So much to blog about, so little time!

I have a lot of updating to do from the last couple weeks but I’ll blog later on! I’m heading to church with the kids soon…I just wanted to post about a blog candy I found through a fellow scrapper’s site!

Diana is celebrating her two year “blogiversary” and she’s doing a GREAT giveaway!!  Check it out!

    

There’s a pile o’ unmounted rubber from Hampton Arts, a Tim Holtz pack of Grungeboard, Making Memories metal signs, an SU! set, a PSX heart stamp, 2 wooden boy stickers, a dollar stamp, a pack of vellum friendship quotes, 2 Karen Foster chipboard books and a pack of Karen Foster eyelets…all new.

You can get to her blog through this link HERE. Happy Blog Hopping!

Speaking of blog hops, we’re having a blog hop over at the Scrap That Chat Blog on July 24-26th…come on over to get the links for all the DT members…You will NOT be sorry you did! I’ll be offering a RAK on my blog too! Happy Hopping!

It was a good weekend!

We decided to make it a weekend away up in Barrie this past weekend. We haven’t been out together as a family since Jocelyn was born [which is over a year now] so we thought we’d take a “mini vacation” up in Barrie while Jason played baseball.  He was supposed to play ball all weekend and the kids and I were going to go watch him if it wasn’t raining. Well, we finally got to the hotel sometime after 9pm after some really slow service at East Side Mario’s.  We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express….it’s a great little hotel with a delicious hot breakfast in the mornings. I thought it would be great for Jason before he played ball.

We got unpacked and settled in by 11pm…the kids were still raring to go!

[Trenton at 11pm still WIDE awake!]

[Jocelyn still awake too...enjoying her bottle before bed!]

So, by accident, not realizing it…I booked us a room with two king sized beds with a kitchenette….it was great! If I was single, I’d live there…it was like a little bachelor pad!

[Trenton and me in the kitchenette]

The kids finally fell asleep around midnight Friday night…Jason was out like a light before that! He barely could make it to 11pm…..he had to get up early anyways cuz the Mudcats were playing the 8am game [the kids and I were NOT going to that game! That's for sure!!!]

Well, Jason came back around 10am……and said the whole tournament was cancelled because of the rain…the City of Barrie called it…so Jason got to spend the whole day with us! I wasn’t going to sit at the ball fields if it was pouring rain…or even drizzling….it’s not worth the colds later on….so the kids and I were going to go shopping anyways! So Jason spent the day with us…we went to Bayfield Street where Jason and Trenton went to National Sports while Jocelyn and I went to Once Upon a Child [thank goodness they are right beside each other!] I got a bunch of stuff for the kids there for only $25! I was happy! Trenton even got a NIKE Team Canada Authentic Jersey for $5.50! That was the best buy of the day. Then we went to Lick’s for lunch…..we then headed over to Old Navy and did some damage there! Jason got a new long sleeve shirt, a pair of jeans and a pair of shorts…they had a 50% off sale on all men’s stuff! We got a really cute onesie for Jocelyn and Trenton got a baseball tee shirt and some new swim shorts [to match Daddy's!]. I got two new pairs of much needed shorts for my wardrobe.

Trenton found a new girlfriend at Old Navy…it was SO funny…he went up to these mannequinns and stood beside “Rita” and said it was his “new girlfriend!” I just HAD to have a picture of this….Jason went out to the car to get my camera for me….it was just too precious of a moment to miss!

[Trenton and his new girlfriend "Rita"]

[Daddy and Jocelyn waiting for Mommy to try on her new shorts!]

We then headed to a fellow baseball player’s friend’s place for dinner….after waiting a little longer than we thought we would, the kids had chicken nuggets and french fries for supper and the adults had black angus steak, baked potatoes and caesar salad. It was well worth the wait! We finally got back to the hotel around 10:30pm and the kids didn’t fall asleep till midnight again! I went to the 24 hours Wal mart to grab a few things….and I was up till 2am making father’s day cards!

