2+3=5

we wave hello

2012-02-06T13:12:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago Lady Bon-bon gave a funny stunted little wave when Meaghen and I were trying to show her how to say hello. She watched Meaghen carefully and looked at her own hand, watched me carefully and watched her own hand, and then sort of flapped her arm up and down. Very cute. Of course she did it a few times for Meaghen and I but not for my mom.
This past week she's been waving and now has waved at all of her main peeps. It's still a funny, stunted and thoughtful little motion, but definitely an intentional movement. Super cute. And now my mom believes Meaghen and I that Lady B is learning to wave.

hello happiness

2012-02-03T23:25:00.000-05:00

Ruby Sky is such a joy. She is full of happiness and everyone around her can't help but smile. Even when she wakes up in the middle of the night, her huge smile when I pick her up is so contagious, and I can't help but not mind being woken up by such a happy baby. It's easy to pick her up and say, "hello, happiness" because everything about her is just happy and makes us all happy.

I used the back side of K&Co flags to back the hand cut title. The Pink Paisley wee letters are backed on chipboard to give a bit of dimension.

I handwrote and then cut out the word "hello" and then added yarn over top. I freehand cut scalloped clouds from white cardstock and backed the yarn hello with layers of ruffled white crepe paper and vellum.

I cut out on of the clouds of the Jillybean Soup patterned paper and backed the remaining hole with vellum layered over aqua cardstock. I tucked a small tag with the date into the hole.

Here you can see a close up of the light and airy textures of the white yarn hello, the white ruffled crepe paper, and the white pinked vellum. I wanted the layout to feel light and airy.

I created this little cloud emblem by layering a K&Co die cut banner, a 3D Making Memories silver star, and the cloud I cut out of the patterned paper for the background. I glittered the edges of the cut out cloud.

This cute little bird on the cloud was the only one like it on the sheet of paper -- and of course was covered up by the clouds at the bottom of the page. It was so cute and I didn't want to have it lost behind the clouds, so I cut it out and popped it out over another cloud at the top of the page. I glittered up a tiny jewellery tag with aqua glitter and tied it with silver string to add a little sparkle to the top corner.

Supplies: pattern paper (Jillybean, Prima); die cuts (K&Co, Pink Paisley, Making Memories); letter stickers (My Little Shoebox); chipboard frame (Maya Road); photo corners (Heidi Swapp); stick pins (Maya Road); font (Arial Narrow); glitter (Recollections)

rolls and rolls

2012-02-01T00:11:00.000-05:00

Ruby Sky learned to roll over. She was teetering right on the cusp, at that point where it could have gone either way, and my dad (who was down on the floor, cheering her on) gave her a little push in the right direction and that seemed to be all she needed. She then rolled throughout the afternoon and every time I put her in bed, she'd roll right over and smile like mad at me.

A good morning

2012-01-31T11:47:00.000-05:00

Cup of coffee. Chocolate snacks. Layout on the go. Baby napping!

Valentine 2012

2012-01-29T20:58:00.002-05:00

I bought a 7gypsies vintage receipt holder as an impulse at a LSS sale a couple of weeks ago. I liked the idea of having a contained, simple way to display ephemera as a decor piece. Just pull back the springs, pop in the paper, and you're done!

I challenged myself to use as much of a Valentine's Day die cut sheet from My Mind's Eye, and as few other supplies as possible for this Valentine piece.

I glittered a few of the flags on the die cut border, and adhered to some glittered sticks. A double ruffle of silver glittered crepe paper behind the banner adds a little more fullness and interest at the top.

I layered some of the smaller pieces from the die cut sheet to create fan embellishments. I adhered the 14 circle tag to chipboard and glittered the edges with red. I folded a small fan out of crepe paper, and layered all of the pieces onto a light grey lacey-print die cut that I added silver glitter to around the edges. I tucked one of the die cut flags from the My Mind's Eye sheet between the layers. I then adhered the whole embellishment to a metal key tied to a pink shipping tag.

I adhered one of the tiny heart round tags to chipboard and encircled it with pink tinsel ribbon. I added little tiny dots of red glitter around the pattern in the large round die cut and layered the pieces to make a dimensional fan.

I punched out three heart die cuts, and left one plain, added mica flakes to a second one, and red glitter to the smallest heart. I layered two of the hearts and adhered to round tooth picks. Then I tucked the two heart picks and a white feather into a little glassine envelope.

I glittered up the last little red heart left on the sheet and adhered it with a piece of chipboard behind it over the heart on the bingo card to add a little texture and dimension.

After wrapping a plain white tag with red and white baker's twine I tucked one of the wee little die cut strips that said "xoxo" into the string and then just clipped the whole thing to the top of the bingo card. I love layering pieces... it is such a great way to use up those little elements that just get lost otherwise.

I wrapped a red foil chipboard letter O with twine and tied it up with a white jewellery tag with red glitter hearts. Then I added them to a small white envelope and leaned the whole thing up against the front of the mouse trap piece.

first food: a grand hit!

2012-01-25T22:49:00.004-05:00

Please mama, can I have more?

Ruby Sky had her first taste of solid food today. Her first bit of proper feed. It was a huge hit. After the first five or so baby spoonfuls, she was tilting her head back and opening her mouth and swallowing it all, then looking for more. She's a food fan, and no one is surprised.

2012 ATCs: January 13th

2012-01-13T17:20:00.000-05:00

January 13th... the first snowfall of the year!

It has been mild and snow-free winter here for the mostpart, and the first snow of the year was a good amount. I love waking up to everything quiet and white!

For the tag front I used a Martha Stewart white die cut tag, a bird nest image (K&Co) and some white glittery sticks left over from a Christmas craft project. I love the way the mini pom-pom trim looks like a little row of snowballs! I adhered a rhinestone to the centre of a silver glittler snowflake die cut (K&Co) and adhered mica over the edges of the bird nest -- because I love the way birds' nests fill up with snow in the winter.

I got up early and made everyone cinnamon roll pancakes for breakfast, so on the back of the tag I tucked a copy of the recipe into a little glassine envelope. The next time it snowed I made these pancakes again, so we've started calling them Snowy Day Pancakes.

2012 ATCs: January 2nd

2012-01-02T17:14:00.000-05:00

January 2nd is my sister's birthday. She loves pink and glitter, so I tried to make this tag suit her.

I used a ruffled piece of white crepe paper, a little pinched piece of silver tinsel, and a tag I adhered some chunky pink glitter to, to embellish the pink and white birthday candle. We all think it looks like the candle is wearing a tutu! Pink glitter number stickers from Making Memories note her age.

I journalled a bit on sticky notes (Hampton Arts) on the back of the tag. I trimmed a small piece of tissue paper I used to wrap one of her gifts in, pleated it, and adhered under a journalling strip (Authentique die cut) on the back side.

We always have a special dinner and dessert at home made by my mom for our birthdays, and it is always fun reminiscing about who chose what for their birthday meal in future years.

2012 ATCs: January 1st

2012-01-01T17:07:00.000-05:00

I used two tags for my first tags of 2012. The first is a piece of heavy clear plastic I cut from the box our Christmas crackers were packaged in. I sprinkled some fine and chunky silver glitter down the front side and adhered or tied on a few clock faces (two die cuts from K&Co, and one metal one from Paper Studio) and a die cut of clock hands (also K&Co). These things (time and glitter) remind me of New Year's Eve.

On the second tag I used glitter letters from the dollar store for Auld Lang Syne, and then on the back used sticky notes (Hampton Arts) to write about our New Year's Eve here at home with everyone.

the Year 2012: ATC project

2012-01-01T16:56:00.000-05:00

I received a lovely 7gypsies ATC hanger for a Christmas present from Summer Lily, via a very thoughtful gift certificate to a LSS. I've never taken on any sort of daily journal/project life/ATC related project, but I thought this would be a fun and do-able way to make note of memorable days throughout the year in a way we can all enjoy. I love how manageable the size of these little tags are -- so easy to whip one up a day or two after a day to remember!

So far I haven't decided on a cover image for the year. Feels like a big commitment so I'm having a bit of a think about it.

Shown here are the tags I've made so far for January, plus the still-blank cover card.

I love how this lets me add in all the texture and lumpy stuff I want (I DO love lumpy stuff!) and I don't have to give the least bit of thought about how it will hold up in a closed album.

glitter star

2011-12-25T18:17:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas!

our sunny day

2008-07-04T23:36:00.000-04:00

Our sunny day, at Ontario Place last summer. I rolled up pieces of patterned paper and adhered to the layout, rather than using plain old flat pieces. :)

7gypsies patterned paper, Anna Griffin patterned paper, Making Memories patterned paper, Scenic Route patterned paper, Heidi Grace pin, Jenni Bowlin scalloped journalling spot, Making Memories mini alpha stickers, Heidi Swapp photo corners, Heidi Swapp chipboard letters, KI Memories lace cardstock.

A.

in line

2008-07-02T23:32:00.002-04:00

The girls standing in line at Ontario Place. Sewed lots of die cut frames and tags (Prima and Crate Paper) into a page protector. Photographed it on a yellow table cloth, so that's what you see as the background.

A.

