to grow old with him! Oh...the possibilities of matching clothes, worn for irony only. And funny hats, and being "crotch-ety". Lovely, indeed!

[credit]

I am in love with old photos, and this stream has them in spades.

*****

On to other things...

last night Russ & I went to the Keg, with a gift card in tow. I had some delicious bacon, creamy horseradish sauce with my sirloing, plus sweet potato fries! Woot!

FYI: You pay extra for the ambience!

Some lady at another table sat down and immediately started complaining about a cold draft she could feel...ummm...because they seated her in front of a window. Yeah. So she complained and actually put her coat back on. And the manager had to come out and chat it up. I don't think I have ever been in a restaurant without feeling some sort of cold draft. So suck it up sweetheart...you're paying for that ambience.

*****

I have my Christmas card issue sorted out! I am going to be sending out "Darryl Benson" originals...tags that is! Chantel's dad makes these rad tags to sell in the store and there is one that I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE. SoO I asked Chan how much and if it was possible to get a whole bunch made, and she asked him, and he said yes! YAY!

Last year I didn't send any cards...bah humbug.

All that's left is a photo. We took some last weekend at Mom's, but she ahs been having troubles with her camera so they are all blurry. But we looked so good! Maybe I'll try printing them on the smallish side and you won't be able to tell! HA!

*****

I am busy making Christmas crafts! Kind of...i have been wanting to make a chicken for some time now, and I saw one that I liked the shape of (don't ask me where!) so I attempted to recreate it last night. If I hadn't have run out of thread on the last panel, I would have taken a picture to post.
He's a funny little felt chicken, and I love him! Maybe I'll make him a little felt garland, and he can be a Christmas chicken!

I also purchased something to add to my Christmas decor. From Freckled Nest on etsy.

It is A PINK CLOCK!!! I have a soft spot in my heart for anything "clock"...just searching
clock" on Flickr gets me all excited! And isn't she just the cutest thing?

She is #3 of my collection. Slowly but surely...can't get too overwhelmed with collecting things, as I already have a very full house!

****
I almost hit a giant dog on the drive to work this morning! Yikes! A golden retreiver and some other big gold dog came flying off the top of Gallagher Park hill (the ski hill) on to Connors Road. The retreiver stopped right in the middle of all three lanes! I thought for sure it was going to meet it's maker. No leashes, and no one chasing after them, so I'm thinking they escaped from a backyard. If I wasn't headed down the hill, I would have stopped to help. But there was no where for me to stop.

*****

I really just want to keep Flickring for pictures and Christmas crafts and fun stuff, but I should get back to work. There is really nothing for me to do...all the docs are away this week! Fancy that! I'm just "keeping busy" looking busy!!

Has anyone seen a pair of great navy blue shoes in a store lately? Fancy shoes, I mean. I have a genius plan for Russ' Xmas party, but I really need some navy tights, navy shoes, and navy tulle! If the shoes could look like the ones below, except navy and maybe shiny, I would be in Heaven!

k...I'm done for reals now! Later skater alligator.

christmas crafts

2009-11-09T14:34:00.007-07:00

anyone doing any fun Christmas crafts this year? I remember the year of the ribbon trees...oh man...and Nadine always does a fun star, or banner, or something. I'm not sure what I'm going to attempt this year, but guaranteed there's going to be some Xmas Crafting in my future!

Somebody else found these, then I found them...and I love them! But I hate that styrofoam stuff, so I will have to find an alternate form to build my trees on.

I already bought a wreath for my door...it was a total impulse buy at Superstore. It was red berries, and pretty and I wasn't thinking, so I just bought it. I hate buying new stuff when I could just make something that would look just as good. But it's done.

also, these are adorable! I already have a large paper doll of myself hanging by my front door. these would look so cute on the tree, or hanging from the latest crafty thing I'm making that I hope to be done this week so I can share!

and this is the only time that those goofy fold out paper bells look cool. I could totally try this at home on my fireplace...but I would need lights and a pine garland thing, and I just don't have those, nor do I want to purchase them at this juncture. Hmmm. Will need new plan.

and I want to try this on my big bare yellow wall at home. Until I put up a shelf. It's just too bare for me. I like busy!!
k...gots to go help a lady with a computer! later

la la la la la la Tonight...

2009-11-07T09:15:00.004-07:00

or rather, last night...I spent some time taking down Halloween decorations, and redecorating my mantle and Expedit units. I made a heck of a lot of paper chains yesterday - out of an extra IKEA catalogue - and so I hung one along the mantle, and one from the ceiling above my Expedit.

Am thinking of Tea Cups...

Illustration by Anne Wilson

Toy People

Dainty Tea Cups

Fabric for a plant

Skinny Ship's illustration...really inspires me to draw my own little pretty tea cup!

And these ones, but I just can't get the pictures to load...
Embem30 photo at Anthropologie
Peter Pan Fan has a whackload of amazing pictures of the Tea Cup ride at Disneyland Paris.

I have quite a large collection of tea cups. When my great grandma ("G.G.") was a young lady, she started collecting them. Grannie says that you would go to a party at another lady's house and everyone would bring a tea cup to swap. G.G. is Grannie's mom, she passed 6 years ago, and Grannie is still going through her stuff. My G.G. was a bit of a hoarder, so I come by it honestly! On Thanksgiving, Grannie gave me another box of tea cups that she had found. I think some are hers, and some were G.G's. But now they are mine. They are all so lovely! I've been using them to drink my morning coffee because they are just too fine to stay in a box!

