CHA Peek Time!

One of the best things to chase away the January doldrums it the fact that CHA happens at the end of the month!  I love the excitement of seeing new releases from my favourite companies.  The following is by no means a final list of all that I am anticipating, but a mere beginning!

First off, from Magenta, whose paper is of such a lovely quality, it always almost makes me cry to cut it up.  Their 'Color Me Softly' line is so pretty, it is making me swoon just to see it! What am I gonna do when faced with this paper and actual scissors???  I can't wait to find out!

And if you can resist these cute little chipboard gnomes, then I suspect you may not have a soul.  (Totally kidding, but only just, lol!) I always like Magenta's chipboard and cork releases, but these little guys give my fancy an extra tickle.

Next, let's go on to Bo Bunny.  They always have such large releases, they make it tough on me because I usually like them all.  Now, I didn't snag pictures of all their releases, but you can visit their blog to look at more.  You will probably end up liking more.  You're welcome!

AMBROSIA

 SERENITY

WEEKEND MARKET

I'm done for....

And I still have not made it to the end of my (today's) list!!!!!

How about a little Webster's Pages?  I thought that is what you might say!!!!  Who does beautiful any better than WP?  I don't know either.

Two collections I am coveting, the first is called 'Everyday Poetry' and here is a little sample of the good things to be found there:

And the next is called 'Palm Beach'.  The Perfect Accents are just... well, perfect! 

Maya Road still has more to roll out, and I will be watching!  I LOVE the way they not only show you what is coming soon, they show it in action!!!  Their peeks are so inspiring.  The MR blog did not identify the creators of the following goodness, so with apologies on not giving proper credit, I am going to share some of my favourites!

Do you see the wooden shapes, linen embellishments, fun stamps and creative excitement???  Oh yeah!

Tip of the iceberg, my friends!  Tip of the iceberg. Try to be grumpy about the snow and cold now, will you?

Tell me, what scrappy goodness are you anticipating?

Signs that my child may be tired...

After school today, I was getting Avery organized for her activities when the daily discussion about 'what's for supper' happened.  We agreed on spaghetti and meatballs, and everyone was happy.

As I was dropping her off, I let her know that her dad would pick her up after class and that I was going home to get supper started.  She asked, "Mom.  Do you think we could have real spaghetti noodles with supper?  I mean the long ones, not the twisty ones like we had last time!" (Last time was at least two months ago- why would she remember the details of a dinner from that long ago???) "Sure," I said.  "I'll stop at the store and get some because we are out at home."  I figured I could get some garlic bread too....

So off to the store I went.  As I was after only a few items, I grabbed a small basket and wandered around to see what else caught my attention.  Because, really, going through the checkout with just a package of spaghetti and some garlic toast seemed a bit much.  Yop was on sale- so I got some.  Radishes called out to me- not sure why- but I added some of those too. Threw in stuff for caesar salad.

Got home, put everything away and started on supper.  Which is when I discovered that I forgot to get spaghetti!!!!!  Resorted to the available twisty noodles and got busy.

Avery came home, and I let her know about the noodle situation- upon which she burst into tears!!!!!  Like, ugly cry kind of tears.  The world as we know it is over kind of tears.... I looked at Mark bewildered by the intensity of her reaction and whispered that she must be tired.  He rolled his eyes in agreement.  Avery stormed off, but she did calm down pretty quickly.

I carried on with dinner.  And then was struck by the thought: perhaps it is not just Avery who is tired.  Who goes to the grocery store with a list of one pertinent item, and leaves without it???  Tired people, that's who!!!!!

That first week back to school/work after a holiday is a.... well. You know.

Canadian Scrapbooker January Sketch

The travel portion of holidays are over, and I promised myself a little scrapbooking time each day before work started again. The first thing I tackled was the January sketch for Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine (again by the lovely Jill). You can follow along with the sketch too, and if you use a Canadian company somewhere your interpretation is eligible for publication (but all entries are shared for inspiration- so send it in!!!). There is all the info you need if you follow the magazine link above:

This layout will go to my Mom and Dad for their scrapbook frame; I send them a new layout now and again. I didn't have a winter family photo, and wanted to have all of us for their wall this time. So I didn't follow the theme, but I did follow the shape of the layout!

Stuff used: CTMH cardstock and metal tab; Simple Stories paper; Basic Grey, Kaisercraft stickers; My Mind's Eye rubons; Stampin' Up! eyelets; Harmonie acrylic and chipboard; Making Memories Chipboard; 7 Gypsies paperclip; Prima flower, trim and gems; Tim Holtz tape; Clearsnap Spritz (log cabin); Fiskars punch.

Canadian Scrapbooker December Sketch

I actually did this one after the January, but switched dates on my blog:0)  Here is the December sketch:

 And here is what I did with it!  I had a bit of fun with my Tim Holtz for Sizzix dies, using one to cut the snowflake border and another to build the dimensional tree.  For the tree I cut 4 and then glued them together like a fan, so the tree totally pops off the page.  I hardly ever scrap birthday and Christmas photos, so it was great to get an older picture fancied up, thanks to the sketch!

Now show me yours!!!!!!!  If you leave a link in the comments, I would love to come and look.

