Goodbye and Hello

I hope you are all celebrating the coming of the New Year with those you love and celebrate it safely.

I saw this on Facebook today and just love the sentiment.
Because how true is it.
No matter what you do, the year is going to pass us by.
You can just sit around and let life happen around you, or you can make them happen.
No matter what you choose, those 365 days are going to pass, so make the most of them.

With that being said, I feel like I haven't made the most out of my year.
I retired in January and had so many plans and thought I was going to do so much.
But just recently came to the realization, that I had a retired mindset. Meaning I kept thinking I had lots of time to do this or that, after all I'm retired. But I didn't do all that I had planned.
When I worked (even though I worked from home) I still had deadlines and would fit my projects in that time frame.

I know I still did a lot of things.
-Spent lots of time at our cottage, which I love to do.
-Helped my daughter with her new home.
-Did some creative projects.
-Made and spent time with my friends.
-Most importantly enjoyed as much time as I could with my family.
But I still had so much more I could have and still want to do.
So here is to 2014…the year of filling in the gaps ;)

I wish you all a Healthy and Happy New Year….its time to open the doors to say good bye to 2013, thank you for a wonderful time, and welcome 2014 in :)

Tracy :)

December Tag…Thank you Tim Holtz

Here is the last tag for Tim Holtz monthly tag challenges.
I really loved this month's tag as it was so so pretty.
Here is Tim's Tag http://timholtz.com/12-tags-of-2013-december/
I loved the colour of the poinsettia against the light background and also the dimension to the flower.

I didn't have many of the materials Tim used, but if you know me, then you know I like a challenge ;)
One thing I did have was his poinsettia die. But I didn't have the material he used for his flower layers.
I still think mine turned out pretty good.
I used Shrinky Dink…or Shrink Plastic. You could also use plastic packaging.
It took a couple of tries to form the plastic the way I wanted.
I also like the flecks of paint to represent snow on both the flower and the tag.

Tim used detailed embossing powder for embossing his sentiment, I just had regular embossing powder…it worked just as well.
I also used a different stencil and distress ink colours for my tag.

Like I mentioned I used Shrinky Dink plastic for my poinsettia's.
When I used the heat gun, the flowers shrunk fast like they were suppose to.
So I got out the hair dryer, called Kristy to hold it for me as I formed the plastic as she put the heat on it.
See how tiny they turn out when heated all the way…so cute. And the colour intensifies.
I used Copic markers to get the colours on the plastic.

I have really enjoyed following Tim along on this year long creative adventure.
I may just get my tags done in the nick of time, but I really have enjoyed creating them.
I also want to thank my friend Nicole from Canadian Nickel Scrap'n.
We have been encouraging each other to create these tags each month….even though Nicole is always done way ahead of me each month, no matter how much I tease that I am going to get my tag done early, teehee.

I hope you all had a creative Monday :)

Tracy :)

Hobbit in the house….no I don't mean me ;)

Heather received "The Hobbit" from her sisters for Christmas.
Wayne slept through the whole movie.
Heather and I enjoyed it though….until the end when I realized this is only one part to the series.
This happened when I watched "Lord of the Rings" as well.
I got mad at the ending stating (I think my exact words were) This ending sucks.
After everyone laughed at me (that seems to happen more often than not). The family informed me that it was only one part of the series.
I would have waited until they were all out until I watched it, so I could watch them one after another.

I am feeling a tad better.
I only took one really long nap today, mind you I didn't get out of bed until 11:30am.
Wayne has it bad today…believe me, he is keeping me informed of all his symptoms every 10 minutes, teehee.
I think Heather is getting it as well :(

Our driveway needs to be plowed out, thanks for nothing neighbours, lol.
I did go and sweep off the front steps though.

I am thinking we are going to have to cancel our New Years celebration this year :(
Every year we invite a few friends and whomever wants to come over or drop in, and celebrate with us.
But I don't think Wayne will be over it yet. But we will see.

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend and had a creative Sunday :)

Tracy :)

Blogger taking a sick day

I am still under the weather :(
Fever, coughing and down right feeling miserable.
Sadly Wayne now has it as well.
Now we know how men are when they are sick….OMG.

Hope you all enjoy your weekend and get to create as well.

