little reminder

Don`t forget the ongoing DT call at Mix it UP! It's not too late, you have until the 26th…that's this Friday!
Check out this post to find out how to apply.

I really can't wait to see who will be joining us!

thanks for stopping by!

a few cards

Friday night i went to the crop at Scrapbook Central, everything in the store was 25% off because they were starting inventory today and wanted to clear as much as they could before having to count everything. i got these two really cute stamps; Yoko and Ono Ketto that you can see on my card below and Agnes Ketto; this one i haven't used yet. Both stamps are from Stamping Bella. i also took the opportunity to make father's day cards for my dad (who's still at the hospital) and my hubby (from the kids of course!) Hope you like them!

thanks for stopping by!

Hanna Stamps GDT call

i found out about this call only a couple of days ago and the deadline is tomorrow, june 20th.
i love their stamps (i'm actually waiting for an order i placed online, it's somewhere's in the mail...)so i figured i'd give this a try! wish me luck!

Coffee Riley - Moose You card
cs: Bazzill

letters: Basic Grey

Stamp: Hanna Stamps

Ink: Memonto

markers: Copic, Zig

other: stickles, fiskars punch, ek success cutter bee piercing bug

Hamac Riley - wish you were here... card
cs: Bazzill
Papers: Scenic Route
Stamps: Hanna Stamps
markers: Copic, Zig
other: Stickles

thanks for stopping by!

Exercize, eating well and cupcakes!

I don’t know if the cupcakes fit in there but I couldn’t resist. What can I say, I love baking!

Yesterday at lunch I went to Indigo, I was going specifically to get Jillian Michaels’ 30-day shred DVD. That's it I'm fed up of my body and I have decided to do something about it! I made a pack with my dear friend Claude to report to each other everyday on how it's going.

It's usually dangerous when I go to Chapters or Indigo, it always ends up costing me between 50$–100$. Yesterday was no exception. Like I said I went to pick up 1 DVD, just 1! This is what I came out with!

Jillian Micheals’ 30-day shred DVD (of course!)

Rodney Yee Yoga Burn DVD

The 100-mile diet book

Food Inc. book (the movie-documentary look amazing!)

And I really wasn't gonna buy this book because lets face it Martha has enough money and I could probably get all these recipes off her website but once I flipped through the book I couldn’t resist. There's just something about making a recipe out of a book. I plan to try a few or should I say many of these! Thus why I need the 30-day shred and yoga DVDs so it doesn't all go to my A**!

thanks for stopping by!

a birthday cake and a card!

Here`s the b-day card i made for Dave, isn`t that little robot the cutest?!

and now the cake. 3 layers of french vanilla cake with peanut butter frosting in between layers, covered with chocolate ganache. i also made little white chocolate cups with chocolate mousse.


I just love making cakes!
thanks for stopping by!

Mixer 22 is up!

go check it out! mixer 22 is up at Mix it Up!
this week we had to have a minimum of 5 stars on our LO and they each had to be of different material. I'll be back later to post my layout but you can visit MIU and check it out along with the other DT layouts!




thanks for stopping by!

MIU DT call

check out the Mix it Up blog! we are having our very first DT call!

i can't wait to see who joins us! come on girls lets see what you've got! :)

OMG!!!! i'm about to faint!

like my friend Mel said: Swoooooooooon........

sigh................. i have to wait until NOVEMBER ?!?!?!?

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer in HD

back from Punta Cana and Mixer 21!

We're back!!!!! spent a week in Punta Cana, how relaxing!  

first off here is Mixer #21, this was a great color combo challenge!  i've been wanting to do  a red/aqua/teal mix for quite some time now and this gave me the good excuse to get it done. 

ok so like i said we're back from Punta Cana, some of you probable didn't even know i was gone, well i don't like to publicize it before leaving just for security purposes...sounds a little paranoid, doesn't it?

well you can never be too careful on the web.  

So my hubby and I spent a wonderful week at the Gran Bahia Principe Ambar resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. 

 It was our first time in the DR and i must say it's a pretty nice place.  We tend not to go to the same place twice.  Ours was an adult only section of the big resort so it was more quiet than the Principe or Punta Cana part of the resort.  the beach had nice white sand and lots of palm trees. 

 we were lucky and were able to get a little hut everyday, Dave burns very easily so we didn't want to be out in the direct sun even tho it was mostly cloudy on many days.  

the top balcony was our room and we were in the building closest to the pool and the beach.

Here's Dave sipping a Mojito, i had a few myself...yummm!!!!

we also went out on an excursion called "the reef explorer" were we got to snorkel with some sting rays and nurse sharks.  the pictures were taken with Dave's camera but i'm having some troubles downloading them so as soon as i figure it out i'll post a few pics.  

Cheers!

