Seriously...is it ME????

So....in the big kerfluffle to get the girls ready for school, Cate was adamant that she NEEDED a new phone...and so the hunt began...OY!!
All summer long she wanted a blackberry...needs a blackberry...gotta have a blackberry...

After 3 minutes at the first cell phone place, the guy had her talked into an android phone...go figure!! LOL!!
Well...after a couple of veeeery looooong days (who knew there were so many phone places at the mall!!) she finally decided on a ridiculously expensive Samsung Galaxy something or other and she absolutely loves it!!! Thank goodness!!

As we were walking around, I kept pulling out my "relic" of a phone, as my sweet uncle calls it, out of my pocket...and I admit...the thought of a new phone was sounding pretty good to me...but there was nothing wrong with it so no sense in spending money when I didn't have to...
My phone is pretty old in cell phone years...
but I am comfortable with it...
actually Cate says I text more than she does and I think she could be right...

and then came a sign...

My touch screen totally crapped out!!
This was my chance to get something pretty and sexy!!!
I picked out an android phone (ok...I'm not gonna lie...I was playing with one and the feature that totally sold me was a flashlight app that I was giddy over...don't ask me why!! LOL!!) I had it all charged and set up by the guys that know what they are doing, my plan upgraded, a cute case all picked out and installed...
I'm good to go home and start playing with my new toy...

and then it died and I now can't even get it to turn on at all...like AT ALL!!! Nothing!!

I think I'm beginning to get a bit of a complex...
technology just isn't that into me!! LOL!!
I have no idea what I've done or if it's me at all...
but I am learning that I wildly addicted to my phone...
it's my connection to my kids, my family and friends, my customers and that handy alarm clock makes sure I don't lose track of time like I tend to do when I'm playing or chatting!! LOL!!

The silver lining....
I'm going home to play with some rubber and ink!!
At least that never lets me down!! LOL!!
But the point of this very loooong story is to let you know that if you are trying to reach me by my cell...I am temporarily (I hope) unavailable until the geek squad can bail me out!! My apologies!!

Talk, text or email with y'all soon!! ....I hope!!
Create a beautiful day!!
WAHHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Another AWESOME night!!

I am soo lucky!!
I was able to spend another evening with ladies I love, sharing some laughs, some creativity and my addiction for dies!! LOL!!
We have decided to start a support group and name it the Big Shot Club!! More details coming soon!!
I have so many ideas of classes and projects I want to tackle in the next little while that I'm gonna keep it short here today (Yep!! I NEED TO FEED MY ADDICTION!!)
It's play day in the studio!!
WAHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

What are you thinking about creating?
Do you have some projects on the go?
Do you create your gifts for Christmas?
Is there a class you would like to see?
A technique you would like to learn?
Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts...I'd love to hear from you!!!

Before I go, I thought I'd share a few of my favourite photos of myself and one of my favourite assistants...Isabella my sweet neice!! We did a family photo shoot in the backyard last weekend and she had a blast being the papparazzi!! She got some great shots too!!

Create a BEAUTIFUL day!!

WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

A Thank you and a few more classes...

Ever notice how your bed can be the most uncomfortable place to rest...
until your alarm goes???!!
Then it's SOOOOOOO comfy and no way you can get up!!
That was me this morning...
Poor Cate was all up and ready for cross country practice but it took every ounce of my willpower to get moving this morning!! (And even then I did crawl back under the covers for "10 more minutes" before getting up to get Maegs on her way...shhhhhh!! Don't tell!!Wink!!)

Last night I had the pleasure of hosting a great group of ladies in the studio!!
We shared some stamping tips, some sorrows and some laughs...
there is just something very special about this group...
they always bring a smile to my heart!! I just love them...
They are a very inspirational bunch and are indirectly responsible for my lack of sleep...
not that they kept me up but rather that I was so pumped and full of ideas after they left I just couldn't shut my brain down enough to fall asleep!!!