Anyone have any good display suggestions? I'm thinking that once I get my shelves hung above my Expedit, I'll either hang them from below or place them on top. If I hang them there's no where to display the saucers. Hmmm.

I made two more word banners...frosty and joy...one for above the mantle and one for above my Expedit. my colour themes are blue & green, and pink, respectively. So now I need to make a stop at the Reuse Centre to find some fake flowers that match. the only silk flowers I have are yellow...wait a minute...I bought some blue & white to do up some demos for Amy's wedding. They must still be kicking around somewhere. That can be my project today! Hooray!

k...lucas is harassing me to go to the Cars website so I should log off. later...

late night musings

2009-11-04T01:30:00.003-07:00

I am officially addicted to stupid Cafe World, or whatever the heck it's called. I have been busy making burgers and salads for the past, I dunno, 3 hours. It is very sad.

My legs and feet are cold.

I really really need to do something crafty tomorrow night or I will go crazy. something simple and inspiring so I can get my brain moving again.

i am not doing a december daily. it seems like everyone and their dog is doing one nowadays, and while I think the idea is totally rad, I just cannot commit to a daily anything! oh my.

Have you ever seen the movie 200 Cigarettes? Cause it is excellent! The accents, and the story and the music, and the characters, and there are a whole bunch of famous names in it. mostly just the accents are hilarious and the outfits! Love love. I am watching it right now while I am cooking some burgers and a salad. It is late and I should go to bed, but I just can't seem to tear myself away...

tomorrow I have a giant to-do list. lots of cleaning and tidying, as per usual. but also I want to get some scrapbooking done and some playtime with lucas. he was sick but now he's not, so he's going to want to play and play. maybe I'll get him to go outside for a little bit...I really want to rake some leaves and enjoy the fall before it is officially over for good.

i am in the mood to buy some cozy socks and comfy t-shirts. i am in a non-fashion mood this week. but I have been cleaning and tidying and trying to purge some closet items. and it feels good! I am not in the mood to start decorating for Christmas. it feels like i just got all my fall/halloween stuff sorted I would hate to tear it down right away. plus, I think I hated most of my decorations last year which means I probably won't like them this year and I will want to make new ones and I don't have the spirit for that right now. anybody got any good spirit-building tips? to get me into the holiday spirit? I don't bake, but I do love Christmas carols and Christmas movies. maybe I'll start there.

maybe I should just focus on finishing painting my living room and not worry about getting anything else done. maybe just maybe. i'm still not keen on the yellow I picked, but i've already started so I need to just finish it and deal with it. i want to buy some wall decals, birds maybe, or I dunno, something else. hambly came out with some fabby ones, but they are pricey too! whoo-wee! etsy is probably a better bet for me OR if I ever get the handle for my die cut machine I can just make my own...whenever that happens.

sorry no pictures. maybe I'll make it back tomorrow.

this post was sure full of maybes...wowee wow wow.

later skater alligator

swing low sweet chariot

2009-11-03T13:28:00.004-07:00

Mmmm...let's go fly a kite.

I'm feeling very wasted today...not like drunk-wasted, but like time-wasted. I got absolutely nothing done last night. Life stops a bit when your kid is sick. We just snuggled on the couch and watched YTV & Teletoon (iCarly, SpongeBob, Fairly Oddparents, Scooby Doo, Superman, etc.) and then snuggled on the bid bed and watched YTV, Teletoon and a Mighty Machines DVD. Yawn. Then Lucas was awake at 4am, telling me he's hungry and wants to snuggle, and so I end up sleeping in his bed, well "sleeping" isn't quite how I would describe it. Lucas was playing with my hair, and hitting me in the face, and complaining about the light and his blankets, etc.

been thinking about dragons...
like this one

So Anam's husband is an artist, and his latest triumph is Dragon's Age: Origins, which looks totally amazing I must say. So all the gorgeous commercials for it have got me thinking about dragons. There are some cool Flickr pictures, but the one above really caught my eye.

some of you might know that I am in love with hay bales. I am also madly in love with wind mills...this one is dreamy. Makes me want to pack my bags and move out to the country.

The photographer writes that it reminds her/him of the Wizard of Oz. We had one Dorothy trick or treater, and she was an older girl. Impressive...I didn't think kids of that age really followed that story anymore.

okay...I was going to post more today, but I'm playing a goofy game on Facebook instead. stupid Russel...I've been on Facebook for ages now, and have never played one game! He joins up and a week later I've been corrupted! Oh well!

later

my little McQueen!

2009-10-30T10:24:00.003-06:00

Today is the big Playschool Halloween Party, and I am so excited! Mainly because Lucas actually likes his costume and wanted to wear it! WOO HOO! And he looks so adorable as Lightning McQueen doesn't he? I even made him little whitewall tires and stuck them on his sleeves. There's a big "95" on the back of his shirt. All made with felt and embroidery floss! WOO HOO!

I'll get more pictures later, the light is just so crappy in the house and in playschool. Thankfully it's not snowing or too cold...I won't feel bad sticking him outside without a coat for a couple of minutes to get a good shot or two! We also carved a "McQueen pumpkin", so I'll be sure to get some shots of that as well!

