Me in a nutshell today: A thankful Canadian!

In the 'true north strong and free', its easy to get accustomed to the good life, the every-day, our weather, our expensive homes, our expensive vehicles, our well-paying jobs, our freedoms. Our freedoms. What does that really mean? How can you even begin to compare a nation filled with love, equality, free speech & democracy with that of a war-torn country in the midst of hundreds of slayings, over the inability to 'have a say', or speak ones mind? And why is it that our every-day, becomes the expected, deserved, even entitled to? It is luck, and God's will that we were born Canadian, that we have these privileges that so many take advantage of and expect- including myself.  Thousands of people have died in their quest to seek a life that we have been outright given.  It's a sad thought, to think of children left orphaned, because their parents were fighting for freedoms and a better future.  It's sad to think that people lose their lives, over the inability to give their opinion, or challenge the status quo.  Can you imagine waking up listening to guns fire outside your house, and not having this be an uncommon thing in your life? Think about that for just a minute. Think about not being able to walk to a store, or drive your vehicle through town in fear that you will be shot- and your family, anxiously awaiting your return, are left without.  I can honestly say, these are things I do not think about. I take my freedoms and my peaceful country for granted, because these are not my realities.  I wake up every day and do as I please, speak as I please, and on occasion, bitch about how hard 'it is'.  Time to wake up, and realize that no matter how bad, how ugly, and how hopeless life's curve balls can seem- we are so blessed, and so lucky for everything that we just expect in life.  I asked my husband last night if he ever thought there would be a day that the entire world would live in democracy? It seems so far out of reach, but God has His plan, and I really do hope that is part of it.  Today, I hurt for those who do not have what I do, for those losing their lives trying to achieve peace.  I hurt, because though I have thought about war and what it can do to a country's people many, many times, today is the first time it has truly hit me like a rock.  It's one of those thoughts that has always been a "glad its not me" situation. I can't lie, it still is, but the reality of other country's hardships has never been so daunting.  I thank my brother Adam for truly opening my eyes to Libya's struggle, though I'm sure he doesn't realize he had this effect;) I trust in God, and know that the future is set- whatever happens is meant to be, and has purpose. I have seen this in my own life, and trust it to the fullest.  Today, I know my brother will be home safe soon, and am thankful for his return.  This will not change that hundreds more will die in their struggle to achieve a country like that of which he is returning to.  I have never been so thankful to be a Canadian; July 1st will have a whole new meaning for me this year.

I pray for my brother's return to his family, and for those who have lost, and will lose trying for the good life.  

Cards! (and a can:)

Though scrapbooking is my first love, here are a few other projects I have done!

 This is the first can I made, in 2009! I haven't made many since, as they take up lots of space in my scrapbooking room, and I don't put anything in them! I thought the idea was really cool though, and have made a couple for my daughter's friends' b-day gifts. They are great to put small gifts in, and great for storage!

 These are a couple of the 'coloring' cards I have made.  I got the idea from a friend, and thought it would be great for all the birthday parties my girls go to. So I made quite a few of them, and they have been a hit!

 This is probably my favorite thank-you card I have done. I love the paper, and the embossed stamp looks good with the paper.

 This is a very simple birthday card/ tag/ card holder I made. I love how easy it was to make, and the many uses it has:)

This card was one I made for a card swap. I really like the sponging on the card to match the cardstock, and the simple addition of the rhinestones that I added to the middle of some of the flowers (hard to see in this pic).

 Here is another challenge page! Me and Ash were wanting to get a page done (quickly), so we could get to bed by 2:30 am.  So we gave ourselves 30 minutes to construct a page each, and the winner owed the other coffee in the morning; which was totally unfair on my behalf, as I wanted Timmies, and Ash wanted Starbucks! Good thing she lost...:) This is what I came up with in my 30 minutes.

I used this random mesh ribbon in the layout that I sprayed black with 'Tattered Angels' glimmer mist. I used this ribbon on a few other layouts for this album as well; its so fun to play with! I also used 'Cosmo Cricket' chipboard letters, black 'Thickers', 'Creative Memories' paper and paper flowers, a random pearl in the center of the flowers, and a 'Basic Grey' metal book clip to showcase our kissy-face pic:)

I love this picture of me and Adam. So I figured, why not look at it 4 times on one page!! I also liked the 4 different effects the photographer gave each picture, so to pick just one to scrapbook was not an option.  It is also the photo we sent in our thank-you cards.  I actually made this page in 15 minutes.  Ashley created a challenge for me to make a page in 15 minutes or less, to get me moving quicker, as I was not having a very productive day (too much gabbing and drinking instead)!  And this was the result.  All it took was some random ribbon, 'Stampin' Up' ribbon, 'DCWV' cardstock, 'Creative Memories' paper, 'Making Memories' rub-on and metal word, 'Bazzill Basics' paper flowers (the white one is sprayed a silvery-black with 'Tattered Angels' glimmer mist), and a random pearl! (Ok, that sounds like a lot...)

 I love the picture of Adam with my nephew doing up his jacket!! How sweet... Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I thought these pictures were beautiful enough on their own, and required very simple scrapbooking to allow them to shine. 

 I used the following to make these layouts: 'Karen Foster' paper, 'Prima Marketing' rhinestone swirl, 'Bazzill Basics' paper flowers, 'Fancy Pants' ribbon, and 'e. Prima Marketing' pearls.

 These layouts are of the fantastic group of friends who shared our day with us. With such a large wedding party, I thought it would be difficult to get good photos (and unique photos), with all of us together. But, here they are! This staircase is in the home of dear friends (more like second parents and mentors) of ours, who leant their house to us for the afternoon to get some shots.  We are a rather gorgeous bunch, don't you think?

 The layouts were constructed using 'Karen Foster' and 'Creative Memories' paper, 'e. Prima Marketing' rhinestones and rhinestone swirls, 'Bazzill Basics' paper flowers, 'K & Company' adhesive ribbon words, and 'DCWV' adhesive ribbon.

 Mmmm, the drink of the weekend... Tang and Arbor Mist- hey don't knock it 'til you try it!! It was our (slightly redneck) take on a Mimosa. That's what retreats are for right? Creatvity, experimentation... this has it all:)

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I love the picture of me and my brother in this layout. It was a great moment with him on my wedding day, even though we have done countless duets in our lifetime. It was and is a reminder to me that the little things I share with him will never change, and as "blood" he will always be beside me on the days that count. It's funny that its the only picture I have of the two of us at the piano together too!  Then theres my husband, who can't play a tune to save his soul, lol, but he will listen and appreciate that I can! This layout was simply put together with 'Creative Memories' paper, ramdom buttons and brads, 'Stampin' Up' lace ribbon, thickers, and an old sheet of piano music I swiped from the piano stool!