Carry Me

2008-06-30T23:25:00.000-04:00

Another layout sewn into a page protector. Paul and Addie Blue on a hike we went on last summer.
Anna Griffin patterned paper. Foofala buttons. Mustard Moon alphabets. Heidi Swapp journalling spot. Heidi Swapp photo corners.

A.

Up, up, up and away

2008-06-28T23:21:00.002-04:00

Last summer at Ontario Place... Paul and the girls, headed up and away, on their favourite ride (of course, all the rides are favourites).
Bazzil cardstock. Liquitex gesso. Winsor & Newton watercolour. KI Memories acrylic letters. Jenni Bowlin tickets. Heidi Swapp journalling page. Making Memories metal tags and rims. Basic Grey rub-ons. Heidi Swapp fuzzy star rub-ons. Winsor & Newton calligraphy ink. Anna Griffin patterned paper.

A.

Purple Onion stamping

2008-06-26T22:32:00.000-04:00

I recently had the pleasure of having lots of fun playing with some fabulous stamps by Purple On#ion Designs. I love these stamps. Love the designs. Love the images. They are so great to work with.

#
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Fell Out. Stamped the background and title block with flowers in pink ink. Title is done with Broken alpha. Stamped scalloped circles and deco labels on cardstock and transparency, and then sprinkled around the page. The background was stamped with paisleys on a transparency and backpainted. Oh, also used some images from the labeller set for little journalling blocks.

All ink by Stewart Superior. Heidi Swapp photo corners. Canson photo corners. American Crafts photo corners. Rhinestones by Westrim. Bazzil diecut scalloped edge. Winsor & Newton watercolour, iridescent medium. Liquitex gesso. Winsor and Newton writing ink.

Mr. B. Stamped background script onto notebook paper for the background. This has got to be one of my all-time favourite, most-used stamps. Title is done in the most fabulous alphabet stamps: Great Circus. Lots of scalloped circles here... and those great labeller set labels tossed in, too.
By the way, this is Blu, or Mr. Boobins, the most wonderful Cornish Rex kitty ever.

Bazzil cardstock. Stewart Superior ink. Winsor and Newton watercolour. American Crafts chipboard photo corners. White tape. Foofala buttons.

Love Notes. A pocket pages to hold our Valentines from this year. Pretty white flowers falling down the transparency, and pink labels to hold a few notes of my own. Broken Alpha letters embellished with glittery dots. Made paper roses by nesting a pile of scalloped journalling spots, trimmed with scalloped edge scissors, and topped with a paisley stamped button and green tissue leaves.

Bazzil cardstock. Stewart Superior inks. Velvet ribbon. Foofala buttons. Stix2Anything glitter.

All the Pretty Little Ponies. Great Circus alpha -- a great alpha. Love these flower stamps, can't stop stamping and layering them. These labels are so versatile. I love the way they can be functional, or just decorative.

Bazzil cardstock. Liquitex gesso. Winsor & Newton watercolour. Stewart Superior inks. Stewart Superior silver leafing. Winsor & Newton iridescent medium. Foofala buttons.

Pretty Little Things. Not sure why there was so much glare from the transparency when I photographed this page. More falling flowers, love them. More labels, love them. I like stamping on a transparency, and layering the images, including stamping second generation images with the residual ink left on the stamp after stamping once with it.

Bazzil cardstock. Stewart Superior inks. Creative Imaginations paper lace. Heidi Swapp photo corners. Liquitex gesso. Winsor & Newton watercolour.

A.

thrifty lace

2008-06-02T11:08:00.002-04:00

Some fun lacy, thrifty finds. A vintage hankerchief with pretty embroidered flowers and lace trim; a wool repair card; off white lace; a pretty piece of handtatted lace; delicate blue and white organza trim; and long lengths of purple lace, white eyelet lace; and off-white lace.

A.

kaleidoscope

2008-06-01T11:01:00.002-04:00

Addie Blue with her kaleidoscope. I loved kaleidoscopes when I was a child... there is something intriguing about the shifting, repeating patterns created by glass and mirrors.
This layout was included in an article I wrote for Somerset Memories (then Legacy) last year or so, about creating a layout inside a page protector. So, the whole layout is transparent, and the yellow background is the tablecloth I photographed the layout on. I tossed some glitter inside the layout, so that is what those little specks are (I can never photograph glitter so it actually looks glittery).

Art Warehouse stamp. Stewart Superior ink. Making Memories letters. Handmade paper from the Paper Place. Heidi Swapp journalling label. American Crafts plastic stars. Westrim rhinestones. DMC embroidery floss. Assorted speciality papers and sequins

A

blue, yellow, brown

2008-05-31T10:57:00.000-04:00

Brown iris with slight green and yellow undertones. Sort of unusual colouring for a flower. Probably would not want a garden full of these, but is nice to have one or two in bloom.

Blue flax. These delicate flowers atop such lacy, delicate foliage and are such an intense blue colour. Very pretty.

Another yellow iris. I don't even particularly care for yellow, not sure how I ended up with so many yellow iris! This one is very bright and also has an orange beard.
Think I need to find more pink iris to counterbalance the yellow! But then, I don't really need an excuse to add pink flowers (or iris!) to my garden....

A.

k-grad

2008-05-30T10:52:00.000-04:00

Now that SL is almost done grade one, and AB is headed to kindergarten next year, it seemed like it was time to move through some of Summer Lily's kindergarten photos! Here she is, in paper mortarboard, on the afternoon of her kindergarten graduation. Each student had a turn at the microphone during the celebration to announce what they wanted to be when they grown up, she chose author at that moment.

Bazzil cardstock. Foofala patterned paper. 7gypsies patterned paper. Maya Road sheer journalling tags. Autumn Leaves plastic letters. Foofala buttons. Heidi Swapp journalling spot. Heidi Swapp photo corners. Making Memories chipboard buttons. Doodlebug paper frill. Vintage ticket. Jenni Bowlin ticket. 7gypsies label

A.

birthday girl, birthday tree

2008-05-29T10:46:00.000-04:00

Last weekend we celebrated Addie Blue's 4th birthday with a small party (Carebear themed, of course) with my parents and sister, and a friend of Addie Blue's from preschool. I think she had a fun day and it was as special and magical as any fourth birthday should be.

One of the few things she asked for was a tree. An artificial tree. With a hard stem (insert knocking noise and hand gestures to indicate knocking on a tall, thin tree trunk) and soft leaves (insert gesture of reaching up and feeling thin, long, soft leaves) and that she could keep beside her bed. Yes, my four year old had some very specific requirements, for her very unusual birthday request.

We found a small tree that seemed to fit her vision (and as it turns out, small artificial trees of such description are actually rather difficult to find -- and then sell out completely in 24 hours at the store you do find them at! who knew artificial trees were such hot sellers?). I strung it up with some pretty little white lights and I think she is happy with it. She has already decorated it with some small ornaments, and I think we will have fun making decorations and garlands for it in the future.

Can't believe my little big girl is four! Time passes in an odd way when you are a mama; it is like I'm trapped in some sort of strange cosmic hole, where time flies by and stagnates all at the same moment.

A.

metamorphosis

2008-05-28T10:42:00.003-04:00

My girls, last summer, at Ontario Place undergoing their annual metamorphosis from beautiful girls to beautiful butterflies.

Bazzil cardstock. Heidi Swapp acrylic butterflies. Stix2Anything glitter. Winsor & Newton watercolour. Tri-Art gesso. Making Memories labels. Heidi Swapp letter stickers. ProvoCraft scallop edge scissors. Making Memories rhinestone brads and small brads. Heidi Swapp photo corners, extra large and regular. Heidi Swapp journalling spot. Basic Grey rub-ons. Speedball pen. Winsor and Newton ink.

A.

this is what she does

2008-05-26T08:48:00.000-04:00

A pocket page to put some of Addie Blue's artwork in. She loves to draw, it is what she does, and almost everything she makes is so precious, I can't bear to part with many of them.

Foofala patterned paper; Making Memories die cut paper; Maya Road sheer album page; Fancy Pants rub-ons; K&Co die cuts.

A.

a one iris day

2008-05-25T08:38:00.001-04:00

Just one new iris open today. A sort of raspberry purple colour, with a nice clear white in the falls.

A.

let's thrift again...

2008-05-24T20:37:00.000-04:00

like we did last weekend.
Was a good weekend. A thrifty weekend!

Found all these wonderful milk glass and hobnail pieces last weekend while thrifting with my mom. A scalloped hobnail bowl; small hobnail cone shaped vase with scalloped vase; medium hobnail cone shaped vase with scalloped top; hobnail candlestick; hobnail vase on stem; large fluted vase with hobnail; button and daisy top hat; and striated urn shaped vase on stem.

A.

joy stepper

2008-05-23T11:41:00.000-04:00

Addie Blue, last summer. My little joy stepper.

Winsor & Newton watercolour on Winsor & Newton watercolur paper. Making Memories letters, velvet ribbon. Heidi Swapp photo corners and rhinestone strips. Labels from somewhere. Die cut strip, by Prima.

A.

here we go, thrifting again

2008-05-22T08:46:00.002-04:00

Some recent local thrifty finds.... a white fluted bowl with embossed harlequin pattern; cute little vase with scalloped top; and a teacup from a Canadian company called Corex, never heard of the company before, but the cup and saucer have nice lines.