This is a picture of him at school with his little buddy Damien...who is a very convincing Darth Vader...he kept giving me the death grip! Teacher thought he was trying to give her a high five, but I corrected her and demonstrated the proper throat grabbing and falling to the floor action that he was expecting from her! Lucas looks really giant next to him!
I feel very creative today, and it's a good thing too...I have lots to accomplish: TOTW, Riff Raff stuff, finishing the calendar class for TM, showering and brushing my teeth...

I bought some of the new Hambly - yummy doilies!!! - so I think my TOTW will involve them in some way or another. I really need to print some pictures, especially some more from Amy's wedding, because the ones I have just aren't inspiring me. These Halloween ones are totally going to get some rad treatment today! Hoorah!

I think I'm going to make some paper chains. Reading Elsie's latest blog post with the artist's studios pictured, and there are a couple with what look like paper chains hanging from everywhere. I remember making so many of those when I was a kid...that was the thing you did to decorate when you didn't have anything else! lovely! Also want to go buy some trading card plastic pouches and do up some interesting scrapbooking layouts, also ala Elsie (see RVA update, "10 Things..." Kit)

But first shower, teeth, then pick up Lucas.

I'll be back...

i'm a thousand miles away, but girl tonight you look so pretty, yes you do.

2009-10-23T17:54:00.004-06:00

It's six o'clock on Friday night and both my guys are sleeping so I'm on the computer! Russ came home from work early today so he could have a nap and Lucas' buddy tired him out with all the playing today. I am such a happy camper because I had my second favourite little guy with me all afternoon! I think Trystan and Lucas pulled out every single toy we own...and played with each of them for about 30 seconds before moving on.

I got lots of dishes done today when the boys were entertaining themselves. Plus I spent way too much money at the grocery store this morning and got my TOTW done and posted plus I finished another layout that I think might just be sweet-arse enough to submit to Canadian Scrapbooker. Look at me go! I'm a super lady today! I've pretty much had a head ache all week and have been feeling sick, but today that all went away and I was productive and felt great! FINALLY!

Tomorrow I get to scrapbook with some of my favourite people...and I'm almost finished the gifts I'm making for the birthday girls among them. The gifts in question are super rad, and I will have to remember to take pictures of them before I wrap them up so I can post them after they are opened. SO excited! Am thinking of other special things to make, but we'll see what I have time for tonight. Am also bringing my hummus dip for snacking on, but I promise to omit some garlic!

My dining room table got cleaned this week only to have another mess get dumped on it today. I just can't keep it clean for the life of me...not even with all this extra storage I've given myself. Argh!

Does any one know a really great place to buy appliances? I definitely need a new fridge, and I'm thinking I should get a new dishwasher soon too. My fridge is permanently set to "uber icy" and I'm sick of throwing out frozen vegetables in the crisper drawers. I mean really. I'm thinking one of those new ones with the bottom freezer...ooh aah! You can tell you're an old married couple when...buying new kitchen appliances gets your blood moving!

For dinner tonight...left overs. Lucas and I eat left overs. I eat them because I feel guilty about having them in the first place. And Lucas eats them because I put them on his plate and sit him down in front of them. Russel does not eat leftovers. Not without a fight! So tonight, since he is sleeping through the supping hour, he gets what he gets. And if all else fails, there's leftover pizza which no one in the history of mankind should ever turn down. I'm just saying.

And since I know some people that only read my blog if there are pictures...

(Riff Raff DT project)

(TOTW Today)

For some really beautiful and inspiring eye candy, check out Freckled Nest.com...Leigh Ann never disappoints!

later skater alligator

2009-10-16T12:06:00.001-06:00

These boots

i'm in love with this girl that's got my head electrified

2009-10-09T08:43:00.009-06:00

Today I am thinking of...

Replacing all of my coffee mugs with vintage ones, in every colour.

*****
And I want this above my fireplace.
from Surrender Dorothy

Or maybe this...from Splendor in the Trash

most popular paint by number stuff on Etsy, in no particular order:
1. Horses
2. Kitties & Puppies
3. Landscapes
4. Flowers and apples (still life stuff)
4. Jesus

I popped some fun mail in the box this morning...actually it's more like belated-birthday-mail, but this will just be our little secret. And I still have one more package to put together. I made up one of my new little things, and it actually works, and once I saw it completed I didn't want to give it away. And I've been making new notebooks too...ones with old lined paper and construction paper as well. They are mighty fine.

I did up a little watercolour yesterday of my dream tree...that's the giant tree that grows just outside my fence. I wanted to capture it in all it's summer-to-fall-transition glory before all the leaves fall off. And I added some pink, purple and red balloons just for fun! It's actually kind of pretty, and even Russel seemed to like it! Wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles.
I bought some watercolour pencils at Value Village awhile back, and while they are in rough shape, they still work and they were a fraction of the cost of new ones.

I started making a felt leaf banner last night, kind of like this one, c/o Elsie

So far all I have done is cut out some leaf-ish shapes and put them in order. I haven't quite figured out how I am going to sew them together (am thinking of using some of the el-cheapo white wool I have buckets of). I am also in the mood to start pulling out my Halloween decorations from last year. I needed a project for the new Riff Raff shapes, and since Lucas doesn't really "do" Halloween (that means he's really Russel's kid!), and I don't have any pictures handy of when I was a kid, I'm doing up a spooky canvas series. All greens and blacks, with some vintage paper if i can swing it. I'm getting excited about playing with paint and stuff on a canvas, because it has been months and months since I've done anything like that! We'll see if I still remember what to do.

