RoundUP your memories

The end of the month is a great time to take a few minutes to RoundUP your memories. You can do this by looking over your calendar, blog posts, or whatever records you may keep, and simply filling in a few quick notes using a simple format.

After reader Katie the Scrapbook Lady’s blog I thought I would try this too. I don’t know about you but my days turn into months and soon I can’t remember when or how things fall in and out of my life. Time just seem to get away from me.

I’m always trying to find ways to simply my memory keeping. This Rounding Up of information will provide me with a monthly reference for ideas to create scrapbook pages and provide me with the much needed material to journal more accurately. I love how other bloggers can help me become a better Scrapper. After answering a few simple questions the monthly RoundUP is done. Who knew keeping track of one’s life would get so technical.

Here are the questions used and created by Katie: (I added my own twist)

June 2009 First RoundUP

What books and/or magazines did I read this month? (What did the kids read & what was the favority bedtime story)

My BFF ~ CTMH sister got me hooked on the Twilight series. I also picked-up a Stampers’ Sampler magazine and was very impressed by it.

What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?

I saw UP by Pixar and Earth by Disney with the girls. I also saw Star Trek with my hubby. My favourite TV show is back for season two True Blood, it’s not for everyone but I enjoy it allot.

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?

The girls had their final dance recital and they both did great. It was Jasmine’s first time. No stage fright for this little one. This year's recital was entitled “New York New York”. They did two great performances, I was a very proud Mom.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?

My hubby celebrated is 40^th, you would think we would have had a big hoopla but no David decided months ago to attend a guitar week-end at Don Ross’s place. This was probably the best gift he could have given himself. So the evening of his Birthday I really wanted him to know I was missing him and thinking about him so I sent him a birthday wishes by Paul McCartney his all time favourity Beatles.

I made these cute Thank-you cards for my girls teachers; they really loved them.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

I bought lots of dirt, yeah that’s right dirt. I’ve been scaling back the flower gardens around our new home. I also bought myself a new ROOTS purse, I've been eyeing one for months now.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?

I guess it’s to be expected after 8 months of packing up an entire house and moving in the middle of winter on what could have been the closest day of the year (-35celcius) and going through major renovation my Colitis came back. Instead of ignoring the symptoms I decided to take some time off my day job and try to rest and regroup. This is not always easy for me to do.

What were my accomplishments this month?

I unpacked those 10 or so boxes piled up in the corner of my family room. I also donated lots shhhhh! We finally resolved our flooring issues with “EF” after 6 long months of trying to get the work done and done right we can finally put this to rest.

What were my disappointments this month?

I was truly sad by Michael Jackson’s death. If you grew up on the 80s MJ was the one. We also lost another wonderful star Farah Fawcett may she rest in peace.

Anything else noteworthy to include?

My baby girl completed her first full year of school. Jade was chosen to run in the track and field event for her school. We hooked up with Jade’s old Kindergarten friend Ashley, what luck she lives right around the corner from our new place. Meet lots of very nice people in our new neighbour and we are slowly (or I’m slowly) starting to enjoy this place more and more.

Well, here's to my first Round Up... It took some time but I'm sure the next one will be easier, I've already started it.

Baby Girl ~ Shower Inivation Card

I was asked to come up with a shower invitation card, the criteria were; she loves monkeys and it needs to be pink since she already knows it’s a baby girl. Oh, yeah and we need 50 so make it simple.
This is what I came up with, it's a monochromatic card using Baby Pink and White Daisy cardstock. Sometimes simple is the way to go.

Supplies used

CTMH Cardstock: Daisy White
Stamp sets: Doodle Alphabet, Intrinsic Background, Serendipity & Life's a Jungle
Inks: Baby Pink
Embellishments: Baby Pink Organdy ribbon

Masculine Thank You Card

This is my attempt at creating a Masculine card, why is that so hard? I don’t know about you but my kid has a group of teacher’s aide and one of them is a guy.

Getting them a little something to say “Thank You” can get expensive, so I got them all a Tim Hortons gift card, who doesn’t love coffee in the morning?

Using the Originals Card Program book, I picked a 4-3/4” x 3” card which is perfect to insert a gift card of any sort. I really loved the cut-out part in the middle.

(P.S. the girls all got flower pot cards)

Supplies used

Papers: CTMH ~ Creative Basic Emporium Collection
Cardstock: Daisy White
Stamp sets: Thank-you, Connections
Inks: Sweet Leaf & Twilight
Embellishments: Natural Hem, Antiqued Copper Brads
Inspired by: Originals ~ Little Squares

Flower Pot Cards

I’ve seen these beautiful cards on various blogs and other sites and I just had to make some. This being the end of the school year I’m always looking for gift ideas and great Thank You cards. These next cards were made as a gift to each of my daughter’s dance teachers. I changed the original format to be able in incorporate a 4” x 6” photo as a keepsake for the teachers.