This morning I am trying to take care of my chores so I can get down into the studio and put some of those ideas into action...but for the moment I thought I would share some more of this month's upcoming classes...
There are LOTS more coming for October so please bear with me and keep checking back...but until then...here goes!!

Join me in creating some special cards to celebrate the season...FALL!! Can you believe it?
Tuesday September 25
7-9pm
Cost $8
Space is limited so call or email me today to reserve your spot!!
519-502-3874
morefunoutsidethelines@hotmail.com

Ready to get INKY???
Then this is the class for you!! We have an AWESOME guest teacher in the studio!!
Join Judith as she teaches you how to create your very own embossing plates as well as some very ink savvy techniques!!
Wednesday September 26
7-9pm
Cost $8
Sign up today!!

And check out this show stopper!! If you have seen the new SU! Holiday mini then you have probably been drooling over this one!!
Join me in creating this gorgeous 3D work of art! Perfect to hang from your tree or to give as a gift!
Order the ornament stamp and die bundle by September 17th and you can join me for FREE!!
Thursday Septemeber 27th
7-9pm
Cost (if you don't order bundle) $20
RSVP today!!


Now get out there and create a beautiful day!!
WAHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

A small favour please...

I hate to make sympathy cards...
not that I don't like to extend my condolences or be unsupportive...
It's just they are always made for events that make people I care about sad...
and I get overwhelmed by emotion...

That being said...
I am having the worse time creating a special enough card for a few very special people in my life...
My Uncle Jack passed away last week and although I didn't get to see him very often I still can't imagine our family get togethers without him...he had a way of just looking at me and raising an eyebrow or a tilt of his head that let me know I wasn't thinking things all the way through and probably wasn't making the best choice but that he respected my choice...and he did it without judgement or being condesending...he also had a wicked sense of humour and always had some funny story to share. He was extremely well read and I just loved being in his company. He was also married to my Godmother...an amazing woman who has so many admirable qualities but her open heart and incredible strength top that very long list!! I have so many things I want to say but they all seem so trivial in light of recent events...
so I'm trying to say it with my paper art...a card...from my heart...and I'm struggling...

And then earlier this week my Aunt Carol also passed.
To say that I am not appreciating this opportunity to get better at creating sympathy cards is an understatement!! She was a incredible woman with a quiet strength and a quick smile and hug. To lose her to cancer is just wrong! Her funeral was extremely emotional and touching...more of a celebration of her life which she would have loved but I am still struggling to create an appropriate enough card to share.

And since these things seem to come in threes...

A very good friend of mine received some less than great news and although I know in my heart that things are going to work out for her...she's young and strong with a family that needs her and she is a fighter...(I wouldn't want to mess with her!! LOL!!) I am again struggling to create something appropriate to let her know I am in her corner and pulling for her with all my might. I am just so heartbroken that her and her family have to go through this...and I desperately don't want to lose my friend!!!

I wouldn't normally ask but...I am...

If you are the kind of person who prays, please include the families left behind in your prayers as well as my friend and her family. I know you may not know them but they are so important to the people in their lives and they are struggling to deal with their losses and to find the courage to deal with the future. Please ask for brighter days ahead for them. Thank you

Now I'm off to create some art from my heart
I hope you do too!

It's Friday, Friday...

Oh Great!! Do you have that annoying song stuck in your head too???
Ahhh well...It's worth it cuz...IT'S FRIDAY....FRIDAY....lol!!

I was speaking with my good friend Joy yesterday and totally teasing her about the super awesome make and take I am doing tonight at our team meeting...I LOVE team meeting!!

Once a month we go to my SU! upline's Denise Donald and share with the other members of our team.
We share success stories, brainstorm for ideas on ways to grow our businesses, problem solve for situations one or more of us may be experiencing...and most importantly...WE CREATE!!