Right now my computer at home is in a fitful sleep...I have my internet tabs all filled up with vintage eye glasses from etsy...I am trying to decide on a pair to buy and get some real lenses put in so I can wear them all the time and be laughed at even more than I already am!

Things I could never live without: kisses from Lucas. they are the best things ever in the world to make a happy day happier, and a sad day bearable. Giant mouth, grabs my head, tries to bite me, giggles and wiggles. loves.

Whatever happened to that little calendar I was going to make myself? Or all the other things that end of on my to-do list, only to disappear into the Narnia wardrobe of my life. I still haven't found my door sketch for the Etsy shop that I lost at the beginning of summer. I have no excuse, except that I am like the scarecrow with no brain. yeah.

Got a Girl Crush? Yes...yes i do.

***potty break***

I want to find a nice coloured cardigan...blue, grey, green...preferably short sleeved because long-sleeves make my arms look likfe sausages. Might stop by a thrifty-store on the way home today and just have a peek. Am very inspired by this outfit:

I would love to be the girl who wears skirts and looks "pretty". but mostly I'm just the girl who wears jeans with holes in them, scarves all the time (I need more scarves...would be a great investment!), and would wear a Star Trek t-shirt everyday if only it was work appropriate.
But I can try, and I can take baby steps, and I can read fashion-y type blogs every now and again and I can dream.
Love the Ellen Page quote from the new movie coming out (Whip It).
In response to some girl who says: "looks like you've become alternative now"
she says: "alternative to what?"
yes, sometimes that's how I feel. what makes me so special, so different...I see special everywhere.

some guy from one of our big suppliers/owner of our loans is coming up today to drop off some papers. he called about 5 minutes ago wondering if I wanted anything from the Tim's downstairs! how sweet. makes me wish i had put makeup on this morning...but not enough to make me actually put makeup on while I'm waiting. tee hee!

I'm so starving. still have one half hour left to go before I can sneak away. Russ & I are going to try to go to a matinee this afternoon. Don't ask me what we're going to see, we just need a movie date! Am thinking maybe Whip It or Couples Retreat...but first I need some lunch and some Value Village shopping to tide me over.

happy thanksgiving to everyone...which reminds me...I need to buy some buns for Grannie's dinner tomorrow night. That's my grocery item: buns. That's really about all I can be trusted with. Please don't make me cook anything, or assemble anything. Unless it comes ready to eat, Lisa should not be responsible. But I can buy a bag of buns like a pro!

k. m signing off now. am going to webber a little more, then head home to hubby and soup, then movie(?) then Riff Raff stuff, then post totw, then eat, then rent movie, then sleep.

later skater alligator

2009-10-06T22:11:00.000-06:00

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!

2009-10-04T09:35:00.005-06:00

I am terribly excited today! And I think I will remain that way for sometime...

And here's why...

At the Creative Stitches show yesterday, I brought in a couple of my layouts to enter in their page contest. $2 gets your layout in, all money going to the Stollery. They do a draw for a prize, so I figured I didn't have much chance in winning because some of the ladies at the Crop had submitted half a dozen layouts! But oh well...

So later in the afternoon, I heard a bunch of cheering over at the Crop space. I thought someone might be winning things, so I headed over there. As I was getting closer to the crowd I saw some of the Canadian Scrapbookers ladies, and I couldn't quite understand why they were holding my layout. Then they called my name, so I cheered. And they waved me right on up to them. And told me I had won. And I'm like, won what? And they start telling me about this new Stampin Up die cut machine and a bag and YOU'RE GOING TO BE PUBLISHED IN CANADIAN SCRAPBOOKER MAGAZINE. And so I screamed and jumped up and down...and then they took a picture of all of us, and I just kept on giggling and screaming and jumping up and down! So they took me over to the booth, and one lady asks me if I know what I won, and I'm like heck no! So they showed me...

It's this giant Sixxix Machine, that can use any die out there. And it cuts fabric and metal and chipboard and it's fricken heavy! And it's worth a whole lot of money! Oh my! Plus I get this fancy bag to keep it in. And one die (a flower I think). Unfortunately, the handle is missing so I hope I get that cleared up soon so I can play!

Oh, and I'M GETTING PUBLISHED! I didn't win a draw, I won a judged contest! A bunch of the Canadian Scrapbooker ladies that were there, plus the fun Christy Riopel from Monday Night Classes went through all the entries and picked their favourite. And that was mine!

Christ said she loved everything about it: the mess, the way I wrote my journaling sideways, the fact that I used "F"s for "T"s...and then Jackie Ludlage, one of the Head Honchos told me she adored my stuff and wondered why they haven't seen anything from me. And I told her I had never ever submitted anything. So then her, Connie and Katharina got on my case and told me that this is my door and that they really want me to start submitting because they want my stuff. Um...by the way I am still in total shock at this point and am shaking and walking around with a stupid grin on my face and pretty much just nodding when anyone says anything to me!

K.C. and Chan were both very excited for me. When K.C. saw me with my big bag, she thought I had yoinked somebody's bag and was playing a trick on them! HA! And Leica Forrest was excited and she really like my layout as well and told me she had always liked my stuff!

