Thursday, September 26, 2013

Something I'd Like to Share

I try not to go overboard with talking about too many personal things or sharing other people's blog posts here, but today I just gotta share this with you! Over the past several years I've been following and reading a lot of blogs and have felt a connection with some.   One blog I really enjoy is the Busy Budgeting Mama.  
What connected me even more to this blog was when I learned that Natalie (and her family) are Catholic, like me.  I find a lot of peeps out in the crafty, DIY blogosphere are Mormon, or Evangelical Christian - which are both great but hard for me to connect with sometimes because we don't have a shared history?  (Not that it really matters, to me God is God and if you have a spiritual relationship of some kind that works for you that's awesome!)  So not only do Natalie and I have a shared faith but she lost her best friend around the same time I lost my Dad.  I read (and re-read) EVERY post that Natalie wrote about the grief and suffering she went through losing someone who was so close to her heart.   It was comforting to have someone in a similar situation that I could relate to, even if in a very sad way.

The exciting news is that Natalie has turned that loss into something beautiful that I wanted to share.  She has written a book for mums who are grieving (or have experienced any form of loss).  
Over the past 2 years I have floundered through the grieving process.  I definitely don't cry as much now as I did at the beginning of 2012, but some days I get to thinking about how I will explain to my kids why they don't have a Grandpa Nadon.  The thought of trying to calmly, respectfully, and without breaking down into tears, talk about the loss of my Dad is something too difficult for me to imagine. Which is why a book like this is so great for anyone who has lost someone they love.

Yesterday would have been my Dad's 57th birthday. Dad was my cheerleader.  He was my Stage Dad.  When I was feeling unsure about my place in the world or what I should be doing with my life, he was the person I called.  I miss that I can't do that anymore. I mean we still talk, it's just different now :) As an adult, I feel like I need him more than ever.  But I'm so thankful that there is such a precious book, written by a truly sweet person that can help Mums (and future mums) explain their loss to and with their children.  Thank you Natalie!

For more information about Natalie, her story and her new book head on over to her website!  You can even pre-order your copy!

Monday, September 23, 2013

I Bought Some Chairs

Well, I officially feel like an adult.  Today Ty and I bought 2 arm chairs from Urban Barn.  At a pretty penny too, I might add.  I think that's what makes me so nervous.  Well that and the fact that the chairs are custom purchases (read: final sale) and I've never actually seen what the chair will look like in the fabric I chose until they get to my house! EEK!  So I'm a little anxious about my choice.  I have a hard time trusting myself, especially with something this big.



Here's what the chair looks like.  It's hard to tell what the design is really like when it's grey, but....hey it's all I've got for the next 4-6 weeks.  The pattern I've chosen is called Caprice Marine and it looks like this....
Please ignore the chair design.  I'm sure this chair is comfy, but it's just not for me!  I will be sure to post pics once I've got them and set them up in my living room.  It's seen a lot of changes in the past four years....don't remember?  Here let me jog your memory.

What we started with


After a few coats of paint (with the help of my awesome Dad)

Well now that leather couch has seen it's last bum, we've added a rug and a bigger coffee table, a book case....it's a growing room.  I promise I will show-off my soon to be completed living room!

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Girls Night Craft Party

While I was at home Saskatoon we had an unofficial house warming for Jill and her new condo/crafty party.  


The hostess with the mostest.


At first it was just an idea with me, Jill and Amy, and then we invited Megan (queen of cakes) and KO (my sister in law and friend) and well it just became a thing!

Jill and Amy had originally made card kits for three, but since we turned out to be five Jill and Amy improvised some make and takes!


Top Left: Megan (Queen of Cakes) & Amy (Jill's bestie & my birthday twin)
Bottom Left: Sisters - Me (duh), Jill and KO (sister in law)
Right: Just some of the sumptuous food we had

Our inspiration while we worked! LOL

Top Left: Jill gets excited about spray ink
Top Right: Megan stamps
Bottom Left: Spray ink scares KO.  
That was SO funny to watch. But using spray ink is unpredictable at times
Bottom Centre: Something makes me smile
Bottom Right: Amy shows off her embossing




This is me and Amy, after a few glasses of wine.  We cleaned up the scrapbooking stuff and started playing Cards Against Humanity.  I don't know what's happening in this photo, but I love it!

Oh, and I guess I should show off what I made?

Mine is the green one on the right hand side, 
with the white doiley and washy tape.

This was our tag make and take!  
Mines on the far left that says "Holiday Wishes"

I had such a blast with these ladies.  
Makes me wish I lived closer to them.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Altered Canvas Wedding Gift

So I just returned from Saskatoon where I got my craft 
on with my sister, some friends and my Grandma.

But first, a quick trip to PURE for some fro-yo!


After having lunch with my grandparents I put my Granny to work making a scarf for my Christmas Craft Fair! When I told her she had to chain 211 she looked at me like I was crazy!

Jill & I made companion canvases as part of Ashely's wedding gift.  I made the 12x12 one, and Jill made the smaller one.



Close up of the photo.  I mounted it on 2 
different papers and popped it up - real high!


Loved this embossing that I added to the edge of the sheet music and the edge of the canvas.  It really turned out beautifully and really pulled the canvas together!

The top edge of the embossing, some bunting 
and buttons to add the finishing touch! 

I added this chip board heart with the embossed stamp to pull both canvases together and added just a little something extra.

I am really proud of this gift! And I really hope that the bride and groom like it as much as I do!
Dragonfly Designs

Monday, September 9, 2013

My Best Friend's Wedding




So I just barely got home from Europe and  a week later I was flying back East (but not as far as Europe) to Saskatoon for my best friends wedding (that's her with me at my wedding last year).  I have known this girl for close to 20 years - I couldn't miss it.






"I didn't eat all that cake!"

This is my fave picture!  Ashley (bride) and her sister Whitney (far right) danced with Jill (green dress) and me (pink dress) when we were kids/teens.  So we had to take this "Juliettes Dance Centre" picture.  I miss these girlies SO much, it was great to be all together again.