Happy Holidays.......

well I hope Santa was as good to everyone as he was to our household, the kids are thrilled with their new goodies and I am enjoying my new Computer monitor and all in one printer, the scanner makes scrapbooking life so much easier :)

Have you made any resolutions for 2008? I am full of good intention but I would really love to make a huge effort to lose those last 20 pounds, I started off good last year and lost gusto after awhile. I plan to make it stick this year and get the kids involved too, going for walks and things like that!

Here are some pics from Christmas morning, see you next year!

Happy 12th birthday......

to my eldest baby girl

Happy 5th birthday.........

to my baby girl, I honestly can't believe how fast time flies.

A place to call my own.......

it's still under minor construction, hanging trim and getting a new wiring system under the table but it's usuable and it's mine, I've been waiting 4 years for our basement to be finished so I could have this space, I have scrapped off my night table and glass mat for way too long, but when Dan bought his motorcycle this past summer I put my foot down that this room be done for Xmas. The rec room is coming along nicely and I will post pics of that down the road when all the furniture is down here from upstairs.

Be on the look out for some long overdue layouts very soon, I haven't scrapped anything other than commitments to Scrapbook Star and Valerie Salmon's Got Sketch blog, and I've missed doing it.

Scrapbooking Xmas stock up sale....

Scrapbook Star is having their last sale of the year this weekend Nov. 23-25th, here are the details
"We're having another super sale this weekend. In fact our last until Boxing Day Saturday and Sunday 30% off Regular Priced Items an additional 60% off already reduced items "

Scrapbook Star, Star Search 2007....

FAbulous prizes and tonnes of fun await you at Scrapbook Star........

We are currently looking for a guest DT member for the month of February The deadline to apply is November 28th. We will then narrow it down to 8 contestants, who will do weekly challenges, 2 contestants will be eliminated each week. At the end of the 4 weeks one contestant will be left standing and will win the position for Guest DT member for February. The winner will receive a prize pack including a CUTTLEBUG as well a monthly kit, and a 50$ store gift certificate. The runner-up wont go away empty handed either, they will also receive a prize pack! We would also love the applicants to be active members of our message board and gallery, as this will be part of your DT duties. Please send your entry to dtcontest@scrapbookstar.ca – a maximum of 3 pages or projects please. Please make sure your name is in your file name to easily identify your work ex: janedoe_page1.jpg Applicants from all countries are welcome. Please submit your entries by November 28th, 2007 The 8 Finalists will be contacted by December 1st, and the Contest will begin December 3rd. The Star Search winner will be announced December 31st!

Fall is here...

and before I know it Xmas will be here and the snow will be falling, I can't believe that tommorrow marks the beginning of November. where has 2007 gone?


anyway some pics taken of us last weekend and for Halloween today...

Changes........

well as some of you may know I am no longer JUST A SAHM ;), I have headed back to work part time, with the Bulk Barn, and after 6 days of training was promoted to supervisor, which I was quite proud of. I'm really enjoying working again, I didn't realize how much I have missed talking to adults other than family.

I had 2 publications come out this month, in Scrapbook and Cards Today's fall issue and Memory Makers Oct issue, which brings me up to 4 publications this year, 3 more than I had hoped for!! and on the Memory Makers one, it has 2 cover choices and my LO can be seen on one of them, it's small, but it's there!!! so cool.......

The kids are adjusted to school and Marissa just completed her babysitting course on the weekend so she is certified and ready to work, and has been doing a wonderful job for me here for the hour after school until Dan or I get home from work!

My photography is taking off as well, I had 2 clients this month which was wonderful, if you haven't checked it out yet you can see my work here

I hope all is well in your world :)

My baby is in Senior Kindergarten,,,,,,,

times flies much to quickly, it just isn't fair

Happy Anniversary (on the 18th)

we've been married for 6 years tommorrow and this summer has seen us going through some tough times, but we're talking and loving through it and I know things will be okay, I love you more today than I did the day we wed, you will always be my best friend and partner in life....

New family members......

meet Snuggles (white and cream) and Zoe(calico) they are just babies and are so very sweet!!

I've been tagged........