A.

flowers, flowers

2008-05-21T08:33:00.000-04:00

Three (different) yellow irises:

Dark purple lilac with white picotee.

Pink forget-me-nots:

Pink lilac.

Short burgandy iris.

Yet another yellow iris.

Purple-blue iris.

Different purple-blue iris.

Purple-blue-but-more-purple-than-blue iris.

Garden.

A.

long weekend, happy return

2008-05-20T08:27:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Monday, was Victoria Day, so we all had the day off from school and work, and so we spent the whole weekend with my parents at their house. We always have so much fun together, I only wish we could spend the weekend more often (though we do go over for the day every Saturday). The only disappointing part of the weekend was the weather -- cold, rainy, windy. Which meant no working in my mom's garden, and no fireworks outside!

On Sunday morning mom and I got up extra early and went to an outdoor antique fair. I love old stuff. :)

And, today is a happy return to the week, since today Addie Blue turns four! Four years seems very long and too short, all at the same time. Today was a preschool morning for Addie Blue, and she was very excited to take kitty cat cupcakes in to share with her friends, and everyone sang her happy birthday and she had a paper crown to wear. On the walk home, many people we passed wished her a happy birthday, and she thought that was pretty special and almost magical. :)

A.

bloomin' right along

2008-05-12T08:55:00.007-04:00

an't believe May is almost halfway over.
Seemed like a long winter, seemed like we had lots of snow and it was never going to be warm again, but still, the garden season seemed to have got off to an early start this year. Can't believe my lilies are already almost knee-high, and my June daisies already have buds on them.

May 11 garden:

Less than impressive from photos but much prettier in person. :)

Now, for the pretty details.
Blue forget-me-nots. Also have them in pink, but no photos yet.

Daffodil. Pretty standard, but still pretty.

Bright pink tulips, leaning to the fuscia side of pink. Need to plant some apricot, pale pink, white and buttery yellow tulips for next year to counterbalance these bright tones.

Double tulip; reminds me, it will be peony time soon!

This is always the first iris of the year to bloom. It is common, but always exciting and appreciated, just because it's the first.

These tulips are huge. I have a big bouquet on my kitchen table right now, very pretty.

Grape hyacinths, would not be spring without them.

Pink bleeding heart. Love these unusual flowers.

Pink ground phlox. Need some more of this in the garden. Spreads but does not transplant well.

Cute little daffodil.

Purple, purple iris. This is quite striking in person, because the purple falls are so rich, they are almost velvety.

A

not-so-thrifty spender

2008-05-09T09:18:00.000-04:00

After our trip to the ROM last Friday, we had a bit of time before we headed back home so we could wait for rush hour to pass, so we stopped in at The Paper Place, as I had never been before. Paul has made the trip a few times to buy paper gifts for me, and I had heard it was wonderful, but I was unprepared for the papery goodness inside!
Wow, so much beautiful paper in one place. Nearly overwhelming.

I put my thriftiness partially to the side, and loaded up on several smaller sized pieces of gorgeous, wonderful, papers full of fancy florals and gilded goodness.

Must remember... bought paper to use it, must not hoard! :)

A.

go girls go

2008-05-05T11:05:00.000-04:00

My girls last summer, on the go, as always.

Winsor & Newton watercolour on Winsor & Newton watercolour paper; pink background has Winsor & Newton iridescent medium mixed in. Black in is Winsor & Newton black permanent calligraphy ink.

Journalling reads:
they run
they jump
they roll
down the
hill,
they fall
and skin
their knees.

A.

boots

2008-05-02T09:51:00.000-04:00

bright boots walk
on grey day; please,
no worms.

A.

annual plant sale

2008-05-01T18:59:00.001-04:00

Ever since Summer Lily was a baby, and Paul was a student gardener at the RBG, we have been going to the annual plant sale at the beginning of May. We didn't think we would be able to make it this year, but Paul was sweet enough to move his schedule around, so we got to go on Thursday morning -- without the girls, since they were both in pre/school for the morning/day. A very different experience going sans kiddos; we actually got to look at the plants and talk about them together, rather than one of us always keeping a kid or two in check.

It was a great morning for a plant sale. Overcast, but not rainy and not too cold. Always set out to these things with the promise not to buy too much, but that resolve goes out the window as soon as I arrive and see rows upon rows of little potted beauties.

So, today we came home with a pink gaura (has little pink flowers that look like butterflies); a pink rose mallow; white trillium; blue lobellia; pink swamp mallow/hardy hibiscus; pink shooting star; white native anemone; pink monk's cap; white monk's cap; red milkweed/butterfly flower; orange swamp milkweed/butterfly flower; bright pink monarda/bee's balm; pale pink bearded iris; white bearded iris; pale pink and purple bearded iris; pale yellow and white bearded iris; and a raspberry and white bearded iris.

A.

flowers grew from the sadness in her heart

2008-04-30T10:48:00.000-04:00

Sewn strips of patterned paper; ink illustration and watercolour on photo; handlettering on mylar with ink and pencil crayon.

Journalling from a previous blog entry.

A.

Saturday morning

2008-04-19T11:59:00.000-04:00

Summer Lily in ballet class last spring -- now that this year's recital is approaching, thought I should get some of last year's photos done!

Love this pretty floral patterned paper from Prima. Overlaid it with a textured paper with freehand cut branches and leaves. Sprinkled some little white Prima paper flowers down the page and stitched into place.
Prima patterned paper; Prima paper flowers; Autumn Leaves journalling stamp; Stewart Superior ink; American Crafts rub-ons; K&Co die cut; Doodlebug paper frill; DMC embroidery floss

A.

lost, layout

2008-04-10T13:35:00.000-04:00

Love these papers and ribbons from Prima, including the die cut strips and photo corners, and have been keeping them for just the right project. Found this photo of Summer Lily and although it is a little dark, I loved it, because it is so her, always sitting, being absorbed, lost, into a book.
Also used, Autumn Leaves journalling spot stamps, Stewart Superior ink, Lil Davis chipboard letters, and vintage book pages.
A.

Easter 2007

2008-04-08T13:28:00.000-04:00

Here are the remaining pages from my Easter 2007 mini album. Used lots of gesso, watercolour, springy cardstock colours, some buttons and fabric scraps.

A.

new rubber

2008-04-05T15:38:00.000-04:00

MMM... I love the smell of brand new rubber arriving at my door first thing in the morning! :) Love these stamps from Purple Onion Designs. Need to get cutting, so I can get stamping! :)

A.

Easter flowers

2008-04-04T09:24:00.000-04:00

As Easter 2008 finished, I decided it was time to make a mini album of Easter 2007. I used lots of tiny paper Prima flowers and layered them along the side of the book.

Still have to find something fun to do with the large embossed flowers I posted about the other day... the flowery wheels are churning...

A.

lost

2008-04-02T07:15:00.000-04:00

word by word,
page by page,
she slips away,
lost,
until the end
when she resurfaces
again.

A.

weekend thrifting

2008-04-01T13:45:00.001-04:00

Went thrift shopping on the weekend and got some good finds.
More white stuff, for my shelf of white stuff.

The squat round one is hobnailed, and I was happy to find it because I passed one up just like it last weekend, and regretted it. At the time I thought it was the same as one I already had, but when I got home I realized that this one is the same style and shape, but smaller.

And then, brown ties.

The top five I bought together, and were obviously all from the same man. I rather like it when I stumble upon a whole collection of items at a thrift store that obviously all belonged to the same person. I have no idea who the gentleman was who wore these ties, but I do know he had good taste in brown ties. :)
The bottom one is a lovely vintage tie I found at another store.

Orange table cloth.

This matches my kitchen colours so absolutely perfectly. So perfectly. Almost, eerily perfectly.
It is too small for my table, and I'm thinking about turning it into valences or cafe curtains for my window. Not sure that is an active commitment though, as this table cloth may end up folded neatly on top of the last orange and yellow floral table cloth with the perfect zesty yellow lime green foliage that I bought with the intention of turning into a window curtain.

Also found several baking dishes -- loaf pans, 9*13 pan, and a 8 inch square pan -- something one can never have enough of. And 10 aluminum bundt shaped mini ramekins. And a whole pile of coloured lace in beautiful springy colours, yet another collection of items that obviously all came from the same woman.

A.

mycraftivity

2008-03-30T16:23:00.001-04:00

The folks at F+W have launched a fantastic new crafting website -- My Craftivity. Lots of great stuff there -- blogs, forums for different media, project galleries and plans. Love it. Love having one place for all of my crafty needs -- quilting, scrapbooking, mixed media, knitting.

A.

white stuff

2008-03-28T09:51:00.004-04:00

We spent Easter weekend with my family, and on Saturday my mom, sister and I all went thrift store shopping together. We couldn't remember the last time just the three of us went out, and it was a fun morning. What could be better than hitting all the thrift stores across the border with Lofthouse cookies and coffee stops between? :)

I started a collection of white glass and china for my living room. Love that I can go shopping for the day and come home with a whole collection.

A.

spring flowers!