I love being a part of a team...
even though we are each independant consultants if feels good to have friends that really understand your experiences because we have all had very similar ones...it's a real sense of community.
Just another AWESOME benefit of being a Stampin Up! Demonstrator!! WAHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
I do have a team of my own but I am so new to all of this that Denise very generously opens her home to all of us. However I do like to be a part of the action so I volunteered to share the make and take...(it's all part of my master plan to become a better teacher...muhahhaahaaaa!!)
I did not come up with this idea but rather it is my version of the stunning one that we saw at our regional convention. Shelli Gardner demo'd this to all of us ladies and gents leaving us with mouths agape...so delish!!
I really was thinking that I did not "NEED" this stamp set when I saw it in the Holiday mini...however...
Yep!! You know how this story ends...I LOVE IT!!!
I have already used it six ways from Sunday if you are a scrapbooker this is totally the set you need!!
I am gaa-gaa...
It is Affection Collection on page 35 of the 2012 Holiday Catalogue...
sorry I tried to get a pic uploaded her but I just couldn't figure out how to get it...
aaarrrgggg...technical difficulties...again!!
But it is alot of bang for $26.95!!
This was my first attempt...I did make a couple of others that I will share later...

What do you think?
I will be offering this as our make and take for anyone thinking of hosting a workshop in October!
Invite your friends over for a fun and inky filled evening!!
Get a head start on those Christmas gifts today!!
And earn some free loot to boot!!
Call or email me today to choose a date!!
519-502-3874
morefunoutsidethelines@blogspot.com

Create a beautiful day!!
WAHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Happy Almost Friday!! And a card class...

I can't believe how quickly this month is flying by...
It's already feeling like I'm running out of time...OY!!
Do you ever get that feeling??

I will quickly post about a couple of classes that are coming up next week...

Check out this elegant set of Christmas cards we'll be creating in the studio this week...
Monday's class is already sold out but I still have a couple of spots available for Tuesday's class...
Love this colour combination...

Tuesday September 11 7-9pm
Cost $10

Call or email me today to reserve your spot!!
morefunoutsidethelines@hotmail.com
or 519-502-3874
This is one you don't want to miss!!

It's a beautiful day out there so maybe sit outside and do some creating...that's what I'm off to do!!
Create a beautiful day!!
WAHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Happy Birthday to yoooooou!!!

What a busy week this is for us!!
Our anniversary, back to school for the girls and today is my hubby's birthday!!
Happy Birthday Steve!!
I won't say how ooooold you are but I will say you look really good for someone of your age!! wink!! LOL!!


Happy birthday handsome!!



Today is also Caitlin's first "real" day of grade 10...no sleeping in for her today!! LOL!!

Although yesterday didn't quite go as planned as far as me getting to play but today...I'm gonna be a scrapping & stamping fool!! Well til 3pm anyways and then I'll be making a special dinner and baking a cake...But until then...I'm super excited to play with the ladies coming into the studio today!! I'm looooong overdue!!WAHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Whatever you do today....create a beautiful day!!

WAHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Finally!!
The day I've been looking forward to all week...
New pencils and backpacks...familiar routines to re-establish...
new friends to make...old friends to catch up with...
and time for mommy to PLAY PLAY PLAY!!!
WAHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
But before I do...
here are a couple of pics of my super excited girl on her first day of grade four...
Cate gets to sleep in today cuz she doesn't start until 1pm!!!
I certainly don't remember high school being like that but I'm told it's one of the priviledges of not being a minor niner anymore!!! LOL!!!

GRADE FOUR BABY!!!

I'm so excited to head down to the Art Lounge to create some ART!!
Are you going to play today?
Why not take a moment or two and share your creation here with us!
I'd love to see it!!
Create a beautiful day!!
WAHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!



Happy Labour Day Monday!!

It's the last day of summer vacay...
and I'm trying not to dance...but....
duh dahhhh....duh..dahhhhhh...

The girls are torn about heading back to school...
Maegs is excited about seeing her friends and her new back to school clothes...
but has NO INTEREST in having to do homework...
Cate is excited to get back to homework and all of the fun activities she does with her friends at school...but will miss sleeping in til noon...poor kid!!
I ,of course, will miss our very leisurely summer of campfires, swimming and tennis...family time and time with my hubby...