My Name is Kim
:1. Famous singer/band: Kiss
2. four letter word: Kite
3. Street: Keith St
.4. Colour: Krave a lipgloss i owned once
5. Gifts/presents: kitten
6. Vehicle: Kia Rio
7. Things in a sovenir shop: Kites
8. Boy Name: Kevin
9. Girl Name: Katie
10. Movie Title: Kill Bill
11. Drink: Koolaid
12. Occupation: kissing booth operator
13. Celebrity: Katie Holmes
14. Magazine: Kids weekly
15. U.S. City: Kansas City
16. Pro Sports Teams: Kansas City Cheifs
17. Fruit: kiwi
18. Reason for Being Late for Work: kite stuck in a tree
19. Something You Throw Away: kleenex
20. Things You Shout: " kiss me baby"
21. Cartoon Character: Katie and Orbie
Here are the rules: The game is SCATERGORIES....* Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the questions.* They MUST be real places, names, things ... NOTHING made up!* If you can't think of anything, skip it.* You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.* If your name happens to start with the same letter as mine, sorry, but you can't use my answers!

An auntie again........

my newest niece, Madelyn Maria Costantina, arrived on Sunday July 29th at 4:12pm weighing in at 10lbs and 80zs and measuring 18" long We are quite smitten with her to say the least, can't wait to do her official photo shoot in a week or so congrats Bonnie and Lou and Abbygale!!!

Are you Canadian? and want to be on an amazing Scrapbook DT?

then look no further.......... you can follow the link to Scrapbook Star on the right to check out the site!!

Design Team Call
Scrapbook Star is looking for 3 new design team members. If you consider yourself to be creative, team oriented and love our site and store please send the following to dtcontest@scrapbookstar.ca
3-5 recent projects that best represent your usual style
Please make sure your name is in the file title such as "janesmithbelieve.jpg"
Please keep files to under 100kb in size
Please include the following: *Full name, address & phone number * Other Design Teams you are a member of * A link to your online gallery or blog * Why you would like to be part of the team **Design Team members receive a monthly kit and allowance, as well as store discounts and free shipping of your orders when they are combined with your Design Team Kit shipment. **Members are on six month contracts - running October 2007 - March 2008 (Your first kit will arrive beginning of September - your first project will be due October 1st) after which one or both parties can chose to either terminate or extend the contract.
**Design Team members cannot be part of any other Canadian design team (for retail & online stores and communities). **
Members are asked to complete 2 pages a month with their kit, one for the first of the month, and one for our online crop - along with a challenge for each. The pages must be scanned at high resolution and emailed for store display purposes. These two pages must stay exclusive to Scrapbook Star for one month.
We also ask that once a week you post a "mini" challenge (see our Daily Inspirations forum) **We also ask that you be active in our gallery and message boards, posting minimum 50 posts a week, and one project to our gallery weekly to keep it inspirational for our members. **Deadline to Apply is August 15th 2007, midnight eastern time - announcement will be made by August 22nd, 2007

Boys and their toys.........

hubby got himself a new toy, he's having his midlife crisis alittle early I think, he's only 33 :) but he's happy, now to hope that he doesn't get hurt on it

Love is.....

Love is like a gentle breezethat cascades through your entire being,filling every fiber with emotion so deepyour heart grows wings.- Kristalee Berry -

Another proud mommy/photographer moment

I entered another picture of Victoria in the Facebook Photogenic Kiddo's contest and out of 1000 photos she got another win, I also took this picture so it's great recognition for that too, anyway :) have a great weekend!!!

2 more sleeps!!!!

until I hit the Creating Keepsakes Convention with the girls!!! I have been looking forward to this day for months, especially seeing Tina, the Internet is great for keeping in touch but nothing compares to the real thing!!

On the home front things are good, the kids are anxious for school to end and the grandparent's pools to be open for business, they are all fish and spend the day in the pool for the better part of the summer.

In scrap booking my first published page came out this month in the Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine, can you say thrilled, I don't know who was more excited Tori or me :)

Fergie - Big Girls Don't Cry

I'm loving this song right now

Out of over 1000....

pictures my baby Victoria was chosen as a winner in the best eyes category on Facebook, in the group ~Facebooks photogenic Kiddos contest~ I'm so proud as I took this photo myself and the competition was fierce, here is the posting :)

congrats also to my friend Patti whose daughter Brianna was crowned a Queen! WTG Patticakes

So thrilled.........

Memory Makers Magazine picked up one of my layouts for their Idea Gallery Issue, it will be my 3rd publication but my first with this magazine, I have to get it ready and in the mail by tommorrow, it has to be there within the week, I hope it gets there in time!!!

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!!!!!!!!!

in honour of this celelbration among scrapbookers, Scrapbook Star is having a weekend long sale, save 25% off of your order, and yes you can shop online!!! Have a great NSD!!!

I've been MIA lately

due to the new man in my life, he is full of beans and energy, and has completely tied me down. I haven't touched my paper and glue in weeks, and i miss it.

this week Marissa is in her school talent show and is in 3 acts of it, I love watching her perform in school functions she is really good, although i may be a little biased.