2008-03-27T21:23:00.002-04:00

Spring must be here... beautiful (paper!) flowers abound. :)
I love these flowers from Prima. They are so wonderful. Must be a new favourite. The embossed texture and simple flat shape are just so irresistable. I've had them laying sprinkled across a trunk for a few days now... have to find something fun to do with them soon :)

A.

webkinz world

2008-03-27T14:32:00.003-04:00

For Christmas, each of my daughters received a Webkinz. A black cat for Summer Lily and a white doggie for Addie Blue; they were promptly named Black Patch and White Fur. Bet you can't guess which one is which? :)

Foofala patterned paper; MOD die cut paper; Foofala buttons; Foofala twill; Autumn Leaves journalling spot stamp; Stewart Superior ink; Heidi Swapp photo corner; Anna Griff photo corners; SEI tag

A.

interview at lovetoknow

2008-03-12T20:32:00.002-04:00

There is an interview at lovetoknow:scrapbooking about Scraptastic!

Thanks to Dana and lovetoknow - this was fun stuff! :)

Ashley.

fringe, fringe, fold.

2008-03-11T14:41:00.002-04:00

A few layouts I made last week.

Summer Lily and her new (then, in September) fringe.
Made with Autumn Leaves Foofala Savannah papers, MOD epoxy, and Rhonna Farrer chipboard.

And Addie Blue, with her new (then) fringe, which she continually referred to as "these bings".
Made with a motely assortment of Autumn Leaves Foofala paper and tags, Rhonna epoxy, and plastic letter from Autumn Leaves foliage collection.

Finally, a page of my little sock sorter-matcher-and-folder.
Used some Autumn Leaves letter and journalling spot stamps and Rhonna Farrer rub-ons.
Watercolour paint by Winsor & Newton.
Stamping ink from Stewart Superior.

A.

happy day

2008-03-11T11:27:00.003-04:00

It was my birthday last week, and I had a happy day with my family.
My girls made me sweet cards.
And these darling sculptures:
a purple unicorn by Addie Blue (with one "corn" on its head) and a frizard (half frog, half lizard), by Summer Lily.

And then the girls, with a little help from dad, gave me a cute wind-up toy that flaps its wings as it flies along (to add to my wind-up toy collection), and new perfume.

Paul gave me a butterfly collection.

And finally, we had wonderful meringues for dessert.

(And the requisite happy-birthday-to-me order of scrapbooking supplies is on its way!) :)

A.

March layouts for Scrapmagie

2008-03-03T13:20:00.006-05:00

lThe March kit is up at ScrapMagie. I really loved this kit -- it was so packed full of great stuff, and I just kept coming up with layout after layout. Have a few more unfinished ones put to the side -- hope to get some time at my table to finish them soon.

Here are the pages I did with Marina's wonderful kit:

Cat feet: Addie Blue loved this shoes - her furry furry kitty cat feet.

Paul and Summer Lily as we all walked her to her first day of first grade. Lots of paint and floral rub-ons here, and silver leafing at the top.

A Perfect Preschool Day: perfect weather, favourite clothing, what could be better? Used an extra page from a Maya Road sheet flower shaped album for behind the title.

Three mini album: put all my extra photos from Addie Blue's 3rd birthday in this mini album. Love that they are all together and out of the developer's envelop!

Activity: Addie Blue loves doing pages from activity books. Envelope on page holds some pages of her work.

This is what she does: made this pocket page to hold some of Addie Blue's many drawings. She is prolific in her work, and I can't bear to part with many of her cute drawings.

A.

what came in the mail

2008-02-20T21:47:00.002-05:00

Isn't mail day the best day of the week? :)

And what did arrive in the mail at my house... the fabulous March kit from Scrap Magie. Marina asked me to be the guest designer for March. Can't wait to share what I've been working on! ;)

A.

thankful for

2008-02-18T23:35:00.003-05:00

little house,
quiet street

today is the day
I will rise
and wake,
when my feet
will take me from home,

and i will recall thankfully
this place that
I have known:

full of little feet
on dancing toes,

the cat on the table
and the hot cup of tea
steeped and delivered
lovingly,

blankets of wool
patchworked and sewn,
sunny mornings
and blue skies
shining on my
garden grown;

so thankful for
the books I read,
knowledge I need,
for sculptures made
and stories told,

for paintings and drawings
hung on the wall.

thankful for days
when the sun shines bright
and makes our house
seem happy and light;

when we're here
under one roof,
and we're safe
on our peaceful street,
my heart is thankful
to be at home.

A.

lovely, lovely V-day.

2008-02-15T09:52:00.002-05:00

The best part of holidays as an adults, is enjoying them so much more than I ever d id as a kid, seeing how much joy my girls take in these yearly celebrations. My girls simply adore Valentine's day. They think it is the most important holiday of the year, because it's all about love, and the people that you love.

Yesterday they went to bed very happy, both telling me, "mama, I've just been smiling all day long!"
Addie Blue had a party at preschool, and I made pink heart-shaped cupcakes to take in, and let the girls each have one for breakfast dessert (reserved for special holidays and birthdays, only).
.

Addie Blue came home from preschool to look through her Valentines that had been delivered to her paper bag mailbox, and joyfully showed me how she had two lollipops, and two gumdrops, and that meant one for her and one for Lily!
And when Summer Lily came home, they looked at their Valentines together, taking turns showing the other their cards, and each one ooohed and awwwed appropriately over the other's notes. And they were so excited for each other. So loving.

I made watercolour cards for each of the girls, and one for Paul (which I did not photograph yesterday).

Hope you each had a lovely day, too!

Ashley.

journaling challenge blog

2008-02-08T09:37:00.000-05:00

There is a new journaling challenge blog, Journaling Junkie and it looks like a great way to find some inspiration and motivation to journal some new ways -- maybe a new topic, or a tough subject, or an angle you wouldn't have thought up on your own.
Journaling is in my trifecta of scrapbooking importance -- one component of the trinity of memories, photos, and writing. With rare exception, any of the two just do not feel complete without the third. Memories and photos are often a given, and sometimes I come up short on words. However, I always struggle through with finding the right words, because I think journaling is an important foundation to the page: your writing makes your memories available to someone else to be recalled forever.

A.

January thaw

2008-01-07T12:39:00.000-05:00

It's a January thaw! Love this part of winter. :) It's 10 degrees outside, beautiful and spring-like, the door is open and the cats are running around (over Christmas while we were gone they decided to be friends and now they play together. Much nicer than the pouncing Delilah, hiding Murial routine they had going before.) Paul gave me a wonderful macro lens for my camera for Christmas, and today I took it out for the first time. Lots of moss, lichens, winter berries, etc to photograph today. While I'm enjoying the warmer weather for a few days while we have them, I'm eager to photograph some close ups of frosty, snowy, icy things. :)

A.

fresh start to the new year

2008-01-07T12:29:00.000-05:00

The Christmas season just flew by! I love the busyness of the season, the excitement of the preparation, the secret plans and sneakiness that sets the groundwork for giving. We are so busy over December that suddenly the new year just sneaks up! And wow, then here it is. This year we were away travelling for Christmas, right up until the New Year, and then had a few days at home before Paul had to go back to work and the girls back to school and their usual routine of activities. It was so nice to be able to enjoy days at home after enjoying so many days away with family! Truly the best part of the holiday season.

The very first project of the new year was to paint, rearrange, and redecorate the living room. Second project (currently in progress) is to paint the kitchen. If it wasn't so much work, I'd think about doing this every year! What a great way to start a fresh new year. Everything feels so fresh and bright. I love it. And our teeny living room just seems so much bigger now. :) The very last part of the living room waiting to come together is my scrapbooking area; reorganizing it all is always a very frustrating and rewarding process! So much stuff, such little space. Getting it all so it works, and I can work, and it looks decent, is a huge challenge. But fun, too -- so best get back to work. :)

A.

books out!

2008-01-03T12:47:00.000-05:00

hello everyone,

I hope you each have had a lovely holiday with your family, and your New Year has been off to a wonderful start, with much more goodness ahead!

My order of books arrived and those that ordered copies to be shipped, your books are in the mail to you right now! Please drop me a note to let me know they've arrived safely. :)
And a hello to Mickey and Karin! It was so nice to meet both of you. :)

I have extra copies of my book available, so if you are interested, please email me at acalder@cogeco.ca.

A.

pre-order thank you draws and more

2007-12-04T11:11:00.000-05:00

Your books are pre-ordered! Plus, there are a few more on the way if you missed out, and still want your own copy directly from me.

I drew names for the pre-order thank you gift, and the names chosen are:
Juliette for the stamp set
and Karin for the Autumn Leaves pack.

Thank you so much to everyone for all of your support -- having people to share scrapbooking with is the best part about this! :)

And Grammy4-Edmonton from POTP could you please email me at acalder@cogeco.ca so we can see if we can make arrangements for you to pick up a book.

Thanks!
A.

Scraptastic! is in the warehouse!

2007-11-29T07:31:00.000-05:00

The kind folk over at Memory Makers tell me my book is in the warehouse! Scraptastic! is starting to ship out to stores! :)

You can go over to the Memory Makers Books Blog and read a Q&A for some more information about my book, and don't forget to leave a comment here for a chance to win a free copy of Scraptastic! from Memory Makers books.