HOWEVER...

I am sooooo excited to get back into the swing of creating and playing in the studio again!! I'm itchin to get inky and make the paper fly like Edward Scissorhands!! LOL!!
I am starting with a book for my mom...
Her birthday is coming soon and I wanted to make an album of all of us for her.
Today was our family photoshoot...What drama!! What excitment!!
Of course Maegan walks into a post at the tennis court two hours before we are supposed to do photos and splits her lip wide open and swells right up...FANTASTIC!! Oh well!! I am the mom that documents everything!! LOL!!
It was a wonderful day chasing my family around trying to get them to sit still and smile, with their eyes OPEN all at the same time...OY!! I don't know how many hundreds of photos we took between my brother in law Nabeel, my sister Lucie, Caitlin and myself but I'm praying we at least got a few good ones!!
My five year old neice Isabella was a wonderful photo helper and she even took some fabulous shots!! She's such a sweetie!!
I'll be back to post some of our outtakes...I don't want to give away the surprise of the good shots...

I had better get going...lunches to make...songs to sing..
"It's the most wonderful time of the year..."
Create a beautiful day!!

ahhhh...so long summer...

I had a little hiccup in my internet...again...
although this time was due to not having a hot spot at our campground!! WAHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
It was an AH-MAZING summer for us!
We travelled almost every weekend in our trailer making each weekend a four-or sometimes five-may as well make it seven day weekend!! lol!! Good times!!!

And I have rekindled my love affair with tennis...
a sport that I gave up when I began dating my hubby almost 19 years ago!!
He wasn't a fan of tennis (or fetch as he calls it) at all and then once he introduced me to motocross, I was hooked!!
But I'm older and wiser...well...older anyways...
and I can't handle the racing anymore until I get into much better shape so I decided to take up tennis again to help get me into shape so I could play in the dirt this fall!!

And can you believe it?

My hubby thought it would be fun to see if the dr's did a good job on his knees so he's also decided to learn to play!
Guess what?
He's getting pretty dang good too!!

How was YOUR summer?
Did you have many adventures?
Enjoying the long weekend?
Whatever you're doing, I hope you are spending it with the ones you love...doing something you love!!
Create a beautiful day!! Enjoy!!

Happy Anniversary!! And a gift for you...

I can't believe that our wedding was 11 years ago...
It was such a beautiful day...so much love and absolute chaos!! 
On the one hand it seems like yesterday and then on the other...it seems like a lifetime ago!!! LOL!!
It's my anniversay and yet I have some great news for you...

Thanks to Stampin Up! you can make quick work of your summer memories!

They have extended the FREE trial of the MDS2 until September 15th as well as 31% off some of the most delicious digi designs!!!!
WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Download yours today and git er dun!!!

That's what I'm doing...
I'm making an album of our adventures on the East Coast from last summer...for starters...
And I have to say...
I am NOT a techie person so I know I am not even scratching the surface of what this badboy can do but I am LUVIN how easy it is to work and play with!! OMGOSH!!! LOVE!!!

I  am nowwhere near done...
I'm 20 pages in and still in the very early part of our two week holiday but I can't imagine how long it would have taken me to scrap our adventure in the traditional way!! I have spent a few hours this week digi scrapping poolside in between watching my kids do cannonballs into the pool and dodging waterfights...does it get any better than that??!! Gotta love those dogdays of summer...

Don't limit yourself to just doing your summer memories or a trip...
maybe do a heritage or baby album...maybe a sweet alphabet flipbook for your cute little tyke!!
There are TONS of different themes, papers, colours, stamps...just YUMMY!!
Be sure to check them out!!

Meanwhile...Happy anniversary Steve!!
I'm off to see if I can still fit into my wedding gown...veil!!
MWAH!!
Create a beautiful day!!