Nothing much has changed around here, our fence is finally getting replaced after the freak October '06 storm what a difference that will make to the yard, our taxes are done and paid, it was our first year self employed and we were pleased that we didn't have to pay nearly as much as we had thought and had saved for, so we bought a few things for the house.

Anyway, looking forward to Sunday for a big girls day out, heading to Mississauga with my pals Janice and Holly, TTYS!

Sometimes I

forget that.......

"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more; that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds .... That's what you've given me and that's what I hope to give to you forever." Walt Witman

Have you tried Facebook.com?

my friend Tina sent me a link a few weeks back that she had added me to her Facebook, being busy with our new foster son, i didn't pay much attention to what it was all about, but the other night Dan was out and the kids were in bed, i started playing around on it, and i found a bunch of friends i had i elementary and high school, so cool!! i have been chatting with them here and there this weekend and it's been great, i feel like I've gotten a little piece of my childhood back, i think you havne't checked it out you should, it's neat to see who you can find from the past!!!

Tagged by Holly A.......

Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog! OK, here goes:

1.I have only been on an airplane once in my life
2. I have been to Graceland inside and out of it.
3. I have also done a lap of the Indy 500 racetrack(it was in a tour bus, but I've done it just the same)
4. My favorite car in the whole world is a '63 split window Corvette
5. I went to college for Human Resources, graduated, and have never worked in the field
6. I was asked to go to Jamaica for a wedding in August and don't know if I will go
7. I love being a SAHM, it's the best job, the hours suck but the pay is priceless.

I am tagging, Vicki B , Carolyn Peeler , Heather V , Tina W , and 3 people who lurk on my BLOG, post so I know who you are :)

Easter silliness for ya......

Hope you had a giggle, have a great weekend!

Little Nick...

is doing wonderfully!!! He is a smiley happy sweetie pie, and he is sick too with a runny nose, we are fighting over the kleenex box but other than that, things are AWESOME!! thanks for all the get well wishes, that made me feel even better!!!

I got my Silhouette up and running and called Janice with excitement on how friggin awesome it is!!! and while we were talking my dh came in and asked if it needed special paper to use, and I told him yes it does, and Janice and I LOBO!!!! I would recommend this tool to anyone, I love that I can use the bazzillion and one fonts I already have on my computer!!! TTYS!

me today

SICK SICK SICK, I have a horrible cold, I feel yucky!!!

on the plus side, my Silhouette and my new foster son both will be arriving tommorrow, I hope I feel better than I do today, fingers crossed.

Portfolio building....

Another neice!!!!

my sister had her ultrasound the other day and it's another girl, that makes 2 girls for me, 2 for her and my brother has 2 boys, i wonder if it's coincedence? Anyway, I'm thrilled, it will be the last baby born between the 3 of us, we are all done, according to our spouses anyway, with 2 children.

I can't wait to share the layouts I have done with my first Scrapbook Star kit, it was my fav PP line too so that was a bonus, I can reveal them on the first so check out the site, and my DT bio and pic should be up on that day too, can't wait to see!!!


Have a Happy St. Paddy's day too!!!

My DH rocks!!!!

he totally surprised me the other day with letting me order this baby!!! I thought I would be saving my allowance forever!!! it should be here in about 12 days, and oh yeah i am counting them!!!

On the homefront we are expecting a baby, not in the traditional sense where I am pregnant, as much as I would love that.... an almost 2 year old boy is coming to us through FACS, we have been with just one foster son since our dear Zack left us to go back home in November. I am looking forward to meeting this new little man. As sad as it is when they move on or go home in their lives, it's so great knowing them while they are in your life.

What a FANTASTIC week!!!

first I made the Scrapbook Star design team, then today I open my email and Canadian Scrapbooker magazie wants one of my layouts for their summer issue!!! I am so excited, it's my first time in this magazine!!! thanks for letting me share!!

In my excitement I forgot...

to mention that the Close to my Heart Stampaganza starts today, when you buy 2 stamp sets your 3rd is FREE!!!! it's a great time to add to your stamp collection!! see the details here

WAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was asked this morning to be on the Scrapbook Star design team!!! They are a great store and chat board out of Montreal, Quebec, and no you don't have to speak French on their chat boards :) come by and check it out!!!

And as promised here are 2 of the 3 projects I did at Divine Design last weekend, the layout I am still waiting for the perfect pics for....