:)
Enjoy your day!
Ashley.

strange fruit

2007-11-23T11:00:00.000-05:00

When I was a little girl, a tree with these strange green fruits grew outside of my second grade class window. They were about the size of large oranges or grape fruits, and it was a part of the school yard that we weren't allowed to play in, so I never really got to investigate them up close, and they would just lay there on the grass like discarded brains. No one knew what they were called, and in fact, no one really seemed to care. I never saw these strange green fruits (inedible, I assume) growing anywhere else, until I moved to my current neighbourhood a few years ago and someone down the street has this strange green fruit tree in their yard. I still don't know what they are called -- something orange, maybe, if I remember that gardener guy on the radio that day that he mentioned something about them. They have a strange citrus smell that matches their strange green fruit-ness.

A.

the tiniest little bit

2007-11-22T15:47:00.000-05:00

This was a fun day.... home with my little bit, snow falling quietly outside, and I took Paul's camera out to the garden to take a few photos and then made a layout. I never do that. Usually I take photos. Finish a roll of film. Send the film in a couple of weeks later. Get photos back a week later. Scrap a month, or two, or three, or more later. Spend a week on a layout.

I could get used to this instant gratification stuff. :)

A.

pre-order wrap-up!

2007-11-22T14:15:00.000-05:00

There's still time to get your pre-order for my new book, Scraptastic! in, and a chance to enter my thank-you draw to win three sets of Inque Boutique stamps designed by me or an Autumn Leaves pack of MOD paper and a copy of DW Details. Details for ordering can be found a few entries down.
Pre-order ends this Sunday, November 25th so I can get your orders into the warehouse!

Please email me at acalder@cogeco.ca if you have *any* questions! :)

Ashley.

just the tiniest little bit of first snow

2007-11-22T11:57:00.000-05:00

Today the first snow fell, just the tiniest little bit of white dusting the garden, melting on the sidewalk. Still, it feels wintry and peaceful outside; warm and cozy inside. Winter feels official.

Stay cozy!
A.

little stitcheries

2007-11-21T10:42:00.000-05:00

Thinking ahead to Christmas a bit early this year, and made these little stitcheries. Each one is on a piece of felted wool, and mounted on distressed textured cardstock and framed in a wooden frame I painted and shabbied up. The frames are 4.5 inches square and the stitchery inside is just under 3 inches square -- I love working in small sized like this, because they travel well and I can work on them in stolen minutes wherever I am. :)

A.

rocks

2007-11-13T00:26:00.000-05:00

my girls love rocks.
they find them wherever we go,
(a reverent event).
they pick them up
and fill pockets,
or held firmly in little fists,
bring them home
like treasures
to place on windowsills,
offered like gifts.
how they love them.
these little
pebbles, stones,
rocks.
each one a favourite.

A.

local pick up

2007-11-10T19:17:00.000-05:00

Karin asked a good question... if you are local to me and would like to pick up your copy of Scraptastic, we can arrange for that! :) Just let me know in your order that you are local and would like to pick it up, and don't pay for any shipping.

And now, a good question from Kristina (thank you!) -- where *is* local? Dundas, Ontario.

Ashley.

sparks night

2007-11-10T19:00:00.000-05:00

This week Summer Lily had an enrollment ceremony at Sparks. Very cute. Each Spark walked through the rainbow arch and then the older girls read a poem and gave out rhinestones, and the leaders gave out badges, etc to be sewn on their sashes. Addie Blue of course can't wait to join and would have been up there that night, if she could.

A.

grey day, good for books

2007-11-09T13:04:00.000-05:00

Autumn is here in full swing, the trees half bare with their colourful foliage, and the rain has arrived. Chilly days, grey skies, and rain.

Today was the perfect day to curl up with my small, strange cat Murial, a cup of tea and toast with marmalade and look through some old favourite books to gain a little inspiration. I picked up Visual Chronicles by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino, I had forgotten about how much I enjoy this book!

And I'm super excited to see her new book, Journal Revolution:

Visual Chronicles has some great collage techniques that are so easily explained -- photos and step-by-steps makes it super easy to understand -- and some new perspectives on projects for things that I'd normally never approach or try on my own. And how can you not love a book that has great projects, like altered shoes, in it? :) I love the involved simplicity of the journals in this book. I love the idea of keeping journals. I start journals all the time. But rarely, do I ever continue through with those projects -- reading
Visual Chronicles makes me want to tackle a journal project, fresh and ready to actually finish it! :)
(Maybe that would make a good project for our next rainy day?)

A.

Scraptastic! preorder, Scraptastic! stuff!

2007-10-27T12:08:00.000-04:00

I'm going to offer a preorder for my book through my blog.
You can order a book directly from me now by reserving your copy by paying through PayPal. The books should arrive in the F+W warehouse at the end of November, and they will be shipped to me shortly after that. When they arrive I will sign your copy for you if you'd like, and then mail your copy to you.

As a thank you for your support, I will enter each person who preorders a book through my blog in a draw for one of two thank you give-away prizes.
One prize will be all three sets of my stamps produced by Inque Boutique :

The other prize will be one set of MOD Techno Pop papers by Autumn Leaves, and a copy of Designing With Details.

I will enter all names who preorder their book from me into a draw at the end of November and randomly select two names for the thank-you give away prizes. First name selected will win the stamp sets, and second name selected will win the Autumn Leaves paper and book set.

To preorder:
- Send 22.99 for the book plus 7.00 shipping (for US and Canada addresses)
OR: International rates are as follows:
7.50 for surface mail (4-6 weeks delivery time)
14.60 for air mail (6-10 business days).
(all prices in Canadian dollars)
If you have an international address, please let me know which shipping method you would like, and pay accordingly.
Make payment to ashley.calder@gmail.com through PayPal
- Please make sure your current mailing address is listed with your PayPal information so I know where to ship it!
- If you would like your copy signed, or have any other comments, etc, leave a comment in your PayPal payment in the comment section
- No refunds.

I will update my blog when I have firmer details on any arrival dates, and will post here when the books arrive, are shipped out, etc.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, etc.

Thanks!
:)
Ashley.

a Scraptastic! day today

2007-10-26T16:01:00.000-04:00

Today was the day....
grey,
rainy,
as autumn so often is,
sleeping on the couch,
with sick Addie Blue sleeping,
stacked on top of me.
Then.
The dull thud of something heavy
hitting the floor
between the two front doors,
screen door not catching again,
as heavy footsteps walked away.
Drifted back to sleep,
my sick baby snuffling and warm
on my chest,
then woke,
suddenly remembering the
dull thud of mail arriving earlier.

And there it was.
In white envelop,
exactly the size,
shape,
and weight
of a book.
My book!

So.
Totally.
Scraptastic!

:)

I think I'm in love, and I'd say that even if it wasn't my layouts in that book.

They did such an amazing job, those lovely book-makin' folk at F+W, Christine and Kristen, Christine P, Marissa, Aileen, and all of the other people who I didn't meet but had a hand in this project along the way. They all shaped it and moulded it and made it something very beautiful that I could not, would not have achieved on my own.

I loved the little details that are spread throughout the book, the lovely backgrounds and details around the titles that Marissa created, and these wonderful little details on the back cover, which I had not seen until this afternoon, so it was a delightful little surprise and discovery.

And inside... each layout has almost a full page, and then there are full colour step-by-step photos with captions to explain each technique, featuring me creating the projects in the book (so I promise you, they all work!) :)

It is so nice to have a copy here at home.
I hope everyone out there who picks it up will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it. And, I hope you'll have fun falling in love with some of the techniques I've showed you, the same way I love them. :)

I'll be doing a pre-order here on my blog, but need a day or two to gather the details before I'm ready.

:)
A.

three answers

2007-10-23T20:09:00.001-04:00

Paul is reading the three questions to the girls, and before they started Addie Blue wanted to know what the three questions were: who is the most important, when is the most important time, and what is the most important thing to do.
Her three answers: mom and dad are the most important; the best time to do things is first thing in the morning, in a big room; and the most important thing to do is what you are told.

:)
A.

weekend, workshop

2007-10-19T14:13:00.000-04:00

It's Friday afternoon; grey, overcast, wet, windy, and humid, and odd fall combination but not entirely bad. Summer Lily is home sick from school, and it's nice having her home, especially since she's not so sick she's feeling miserable, just sick enough she shouldn't have gone to school today. The girls played dress up all morning, and now are getting ready to scrapbook at the kitchen table.

Tomorrow I'm going to an art workshop with my friend and neighbour, Jean. It's on encaustic techniques, something I've never done before, but am looking forward to learning more about. I've been wanting to explore beeswax for a while now, tso t his will be a good introduction to the medium.
Afterwards, the fam and I will head to my parents' for the evening. It feels like forever since we've seen them, but I think it's really only been two weeks. Funny how that happens.

Oh, there's the rain we've been waiting for today.

About to toss an apple cobbler in the oven, made with the apples Summer Lily brought home from her class trip to the farm this week.

Have a great weekend!