Bella xxx

Mixer #19

just a quick note to show you this week's mixer! it's much better in person and the backround is actually white and not blue but i didn't have too much time to tweek it. last night in my PS class we did learn some really cool tricks on how to turn a pic B&W using the channel mixer (it gives excellent results). i can`t wait to play around in Ps but it will have to wait until i come back from Punta Cana (we are leaving in 2 dodos!!!) yay! my mom is arriving tonight to spend the week with the kids, bless her. anyways gotta go do some work (i`m at the office...shhhhh) and tonight i still have major paking to do and it`s the 2hr season finale of Grey's Anatomy (not to be missed!)

early mother's day gift

look at what i got this morning!  it arrived by the mail yesterday (which reminds me i also have to go to the post office to pick up a package that i have NO clue what it could be, i don't remember ordering anything...) anyways back to my MD gift.  I've been wanting to get an iPod for a while now.  a pink one to be more precise.  you see i used to have a pick phone, but i upgraded to a blackberry and so i miss the pink.  of course that's not the only reason i wanted one, they're cool!  Anyways last week i told dh that i wanted to get one and he says "Why?  you can listen to music on you Blackberry"  well to me that wasn't a good enough reason, i still wanted a pink iPod!  Well he ordered a very special pink iPod (from the kids of course)  notice the little inscription on the back!  how cute is that! i don't get a Mother's Day present every year,but when i do it's a good one!  the last and only one i got was a semi-eternity diamond ring on my very first Mother's Day 4 yrs ago.
 

in case you can't read it; it says

 "Mom is our favorite playlist

Love Brady and Charlie"

I also forgot to mention that Mixer 18 is up at MIU this week's challenge is getting inspired by the work "Perseverance"

MIXER 17

As promised here is Mixer #17. don`t forget to head over to the Mix it Up blog to see the other wonderful creations from my MIU peers. Cheers!

Bella

I know I've been bad at keeping my blog up to date.

Here is my latest mixer:

I really should’ve posted this one 2 weeks ago.
Mixer 15
We had to create our own backround patterned paper without using cardstock. I used cardboard that I distressed then I sprayed it with Glimmer Mist and inked the ridges of the cardboard to make it look lined (although it doesn't show much once the LO finished) I absolutely love the way this turned out.

Here are a few pictures of the boys. It’s been getting so nice out these past few weeks.

Tonight i have my first Photoshop class at Dawson College, boy it feels good to be taking classes again. For personal reason and time constraints I wasn't able to take any in the fall or winter session. i can't wait!

Thanks for dropping by! I promise to be back with today’s mixer as soon as Melanie posts it on MIU!

oh boy I'm behind...

sorry about that... i just haven't been into it lately.  I guess we all have those periods of time at one point or another.  Nothing new and exciting going on here, just the usual... you know trying to balance out the full time job, the kids, DH's travelling and visits to my dad at the hospital (because yes people...he is still there!)  

anyways i know there are many layouts i haven't posted so here are a few (and if i've posted them already then oops... )

"Mon beau Sapin" as seen in the october issue of Canadian Scrapbooker

this one i created a while ago and have been keeping it hidden in the hopes of getting it published, well i thought i'd share since it's been so long.  btw, it is 10x nicer IRL!  i'd distressed the edges with antique gold foil, it looks wicked (at least in my opinion anyways) 

and this is just a cute on of Charlie, love these "Get Campy" papers!  

Mixer 11

Mixer 11 is up at MIU!  i had a lot of fun with this one.  We had to create a layout with picture of inanimate objects only AND the title had to be a phrase of 6 words or more.  ok to put you in the context my phrase is actually the first lyrics of the theme song from the Hotwheels Acceleracers movies; so you it sounds better if you sing it!  i knew right away this would be about the boys obsession with Hotwheels!  Day created a really great sketch too!  well she always does :)

Yesterday Claude, Michelle and Steph came over to crop, we had so much fun (sometimes i wish i had more space so i could invite more than 3 people) Unfortunately the kids were not as cooperative as usual.  Usually Charlie would have a good nap and Brady would be in the basement watching a movie so i have a few hours in the afternoon and then after they go to bed but yesterday was hell!  Charlie napped maybe 30 min and then he kept going up and down the stairs and usually i don't stress but lately he's been wanting to go up and down standing up instead of crawling backwards.  so that stresses me a little bit.  Usually at my crops i can manage to make 1.5 to 2 layouts and sometimes a card.  This time i got 1 layout done; that's it.  Although it is one if not MY favorite layout ever!  it took me longer i think because i did a lot of stuff by hand.  Oh i'd show it to you but it's for Mixer 13 so no can do!  you'll have to wait like everybody else (well except the girls that were here of course! )  

You are probably asking yourself where is my dh in all this?  well he left for a business trip yesterday afternoon so he was busy packing and running last minute errands.  

so because he's not home for a few days i am leaving my scrap stuff on the table so that i can work on a few more things! yay! 

thanks for stopping by!

omg! i cried...

watching this very inspirational video (actually 2 of them) everyone should see this video

and then watch this one. 

