LO - Costumes

A full body shot of our Halloween costumes which doubled at the 70's Dodgeball themed 40th birthday party for our friend, Shawn.

LO - Halloween Studio 54

Kevin's sister Christine (and Scott) always have the best Halloween parties. This year's theme was Studio 54.

Can you spot Diana Ross, Elton John, Starsky & Hutch, the Village People, Saturday Night Fever, Andy Warhol and the Derby Girl?

Photo - Candle Trio

Every year I take pictures of a favourite decoration. This year, my focus was on an arrangement that I made of candles. The gold charger and red wire garland are from the Dollarama (I love that store), I had the gold apples (not sure from where) and the candles I ordered from a catalogue a couple years ago. This is probably the last year for these candles, though, as they have been well used over the last while.

Of course it took me about 30 pictures to get one that I liked. I love digital SLR capabilities!

LO - Bounty

Recently I have been in wonder of how much we as North American middle class have. I have been a person full of gratitude ever since my mission trip to Venezuela in '97. But it has been more prevelent this year for some reason.

I think it is because Kevin and I have felt like we would never get ahead. A sense of financial hopelessness seemed neverending as we waited for six years for him to get full-time work.

Now that we both have good jobs and we have a balanced budget and enjoy the extras that so many people are not privileged to, I refuse to take these things for granted. I often stop in my day to thank God of the Bounty He has given us.

LO - When in Rome

When in Rome, Go to the 11th Floor (of the West Edmonton Mall Fantasyland Hotel). We totally splurged (the embarassingly high amount will not be disclosed) and stayed in the Luxury Roman theme room for one night.

Unfortunately, I got some kind of bug early that day so I was sleeping by 9:00 pm... I was a lame date that night.

LO - Muttart Conservatory

I've already posted these pics of the Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton, but here is the layout that I created with them.

LO - Edmonton Excursion

Finally got to scrapping and posting our Thanksgiving trip to Edmonton. Here is the main page.

2V's 40th Dodgeball Party

My friend Paula asked if I would be the photographer for Shawn's surprise 40th birthday party. How could I say no? I would have been snapping pictures anyway, and this just gave me an opportunity to take more.

Shawn found out about the party only a couple hours before it started. It was a 70s theme Pub & Dodgeball night. Appetizers, drink, and creative costumes.

We had so much fun! I hope you enjoy watching.

Photos - Muttart Conservatory

I am sitting in an Edmonton hotel room right now and looking through my pics from the day. We made a trip to the plant pyramids - the Muttart Conservatory. We haven't been here in about 10 years. It is simply a beautiful place to visit.

Here are some snaps from the day.

Photo - Fall Centerpiece

Here is our fall center piece.

I've always wanted to buy these little pumpkins, but since they don't have any real purpose, I never have... until now.

LO - Pizza Picnic in the Park

Journalling:

"After a cold summer, sunny days in September were most welcome. A couple times we packed a pizza supper and either went to the park or the river. We brought along good reads and enjoyed every minute."

LO - Prairie Roads

I had these pictures a long time ago and for some reason, just seemed silly to scrapbook about driving in the prairies. However, I am learning that not all things in life need deep meaning - some things are for pure enjoyment. This is one of those layouts.

Journalling:

"There's something about driving through the prairies that I love. It's peaceful, beautiful, simple. It drives most people crazy (no pun intended) b/c they find it boring.

And maybe that's it. The road demands nothing from me. I can quiet my ever racing mind and just stare. I can't complete any to-do list on the road. I can only concentrate on the perpetually straight asphalt and try not to get hypnotized by the divider lines.

Kevin and I have been known to drive all the way from Yorkton to Saskatoon w/o saying a word. He must feel the same as me."

LO - A Night Out on the Town

Kevin and I heard about a new paino bar in town and we knew we wanted to check it out. So one Saturday night this summer, we did. It was great. The food was pretty good and there were two piano players and a guitarist. We knew one of the musicians so that made it all the more special.

I bought this "freakem dress" for our summer vacation and I never got the chance to wear it, so I was pretty excited to finally wear my new dress and do my hair (which I never do b/c it takes sooooo long to get it to look good.) But every once in a while, it just has to be done.

Layout - Sunnyside (Good Spirit Lake)

I haven't been to Sunnyside Beach for well over a decade (maybe two). It seemed like such a long drive as a child and I was surprised that it only takes a half hour or so to get there. It's funny how time perception is different when you get older.

We went with my brother and his family. The sand was soft and did wonders for my feet.

In case you can't read the journalling, my nephew took some sand and water home from the lake and made snowmen from styrofoam balls and made a little beach for them and set them out on mom's deck so they could suntan... It was pretty cute.

Layout - (Horse) Racing

In July we went to Yorkton to spend some time with my nephew while mom was watching him for the week. When we came into town we went straight to the races where we knew mom, her beau, and my nephew would be.

I just got a 55-200mm zoom lens for my Nikon and I was trying it out. I got some pretty cool shots, my favourite being the feature photo at the top right.

Photo - Teapot & Roses

I bought these roses at Superstore on Friday and I expected them to die within a day b/c they were only $1 each. But here they are on Sunday, full beautiful plump blooms. I bought the teapot at Niagra Falls during our holiday this summer.

I just love the picture. The colours, the beauty, the simplicity.

I don't have the camera setting available to post, but it was taken on the "No Flash" option with my Nikon D40, 55-200 mm zoom lens.

Card - Dragonfly Best Wishes

I'm so proud of this card. I love it. I was inspired by a stamp set I saw on the Basic Grey website. It had a dragonfly and some bees with leaves for wings (going to try that another day).

Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill Basics and Provo Craft); PP (Basic Grey); Stamps (can't remember, but I bought them at Walmart); Ink (Versamark, Tsukineko); Die Cut Machine (Cricut); Cartridges (George, Lyrical Letters); other (chalk, corner rounder punch, pop dots)

Card - Turning Grey to Blue

I made this card for someone I haven't yet met. I heard that she is struggling and I wanted to cheer her up. The idea for this card came to me in a dream and I couldn't wait until the weekend to make it. Here it is, and it's not even 9:00 am on Saturday!

Supplies: CS (Other); PP (Provo Craft); Mulberry (unknown); Stamps (EK Success and Fiskers); Ink (ColorBox and Pig-Meez); Brads (unknown); Cricut carts (Mickey & Friends, Storybook, Lyrical Letters).

Cards - Thank You

Enjoy. You may be getting these one day.

Card - Birthday Girl & Hello (LL)

A couple of cards I made using my new Cricut cartridge, Lyrical Letters. Love it, love it, love it.

Supplies: CS (Bazzill Basics, other), PP (Basic Grey, Provo Craft), Gems and foam squares (Dollarama)