A.

photos from France

2007-10-10T23:29:00.000-04:00

Some photos from our trip to Versailles and Paris. I will admit Paul took most of these with his digital camera, but a few are mine when I borrowed his camera. I won't have my film back for a week or two still, but was excited to come home and look over the hundreds and hundreds of photos Paul took -- he has a great eye, and shoots architecture and landscapes much better than I can. That instant gratification of digital certainly is wonderful.

Leaving Toronto. We arrived at our terminal and sat down at the windows just as the sun started to set. I poked Paul to get his camera and after he had taken a few shots, it seemed like almost half the terminal had come up to join him in taking photos. It was hilarious to see everyone lined up against the widowed wall of the terminal, snapping away. :)

Flew through the night, and was surprised to see how much brighter and bigger the moon was, hanging just above and to the right of the wing. Sunrise above the clouds is beautiful -- pink and day followed, blue.

Landed in Paris and met Stephanie and Celine from the Paper and Co Show, and Anna Aspnes and Mou Saha, who flew in from the US to teach. Stephanie drove Anna, Mou, Paul and I to Versailles, and everyone took photos out the window.

Versailles is such a beautiful little town.

The Palace at Versailles, King Louis the XIV was so amazing. It is hard to believe that people actually lived like this. Such opulence. The whole place is full of gilding, gorgeous paintings, chandeliers and statuary.

Pretty moss and lichen.

Our last night in Versailles, and all the teachers and volunteers/organizers from the show went out for dinner together -- crepes for dinner followed by crepes for dessert!

One of my favourite things we did in Paris -- visited the Notre Dame cathedral and took a tour to the top to see the chimeras. It is such an amazing feat of architecture and art, so wonderful to finally be able to see it in person.

Figures from the weighing of the souls panels at one of the three front entrances, and some short, squat saintly types from the front doors. The amount of detail that went into sculpting the entire front portion of the exterior is breathtaking. I've always been fond of the headless fellow, probably because of the concerned yet calm reassuring pat of his neighbour - as if to say, it's OK.

The view from the top.

Of course, it wouldn't be Paris without the Eiffel Tower. We climbed up over 1700 steps to the second level, all the wile bargaining with myself that if I made it I'd go eat good cheese once I got back down; I did, and I did.

Then we went to see the Arc de Triomph.
And the scary roundabout that goes around about it.

We walked back to our room later that night, and night had fallen, but not on the Eiffel Tower.

Pretty gothic church steeple, and a cute little nursery we walked through.

On our last day we finally got to go to the Louvre. I had so looked forward to this. There was so much there I wanted to see, had waited so long to see. What an overwhelming experience, I mean, everyone tells you that, but to see it all in one place, all that art, all that history, it is almost humbling. I laughed right out loud when I saw this vase from the Roman antiquities collection, because the face on it looks exactly like some of Summer Lily's self portraits. :)

I loved Paris, and Versailles. What a beautiful place. How fun to be swept up by an amazing, busy, beautiful city for a week. The history there is staggering, humbling, it is impossible not to love it and love the city for it and love people for it.

A.

the illustrated seed

2007-10-08T03:16:00.000-04:00

there's a sanctuary
by the riverside,
little seed illuminated
inside,
and there she learned
to love the colour
white;
knew that everything would
always be,
alright.

like the world was new

2007-10-07T13:27:00.001-04:00

loved before the world
was new,
baby, did you know,
did you know it was true,
did you know I loved you
before you were you?
in your origins
the pounding of my heart
sang, love you,
love you,
love you,
and each breath
echoed 52 haikus,
meditations on loving you,
awakening to things that are
good,
joyful too.
loved like the first crocus of spring
loved for the hope that it brings;
loved from the moment two became
one;
it's a powerful love, burns something
fierce,
this maternal, eternal
momentous mirth
stormed my heart,
a reverberation
of adoration
pulses daily,
crescendo of exultant jubilee
builds, washes over me
forcefully;
baby, I loved you like
the world was new,
baby, do you know,
I'll always love you?

for Summer Lily,
xoxo,
mama.

Inque Boutique stamps

2007-10-05T09:06:00.000-04:00

The end of summer sped by in a blur, and with it came the release of three sets of stamps I designed for Sugarloaf, for their Inque Boutique line! So exciting! I have other sets of stamps from Sugarloaf, and I do love using them. They have a unique cling system that makes stamping way easy, and the images are so crisp and clear.

Here are the images of my sets:

This is a large LOVE GROWS set, full of my own hand drawn hearts and flowers, and some cute phrases. See a larger image on the Inque Boutique website, here and purchase it here at Scrapsupply.
Two 4" by 5" sets of stamps.

Next set, MINI BOUQUET MINI SET:

More of my hand drawn fantastical and whimsical flowers, plus some phrases written in my own hand. See it larger here on the Inque Boutique site, and buy it here.
This set is 3.5" by 5"

LOVE GROWS MINI

Hand drawn decorative hearts and journalling block! Perfect for tags, or stamp in permanent ink and then wash them with watercolour. :) See larger images here at Inque Boutique, or buy this set here at Scrapsupply.
This set measures 3.5" by 4".

A.

happy to go, happy to be home

2007-10-05T08:08:00.000-04:00

Yesterday afternoon Paul and I arrived back home after 8 days away. We left last week to go to Versailles, so I could teach at the Paper and Co Show. What a wonderful, amazing experience! It was our first time in France, and the beauty, history, art, and architecture were nearly overwhelming at times.

I taught two classes at the show, one on hand lettering and one on watercolour techniques. The girls were so friendly, and I hope that they had as much fun as I did. :) It certainly was a learning experience for me -- I took my first class the same morning I taught my first class -- but it was so wonderful to see students come to my classes and discover something new, or see a new side of something they already knew. I love watercolour, hand lettering, and scrapbooking so much, it is just so awesome to be able to share it with other women who are just as passionate about it as I.

The show was run by a seemingly tireless team of volunteers headed by Celine Hidalgo, and I have to say, I was impressed by their energy! My helpers Stephanie, Victoria, Lydia, Charlotte, Juliette another Stephanie, another Lidia, made my classes and the weekend run so smoothly and pleasantly. Many thanks to each of you for your efforts, help, and translation! (And I apologize if I have accidentally missed anyone here who I should have mentioned!)

I also had the chance to take a travel mini album class with Margie Romney-Aslett, which was totally fantastic! She is such a great teacher and brings to much energy to her classes, her love for what she does truly shines through. If you ever have a chance to take one of her classes, make sure you do! She is inspiring! :)

A.

mondaymornings

2007-06-25T11:40:00.000-04:00

monday morning,
one's gone to school,
when night still clings
and the house is cool,
before the sun sits high;
she takes my hand,
walk in the yard,
see the flowers,
smell the blooms,
name them too,
bear water to
their roots;
at the table
we sit and
chat,
she's alive!
lively!
joyous, rejoicing,
full of fun;
grows faster than a garden,
she's brighter than the sun,
sweeter than any flower,
like all good things
rolled into one.
so at the kitchen table,
we question
and we laugh,
cups of tea,
ended book,
crayons, paper
she counts,
then recounts
the ABCs;
monday morning
comes and goes,
quiet,
gentle,
peacefully slow.

A.

weekend worked away

2007-06-24T20:15:00.000-04:00

The weekend feels long over now, but somehow still feels here, probably because my house is littered with half-finished projects that just didn't fit into weekend work time, as it slowly, quietly slipped away. It was one of those weekends, hectic and busy and full, with weeds to pull and plants to water and dressers and tables to sand for painting prep; clothes to be sorted, clothes to be folded, clothes to be boxed, clothes to be bought, and there were birthday parties for friends and birthday parties for families, and cool mornings in the yard watching the garden and hot afternoons on the porch with the late breakfast that Paul had made, watching the cat lazily eye a stray leaf, wondering if the play was worth the effort of exerting herself (it wasn't). And all the while the door was open and we came and we went -- yard, sprinkler, kitchen, tea -- and one curled up with a book up under the tree, near the sky, and one danced with her babies dolls and rejoiced in the sun. It was one of those weekends that makes me glad we are here, here; here in this house, here together, here where we wake up together in a house cool, like night remaining; here where our earth bakes hard in the sun, when there was the first red tomato, and raspberries just turning past pink.

A.

bunker beds, and a new room

2007-06-21T10:52:00.000-04:00

The time was long overdue and the pieces finally came together yesterday -- it was time to move the girls into the bigger bedroom so they had more room for toys and playing. My parents came over, they had painted the bunkbeds from my childhood (me on top, my sister on the bottom) and shabbied them up -- they look awesome and I am lucky to have parents who love doing things like this for us.

My dad and I worked all day, moving dressers up and down hallways, up and down stairs. Beds in, beds out, taking things apart and assembling them together. Hauling boxes and boxes and boxes and piles of toys, puzzles, baby dolls and dress-up clothes from one room to another.

Addie Blue was a helpful and happy bug, as she always is. I set up a camp on the couch for her with piles of pillows and a small box of toys and her favourite guys, and she helped, as helpful as she is, chanting "we've got new bunker beds! bunker beds! lily on top and me on bottom, new bunker beds for us!" all throughout the day. She carefully held shiny hardware in her small hand and first held out one fist, saying "nuts" and then the other, saying, "washers", and carefully peeled back a few small fingers to show us without dropping the small pieces all over the floor.

