cReAtIvE jUiCeS fLoWiNg

Hey kids! If you haven't watched the video of Katie below you absotootly MUST. I have lost count of the number of times I've watched it and it keeps getting more and more hysterical!

I cannot for the life of me believe it's already Sunday night. ugh. I wish it was Friday all over again.

I have to say I'm having a hard time adjusting to the time change today. I think it's early to bed for us.

It's been a busy and relaxing weekend all at the same time. I got many odds n' ends done that I've wanted to get out of the way. Denis and I worked on the business last night for several hours and that felt good. We actually had our first "official" meeting. We've found a few "models" to get our portfolio going so now we just have to make arrangements for shoots.

I spent some quality time in the studio today - I had to start by CLEANING IT ALL UP. And that cleaning led to some organization. It felt SO GOOD and it is so much easier to create wtih a clean and organized space. I'm slowly getting into sewing so I had to find room for all of my fabric and supplies. Here is what I've been up to...

We made these cards with Vicki last weekend. I ended up making two so I can sent Rylee and Hayden each one. I wrote them a little note and gave each of them a movie pass to celebrate spring!

This one is for Ry...

And this one is for Hayden...

I started making a pin cushion a few weeks ago and finished it today. I needed quite a bit of D's help with this one. For some reason the words on the pattern were not processing in my brain!

I used Heather Bailey fabric and even splurged on pink pins :)

I just love these colours together...

I have been searching for one of these for quite a while and happened to score one while in Smiths Falls last weekend. I love it!

I need to jazz it up with some accessories...

I decided to frame this layout. It's my fave EVER!

I popped into Home Sense yesterday to get ideas for props for photoshoots and I happened to find this. It is PERFECT for the studio and we'll be able to use it for shoots too. I have to say it's a darn good thing we've put ourselves on a budget because I could have spent thousands at Home Sense yesterday. There seemed to be SO MANY THINGS I loved!!! Fortunately I still had a gift card left to put toward it!

In keeping with the Heather Bailey theme...I made myself a travel mug! I picked up one of the clear mugs from Starbucks a few weeks ago and couldn't resist using some Heather Bailey paper. I even added "diva loca" - it was rather challenging to get it in. Once again D's help was required!

I now have the prettiest mug on the block for my tea. Ironically I also managed to find another travel mug at Home Sense. It's kinda funky, pink and white and it has an "L" on it!

Two weeks ago I had a sewing marathon and I sewed a bunch of these camera straps. They fit Nikon straps only unfortunately...I just LOVE THEM. So pretty. Each strap is double sided.

And last but certainly not least...

Rach bought us clear rings by Theresa Collins. Rach, Katie, Steph and I decided to have matching rings so we're all using *surprise surprise* Heather Bailey paper for our rings. Here is mine...I LOVE IT!

So there you have it. My latest creativity. We have a busy week ahead (hopefully overtime free for me) and next weekend is going to be even busier. I'm having a raclette dinner with my old work team on Friday night and then Saturday we're off to visit Tanya, Keith and Kyle.

Well, time for bed to start Monday off on a great foot!

'night lovelies

I think I just burst a blood vessel...

I stumbled upon this tonight while blog stalking...

I'm in pain from laughing and my face is COVERED IN MASCARA...

I haven't laughed like this in years!

A very Vicki Boutin weekend...

Helllllllllllllllllllllooooooooooooooooooooooooo lovelies!

It's Wednesday night...how did that happen? Time is just a flyin' but I swear I'm not complaining!

Time for a weekend recap - grab a cuppa java I think this may be a long one...

I managed to get on the road at a decent time Friday morning. It was easy to get off on an early start because I hardly packed a thing! I swear it was some sort of miracle. I only had one tote of scrapbooking stuff and my tool bag. I have NEVER EVER managed to do that and I think it's my "new way." It's so much easier on the back!!!

I had to run a few errands before heading to Perth to visit with Grandmaman Turpin and Uncle Gil. I popped in at the care home where Grandmaman is now living to drop off some prezzies and then we hit the road for some lunch. I should say the drive down was BRUTAL. It was pouring rain (hovering somewhere around zero) and the wind was so strong I thought I was going to get blown off the highway!

