Early Rising

It is a week for getting up early.
Today I took Curtis across town to the airport for 7am.  It was dark when we left the house, with a pink glow showing over the mountains.  The moon was still out shining brightly.  And as I came home the sun was rising over Great Falls.  Yesterday I had to be at work a little after 7am for mandatory education and then cover for a gal for a couple of hours.  Tomorrow, I will be working and need to be there at 6am.  So, like I said a week of early rising.
Yesterday, I also ran to Sams with Kirsten to pick up prints of our family photos and then to Michaels to pick out some new frames.  Mainly because my big frame on the wall fell to the floor and broke the other day when I was trying to measure it.
Last evening Curtis minded the boys, while I went with Harlee and her folks to her open house at the school.  She asked me to go, so I thought I better make the effort.  She is pretty proud of all her work.
Today, I need to get out and get the lawn mowed.  Hopefully not too many mowing left this season. It needs to warm up a little before I head out.   But I usually like to get out and mulch the leaves after they come down.  Rain predicted for the next couple of days.

A few more photos of Glacier.

 New growth after the fires. 

A Christmas layout of Nic from when he was a baby.

Papers used:  Simple Stories- Dec. Documented, Cozy Christmas
                      Heidi Swapp- Believe
                      Making Memories- Noel
Strip was an Echo Park Sticker (This or That)
Tag- fancy Pants St. Nick
Flair- Prima- Holiday Jubilee
Title Sticker

Road Trippin'

Friday morning Curtis and I headed out on the road.  I have tried to visit Glacier National Park all season and it just didn't work out and then the fires were blazing.  So, this weekend we made a concerted effort to drive the Going to the Sun Road through the park and then spent some time with Curtis' dad and step mom.
Friday was a magnificent day to do the drive.  The skies were blue.  The colours of the trees were spectacular. 
Saturday we took the parents into the park and up to Logan pass, since they hadn't been this season.  It was overcast and cool.  And it even hailed up on top of the pass.  But it was still fun.
We drove home yesterday with a stop at Deer Country Quilts  in Seeley Lake. 
I took over 300 photos, but will post some over the next few days. 

 You can see how dry and burnt out the ground is from our hot, dry summer

 We drove through the area where some of the fires were this summer.

It's Here, It's Here!

Autumn, that is! My favourite time of the year! The trees are so pretty! The temps are pretty tolerable. And I just love it! You can put the oven on to cook without worrying about it getting too hot in the house. Love the colours of fall- rust, orange, gold, green, teal!



My picture from yesterdays walk! No walking today! Just don't feel on top of the world!
But, I did go out to Sam's with Kirsten and Cooper and looked around.
Worked some yesterday afternoon.

And I must include a layout, although it is not a fall one.  I know just the one I need to put on here too!!!

This is H a couple of years ago.  Papers from: American Craft(Amy Tangerine-Stitched)
                                                                      American Craft(Dear Lizzy-LuckyCharm)
                                                                      BoBunny(MamaRazzi2)


 Crate Paper-Maggie Holmes-Confetti Ephemera
Websters Pages sequins
Lawn Fawn Trimmings
Scenic Route tag

                                                                      





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The Last Whisper of Summer!

Summer 2015 is almost out the door!
And autumn is knocking to enter!
One tree a couple of streets behind us is almost completely turned already!
Hoping to drive through Glacier Park this weekend and see a little autumn splendor! And visit with Curtis' dad and step mum.
Curtis made it home yesterday afternoon after his 10 days on the road on the motorcycle! After working Sat. I spent time in my sewing space yesterday.
In the meantime, I had my phone with me when I went walking and that means I have a camera if I remember to use it!










Beautiful sunflowers





Finding red leaves here is a novelty





Above is the tree almost completely changed





Quite a few leaves came down in the yard over the weekend as the wind blew and blew and blew!


And will find a layout to include.
From when we visited the Museum of the Rockies, earlier this summer.
I dug out some old Basic Grey papers (Archaic & Periphery)
Fab Scraps-Adrenaline
Basic Grey stickers and brads
Title cut on the Silhouette

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Sketchabilities #147 challenge

It has been a little bit since I did a sketchabilities challenge.  So I hopped on board this one. 

Here is my finished product.  Sorry the photo isn't so great.  But it is very overcast and my lighting isn't so great.

 Product used.  Papers from Basic Grey Sugared and Lemonade
Camera die -Create Paper(Oh Darling ephemera)
KaiserCraft Cherry Blossom ephemera
Studio Calico Huey's Masks
ColorShine- Tropicana Teal, Primrose, Gold
Memory Box die. 
Smile cut out?