We sat together on the floor, sorting through boxes of toys, putting small things back with other small things, where they belonged. I need to figure out some small space storage and organization, neither of which are my strongsuits, and need to figure out how to incorporate enough bookshelves to fit in the small library of books we have accrued, not one of which any of us are willing to part with. Curtains are coming -- have some embellishing to do, first.

In sorting through those old toys, clothes, things, I realized it was time to part with some -- so packed away went the adorable, cute, wonderful baby toys and clothes from my closet that I can now face truthfully and admit, I'll never fit into those again!

I am looking forward to decorating, though! Have all sorts of fun ideas floating around that I want to try, but will have to wait to see how the wall space plays out before I can set to work.

A.

Guest Designing at ScrapSupply

2007-06-19T13:00:00.000-04:00

This month I had the pleasure of working alongside Wendy's fabulous team at ScrapSupply as a Guest Designer. I always love the opportunity to guest design, because not only is it an honour and surprise to be invited, but working with a new team always gives me new sources of inspiration and stretches my creativity to work with a new group. This month I worked with Linda Harrison to contribute some pieces to her article on shape. I love the way her article takes such a basic concept -- shape! shape is everything, everywhere! -- and turned it into a piece full of inspiration and new ideas. I loved Kim's playful weaving of circles across her page and Linda's repetition of paisley from the patterned paper she used to the chipboard embellishments.

Be sure to check out the great ScrapSupply Newsletter for June.. lots of inspiring ideas and great articles.

Ashley.

Amazon is Scraptastic! (or: Yay! My book is up!)

2007-06-15T11:08:00.000-04:00

I am so excited and just have to share... my book Scraptastic! is up on Amazon.com now! Click here to see Scraptastic! on Amazon

It is so funny.... one day you get this email, about writing a book -- and it seems so surreal and strange and like it can't possibly be true. But it is, and the work starts, and it still seems surreal and strange, but wow! you're working on a book and it doesn't seem like it should be true, but it is! There are phone calls and emails to the editor, lists of techniques, chapter ideas tossed around -- and really, it does all seem very dreamlike and strange. And so this continues through the entire process... talk to the graphic designer, hand letter the title, see mock-ups, and it feels a little more real, but still... strange. Before long the layouts and projects are piling up... 10, 12, and some of them you hold onto because you're uncertain, not sure, and then, there! that missing piece is found, and they pile up 10 or 15 at a time; 35, 47, almost done, 66! Even so, even with 66 projects with 50 techniques, telling 50 stories, it still feels odd, like you have to hold it at a distance to really get a good look at it all but then you can't make out the details any more. But, you don't want to lose sight of the details, so it is kept close, studied, always with the questions lingering: for real, really? and, is this me?
And then, one day, you get another email, and this time it is because the book cover is listed on Amazon. There it is. And it is still just exciting as that first day, but suddenly it seems very, very real. :)

I just have to say... I love what Marissa, the uber talented graphic designer, did with the cover! I had no idea what to expect... but she is amazing and I couldn't be happier with it. Thank you, Marissa!

Shortly I will have a preorder button here in my blog so you can order it from Amazon through my blog. I have had lots of inquiries about arranging for signed copies -- if you are interested in this, check back here for details later, or email me (acalder@cogeco.ca) to make arrangements.

Enjoy your day!
Do something Scraptastic! :D
Ashley.

we're the giant sisters of love..

2007-06-14T15:50:00.000-04:00

my girls sing, dancing hand and hand,
cheesey smiles widening their faces,
oh yes,
we're the giant sisters of love,
sisters of love,
sisters of love,
we're the giant sisters of love
because we grew big,
raised by love.

A.

a look inside

2007-05-11T10:12:00.000-04:00

I know I've mentioned it several times now, but I have truly enjoyed the little peek inside the world of craft book publishing I've had a tiny glimpse of as I've been working on my book. Seeing the process of how a book is made has been very eye-opening for me... everything from knowing it what it takes just to get a book idea accepted, to all of the many teams of people working diligently to make sure each book will be a success -- editors, photographers, graphic designers, stylists, copy editors, an entire sales team, publicists -- wow! What a lot of work, thought and planning goes into each book. And I'm sure my tiny little peek into the world behind the book just barely scrapes the surface! Now when I look at my shelves of books here at home, I have an entirely new appreciation for the work that went into creating each one, knowing it was a collaboration of many teams of passionate people working in concert.

And, on a personal note I feel very fortunate that I've been able to have a chance to meet some of these people! Not only in person during the week I was in the F+W offices in Cincinnati, but also since coming home as I've conversed with them through email. I was very happy to learn that the folks at Memory Makers Books have started a blog: Memory Makers Books Blog, as reading entries from my editor, Christine (Executive Editor of Memory Makers Books) and the other folks from MM Books has allowed me to continue to have that little peek into the world at MM -- and I get to hear them talk about new books that are coming out! :)

Enjoy your day! (do something Scraptastic!, K?) :)
A.

last box

2007-05-11T00:55:00.000-04:00

My last box of layouts for my book went out yesterday, and arrived in the F+W offices in Cincinnati this morning. How strange to have them all out of the house now, to have them sent away. The very cool thing about the process of writing a book like this is the insights I have been afforded into each step. I love knowing that my layouts will be opened by Eileen, who takes good care of them and logs them into the offices, and she has been totally sweet about emailing me to let me know that my projects have arrived and all is OK!

I understand from my editor, Christine, that they have been doing the flat shoot this week (high key shots of the layout from directly above, this is how you usually see layouts photographed in magazines), and the beauty shots are coming at the beginning of next week (so the shots with interesting props in the background -- I always like these the best as I find they show the texture of layouts a bit better). The super talented graphic designer who is working on my book, Marissa, asked me to email her some shots of my workspace so they could go prop-shopping to find some items to use in the photo shoots that will reflect my style. She has such a fantastic eye, I just can't wait to see what her and her stylist have come up with!

Now that all of the artwork is done, I need to finish writing the text portion of the book.... make sure the supply lists are correct, make sure the step by step captions for each of the 50 techniques fit the photos we shot in February... oh, and my headshot is ready (which I might have found to be the most difficult part of the process! Fortunately I found a wonderful photographer, JP Danko, here in Hamilton who did my headshots for me and made the entire process very pleasant and painless! He even managed to coax a few real smiles out! If you are in the Hamilton area and need a photographer for shooting a family event or portraits, I really recommend JP -- link to his website is on the right). It is hard to believe this process is nearly done! It is almost time to turn the whole package over to Marissa who will work her fabulous designer magic on it, and then copy editing... and then the long wait until it is finally in print in November!

It's late. Time for bed. I have an exciting date in a kindergarten classroom for singing, poetry, lemonade and cookies -- for a Mother's Day lemonade party in Summer Lily's classroom. :)

A.

Now that I have time to think....

2007-05-10T23:59:00.000-04:00

I need to catch up on some Thinking Blogger Awards!
I am flattered to say that both Kari and Marilyn recently awarded me a Thinking Blogger Award, which is a totally awesome compliment because I am a big fan of both of their work. Kari has this fantastic vintage look and loves playing with surface. I have admired Marilyn's work for quite some time -- her balance of vintage and messy, clean and bold intrigues and inspires me.

Now it is my turn to hand our some awards. My Thinking Blogger Awards go to:
1. Steph McAtee. Her work is truly inspiring. I often find myself squinting up close to my monitor, trying to study every last line and beautiful little bit of texture in her work. Love her messy, inky writing. Love what she does with paint. She does some amazing things with surface!

2. Celine at the Green Frog Studio: What amazing, bold, bright, inspiring colour Celine uses! I love her fun and free, whimsical style. Her pieces always bring a smile to my face. AND -- how fun is this -- I'll get to spend a day in Paris with Celine this October when I'm in Versailles teaching at the Paper and Co Show! I am one lucky girl to have a super talented friend to tour around Paris for the day with. :)

3. Ashley Wren: This girl just makes me smile. Her pages are fun, and unexpected and bright, and so rainbowtic (I get this word stuck in my head sometimes). She loves her family like crazy, and that love just shines right through everything she does. Plus, I totally love her handwriting.

4. Garden of Pink Shadows: I love all of the fabric she uses! Her vintage-inspired colourways always make me feel like I've come home, so cozy and comforting. I love that contrast of clean lines and good design paired with the vintagey look she does so well.

5. Jane Wynn's Studio: Metal boxes, rusty stuff, dolls, and merged bunny drawings. She makes me want to be something that I'm not.

OK.
Now for 7 random facts about me.
1. After my entire life if biting my nails, last fall I started growing them and am now dedicated to keeping my nails neat, pretty and polished -- fingers and toes! I own 13 different shades of pink nail polish. Which is very strange because I'm not the pretty-girl, girl-y type.
2. I have never worn high heels. I recently learned this is odd.
3. I love tea, drink it all day.
4. I finally -- just recently -- finally! figured out what I want to do with my life. It is a good feeling, but I'm anxious waiting for the time I can finally dedicate myself to the work I want to do and wondering why I didn't see this before now. :)
5. I don't like it when my children touch my neck (though I happily welcome all other forms of hugs and cuddles!)
6. My favourite colour is pink, but I look terrible in it and after many unfortunate wardrobe purchases, now must force myself to reach past the pink and head for the blues; my mom always told me blue was "my colour" anyway.
7. I am very shy and often when I go out in public speak as though I am incapable of forming a grammatically correct sentence.