Tracy :)

A few special gifts

A super quick post from me tonight.
This cold is just kicking my arse. You know I'm not up to par, when I had to cancel Friday Night Scrapbooking :(
I spent most of my day either sleeping, in a hot bath or every once in awhile I would go on the computer and catch up on a few blogs or Facebook.

So I thought I would share with you a few of my favourite Christmas gifts.
The girls bought me the newest Stephen King book, I love his writing style. I have been reading him since I was a young teen.
Wayne bought me the extender plates for my Cuttlebug. These will make using the longer dies so much easier.
A new pair of boots with low heals because of my heel problem. I still have to treat the leather though.
A beautiful scarf and inserts for my day planner.
And I can't wait to play with these mini banner punches :)

I keep thinking that today is Monday, as Wayne went to work today :)
Shortest post in history from me, teehee.
But I am off for a hot bath and right to sleep. Or sleep in the hot bath….that has happened a time or two :)

Hope you all had a creative Friday :)

Tracy :)

Nothing Better than Friends and Family.

Lots of photos but not much writing as I am feeling like cr@p tonight.
I have had a fever all day and a bit of a hacking cough.
I just needed to make it through today and then I can get sick, lol.

My awesome friend Debbie came by for her Christmas visit and gave me this beautiful photo plaque that she made.
Aren't my friend so talented :)
She also knit the beautiful scarf and made me this card…which I didn't realize was covered up, but I don't have the energy to re-take the photo.
Thank you so much Debbie, I just LOVE this :)
I remember she made a few for gifts last year and was a bit sad that I didn't receive one…but I'm smiling from ear to ear now :)

Here is a photo of Debbie and I :)
Not only are my friends talented, but they are gorgeous as well :)

Every year on Boxing day we go to my SIL/friend Sharon's for supper.
I had to go.
I know Sharon would be more disappointed with me not going then her getting my cold (or whatever I have).
Yup, she agreed with me :)

These next photos are from last night at my brother's house.
Her is my little (okay, younger) sister, Julia :)

And here we are picking something out of my cleavage, lol.
Busted..I threw in a turkey leg to eat later, lol. Just kidding ;)

And lastly Heather, Julia and Kristy :)
They love their Aunty :)
I have no idea where my brother was….probably outside with Wayne freezing their butts off enjoying their gross yearly cigar.

Well, that is the end of my holiday celebrations, until we host New Years eve here at our house.

Okay, I got to go…Kristy is yelling at me to get to bed and rest…she even gave me her baby blanket to comfort me :)

Tracy :)

From my Family to Yours, Merry Christmas :)

From my Family to yours Merry Christmas :)

Now isn't she a looker ;)
We all wanted to be together for Christmas morning, so the girls got Ashley to come over at 7:00am so we can open presents together and spend the day together :)
We may not be morning people, but come Christmas morning…..we are, teehee.
If the girls weren't awake…Wayne would nicely wake them up. Yes he is a big kid at heart :)
I love that Ashley came over in her Christmas PJ's and her Sorels :)

I used to shop early for Christmas, but soon learned that Wayne would then go and want to do more shopping for the girls.
So now I wait until we can go together.
Well after I was done with the Christmas shopping, Wayne decided that we should get the girls a big gift as well. He wanted to buy each of them a Mac Book Pro.
At first I said no way, as I feel you need to earn your way in life, but then I thought, Wayne was really excited and I brought him down. Second: Our girls are hard workers and have never in our lives given us any troubles and they are great girls.  Third: they never get extras. Once they finish school, any thing they need, they have buy it themselves. Plus we never buy them something just because.
So I agreed.
I wish the photos I took of them first opening the laptops turned out, as they were in disbelief and totally shocked.

After gifts, we always make Pillsbury   turnovers for breakfast.
A nice tradition that Kristy and I made this morning :)

After that I made my blueberry Cheesecake for dessert at my brother Darrell's, as we go there for Christmas dinner.
Yummy, and came home with only two pieces, teehee.