Supplies used: Coredinations cardstock; Basic Grey papers, stickers and embellishments; Tim Holtz for Sizzix dies; Riff Raff chipboard; Ranger stickles.

Merry Christmas

I wish you all a holiday filled with hope, peace, joy and much love.

For my part, I am feeling richly blessed, very loved and deeply content:0) Life is good... And because things are so hectic in December, this is the total Christmas card production for 2011. I am making it my goal to think of cards in November next year when I only think things are crazy, but really have no idea what's going to hit me yet!!!!! Suffice to say that if you got one, you are very extra special (and if you didn't I still love you!!!! Don't fret:D)

It is impossible to tell from this last minute iphone picture I took seconds before gifts and cards were delivered, but the card background is made with the fun stamp/embossing folder combos created by a Sizzix/Hero Arts partnership.  The holly vines were embossed, then stamped with Tsukineko glue and glittered.  Which is backwards from how they recommend using the stamps and folders, but worked out just fine for the technique I was after.  The Joy ornament is a Tim Holtz for SIzzix die and 'mover and shaper'.  Tag dies are from Sizzix as well.

Celebration of Local Faire

When it comes to food in North America, these are strange times.  The global economy means that the world is literally at our fingertips, and we can buy anything at anytime, regardless of season, distance or long-term effects.  There is great opportunity to try many things, and as food lovers, we have!  It is not unusual for us to bring home something from the grocery store that we have never seen before with the mantra "Let's try it!"

But I have also have a growing uneasiness with all this endless variety, and although we are still prone to regular lapses we are making significant changes in what and how we eat.  Personally, we buy as much of our produce as we can from the organic section and from local farmer's markets.  I am troubled by the lack of labelling required on meat and the fact that a steak (for instance) can be labelled an Alberta product if it was processed in Alberta but raised anywhere else in the world. Not to say that only good growing practices only happen in Alberta and all other places use less than optimal methods.  Of course not.  It's just that I have come to realize that I really do want to know more about my food.  That global competition puts strange pressures on producers and leads to shortcuts with our food.  Did you hear that?  Shortcuts.  With our food.  

I have long been fascinated with the ideal of a so-called 100 mile diet, or the commitment that you eat as much food as possible that is produced as close to you as possible.  Maybe even get to know some of the producers in your area.  Possibly plant a garden of your own, or keep laying hens scratching around the yard...  City and suburban living limits your options, but you certainly are not without any.  I am absolutely not advocating a mango-free lifestyle, but I do think being intentional with the food you eat within your means and abilities can make a difference to the health of yourself, your family and your community.

As my awareness of the local abundance available has grown, so has my desire to capture the exciting options in a community showcase.  How? By hosting a 'Celebration of Local Faire' dinner within my community.

After years of talking about it, I finally jumped in and decided to act on it with great support at St. Andrew's United  Church in Spruce Grove.  Last night I got to live out my little dream, and I loved every minute of it!  I was a little concerned about what would be available in November; how 'good' can a person eat at that time of year? I didn't want to prepare a perfectly adequate meal for people; I wanted to create a meal that wowed people while highlighting the amazing bounty available in the area and supporting many local producers.  My hope is that providing an excellent, locally sourced meal would help get people excited about finding food close to home.  The result was a four course meal that I believe was enjoyed by everyone there; it turns out we can eat very good in November!  The information I learned while researching menu items was a gift to me.

Menu

Northern Mushroom Soup

(Local Sources: Prairie Mushrooms, Mo-Na Foods, West Country Herbs, Saxby Creamery, Birds and Bees Organic Winery, The Branch Manager Farm, The Honey House)

Quiche/Fresh Garden Salad

(Local Sources: Rhonda's Eggs, The Cheese Factory, Riverbend Gardens)

Saskatoon Stuffed Roast Pork Loin/Garlic Roasted Potatoes and Carrots/Sauteed Kale/Saskatoon-Rhubarb Chutney

(Local Sources: Sandyview Farms, Pipestone Berry Farm, Peas on Earth, Mighty Trio Organics, Doef's Greenhouse)

Galettes (Buckwheat Crepes)/Raspberry Coulis/Whipped Cream

(Local Sources: Gold Forest Grains)

Tea, Coffee, Juice and Saskatoon Wine

(Local Sources: Chickadee Farms, Birds and Bees Organic Winery, Homestyle Beverages, Catfish Coffee)

(totally forgot to take pictures until dessert!)

Here are some Reasons to Support Local Producers:

Scrapbooked Gifts

This layout was created to put into a silent auction.  It is framed and ready for someone else's photos!  I kind of ended up liking it, so might have to make one for me.  The papers are Basic Grey, from one of their page of the month kits.  I never do the pages they send instructions for, but I did copy their accordion flower embellishment this time!  There is also some 7 Gypsies, Prima, Maya Road and Harmonie stuff on this page.

I needed a card to invite some special guests to a 'Local Faire' celebration supper that I am helping to plan.  (Sort of a 100 Mile Dinner, with liberties taken).  I went for inspiration to Twisted Sketches and found their new sketch #82 to be perfect!  It even had a twist of 'orange'- perfect for some fall leaves!  Supplies used: 7 Gypsies paper, Prima gems, Making Memories glittered chipboard, and Pageframe Designs for the card base.