 

here's the layout i created for mixer #9 on Mix it Up, sorry i'm a bit late posting.   they are actually on mixer 10 right now.  we were without internet for a few days.  

have i told you guys how much i love my new Copic markers!  i'm going stamp crazy lately just so that i can use my markers.  i stamp a bunch of images and sit in front of the TV and just color, i find it so relaxing.  i'm challenging myself to use them on cards or layouts.  

OH yeah i almost forgot!  my generous DH bought me a new computer... an iMAC!!!  i am sooooooo happy!  the resolution of the screen is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!  i'm managing to get around but i haven't had a chance to spend too much time with it.  it is a little different and will take some getting used to only because my brain is so programmed to work with a PC.  i've had one for years and i use one during 7hrs everyday at work.  Now i cannot wait to take a PS class at Dawson!  hopefully in the spring or summer...which reminds me i need to check when the next registration is.  

 

thanks for stopping by!

MIU mixer #7 and latest news

this week's challenge on Mix it up was a recipe we had to follow.

5 patterned papers
a phrase as a title
1 die-cut
1 handmade embellishment
multiple photos


in other news, my dad is still at the hospital. in my January 15th post i said he was doing good, was going for walks and had started eating. Well... on the 19th my dad called me around 1pm to tell me they had to do en emergency operation because his bowels had perforated and were leaking inside his stomach. i spent the rest of the day at the hospital. since then they've had problems with his wound it's not healing as good as the doctors hoped for. What they did is they closed the inside but left the outside layers open. i saw the wound last w-e when the nurse was changing the bandages and let me tell you it's not pretty. the incision starts at about 1.5 inch above the belly button all the way down to the pubic bone. on top the wound is opened about 1.5 inches and it's almost 4 inches on the bottom. however on wednesday of this week the wound specialists said that they could see a progress in the skin healing. so that's good. He does still have a leak in his bowels but since he's not eating food (he's been on I.V. since the 19th and will be until the leak heals itself) they want to avoid another surgery and are hoping the hole will heal itself. they are taking that problem day by day. so now the docs are saying he'll be in the hospital for another 2 months in the least. In the worst case scenario it could be anywhere from 6 months to a year, but lets hope not. In the meantime i've been running around trying to get his paperwork in order (he could...should have done it before going in for the first surgery!) so the he can get unemployment. i'm having to take care of paying his bills and if he can't get unemployment i will soon have to use money out of my own account and i would like to avoid that if i can.
My dad is starting to do better, he is going for daily walks. it's mostly his mental state. he has good days and bad days. I went to the hospital yesterday and he was having a good day. he was sitting in his chair out of bed for most of the morning and afternoon. i had gotten his TV for his birthday week-end (last week) and his sister-in-law gave me some money to continue the service for a month. i thinkg that helps pass the time.

Other than all that business with my dad, things have been pretty good. i started taking parenting classes and i'm really hoping that they will help with Brady's issues.

i'll be back soon to post some pics!

check out my 365 blog, i've uploaded some pictures

MIU

i'm a little late posting this but the challenge is up at Mix it Up! we had to Bling it! my kinda challenge! Here's the LO i created.

pp and decorative pins: Fancy Pants

red glitter letters: dollar store

bling: Doodlebug

bingo card: Jenni Bowlin

black velvet ribbon: ? it came from my grandmother's sewing box

chipboard "love": Riff Raff Designs

ink: colorbox

other: distressed stickles, liquid pearls, Martha Stewart fine glitter, Stix2 foilz

My sister had come down for the week-end to visit my dad in the hospital...yes he's still there and will be for quite some time still. so anyways she arrived on friday night and left this afternoon. i think it did my dad a lot of good to see her, we hadn't told him so it was a nice surprise.

i've done a few cards lately, whenever i find a bit of time to download my pics i'll come post them.

thanks for visiting!

bella 365

ok i've been doing this project 365. basically it's taking a picture a day for the whole year. needless to say i have missed a few days due to sickness and visits to the hospital and simply forgetfullness but you can check it out. my goal was to try to post weekly but i posted the whole month of January at once. http://bella365.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!

new find!

this blog is chock full of creativity. i found it through CathyZ's blog. you must check it out, she's got great V-day crafts. Shabby Chic Crafts

new goodies and Mixer #3

here's the layout i created for Mixer #3 up at Mix it Up, go check it out, this week is a color challenge.

there's a goodie giveaway (more like a draw) up on the Queen & Co blog. they have these cute little mixed embellies buckets, check it out here

before i forget...