I hope you all enjoyed Christmas with your family and friends :)
Here is my Greetings to you :)


Tracy :)

The stockings were hung

I wanted to share with you a bit of my daughter Ashley's Christmas decor.
Isn't this beautiful….it looks like it should be in a magazine.
I love how her colours are all silver, gold and white…stunning.
She even found wrapping paper and stockings to match :)
I have to pat myself on the back for that mantel though ;)

I spent most of my day preparing for our celebration with Wayne's side of the family.
He has a big family and it is always nice to get together.
It seems we all don't get together as much as we used to, especially with all our kids older now, and don't celebrate a birthday every month together.
Every year I make Wayne's moms recipe for Wild Rice Casserole.
Wayne's mom made it every Christmas. I have made it every year since she passed away.
I thought I would time how long it takes to make as it is a process…it took about 2 1/2 hours to make and that didn't include soaking the rice over night. But I have to say it is well worth it :)

Have to put a few more gifts under the tree then off to bed before Santa bypasses our house ;)

I hope you all had a wonderful, merry day :)

Tracy :)

Pillow Boxes and Traditions

I didn't get to finish anymore pages in my December Daily, so I thought I would share my pillow boxes that I had made :)
I am really having fun with this pillow box punch board.
If you noticed I made a bit of an error on this one.
One flap goes out and the other flap on the other end goes in….I must have punched the finger notch on opposite ends…oh well, it still is pretty :)

I have even been making different sizes of these pillow boxes.
There will be a few of these boxes under the tree ;)

I worked today!!!
I know right?!  I'm suppose to be retired!!
But the company needed some paper work looked up and Wayne volunteered me…such a sweetie eh, teehee.
As it was my book work from last year, I knew exactly what I was looking for, so it took me less than 5 minutes to get the papers that they needed.
I was a bit sad to walk by my old photocopier, my fax machine, my file cabinet, and my boxes and boxes of paper work….but not sad enough to go back to work, lol.

I also got my Scrap for Heart crop tickets today :)
It isn't until February 1st but today was the last day to get the free gift.
And who doesn't like a free gift. It is an insulated lunch bag.

I was checking out one of my favourite artists on FB and found out I won some of her fabric :)
Sadly I won this back in October and I am sure it is too late to claim my prize :(
Don't I look all happy there, teehee.

For Heidi Swapp's photo a day challenge the prompt was
"Wish"
I had Kristy help me with this one.
I have no idea how to write on my photos and for some reason my phone wouldn't download the app.
Thank you Kristy :)

Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine's photo prompt.
"Traditions"
We have many traditions, like watching Christmas movies, baking, where we celebrate the days and that Wayne goes overboard on his gifts he gives.
But the one I choose is Christmas PJ's :)
After getting together with Wayne's side of the family and enjoying a wonderful feast and family, we come back home in the evening and the girls are allowed to open one gift…of my choice ;)
I always give them their Christmas PJ's :)
Aren't they adorable. :)

This evening was spent watching a couple of Christmas movies. Wayne's favourite is "Jingle all the Way" and one of mine (as I have many favourites) "A Christmas Story".
What is your favourite Christmas movie?

Hope you all had a wonderful and creative Monday :)

Tracy :)

Day 2 &3 of my December Daily

I created some more pages in my December Daily :)
I am way more ahead of schedule than last year.
If you remember I didn't even start them until January…and yes I said them.
I made one for each of my daughters…you can watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTQ4IwW3j1w















I am including mine and my girls photo challenge photos in this DD. Which I think is great…especially for those days when the only photos I have are of the challenges.

So far I am doing 2 pages for each day.
But I am giving myself permission to only do one page a day, if that is all I have for that day.
That is a big step for me you know ;)

Day #3
I am using different page protectors for this album.
My plan is to do a full page for the daily (family) photo. and a divided page for the challenge photos.
Have you noticed that Ashley doesn't have any challenge photos for these 2 days…someone fell behind...

I used my camera for these photos.
I thought that they would be clearer than my cell phone, which they are, but they came out a yellow tinge…so I think I will just use my cell phone for the rest.

I am having fun adding decorative elements to these journal cards.
I am adding the journal prompts beside the photos with my label maker.






















I am using the PL journal cards and decorating them up a bit.
Here I used a border strip and just cut the top part of the card to the same shape as the border.
I have also been trimming the cards smaller if I need be.
Just a tip…If you have the envelope punch board, the corner rounder is the exact same roundness as the PL rounded corners…see I just punched the one corner on here and it is exactly the same as the other side. So if you have this tool, you don't need to purchase Becky Higgins Project Life corner rounder :)

Wayne and I went out for a late lunch…yum.
I had so many leftovers, I had more than enough for supper as well :)























Day 22 of Canadian Scrapbooker Magazines daily photo challenge.
"Scarf"
I would rather had my girls model this photo, but they aren't here tonight.






