Here is the sketch I was working from. 

Curtis is close to home, after a long bike trip.  I am sure there will be laundry to do.  I worked yesterday, so I don't feel like doing much else today.  It was busy, but not crazy.  And it is a grey, overcast day, but the high predicted is 77F.  We shall see.  Need to nip up to work, as I may have left my phone cord up there. 

For the love of Dies!

I love my metal dies that I use for scrap booking and card making!
I really think I prefer to use dies rather than stamps.
My collection started a while ago with dies from Quickutz! At the time they were the only company that made dies! Since they are no longer in business I get dies from other places.
The majority of my die collection comes from Memory Box and Impression Obsession. With a few others mixed in there!

A couple of cards created with dies.

This is a gorgeous Memory Box die on stenciled background! Lots of times I leave the sentiments off until I know what I need.



Isn't this a cute card? Reminds me of my backyard! The squirrels are IO. The tree, greenery and fence are M B. The pumpkins are Poppy Stamps! The mushrooms are Cherry Lynn Designs.


Simon Says Stamps Wed. Challenge is a card with dies!
ChouxChoux paper art- fall/halloween cards

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Gee, Whiz!

Yesterday, I worked a 12 hour shift.  Gosh, do you think it could be a little less busy and a little less crazy when I am there.  Oh, NO!!!!  I ran my tail off yesterday and was totally exhausted by the time I got home last night.  On bright star, Kirsten invited me over for a bite to eat after work.  Oh, yes!  I took her up on that offer.  A yummy little bite of a version of chicken pot pie and a lovely cup of tea.  Thanks immensely!!!
It was a place of revolving doors.  And our secure doors not working.  I believe the ghosts were out haunting us yesterday!  The monitors were doing all crazy stuff too.  We had maintenance up at least twice to check the doors.  At one point they were stuck open and would not close.  And not having a secretary, the phones were ringing off the wall.  But I had baked the evening before and took us goodies of scones and banana muffins. 
But I am off for a couple of days now and will enjoy it!!!  Not planning on doing much of anything today. 
And that crazy husband of mine.  Yesterday, was he day for Crater Lake.  This was the whole point of this trip and he didn't even get to see it.  It was snowing like crazy and limited visibility.  And there he was on the motorcycle.  It is no wonder I worry about him. 

The other day, I was picking up my scrap space and found these photos of NIc.  Since he is now 7 you now they are just a bit old.  But they got scrapped the other day.  Got a couple of papers out and rummaged through the scrap pile for the rest.  

 Papers used:  Simple Stories -( Dec. Documented, Cozy christmas)
                      Heidi Swapp (Believe)
                      Making Memories (Noel)
                      Long strip- Echo Park sticker (This and That)
   Tag- Fancy Pants St. Nick
 Flair- Prima (Holiday Jubilee)

This next layout tells about Harlee and her adventure at Girl Scout camp for the first time.  Although the photo was taken at the Museum of the Rockies.  It seemed appropriate for a camping story. 
Papers were from Bo Bunny- A Gift of Love, Camp a Lot
Title was Bo Bunny stickers from Camp a Lot
Squirrel is Simple Stories Take a Hilk
Chevron arrows were cut with the Silhouette and distressed with Tim Holtz distress ink
Birds were cut with an Impression Obsession die

Start of a New Week!

Has been kind of a busy Monday around here, despite being by myself.  Curtis is back on the road today, after spending the weekend with Cait in Seattle.  He is headed south to Crater Lake in Oregon.
It takes me quite a few nights to get used to him being gone.  So, I haven't been sleeping well, either. 
I was up early and went for my walk.  Also ran to the bank.  When I came home, I got the mower out and I barely got to the front and Kirsten and Cooper were here.  Kirsten did most of the mowing for me, which was wonderful.  I did a little in the back.  Cooper played outside while the mowing was being done.  I had started the laundry going too. 
Then Kirsten did a little window shopping.  We headed to Pier 1 to see what cool fall goodies they had.  A trip to Michaels and a little grocery shopping at Smiths.  Cooper was thrilled when I put a 5lb bag of cheese on sale in the cart.  I believe he is half mouse. 
It was lunch time by the time I got back home.  After lunch the bathrooms got cleaned and I picked up Harlee from school.  She hates Mondays, because her mum says she has to go home and do her homework and can't come to Nana's. 
So, there hasn't been much time for creating today.  I did lots over the weekend, though. 
I have one last card entry for Darnell's NBUS. 

