Sweets from a Sweetie

 

Last week, I received a sweet little notification from my scrapbooking friend Cindy, aka Cindy's Pages In Time. Thanks so much Cindy...you made my day!! A few days later, my friend Pendra sent me the same award!! I appreciate your kindness, Pendra, but dang it...I was going to send this on to YOU too!

Coincidentally, this picture looks EXACTLY like the strawberry shortcake dessert I made for Canada Day, but...horror of horrors... I didn't take a photo!!

Now I have to pass this on to 7 blogging friends.  That is definitely the hardest part because there are so many wonderful blogs and friends out there!! I hate choosing, but choose I must, so in no particular order, I pass this yummy award onto these lovely people:   Michelle at Michelle's Scrap Bits, Renee at Luv This Scrap, Patty at A Sassy Scrapper, Shawn at Poetry in a Pot of Tea,  Sharon at That Girl Fritchey, Izzy at Write Snap Scrap, and Natasha at Moments of Tranquility. 

I met all these wonderful scrapbookers over at Scrapbook.com, and have been inspired by their designs and enjoyed their friendship for over a year.  I have to say, it was soooo tough to pick only SEVEN, so if another award comes my way, I certainly have a long list of other blogs that I can share it with :)

Now comes Part 2 of this award....listing 7 random facts about ME!  Hmmmm, not sure if I want you to know all my deep dark secrets, but here we go:

7.  I'm allergic to every pet/animal around, but when I was young, I had the following pets (and I'm a city girl!): turtles, rabbit, duck, gerbils.

My duck "Buttercup"

6. Even though I'm allergic to most creatures, I have a tender heart and soft spot for all of them, even spiders and snakes....but I hate magpies.

My Arch Enemy

5.  I appear to be a calm person, but I'm a horribly impatient driver and use my horn...a LOT. Even my kids tell me to lay off the horn.  Then two weeks ago I met someone else with road rage.  An "old lady" with white hair pursued me in a car chase in my neighbourhood after I accidentally cut her off at the grocery store.  Lesson learned...my horn is now silent.

Re-Enactment of Car Chase

4.  This week I travelled up north on a 3-day business trip.  The only time I watch tv is in a hotel room.  There I lay in my bed eating Cheetos and Popcorn....while watching "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss edition.  I lost my appetite.

Cheezies AND a bath?? Heaven!

3.  I don't take showers, only baths.  And wash my hair in the kitchen sink. Yep.

My nightly ritual

2.  I don't drink coffee or alcohol but have always been in LOVE with Earl Grey tea, with lots of milk and sugar.

I might as well be British...because this is my constant companion

1.  I have nice thick wavy hair....but HATE to do anything with it.  I don't have bad hair days, but I have lazy hair days and wear lots of pony tails.  I only go to the salon a few times a year because I think it takes too long to cut or colour my hair.

My pony tail role model

Whew!  Now that I've revealed these secrets here, I'm feeling a little like a Catholic school girl who has gone to Confession...ha ha!  Bonus fact:  I was brought up Catholic but my spiritual beliefs are a combo of all the great religions in the world

And that's enough secrets for now.... Peace :)

GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

FINALLY....I know you've all had nothing to do lately other than check my blog for the announcement of my spectacular blockbuster event..."Reaching 50 Followers" prize giveaway!!

Your wait is over, my friends....and here are the 3 winners chosen by random.org generator (wink wink)

Step 1: High tech selection process

Step 2: Names are downloaded into Random.org

Step 3: Initiate Generator (aka BOF)

Step 4: Generator uploads winners

DRUM ROLLLLLL.....I know the suspense is killing you!!!


The FIRST WINNER is.........

Shawn wins the GLITZ prize package!  YAY Shawn! (Everyone claps now)

And the second winner is .......

Pendra wins the BOBUNNY prize package!  YAY Pendra!!! (more clapping)

The final and third prize goes to.............

Jacki wins the IMAGINESCE prize package!! YAY Jacki!! (clapping dying out now)

Please do not be disappointed if you didn't win, my friends, because there will  be more funtastic giveaways in the future. 

Now, I will need all winners to send me money so I can send them their prizes......KIDDING! 

A special mention and BIG thank you goes out to my bestie Sandra D....who provided the beautiful floral arrangement you saw in the background!  Thanks, Sandra!

Congrats to everyone!!!  Can't wait to see what you create with your prizes :)

Inspired by Authentique Paper

Since the release of Authentique Paper two weeks ago, I am totally smitten with all 3 collections and can't wait to see more!  I created this fairly simple single page layout of BOF (BabyOfTheFamily).  She is definitely "Uncommon" and makes us smile and giggle every day.  She is truly a blessing!

I cut this scalloped edge from one of the patterned papers and used this lovely pink Making Memories ribbon to frame the page....

The teeny journaling tags are from the Uncommon die-cut sheet, and the words are from their "Diction" sticker sheet.

The flower petals are cut from the same paper that I cut into large scallops edging the page.  I added a button from My Mind's Eye "Lost & Found" collection.

In honour of Canada Day, I added a Melissa Frances (Canadian designer!!) frame....well, this was actually just a happy coincidence and good timing! lol!

Next up...the blue line from Authentique Paper called "Journey" !!

PLUS...drum roll....this week I announce the winner of my GIVEAWAY!!! Wooohooooo!

Happy Canada Day!

July 1....a day to reflect on what it means to be Canadian (cue National Anthem music in background).

Canada ROCKS!

I have to tell you about a very special event that happened to BOF and me in May.  We met the PRIME MINISTER!!!  at a sports event.  Yes, I was a bit of a stalker and approached him for a photo, thinking "Isn't this going to be the most amazing bit of Show & Tell that my daughter could bring in to show her teacher and class!!"

PM Stephen Harper, BOF and Moi (Note the intentional inclusion of French)

Let me tell you, when his baby blues met my browns, I felt a teeny thrill of a crush going on! (Do NOT think Monica Lewinsky, people!)

The PM's official photographer actually took this photo and gave me a little official business card with a number.  I was supposed to email his office my number and then they emailed me this official photo! Yay!

So when I got the photo, I was soooo excited and printed it off and gave it to BOF.  Her reaction was less than enthused,  "No Mom, I don't want to take this to school. It's not like he's Justin Bieber or anything."

What?!?!? A momentous photo like this and she doesn't want to show it to all her friends???

I asked my friend Photoshop for help, and this is what we came up with....

PM Justin Bieber, BOF and Moi.

Now she can have Justin, and I can have Stephen!

I just hope the "Feds" don't come after me for this :)