So I'm flying sky-high today! Jackie took my layout so she can get some good pictures. I get a copy of the magazine as well. I know I said I never wanted to get published, but this was some kind of strange fate thing, and I am totally going to ride this one out and see what comes from it.

later skater alligator,

P.S. Happy Birthday Lisa & Nadine. If I get my act together, you'll get your Birthday Fun Mail sometime next week!

today

2009-10-01T13:52:00.007-06:00

here are three layouts I completed today. Lucas was up last night with what looked like bug bites all over his torso. So that means I was up as well, and I am sure feeling it today. I need more coffee and a little nap wouldn't hurt...hmmm coffee and a nap don't really seem to go together! oh well. plus dinner-plans don't seem likely to happen. maybe Russ will have a genius idea.

I am really in love with the new Sassafras, as you can plainly see. But I've also been using some old stuff from my stash thrown in for good measure. And since I've been trying to put things back where they belong, it's taking me less time to get stuff done and it's way less stressful when it comes to clean up time. I still have a giant mess following me everywhere I go, but that's just something I will always have to live with.

I am working at the Creative Stitches show this weekend at the Treasured Memories booth. Friday morning and Saturday, all day. Maybe I'll see you there! Plus, my aunt has invited me to some Close to My Heart party on Friday night...but she told me it was free and said there would be booze (hopefully also free), so I'm okay with that!

Drama continues with the Playschool Board. C'mon people, it's only Playschool. I mean, really.

I can't believe it's October already. I have Lucas' Halloween costume planned out, so now it's just a matter of me following through. But Halloween is on a Saturday this year, so I will have all day to make it! Ha!

I really think this year will be the one I finally get some nice fall pictures of the family. I always forget, or put it off, or something else comes up and then everything dies and the snow falls and I'm stuck. This year...

Thanksgiving is coming up...I can't stand Thanksgiving. I wish we had plans to go out of town. All the family get-togethers and the food and the sitting around waiting and doing nothing...it drives Russ & I crazy. My friend Ashley and her family have the right idea...they go to Banff and shop and wander for three days. We went one year, and it was so wonderful! But it seems to me that the trip was cheap because we had a "coupon" or something, so it's unlikely to happen again any time soon. Heck, I would take any trip anywhere if it meant I didn't have to be here.

Am hoping to get some other crafting done today. Am making a little something-something for Miss Chantel today...I promised her some fun mail and I haven't delivered! Next week I promise (revised promise). And maybe for others as well! Ooh Fun!!!

I should go. I really wasn't joking about needing more coffee. It's getting close to my sleepy time, which has been getting worse and worse lately (I think it's because of the changing seasons) and I really don't want to have to take a nap today. What am I? Old? Don't answer that if you know what's good for you!

so here are some pictures from the last little bit...enjoy!
some of my latest Value Village finds. I also got a cute little binder, and some clothes.
one of my latest photo shots. set up the Gorilla tripod on the fence and just started snapping.
Lucas was having fun too!
Am wearing some new and new-to-me clothes. this was my wardrobe remix for the week.

My new fabulous present from my fabulous hubby.

Lucas & I outside of Brewsters on my birthday. That's Tardis in the background.

at Mom's for my birthday last saturday. there was a smudge on the lens, so all my pictures from that night are kind of cloudy.
lucas in his red sweater, that used to be Russ' sweater. his grandma made it for him.
thanks for stopping by. feel free to say hi!

later skater alligator

two more things, and then I'm done...

2009-09-25T15:46:00.002-06:00

new fave: Wardrobe ReMix

I'm gonna take you out tonight
I'm gonna make you feel alright
I don't have a lot of money but we'll be fine
No I don't have a penny but I'll show you a real good time
-Little Boots' "New In Town"

this song

this song

k that's it for now.
later skater alligator

"I change shapes just to hide in this place, but I'm still, I'm still an animal"

2009-09-25T15:10:00.004-06:00

Category Stories challenge...I've been a busy girl today! But I'm not going to submit it, mostly because I'm lazy and I can't remember what my password is to sign in to Flickr.

All these guys, plus the ones in the previous post are up on the Technique blog as well, so check it out!

later skater alligator

give me a lake that I can dive into...

2009-09-25T15:01:00.002-06:00

Scrap Mojo entry...I am really into my detail shots today! HA-ZAA!

This little lady below is made like so: traced Riff Raff shape, coloured with generic-brand crayons (re: freebies you get when you bring a kid to a restaurant...I'll never have to buy the primary colours again! Mwa ha ha!)

Journaling reads...ah, you can read it yourself. I already wrote it out once!

I had a little photo shoot in the backyard today. Lucas really wanted to get in on the action...he shows up in some of the other pictures. I think he was really interested in the fact that I was hanging the camera off of a fence post!

better today

2009-09-24T12:46:00.006-06:00

I don't know why I was in such a foul mood for my birthday. It has never effected me before. I like birthdays! Oh well. It has passed. I am me again.

Every once and awhile I hear a song that just possesses me. This week, this month, this song.

I watched this video on my iPod last night, and I just couldn't put it down. Loves loves.

"beg borrow and steal all your time"

the bass, the drums (ooooh), the piano getting in there. the heavenly vocals. makes my knees weak.
and it doesn't hurt that they're pretty easy on the eyes as well!