i always love reading my friend Claude's blog, because she write the cutest conversations she has with her kids. i keep saying i want to do that to remember, but i don't do it quickly enough and i forget. here are 2 things that happened yesterday that i think are just hilarious (in my mom opinion)

After bathtime we were all in our bed and Brady took out his doctor kit. him and Charlie proceeded to poke his dad in the mouth, nose, ears...the works! After he was done he laid down in bed and said

Brady: "ok papa, la moi je suis mort et toi tu fais le docteur!"
Me (laughing) "bein si t'es mort mon amour, c'est pas un docteur que t'as besoin. Tu veux dire malade?"
B: "non, je suis mort. papa fait le docteur"
LOL! he mixes up "malade" and "mort" i have no clue where he got that from but i think it's funny.

now this next little anecdote is hilarious!

Dave is putting the kids to bed and i'm in the kitchen cleaning up. when i hear...

Brady: "psssst....Master Shifu. Ohhhh.....Master Shifu"
Me (sighing and walking towards the stairs ready to rip into him for not being in bed): "what is it Brady, why aren't you in bed"
Brady: "Master Shifuuuu....." walking down the stairs, holding my padded bra on his head calling for Master Shifu. well i just about died! he's been saying some of the funniest things these past few days; like "aye aye my Captain!" or "..." well of course now i can't remember.

what i do remember is that Mixer #2 is up at Mix it Up, go check it out. The DT did a great job, i'm not there this week because we are split into 2 teams, i'm up next week.

well that's it for today!

Oh! i almost forgot! Charlie is 2 yrs old today! unfortunatly with me having been sick (and is still sick) since last saturday, my dad being in the hospital (btw he's doing good, started walking with a walker and eating, after 1 week) i decided not to throw Charlie a party. if we do something it'll be next month, but i doubt it, he's still young not to notice. i do feel guilty because i've always made sure Brady had a party, a cake + cupcakes for daycare and Charlie with being so close after x-mas last year i almost forgot his first birthday! this year i started planning and thinking before x-mas and now i'm sick. FUDGE!

ok, now i'm done ranting for today!

check it out; mixer # 1 is up on Mix it Up. the other girls did a great job!

here's my LO for this challenge.

on another note, i've had a pretty busy week so far. went back to work monday after being off for 2 weeks, that was hard enough on it's own. Dave was away on business. Monday night Charlie started having a high fever, i was afraid that it might me tonsilitis. on tuesday i stayed home with him. My dad got his surgery on tuesday. he was getting his bladder removed and he was supposed to get a reconstruction done however there have been complications and he was not able to get the reconstruction, the had to install a permanent bag. i read up on this and it won't affect his life much once he gets the hand of the management of the whole thing. he can be as active as he wants to be and do sports if he wishes. i took the day off yesterday to go visit him and at the same time Charlie's ped was able to see him at 11h30 so i took him there and then dropped him off at the daycare and headed to the hospital for a visit. he was still on the ventilator and hook up to a lot of machines and tubes, but the doc said he was doing well regardless. I left work early today to miss the traffic and head into town for another visit. i came back not too long ago and he's doing very well. he even got up, with help of course, and sat in a chair for 10-15 min. he's in good spirits.

thank you to my friends that were aware of the situation, for keeping my dad in your thoughts and prayers.

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had good holidays. Ours was wonderful! i had a lot of fun with my family. it had been a long time since we were all together for Christmas, 5 years i think...maybe more. it's hard since we're all spread out. i'm in Montreal and so is my dad. My mom is still in Fredericton, NB and my sister is out in Saskatoon, Sk.

Dave spoiled me, he got me a f1.4 - 50mm lens ( that was supposed to be my b-day/x-mas present) i kinda knew i was getting it. just before X-mas he was in a spending mood. he went out and got me 2 more presents; a bread maker and a KitchenAid stand mixer (i've been dying to get one for the longest time!) now the only problem is i don't have room for them so i have to do a major clean up in my cupboards to find room.

with the new year comes resolutions, i don't usually make resolutions per say, but there are a few things i would like to do, let's call them goals.

my friend Claude gave herself this goal (#1) and i think it's great so i will do it too.

1. declutter my house and my body
2. get in shape and eat healthier (ie; declutter my body)
3. scrap more for me
4. try to be more patient and not loose my cool so easily
5. spend less and save more money
6. stay in touch more with my friends
7. reconnect with my hubby (our lives are so hectic it's hard to stay connected)
8. try to blog more
9. oh yeah and i'm also trying to take a picture a day for the whole year (so far so good)

i will now leave you with some pics from Christmas. i have to go get ready for bed since it's back to work and daycare (for the kids) tomorrow and Dave is on a business trip so i gotta make sure that i don't forget anything. see ya soon!