Sunday morning we woke up and gave Jason his Father’s Day presents! Trenton helped get the stuff out of the bag!

Here’s our #1 Father!

[The tee shirt is from the kids!]

We hope you like your pressies hun!

We decided to go swimming in the morning before we left seeing that we didn’t get to go the day before….This was Jocelyn’s second time swimming..the last time she went was last year [at the same hotel]…let’s just say, she didn’t like it very much [take a look below to judge for yourself!]

Trenton finally warmed up to going out as well. By the time we were ready to leave, he was going in on his own!

After swimming and packing, we hit the road to meet with Mom and Dad and Trevor for lunch. We met at the Elora Gorge Restuarant. Trenton got a hold of my camera. He took the photo of Mom and Dad. [below]

 

We then went over to Conestoga Crest to see Grandpa for dessert for the rest of the afternoon.

All in all, despite the tournament being cancelled, we had a GREAT weekend and a wonderful little family vacation together.

Again, Happy Father’s Day to Jason, Dad, Grandpa and Trevor [almost!].

Blog Goodies Offered Again

I’m posting this again in case you were still interested and just forgot about it….

This is a RAK that I found on my fellow designer, Diane’s blog. The first 5 people to respond to this post will get something made by me! Could be a card, an altered object or something else altogether! Diane created me a beautiful little mini album and a matching card and a goodie box of yummies!! I LOVE it BTW Diane! Thanks!!

Now for the RULES:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make but I hope you will!
2. What I create will be made with you in mind, I will look to your blog to find out more about you! I’ll take hints if you want to leave them. [Like favorite manufacturers, layout sizes, etc.]
3. I will create your item as my schedule allows…in a timely manner but not tomorrow..lol..So only sign up if you are willing to wait a bit. 
4. There is a catch – you must offer this same blog candy on your blog! Let me know you’re in, email me your address to amanda[dot]newtn[at]gmail[dot]com then re-post this on your blog (you can change the wording) and offer something you make – your choice – to the first 5 people who respond to your post. Add my name to the #1 slot on your list – I am your first participant. When you create your giveaway, you will become the first participant on the lists for the people who participate with you. 

MAKE SENSE??!! 

1. Diane Davies
2.
3.
4.
5.

Thanks for playing along! Let’s keep the chain of goodness going!

Jocey’s Walking!!

AAhh! My baby’s walking!!! I was cleaning at Grandpa’s today and Mom called me [the kids stay with Grandpa when I clean! Gotta love free babysitting! THANKS MOM! YOU'RE THE BEST!!] to tell me Jocelyn took a few steps on her own! I got to see it when I got home an hour or so later!! It’s so cool! Soon she’ll be running and I won’t be able to keep up with her and Trenton! LOTS of fun!!!

I’ll post the video Mom took if I remember to get it off her camera!

I HATE MICE!!!

Okay, there has been a mouse in our place for the last week…I think it was Monday or Tuesday night I saw the little “bum” [that's not what I call it when I'm at home but for editting purposes I'll just name him that!!  My mom reads my blog too! **HI MOM!**] for the first time…then Jason was standing in the livingroom on Wednesday night and he could hear a rustling sound in the pantry….the little “bum” ate THROUGH the bag of chips…a brand new bag….[Jason wasn't happy about that!!]