So mom-in-law (love her!) got me a HUGE iTunes gift card, and I've been spending it wisely!
Here's the latest playlist:
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz album
White Rabbits - It's Frightening album
Little Boots - New in Town
Miike Snow - Animal
Wild Light - California on My Mind (there is some "explicit" language in this one people...fyi)

And Russ (love of my life) bought me a docking station/"stereo"/alarm clock/awesomeness for my birthday so I put all these guys on their very own playlist and have it on repeat repeat repeat. Keeps me from going crazy with all the playschool s$%t on my plate this week.

Lucas is funny: In the car the other day (which is now named Tardis...bonus points for those of you who know what that's from...) the new Mute Math song came on and then I turned the car off. Well, Lucas tells me he really likes that song. "I wonder if it will be on the new Lightning McQueen Cars soundtrack?" From the mouth of babes. So I turned the car back on so we could listen some more.

Just googled Mute Math. Awesomeness abounds today my friends!
a key-tar t-shirt!!! and in every colour too...

and their album cover is just amazing.

and check out the header picture on their store. Hilarity!!!

If any of you have some good music-finds, please pass them my way! I am always on the lookout for new tunes.

I was Etsy-browsing the other day...DANGER DANGER. Lots of most-awesome vintage goodies.
But I must be a good girl, so I went to Value Village after work for some real life browsing. I'll have to take a picture of my excellent finds.
Including a practically brand new Joe Fresh t-shirt, the most rad long-sleeved, man-made materials, teal "blazer" (it was in the ladies' jacket section). I pretty much fell in love with it when I saw the little gold pin on the lapel that reads "80"...I think it's because the only person who would be caught wearing it is a little old 80-year old lady, or someone who takes their fashion cues from 1980. Well, I was born in 1980, so that's the direction I'm taking with it!!!
I also lucked out and found a "random item housewares bag" with some watercolour pencils in it! And a super old tick-tock clock. I am a little bit head over heels in love with old clocks, so I had to have it. Now it's tick-tock is keeping me company.

"Tick-tock" reminds me of the Oz books, and the other movies in the Wizard of Oz legacy. Him and the Pumpkin head guy. Return to Oz was an amazing story.

I took some pictures yesterday of my birthday "celebration"...nothing too fancy. So I'll post those tomorrow when I get a chance. We went to Brewsters for dinner, then played some Lego Star Wars Wii before bed. Lucas & I were both very sleepy. Thanks to all of you for your birthday wishes, and especially to Kara who bought me a yummy cake and had all the girls at work sign a repurposed card! You are too good to me! loves loves.

glum

2009-09-23T08:50:00.001-06:00

today is the big day. hooray?

busy bee

2009-09-14T09:20:00.012-06:00

mONDAY

this week is a busy week for me. meetings two nights in a row. work two nights in a row. am teaching a class at TM on Saturday (hooray!).

I miss posting to my blog. Friday I was at home, so no posting. Saturday I posted to my Technique blog (sweet prize included, so check it out!!) Lucas & I got to hang out so much this weekend, it was heaven! And Poppa too! We pretty much spent all of Sunday vegging inside, even though it was so nice out. Lucas just wanted to cuddle on the couch with Russ (and me) and watch golf.

Now that I am "so organized" with my scrapbooking stuff, I find it easier to just pull out some things, do a layout then put everything back in it's new home. We'll see how long that lasts! I acutally "lost" a bunch of new stuff the other day because I had put it away in a real permanent home, and couldn't find it! Ha! I did up a couple of layouts of Lucas' first day back pictures. He is getting to be quite the adorable little man. And still saying some very smart things. Friday it was: "Momma, we had two days of playschool. our brains are growing."

I left my iPod at home today...oops...so I can't add anything to my to-do list. Does anyone know a good planner/schedule app? All of a sudden my life has become very complicated and I really need one!

Check these out! Aren't they to die for! Kitschy floral placements! I don't think they'll match my seafoam green tablecloth.

MY CONTEST: Please check out my Techniques Blog and enter to win the sweet Prima Prize Pack. As of right now there are only three comments/entries and three prizes, so your chance of winning is great...the odds are with you!

TUESDAY
I forgot to post yesterday before I left, so I'll just keep adding to this one.

I haven't done any embroidery lately. I had finished a bunch before we went to Vegas, and I really missed it while I was there, but I haven't pulled it out since we got back.

Here are some patterns I want to try:
- woodgrain
- leaves

And this post is very helpful.

This next picture makes me giggle. I know for a fact that my Grannie has this book, because up until the kitchen reno, Mom had the Rooster hanging above her stove. And Lucas has the Rainbow hanging in his room (it used to hang in mine).

Am very hungry, and so don't feel like working today. The birthday is in one week and one day. And I have no plans as of yet. I'm busy this weekend and next...looks like it will be another boring year for me. I have been fairly good at keeping with my 29 Days project. But it has mostly just shown how boring my life really is. Work. Home. Torchwood. TM. Blog. Read. Scrapbook. I'm trying to spice it up by getting my hair done this week. But I have no idea what I'm going to do with it, so it might not even happen. Although maybe this picture will be helpful. I so love all the pictures of the bright blonde hair I see, but I'm just not sure that's me anymore. I like the darkness I've been cultivating.

I heart this girl. Her stuff. Her style. Her photos. Her.

I wish I would remember to write/draw in some of my journals. Elaine's stuff is really cute and fun!

She makes me want to make a bunch of rad bows for my hair and buy turquoise moccasins. And her drawings remind me that I wanted to do a little comic book for all the funny things Lucas tells me. Maybe I should make a bigger note book and start it up!