Day 22 of Heidi Swapp's daily photo challenge.
"Cookies"
My girls have been baking up a storm at Ashley house today :)
Here are are their gingerbread cookies that they made today :)





















I made a couple more pillow box's, but thought I have overwhelmed my blog with photos tonight, so I will share those another day:)

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and a creative Sunday :)

Tracy :)

Start to my December Daily

The family went out early this morning to go Christmas shopping for me, as I slept in my nice warm bed and dreamt sweet dreams :)
Then Wayne wrapped all my gifts and the set up his video game television (yes he uses a different TV for gaming) and I set up shop right by him, to finally get to work on my December Daily.

And just to add more work for myself, I added red sparkle to these daily numbers.
They looked just fine without the sparkle, but we all need a bit of sparkle in our lives, don't we ;)

Here is my cover page for my December Daily.
I am going to add the year, but haven't yet.
I know one of my Christmas presents and am waiting till then to finish it off, as it will work perfectly for this ;)
My friend Myra and I made that flower with her spellbinders poinsettia die.
I added a bit of sparkle to the red flourishes and "December" with a red Spica pen I had received from my friend Pea :)

Here is my first day of my December Daily.
I am using all different paper companies and any embellishment I think might go with the papers.
The hardest part is printing out the photos.
Kristy and Ashley "were" doing the photo challenges with me, so I wanted to put their photos in here as well.
So I had to go on Instagram to copy, then edit their photos. Then I had to put the photos on a jump drive to be able to print them up on my Selphy CP800.
Some of the photos come up on the Selphy screen as a question mark, so I have to go back with the jump drive to only put on the photos I want to print, as I want to resize them, and I don't know which photos are which.
I should have purchased the Selphy 900 when they had that special, purchase 3 paper packs and get the Selphy for free….but mine still works so I didn't :(

Here is a close up of just the 1st page.
I am trying to keep it simple.
But even keeping it simple sure takes me forever ;)

I used Becky Higgins grid cards and added a decorative border to the top and inked the edges of the cards.
I took the photos with my cell phone, the pages are in page protectors. After I uploaded the photos I noticed how croked they are and blurry, but with keeping it simple (or I was to lazy) I didn't retake the photos ;)

Day 21 of Heidi Swapp's photo challenge.
"Lights"
Here is our Christmas Tree.

Day 21 of Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine's photo challenge.
"Merry"
I was truly stumped with this one. But what makes me Merry is to have my supplies around me and being able to create all day, and being close to my family.
This is my work station this weekend, as I am working on my December Daily, hubby is on the love seat next to me playing his video games ;)
Life is Great.

I hope you all have a wonderful and creative Saturday :)

Tracy :)

A gift to chuckle over

My friend Lynne came by today and gave me a Christmas present :)
I love the card she made me, the sentiment says "Some of my Best friends are flakes" teehee.
I am sure she meant that in the most loving way ;)

I had quite the chuckle out of this one.
Lynne has a great sense of humour and we so get each other.
When she comes over for Friday Night Scrapbooking, more times then not, I don't have any ice in the freezer, as much as I love ice in my pop.
She teases me asking to know if I need the recipe.
Well, not only did she give me a brand new ice tray, she also gave me her secret recipe on making ice, lmao.

Wayne took today off and we did the rest of our shopping. We were almost done just a few small things.
I thought of you Katie, when I saw this kit…..mind you, yours are so much cuter.

Day 20 of Heidi Swapp's photo a day challenge.
"Charity"
If you aren't familiar with Canadian money, these are our $1.00 and $2.00. We have coins not paper money for ours.
Makes a purse a bit heavy if you don't use these up ;)

Day 20 for CSM photo a day challenge.
"Elf"
This was also a prompt used by Heidi Swapp on an earlier day.
I had just as much trouble finding this one as I did hers.
But Wayne to the rescue again :)
I used to sew/make my aunt an elf every year for Christmas…wish I would have taken photos of those.

I hope you all had a wonderful, creative Friday :)

Tracy :)