So I bought a couple traps when I was out the other day…..and Jason, my manly, brave hubby….who grabs the hockey stick whenever he sees the mouse…..I’m not sure what he thinks he’s gonna do if he gets close enough….set them for me before he went to baseball for the weekend……but the little “bum” was still around all weekend…..he was in the BATHROOM…….my brave little man, Trenton looked in the bathroom for me while I was standing on a stool to see if the mouse was still there….let me just say, he’s afraid of bees and flies and birds but he was okay about looking for the mouse…..and THEN the little “bum” ran across the floor from the LIVINGROOM…..he’s getting closer to my scrapbook stuff……and then I didn’t see him for AGES till about 10 or 11 last night……he ran behind the stove……..the little “bum” wouldn’t touch ANY of the traps………well, sorry, let me clarify…..he LICKED the darn peanut butter off the trap under the sink….then I was watching “Message in a Bottle” tonight, JUST ABOUT to go into the kitchen to clean up, and the little “bum” runs across the living room floor again this time, behind MY SCRAPBOOK BOXES…..AAAAAHHHHH…..not only has he taken over my life, that I’m at a point I check the floors to see if he’s there…..or I peek around the bathroom door frame to see if he’s in there again…now, he’s into MY STUFF……my biggest fear is that he’s getting closer and closer to the kids’ toy area…and that frightens me….I don’t need one of them getting bitten……I think there’s just one…but Jason seems to think there’s more than that!! I’m stocking up on Lysol spray…..

So, if anyone has a trained mouse-eating cat that you want to lend us for a bit, Jason has said a few times today that we need one [I am not that fond of cats...and I don't want dead mouse carcasses laying around my house!]

 

I swear this is what the little “bum” is doing…..

The little “bum” just ran across the drop ceiling…man you can hear EVERYTHING through those things!!

I might as well have this game set up…..that’s how effective the ones we have up now are!! There’s one in the middle of the floor right now….so hopefully he takes the bait!!! We’re not just feeding this little vermin..okay, NOW I’m going to bed!!!

 

If anyone has any solutions, PLEASE email them to me….. I’m off to bed!! I’ll have to finish watching “Message in a Bottle” another time!

My baby is ONE!

I cannot believe it’s been a whole year! Miss Jocelyn turns one today! I’m excited and sad and happy all in the same emotion! It’s exciting because she’s doing new things….she’s learning new things….I’m sad cuz it means she’s growing up but I’m happy because it’s a new chapter……she’s still my baby…but she’s getting bigger and smarter and is ALMOST walking!! AAHH!! I’m in trouble then!!! I think she gets into my stuff now!!!!!

We had her birthday party with the family on Saturday…Mamere and Papa came down from Parry Sound in their new RV! And Grandma and Papere came over too…..Aunt Janice and Uncle Trevor showed up later [Janice had to work late!]…..but Jocelyn was blessed with beautiful gifts and enjoyed some yummy carrot cake…Jocey loved it!

Tonight we’re going to Sip N Bite for supper with Trenton, Daddy, Jocelyn and me….Sip N Bite was the first place she went after she came home from the hospital! So we thought it would be appropriate to have supper there tonight!

I”m off to play with the kids! Here’s a few pics of my beautiful baby girl!!!

    

Bloggy Awards

I’ve been awarded TWO awards from my new scrappy friend and fellow design team member Jodi…I’m happy I met her…I love her design work…she does some amazing things! You’ll have to go check out her blog…and come see her DT work at Scrap That! You will NOT be disappointed!

    

Here are the rules of the Lemonade Stand award:
Comment on this blog.
Cut and paste the award logo and use it in your own blog.
Nominate 5 to 10 blogs you feel show great attitude and gratitude.
Link to your nominees within your blog post.
Comment on their blogs to let them know they’ve received the award.
Link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation.

And here’s a little about the Friends award:

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.

Deliver this award to five bloggers who must choose 8 more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.

Well I am choosing 7 amazing bloggers, that I love to follow their work! They are fun, talented and caring… so be sure to visit their blogs and leave them some LOVE …..

1. Christine  –> My new scrappy friend through our mutual love of CTMH stamps!!! [And also, my SIL!]
2. Jenn –> My sounding board and confidant! Congrats on the weight loss and and of course, good for you for doing field hockey this year!
3. Melissa –> My fellow crafter and friend!! I miss hanging out after supper with the kids but I’m sure Elmira is still standing without us there!!! ;0)
4.  Wendy –> I miss our MSN talks girly! Hope all is well with you guys!!
5.  Mindy –> I LOVE your honesty! You tell it like it is!
6. Michelle –> I love your work and your photography! Hope the camera strap covers do well!
7.  Mo –> Your sense of adventure and amazing spirit inspire me! And that turkey stew looked AMAZING! I’m sure it tasted amazing too! Great catch!