I was looking for some clipboards the other day and came across a pile of sheets of chipboard letters that don't have the letters in them anymore. When I get a moment I am putting them with my art journal supplies (which I haven't touched in forever, but let's not talk about that right now...) so I can start playing with them and the new Glimmer Mist I bought yesterday. This was my exciting TM purchase: Frosted Lake, Turquoise & Pumpkin-something Glimmer Mists, 10 sheets of Kraft 8.5 x 11 cardstock and 25 sheets of white. woo hoo. I can see very productive things happening with those simple supplies. I should teach a class...HA!

Am still thinking about taking an online class. This one caught my eye. I do love fall. I can already feel it coming and I'm quite excited. I just wish Lucas wanted to spend more time outside. Maybe when it's not so hot he won't mind going for a walk with Momma through the leaves.

"everytime you say my name, I fall in love again"

to do this week:
- complete one thing on my to-do list from last week. yay me.
- not get swallowed up by the world
this photo on this blog...

{one hour left of work...it's just 2 pm now. I am going crazy. I wish I could just slip out the back and go home early...yes we have a "back door"}

been sneaking some peeks of pics on Facebook...my best friend from elementary school. seeing her with her sisters all grown up makes me ache for the "good old days". It's so weird to see people all grown up when you only really new them as a child.

k...im going to just post this now. want to check my email before I go and I can't do both at once.

later skater alligator

09-09-09

2009-09-09T10:49:00.003-06:00

today is a special day. it is september 9th, 2009: 09-09-09. pretty cool huh!?

today was also Lucas' first day back at playschool. he was very excited, did not freak out once, and he even let me take a couple of pictures of him! wow! will have to scrapbook those tonight if I have a moment.

you know you're a scrapbooker when: you "plan" your kid's back-to-school outfit based on what will look good with your supplies! oh my...

Hey...if anyone out there is interested in taking some Scrapbooking classes in Edmonton, please check out this blog: TM Classes. I have created all these super cool classes for the fall and as of yet, I only have one student. boo hoo. i'm going to start getting desparate and do something crazy!

these are my crafty & ambitious "goals"...
- create an online magazine
- make a fabric penant banner
- make a monogram pillow case
- get one layout published in a magazine (I know, I know...)
- sell one item on Etsy (better more than one, but I've got to start somewhere)

right now (2:53pm) I am on hold with Greyhound Courier...and have been for the past HOUR!! wow... all I want to do is send two lousy packages. argh and argh.

new

2009-09-08T21:57:00.002-06:00

to see this layout in full, check this out.

And this one should be up on the Riff Raff blog in a couple of days. I heart the new shoes and undies!

later skater alligator

add on

2009-09-04T11:44:00.002-06:00

this picture makes me so happy right now! full of colour and life and love and coziness!

but guess what...Blogger no likey! so here's the link. you'll have to do some work.

Bookshelf

i'm back...

2009-09-04T09:31:00.006-06:00

did you miss me??

I missed you.

My trip was very exhausting. Very.

I did nothing yesterday but sit, play and sleep.

I didn't realize how much I missed Lucas until he came home and I got to hug him and listen to him talk. He's a precious little boy. After I fell asleep on the couch in the afternoon he fell asleep while playing on the floor. That's why he plays with a blanket and pillow.

I will try and post some pictures this weekend. I took a bunch, but I got kind of sick of always pulling my giant camera out of my bag so I stopped taking pictures on the last day. I did get some as we were sitting on the Hawaiian Tropic Zone patio at Planet Hollywood with my $10 beer (WTF???) of the construction going on across the street. The construction that was such a pain in the ass at night because of the giant traffic jams it caused and the time it added to each bus trip.

I will post this...not my picture, but I do have one sort of just like it.

The Forum Shops at Caesars is a 634,000 ft² mall connected to Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada. Built as an extension wing of the main casino at Caesars Palace, this was the first destination mall on The Strip, the mall now fronts on The Strip. It is one of the most successful shopping malls in the United States and the highest grossing mall in America, with higher sales per ft² than Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. photo cred.

The first thing I said when I walked into the Forum Shops was: "Holy Shit. This is retarded." Yes I know...very politically correct of me. I was blown away. Maybe not in a good way. Mostly in a this-is-way-too-over-the-top-and-ostentatious-and-beyond-insane way. We only went into one store there: FAO Schwartz, the giant toy store. Russ & I really wanted to see the giant floor keyboard, but they were doing some renos on the 3rd floor and we figured that's where it was. I did buy Lucas two Cars toys that I had never seen before. And now he's making requests for other stuff he wants...spoiled much?

Shows we saw: Tournament of Kings (meh...pigeon for dinner? really!?). Penn & Teller (very funny, very good magic)

Restaurants: Margaritaville (wow...over the top crazy...) the first night. then we took it really easy and just went buffet at the Luxor and "fast food" from various places around the strip. There are Starbucks everywhere so I was in heaven and had a Pumpkin Spice Latte or Cinnamon Dolce Latte everyday (and sometimes twice!)

Casinos: I only put a couple of bucks into Black Jack slot machines. Russ did okay at the Black Jack tables...up $75 over the trip for only about an hour worth of play. We sat through a roulette lesson at Planet Hollywood which was pretty neat. One lady really wanted the instructor to give her a great money-making tip, but there aren't any tricks with roulette. He would give her a tip on how to pick your bets or your numbers and she would ask if that was the way to go and he would say: "sure, but it's just gambling so just bet what you like" and I just don't think that did it for her! She left before the lesson was over!!