One more card for Thanksgiving.  

Dies from Memory box, Poppy Stamps and I think Savy Stamps.

And a little layout of Nic riding his bike from last year.  This year he has managed to ride without training wheels.
Bazzill cardstock
Kaiser Craft- Scrapyard collection
Tim Holtz grunge board for the title that was misted with Navy Colorshine
Echo Park ephemera from Jack and Jill
Flair?

Hope your week is off to a great start. 

Happy Sunday!

I think we may be enjoying some days of Indian Summer right now.  Yesterday we reached a high of 88F.  It was a little warm.  And today, it is to reach around 80F.

Curtis made it to Cait's late yesterday afternoon and they are enjoying some time together.

I managed to fill my day and it was gone before I was ready.  I woke up with a booming headache and took something for it.  I walked.  I went early to the grocery store before the crowds were there.  I changed the bed and washed sheets and towels.

And I spent some time scrapping.

This is one of the layouts I created!  This photo is of Nic earlier this summer.  We were at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman.  They have one whole floor dedicated to kids.  There were dress up clothes.  And Nic loves anything to do with firemen or policemen.  There was a fireman outfit- obviously not his size.  But, he was bound and determined to get it on!!!!  I talked him out of putting the pants on.  He was so happy.  He could have played in this area forever!!!  The journal tag is behind the cluster of papers and photo. 

At first I was going to mist the yellow on, but a big glob came out and thus it now looks like watercolour, which worked in the end.  I used a Memory Box stencil and Tim Holtz distress ink for the orange.
Papers used:MME-Lost and Found
                    Echo Park- Dots and Stripes
                    Otherwise it was scraps
Tim Holtz Distress Ink- Spicied Marmalade
Mr Huey- desert
Echo Park Jack and Jill Ephemera
Elle Studio Bit and Pieces- Love You More
MME sticker
Sequins are from Crate Paper(After Dark) and Pretty Pink Posh

Will be on call later this afternoon for a co-worker that wants to watch her kids play soccer. 

I have another friend in blog land giving away a terrific prize.
Lisa at http://indymermaid.blogspot.com/ is giving away a Fuse Tool.  Would be so useful in making shaker cards and adapting pages for scrapping.  You need to check out Lisa's blog as she is an awesome card maker extraordinaire!

Hope You are Enjoying an Awesome Friday!

It is a pretty good day here, although I am tired after working a busy 12 hour shift yesterday.  The sun is shining and it is pleasant out(in the 70's).  Curtis headed out on the bike this morning to take a trip to Crater Lake in Oregon.   He has been wanting to do this for a bit and it just hasn't worked out the last couple of years.  He will be spending the weekend with Caitlin in Seattle.

Need to go and pick up Harlee from school here in a bit and she will hang out until her dad gets off work and picks her up.

Have a couple more cards for your viewing pleasure.  Will put one of them on Darnell's NBUS challenge.

I did a card similar to this before using stamps.  But now I actually have a fox die(he is so darn cute) and some mushroom dies. 

 And I love using these birch trees.  One of my favorite die sets from Impression Obsession.   I have used them over and over.  Mixing them with some Pumpkin dies from Poppy Stamps.  And these would be my NBUS. 

Rise and Shine!!

I was up early and had Curtis up to the airport by 6am for him to do an Avis drive to Bozeman.  Tomorrow I get to repeat this, only got to work in the NICU.
It was dark out when we left the house to drive across town.  The little bit of moon was shining brightly with Venus below it.  I guess the Northern Lights had been dancing across the skies earlier.  The airport is up on a hill and you can see the whole town below.  And today the horizon was just turning pink.  Very pretty.  I am glad I was up early to see it. 

It was a card making session for me over the weekend.  I have a couple of birthdays later this month and early next month.  And it will also be Canadian Thanksgiving.  It still gets celebrated in this household. 

Also I knew Darnell was starting her NBUS challenge as in never  before used schtuff!!!

She has quite a following on her blog and does this challenge a couple times a year.  And I believe I participated in it last go round.  I highly recommend you visit her blog for some wonderful cards she creates and leads an interesting life in her playroom with Hammy, the hamster. 

So this is one of the cards I created.  I have had this window die (from Poppy Stamps) for quite a while and have never used it.  This is inside a house looking out at the fall colours.  The trees were a Memory Box stamp to which I added some stickles.  Also a first time to use the little pumpkin stamps.