A few layouts…

I created this layout from Sketch #14 from the Creatively Yours Sketch Blog…I applied for their design team so this was the sketch I did for my application…

Here’s my interpretation…

 

I also applied for the My Little Shoebox design team but I didn’t receive a phone call today so I don’t think I got that one…there were 400 applications anyways so it would be like winning the lottery…but like I always say, I can’t win the lottery if I don’t play it!!!

I have the cutest little kiddos!

I took this photo of the kids yesterday morning…[my] Dad needed a new photo of the kids for his computer [so did I! I was sick of looking at my "mug"!]. I just cut Trenton’s hair the night before so he looks like a little army recruit and Miss Jocelyn was sporting a couple teeny tiny barrettes! She looked so cute in her new dress from Uncle Trevor and Aunt Janice!! My little babies are growing up! I’m excited! Jocelyn’s almost walking…I guess she wanted to be like her brother and wait till her first birthday to start walking on her own! She’s still either bumming it or crawling everywhere….or CLIMBING…she’s our little monkey girl! I’m just happy they get along so well [for the most part!]

Blog Candy Giveaway

This is a RAK that I found on Diane’s blog. The first 5 people to respond to this post will get something made by me! Could be a card, an altered object or something else altogether!

Now for the RULES:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make but I hope you will!
2. What I create will be made with you in mind, I will look to your blog to find out more about you! I’ll take hints if you want to leave them.
3. I will create your item as my schedule allows…in a timely manner but not tomorrow..lol..So only sign up if you are willing to wait a bit. 
4. There is a catch – you must offer this same blog candy on your blog! Let me know you’re in, email me your address to amanda.newtn@gmail.com then re-post this on your blog (you can change the wording) and offer something you make – your choice – to the first 5 people who respond to your post. Add my name to the #1 slot on your list – I am your first participant. When you create your giveaway, you will become the first participant on the lists for the people who participate with you. 

MAKE SENSE??!! 

1. Diane Davies
2.
3.
4.
5.

Thanks for playing along! Let’s keep the chain of goodness going!

BUSY!

That is the word of my life right now!!!! I can’t believe it’s been almost three weeks since I blogged! The kids were sick for a week and a half, I’ve been busily getting ready for the Pajama Crop, and just life in general is busy! Thank goodness I have a dishwasher!!!!!!!

I will blog later and update on my life thus far! Here’s a photo of the bird that was in my parents’ house…he couldn’t fly…we think his mommy shoo’ed him out of the nest!!!!! Chloe’s inspecting him! I LOVE this photo!! I think it will make for a great scrapbook layout!

Sneak Peek for March!

Make sure you check the Let’s Scrap Divas blog on the March 29th to see everyone’s sketch creations!

Check it out now to see what the card design team have created!

BLOG CANDY!

CHECK out this YUMMY blog candy!

I think Wendy and I need to go to the same therapist if she needs paper therapy too! So that’s the local scrapbook store, right?! ;0)

Anyone who knows me, knows this is RIGHT up my alley [eh, Mindy!!]

Anyways, to get your name in the running, just follow her blog and make a post on your blog!

http://papertherapy-wendy.blogspot.com/2009/03/new-blog-candy-give-away.html

Good luck everyone!

My big girl!

My little girl is getting bigger every day!!

She started using a “sippy cup” yesterday!

She actually got the hang of it! I can’t believe my little girl is gonna be 10 months on Thursday!!

Where does the time go??