I’ve had these “Prima Flowers” for over a year now and though these would work out well for this cute card project. The flowers are very vivid, this first card is made using the “Whoops-A-Daisy” paper which is also very vibrant. I don’t usually use such bright colours but sometime you need to step out of your comfort zone. The teacher loved it!

Supplies used

Papers: CTMH ~ Whoops-A-Daisy
Cardstock: Ocean
Stamp sets: Thank-you, Serendipity
Inks: Hydrangea
Embellishments: Prima Flower, CTMH Connections Rhinestone Frames
Inspired by: Michelle

This second card is made using the Expedition paper, for one I had the matching flowers and two the dance number was called: “Central Park Zoo”. These were both fun to make.

Supplies used

Papers: CTMH ~ Expedition
Cardstock: Brown Bag
Stamp sets: Thank-you, Serendipity
Inks: Brown Bag
Embellishments: Prima Flower,CTMH Connections Rhinestone Frames
Inspired by: Michelle

WISHES ~ Card Confidence Program

I just received my brand new "WISHES" card making book from CTMH and WOW, this book at a first glance is simply wonderful. I couldn't wait to read some more. (Yes, I actually read my CTMH books cover to cover.) It was 8:30pm time to put the kiddies to bed so Mommy got to pick the story time book for this evening. You guest it "WISHES" my 4 year old loved all the pretty cards and she actually recognized one of my favourite paper pack "Emporium" used in some of the beautiful artwork .

Jeanette Lynton has outdone herself once more, this book if full of trendy ideas, new patterns and three card workshops, its a must have book. Add it to your Wishes List ;-)

What did you do for Mother’s Day?

Layout title: CORTEO Cirque du Soleil
Layout pattern: Exclusive ~ February WOTG

I would like to thank my husband David for making Mother’s Day such a special occasion for me. It’s all the little things he did like, arranging for Mother’s Day breakfast with the girls, his Mom, our SIL "Mom to be", her Mom and myself of course. He installing our mailbox, adding the extension piece to my desk in my Scrapbooking room (this was big actually) and lastly he give me a certificate for a pedicure.

But the best thing of all was giving me an after-noon all to myself in my Scrapbooking room. This was the first time I actually sit down and played, I completed the two feature pages from the Emporium WOTG program, did I mention how much I love this concept. I really haven’t Scrapbook since last November (well last April at Regionals) but creating in my own space this was a first.

I really felt like Mother’s Day was about me this year, which is truly a gift in its self. Wishing you all a Happy Mother’s Day!

Being a MOM means you are many things to many people. A friend, a teacher, a leader, a hugger, a cook, and a nurse to name a few. Thank you for sharing yourself with others.

Calgary ~ Regional Celebration 2009

I’m slowly getting back in the swing of things, relocating ones family is not an easy task. Most of my close friend will agree that I usually take on more then the average girl. I’m a busy body; it’s funny because I don’t think of myself as one but looking back now, it has been an extremely busy winter and spring is shaping to be the same.

Back in January Natalie my CTMH-BFF asked me to join her at our CTMH Canadian Regional Celebration. I though for sure we’d be done the renovations by that point and some time away would be just what the doctor ordered. Well January soon turned into April and we were still in the middle of major renovations but one thing remained the same. I truly needed some time away from it all. What better way to do so than by sharing with other CTMH colleagues and getting the chance to meet our CEO Jeanette Lynton.

My time away was amazing; it gave me that extra little something to just go on; both personally and as a CTMH consultant. Not only did a get the chance to meet Jeanette but I actually got a big hug from her. She is truly a remarkable woman.

This was my second Regional Celebration, the first being Rochester in 2007. The smaller venue gave me a chance to meet the corporate team. Their enthusiasm and level of energy is quite commendable. We crying, we laugh and we created amazing artwork throughout our two days. I left home with a suitcase full of goodies and beautiful artwork to share with my client back in Ottawa. Not to mention new found friends and colleagues. This trip only confirmed what I already knew. I was at the right place with the right people. Which made me proud, to be a part of such a wonderful organization.

Here are to very different layouts made during our Create & Take sessions, the first one is very girly and I’m all about the girly stuff as you know. (Mostly cause I have two of them).

Layout title: YOU COLOUR MY WORLD

Layout pattern: Imagine book ~ Dynamic Duo

This second layout is done using the new Back Country pp and the new workshop on the go. This was my first time working with the WOTG concept and I must say, where are GREAT!

Layout title: GONE FISHIN

Layout pattern: Exclusive ~ August WOTG