Shopping: I spent a bunch of hours at an outlet mall with Coralie. I bought two pairs of severly discounted flip flops, two bras and one scarf. woo. $20 worth of bulk M&Ms from the wall of M&Ms. Lots of post cards (I am cheap when it comes to souvenirs). Also, I can't believe all the malls and shops inside every casino/hotel. They have made shopping the destination, the stores are the attraction. Yuck.

Everything is VERY VERY EXPENSIVE there. The hotel rooms and flights down may be cheap, but you make up the difference the first time you buy a drink or eat a meal. I couldn't believe how expensive things were. A $10 glass of beer! Really!?!

am still working on my 29 Days book. it's going okay. i kept my "diary" very well while I was in Vegas. I did miss some days, but I didn't have much on my mind, and what we did was pretty easy to remember.

to do today: Technique post, Riff Raff layouts, Vegas pics post and print, Nadine's prize mail in the mail (unlikely), go say hi to the TM girls (very likely), Starbucks...

later my peeps. i am glad to be home

hi

2009-08-29T11:13:00.003-06:00

I'm supposed to be packing and getting ready for Vegas, but I am posting to my blogs instead!

Here's a new layout. Plus I posted four more on the Techneeks Blog.

Enjoy...and I'll see you back here next week.

later skater alligator

Winner!

2009-08-25T11:23:00.004-06:00

I guess I have to pick a winner...but really you are all winners in my books!

Nadine Karen said...
I like prizes and I love surprises. Not to mention I love mail that I don't have to give money for. {XO}Happy Birthday Lucas!

So Nadine gets the Grand Prize...this week!

**********

Vegas this weekend, yay me. We leave Sunday and come back Wednesday. Nothing special planned, just walking and sightseeing and what not. They don't have antique malls on the strip, or flea markets, or farmer's markets, or craft shows. And that's what I like. It will be neat to see the new(er) hotels and just hang out with Russel and his friends. And it will be super nice to get away from work and home! Am not looking forward to packing. Not at all.

**********

I didn't do up a technique last night...oops! I will have to get something together in my brain for this week, and do up a couple so I don't miss next week too!

**********

Am going to post my classes once I'm done here. Check out: tmclasses.blogspot.com. Some fun ones, I hope...I'll keep my fingers crossed for loads of interest! I have been holding off posting them, because I am never sure of what dates are best, plus I don't have pictures or prices firmed up. But I'll post and see what happens!

**********

i'm trying out some new things for the blog again. I am actually thinking of a name change. I did a little doodle to accompany it, and am now wondering how I can incorporate that into my header and sidebar titles and what not. need to do some more looking into things and then I'll implement some changes fo' real. Shabby Blogs has some new headers that are pretty rad (see above) and as always they are FREE!

**********

Am very bored at work today. not much to do, not that I wanted to do at least! Creperie for dinner with the in-laws tonight. Playschool Open House tomorrow night. Nothing on Thursday...at least not that I know of. Maybe I'll try to make it to the crop on Friday night, if Russel doesn't feel too neglected! Saturday, nothing special going on. Then Sunday we leave.

To do this week: post pictures of latest projects, send prize to Nadine, work on Technique post, eat hummus (it is so good, but SO garlicky!), "tape" SYTYCD Canada, download some rad fonts and make a new header for the blog.

later skater alligator

I am the girl of 100 lists...

2009-08-24T09:57:00.003-06:00

what shall I wear, who I have kissed." -the Go Go's

Things on my mind today:
#1. I totally forgot to do a Techneek post this weekend. Oh my!
#2. I totally forgot to draw a name from the meagre comments I got last week and announce the winner of my unspecified blog prize. (see below)
#3. Lucas got a bunch of plastic crap...I mean toys for his birthday. Now starts the never-ending task of finding them a permanent home in my home.
#4. Am having people over to my house tonight and am only slightly in a panic. Progress!
#5. Am sad that my summer is almost over and all the plans I had kind-of-sort-of made did not happen.

To do list...FALL...
#1. Have a John Hughes movie marathon with some friends. Did you know that he passed away at the beginning of the month?
#2. Go to the DaVinci exhibit at Telus World of Science before it's gone.
#3. As many game nights as possible. It makes Russ sad that he doesn't have his friends come over more, and it makes him happy to play Catan. A happy Russel makes a happy Lisa!!
#4. Eat my weight in homemade Hummus!
#5. Find some fancy striped leggings and wear them with everything!

Webbering today:
#1.Darling Dexter...super cute fashion and photography.
#2. Old Sweet Song...nostalgia and wonderfulness
#3. This lady was pen pals with John Hughes back in the 80s! WOW! This post is a must-read.

Top John Hughes Favourites:
#1. Breakfast Club
#2. Pretty in Pink
#3. Sixteen Candles
#4. Weird Science (the hottie is named Lisa! that never happens!!)
#5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
#6. Planes Trains & Automobiles
#7. Some Kind of Wonderful
#8. National Lampoon's Vacation (the one to Wally World!)
#9. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
#10. Uncle Buck

***got booted from my desk so I'm not getting a chance to really finish this post. so i'll head home and see y'all tomorrow...and I will post the "winner" of my blog contest and maybe some pictures of some of my latest projects***