A.

entangled

2007-05-08T03:01:00.000-04:00

tangled together before we met
paths aligned out of sight,
lives intersected that
first year, at 306
and 305,
and we became
unfrayed around the edges,
solid in the knots we tied,
we wove ourselves together,
bit by bit,
found the places where
we overlapped,
and the fibers of our being
felted together,
warm and strong.
and every day we tangled
together just a little bit
more, and I was tangled
up in you,
and you were tangled
up in me,
and we're tangled up together
enmeshed lovingly.
made our web,
pile of strings,
piece of you in
every bit of me,
can't tell the beginnings
from the end,
sometimes not sure
where you start
and I end.

a good witch

2007-05-06T01:10:00.000-04:00

sparkle stars, twinkle eye,
pumpkins smile when she walks by,
cape floats, leaves rustle
ghostie drifts by in a bustle,
spider on brim of hat,
charms moth, talks to cat,
spooky porch, eerie street,
hand and hand we trick-or-treat;
brightens night dark as pitch,
Summer Lily is a good witch!

paper hats and party dresses

2007-05-05T15:49:00.000-04:00

it was her 7th birthday
and all the girls came,
and they ate birthday cake
and played party games;
pink plastic baskets,
pink paper frills,
pink candy favours,
played pin-the-tail;
her best friend came,
her best friend was there,
signed her card
to Carol A.L.
from Donna M.C.
46 years pass,
seems too quickly,
now,
no more party dresses,
no more party hats,
she has the card
in the jam cupboard,
still good friends
after all these years.

the bike

2007-05-03T01:43:00.000-04:00

couldn't reach the pedals,
couldn't make it go,
loved dad's old bike
loved to climb on up,
just sat in the seat,
would sit there all day,
riding, coasting, zooming,
flying far away.

ralphie and the mouse

2007-05-03T01:42:00.000-04:00

it was a long time coming,
a long time waiting,
waited his whole long life,
ralphie finally
had his moment,
a quarrel, a struggle,
a final hurrah,
his legendary strife;
the yard was golden
in the last light of the day,
he stepped out of his twilight home,
bravely into the coming night
stalwart old bag of bones,
and i imagine
he was strong
and he was proud,
stalked the garden
mercilessly,
tracked that mouse
across the yard,
and he fought clean
and he fought hard;
and into the night there rose a cry,
cry of the old boy
returned from battle,
that cry shook our bones, made windows rattle,
piercing into the fallen night,
calling to the exultant sight,
ralphie stood fluffy triumphant
in the end,
stood straight and tall on the walk that night
with sly blink-blink to greet,
defeated mouse lay at his feet.
crowning glory on
his c. vitae,
memorialised in his last two days,
18 years and proud hero,
remembered for always,
for all to know.

winter wool

2007-05-01T20:55:00.000-04:00

she played in the front yard with Aunt Janet, Petie and the Hoffman sisters from East Germany, now from the other half of grandma's house, on millen road before the lilacs grew down the side and the big tree in the yard was not so large, back when they had piles of snow, when winter was real, and they wore wool hats and wool coats and wool mittens, caked in snow, melted, and they would smell like wet dogs. my mom always said that the boots weren't warm.

shine

2007-04-26T16:42:00.000-04:00

she wears her day
like a halo
around her,
around her
things are bright
and they start to glow,
grow real bright,
hot like white
she's phosphorescent,
incandescent,
and everything about her is
just so light,
she's so light,
she's light-hearted
and in her light steps
dancing through her day
lights my day;
she wears her heart,
splendid nimbus,
luminescent,
iridescent,
for all to see,
oh how it shines,
blazing gently.

April Scrapologie

2007-04-24T10:34:00.000-04:00

Once again, loved, loved, loved the April kit, Cherry Blossom Spring from Scrapologie. I am always so inspired by Ranjini's great combinations of colours, patterns, textures.

See the US designers' projects here and the international girls' projects here.

I used a variety of envelopes from the kit/supplements and bound them together using pencil crayons, ribbon, and kitchen string (I do love kitchen string) to make a mini album to hold Addie Blue's drawings. That girl loves to draw, and I love those precious little figures she makes. Here is a view of the pencil crayon binding.

Here is a view of the album.. you can see the envelopes, cards, tags, etc that make up the album are different sizes and shapes. Love that green kitty on the cover!

Photos of Addie Blue in her fort. :) Journalling is from the "fort" entry, posted below. I washed green cardstock from the kit with gesso and messy watercolour, stamped the title with a Heidi Swapp "today" stamp, and drew in some details with crayons. I pieced together a housey-fort with papers from the kit and topped the roof with a rhinestone crown from the kit, by Heidi Swapp. The airplane and car were both chipboard items from the kit, and were coloured in with crayons.

A detail of the title and chipboard airplane.

Our cat Delilah likes to climb up the girls' wooden play structure and sit up there as if she was queen of the castle. I used a Heidi Swapp mask of a branch and bird, and layered messy gesso and watercolour over top and filled in the masked area with crayons once the paint was dry. I stitched some plastic fruit charms onto the tree and in the bird's mouth.

Detail of the bird with crow and cherries.

Ashley.

fort

2007-04-23T14:41:00.000-04:00

under awning
she camped all day,
little fortress
in which to play,
babies,
blankets,
books
and make-shift
bed,
adventures played
in her head;
castle for a princess
sweet,
stronghold to protect
from monsters
she'd meet;
quiet safehold
where she'd stay,
quiet hours
slip away.

lake

2007-04-21T17:46:00.000-04:00

she'd float all day
and float all night
she'd float away
into that blue lake.

thought she'd float
clear across the sea,
waves and fishies
in her wake,
under hot sun and
prone to buoyancy,
she'd float
out to where it's
salty,
round the world
on the cusp of the tide,
floating, floating,
floating once more,
and she'd float back
to the lake shore.

My mom does not swim. She floats.
When I was a child my sister and I were certain we could float across the Atlantic, using mom as a raft. We thought a vacation in Europe would have been feasible. However, we knew my dad would not be able to accompany us as he sinks like a brick.

A.

on a Saturday

2007-04-21T15:21:00.000-04:00

awoke to the sun, the real sun, not that pale wintry light, but the real kind that burns yellow and bright, baking the bed, and we awoke in our arms, content in the warmth. coffee on the porch and rolled up pantlegs and set to work in the garden that has been creaking and creeping and rustling to life nights this week, and we threw up the sashes and opened the house to spring, and they left to search for deer antlers and birds in the woods while the cat played queen of the castle.

A.

Friday Friday

2007-04-20T22:59:00.000-04:00

Today it really felt like spring outside and the girls played outside and I went outside and dug my fingers into the soft spring earth to pull up errant grass and the orange cat went outside and climbed to the top of the fort and watched the birds with great intensity.

I put the potatoes in the oven and then we walked to the mailbox and actually the girls ran the entire way, and they stop at driveways and corners well I call "stop!" and wait patiently for me to come up behind them. We carefully peer into the mailbox and place our white envelopes inside and hear them drop into the ravenous bottom and then they call "goodbye, have a good trip" and it is like they really think that mail is already on it's journey. I guess it is. She does her bird calls and she skips ahead merrily and she tears off in a lopsided gallop that I don't fully understand the mechanics of, wiggles and trots at the same time, and she cries "hey, I look like a cowboy" even though when we left home she pouted that she didn't look like a princess ballerina any more.

Tonight it is Friday night and I'm working on the wonderful newApril kit from Scrapologie with a stack of new black and white photos, all ballerinas and forts in the living room and moments at the table and snow that was melted long ago. He is baking banana cake and leaves a cup of coffee by my side and I think it is days like today that I like the best, days like today that make it all seem OK.

A.

hurray hurray

2007-04-18T01:26:00.000-04:00

she was two,
hurray hurray
put on her shoes,
hurray hurray
dressed like a big girl,
hurray hurray
we had a cake,
hurray hurray
blew out the candles,
hurray hurray
clapped in glee,
hurray hurray
her sister cheered,
hurray hurray
she's a big girl!
hurray hurray
happy potty party day,
hurray hurray

Addie Blue, June 2006.

house on millen rd

2007-04-17T18:11:00.000-04:00

at the end of a gravel driveway
where the wisteria grew
was a yellow house
with fruit trees in the yard,
cats on the porch,
dog at the door;
where we dug in the clay
red and hard.
snails under leaves
raspberry canes above head,
kittens, aprons, apple tree,
baking cookies and
donuts on a
saturday. sunday
dinner at the table with the family;
lilacs, daffodils, rhubarb pie,
this was a place that
I loved well.

The house on millen rd was my grandmother's house where I spent many weekends as a child. She had a great backyard for adventures and never tired of the many projects my sister and I would come up with... we did a lot of baking in that kitchen, quilting, sewing, talked about cats and plants.
A.