Scrap That! Chat

Scrap That! has a new blog! You can check it out HERE…we have the Design Team Call posted there and we’ll be updating soon with the latest and greatest news!!! Check it out…Lori and I would love to get your feedback! Don’t forget to follow the blog so you get the updates emailed to you!

GCD Studios

OUR NEW LOOK + GIVE AWAY!

GCD Studios is having a giveaway contest!! Go check ‘em out HERE

You have till tomorrow night to post and they’ll announce the winner on Monday March 16th!!

 Also, they are having a Design Team call too…here are the details!

With excitement we are happy to announce our first and official design team search.

Scrapbooking is all about being creative, capturing memories, and having fun! When it comes to our design team we feel that our members should do just that; “Be Creative, capture memories, and HAVE FUN”!

Here is what we are looking for!

• You’ve got to love the product! This is super important! We have 10 new beautiful lines from this winter’s CHA ‘09.
  
• Bring your personality to the team. We love drama free, fun, and outgoing gals.
  
• Ability to work fast, if needed. Around show times we might need extra work done and working fast is a plus
  
• Assignments need to be turned in on time.

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, then we would love to hear from you.

This is what you’ll need to turn in:

• A short paragraph about yourself explaining why you want to be on the team
  
• 2-3 projects of your best work
  
• Resume
  
• A link to your gallery and blog
  
• List of any teams you are right now
  
• Your contact information

Each month the DT members will be asked to create 4 items from our 10 new collections.

We are looking for 8 girls to shine on our team.

• 4 Scrapbookers
  
• 2 Card Makers
  
• 2 Altered item gals

Please keep in mind that we are reserving 3 spots for new “up & coming” crafters. This means that these spots will be reserved for unpublished gals to be welcomed on our team. We find great joy in finding new talent! So even if you feel that you’re not ready to submit to design team calls, here is your chance! Remember to please keep file size under 400KB in the email and send your application to hsonboul@gcdstudios.com

Open call will close on March 28th (at Midnight) and the 8 new DT members will be announced in a fun new way starting on Monday, April 6th.

Good luck to all that apply!! Let me know if you get on the team!!! Happy Crafting!!!!

Cupcake Take-Along

I have a tutorial for this cute little cupcake take-along posted over on my IN A SCRAP CREATIONS blog!

 

 

The idea was taken from Nichole Heady’s Blog….I created it for our cupcake themed crop over at Let’s Scrap Divas! Join us today for more projects and cool RAKS!

We have a winner!!

Thanks for the wonderful response everyone! I am happy to announce a winner for my anniversary giveaway!

MINDY!!! Watch your mailbox for a little goody from me! [I think I have your mailing addy! I'll email you if I don't! ]

Happy Shopping everyone!

For the rest of you who posted a comment, I’d like to offer you a 10% discount on anything in my etsy store…I’ll even  take it off your entire order if you order more than one item in one transaction! Just make the full payment and then I’ll issue you back a refund of the difference. Thanks for shopping!!

My anniversary

It’s my one year anniversary of my Etsy store today!! I was updating my site today with more product and I noticed it was today!

So, in celebration, I’m going to do a giveaway! Go to my etsy store and find your favorite product…..come back here and post what your favorite item is! I will do a random draw on Sunday [March 8] for one lucky winner ! Thanks for looking!

[A "TWEET" peek - a new card to be posted in my store - coming soon!]

My big news!

Okay, I can spill it! I have some great news! This weekend I got an email from Lori Brown, owner of Scrap That!, an online store that is out in Alberta. She not only asked me to be on her new design team, she wants me to be the coordinator! I’m so excited! It’s a fairly new store so we are going to be building it from the ground up! It’s so exciting.  I was on MSN with her last night for at least an hour chatting and she is so sweet! I can’t wait to get working with her! So watch for updates and I hope you check out her site. She’s slowly getting more product in [oh, and she's a huge Basic Grey fan - I'm sold right there!] so make sure you come back often to see the newest product.  If you’re interested, there is a sale on all the Granola products [her prices are great!!] so check it out!