We had a great lunch together in town. I haven't been down to visit so it was nice to catch up. Uncle Gil took this picture of Grandmaman and I. I've always felt this crazy bond to her but I wanted to hug her so tightly when we stepped outside and she started singing "oh what a beautiful morning." My grandpa used to sing that ALL THE TIME and it was like he was telling me he's around :)

We got some very big news about Grandmaman and Uncle Gil on Monday night. I should say Grandma is from D's dad side and Uncle Gil is D's great uncle from his mom side. They have been "dating" for 26 years and on March 21 we are headed to Perth for their WEDDING! Yes this lovely lady is a blushing bride...



From there I made my way to Smiths Falls where I ran a few more errands and got checked into the hotel while I waited for my girls. It gave me some time to rest and redo my hair...it went from really curly to poker straight with all of the rain!

Friday night we had a crop at the store. SO MUCH FUN. Way too many laughs!!!

Here are a few pictures...

Katie just THRILLED to have a weekend away - does it show???

Steph working on her ATCs...

Katie and Steph

Rockstar Rach and I...we were table mates and roomies - HAD A BLAST with her and she didn't even bite my head off pre-coffee!!! She did bring her Tassimo and yep...I'm hooked!

Working hard...

Friday night we hung out in our room having some bevvies, snacks and lots of laughs!

Saturday it was down to work. Vicki cracked the whip! We did an AMAZING Chatterbox mini album and a few Sassafrass layouts. I didn't really take pictures of that...

Here are pictures of crazy Vicki...

Everybody stick your chin out to avoid 34 chins!

You go girl...lucky for you your daughter is the cover model!!!

Hmmmmmmm

Katie and Steph on Saturday...

An attempt at a serious picture...

Vicki and the girls!

Beautiful Katie...

Me with my mini book - mid-day fatigue...I can feel the "dirty" coming...

Katie's amazing mini album - I wanted to steal it!!!

Steph and Vicki

And now for an attempt at a group shot..

Vicki doing her Paris Hilton profile pose...

Katie didn't realise we were posing...

I think Katie tooted...

Not sure what we were doing here - I was following Rach's lead...

Katie taking a dump...

Laughing at Katie!

Late night snack...

The new face of Best Western Hotels...strike a pose!

Mama Sheila - I heart her...

Trying to take a picture of my "double AAs"

Karen and I

Karen and Steph

So there you have it. there are far too many stories to tell!

It was such a great time and I can't wait for the next time we go away together...NAVCAN IN APRIL BABY!

I was such a good girl and hardly spent any money SOOOOOOOO I'm headed to Kitchener in April for Scrapfest with Chris and Cawi. I am so darn excited! I haven't seen them since December and I'm missing them like crazy. Unfortunately my good friend Whitney and his family who also live near Kitchener will be in Australia that weekend...bummer!

We're going to take a photography class (for scrapbookers), a simple pages class and another one of Vicki's classes. I'm not sure if she'll be able to handle the B O A sistas! Mama Sheila will also be there to keep us in line! SO CAN'T WAIT!

Ok lovelies.

I'm off to watch the new season of America's Next Top Model.

'night

Pay it forward...

My lovely friend Katie posted a wonderful suggestion on her blog today. She encouraged readers to make a donation to their local foodbank. Times are tough for so many people right now. In our household we have been VERY fortunate not to have been touched by this (knock on wood). There are many many hungry bellies across our city and around our world. It is so tough to hear about all of the tiny bellies that are hungry. Katie inspired me to make a difference today. Thanks Katie.

Denis and I just set up a monthly donation to our local foodbank. If you are in Ottawa I strongly encourage you to do the same. Every little bit helps - $5, $10 or more a month can go such a long way. If you want to make a difference in Ottawa go here. It's so quick and easy to set up a montly donation and it feels pretty darn good to know you are doing something.

If you are not in Ottawa, I encourage you to make a donation to your local foodbank. I hope with this post at least one person will set up a donation. Let me know if you do and I also encourage you to post on your blog so we can keep this going...