Canvas taught by Vicki Boutin, Bloom Bouquet taught by Judi Van Valkinburgh

I have some amazing

friends!!! I am so thankful to paper and glue for bringing me such wonderful ladies to share my time with. Yesterday the Scrapping Nook held it's Divine Design event that I have been waiting for, for months now. It was an all day class taught by Jen Backler, Vicki Boutin and Judi VanValkinburgh, what amazing classes, I will post my projects later when I get my camera battery charged. Anyway back to the friend part, I love my friends, I totally need to make an effort to spend more time with them, and another thank you for the lovely gifts you gave me for my birthday, Janice I totally love that candle!! you girls ( you should know who you are :) ) lift my spirits at the very thought of you, thanks so much!!

34 years ago............

this was me, okay it's not a newborn photo but you get the idea, today is my birthday!! Dan is taking me to the Mandarin for dinner tonight with a group of friends, i haven't been there in forever, it's my favorite restaurant!!
Can't wait to see what the day holds for me, have a great TGIF!!!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

to everyone and those you love. We are having a snow day here today, it's pretty deep hopefully the wind will stop and i can take the kids out for abit this afternoon. and to my valentine......

i love you

Attention all Scrapbookers, do you want to win a Cricut?

or $400 worth of CHA releases if you already have a Cricut. Then come on down the The Scrapping Nook and see what they have in store for their 3rd Anniversary!!! please see all the details for the contest here. And stick around to see what else the FairyGod Mother has in store for us!

I am offically broke :)

thanks to my friends at The Nook, they have had some great sales and today i picked up my orders, loved everything and bought even more when i got to the store.

I did my first Close to my heart party the other day at my sisters and I did pretty good, I was hoping things would move alittle faster but I'm happy I joined.

I have decided on a name for my FUTURE(I'm so not ready yet) photography business, I even have the watermark for my proofs done

so hopefully by the end of summer or early fall, I'll be ready to start taking some clients, and Cutie Patootie Pictures will offically be born, we'll see.

Tagged by Elia

A=Available - for scrapbooking:)
B=Best Friend - (all my scrapbooking girlies)
C=Cake or pie - both
D=Drink of choice - non alcoholic=tea, alcoholic- Pina
E=Essential item you use everyday - computer, how else will i chat with my friends
F=Favourite color -pink, it's strange i used to hate pink
G=Gummy bears or worms - bears
H=Hometown - Niagara Falls, ON
I= ndulgences - scrapping supplies, scrapping supplies, scrapping supplie, what else is there?
J= January or February - February cuz its my birthday
K=Kids and names - 2 daughters Marissa and Victoria
L=Life is incomplete without - my family
M=Marriage date - August 18th 2001
N=Number of siblings - one younger sister, one younger brother
O=Oranges or apples - apples
=Phobias or Fears - normal parental fears
Q=Favourite Quote - Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
R=Reason to smile - my life, my family, my scrapbooking addiction
S=Season - Summer
T=Tag 3 or 4 people - any lurkers I don't know about and post in the comments so i know you took the challenge
U=Unknown fact about me - i can't think of anything you don't know
V=Vegetable you don't like - cauliflower
W= Worst habit - putting myself down
X=X-rays - knees and 2 ultrasounds during pregnancy
Y=Your favorite food - VEAL(that's right I said it Tina and Jen) parm, Chinese and pasta and sauce
Z= Zodiac Sign -Aquarius

talk about a heart melter

no wonder i can't say no to this little girl :)

The store is open

my friends at the Nook have officially opened their online store and each day will have the S.O.U.P de jour, (saving of unbelievably proportions) an item that will be 40-50% off, i like that option and already bought my first bowl of S.O.U.P and it was GOOOOOOOOOD!!!

I can't wait to see what they bring in from the CHA releases that will be happening this month, as long as some of the new Queen & co felt is at the top of the list!!!

Nothing much new on the home front, I got us put on the emergency/after hours foster care list, I'm ready for another addition to the family, I'm hoping for a newborn this time, i have a baby craving :)

and just 10 days left in the Close to my Heart sale campaign, it's an amazing offer

I'm losing!!!

and I'm happy aboput it, I'm down 4 lbs total since the first of the year, which is awesome!! thanks to my support group at the Nook!!



There are only 16 more days left in the CLose to my Heart Heart of Winter campaign, see details here.



I had a great time at the crop on Sat, can't wait for the next one!! and the cold that has plagues our house since early Dec. seems to have gone away, YEAH!!!



and finally a very happy bday to my SIL Tonia

A birthday wish...

I have fallen in like with Donna Downey, I love her style, her art, and her CAMERA BAGS!!! I am totally wishing on every star that I get one for my birthday I love this style, it's called My Favorite outfit, what a cute name even :)

tomorrow I'm off to the Nook for a crop, I'm so looking forward to meeting the ladies that I haven't had the pleasure of yet and seeing the girls I know and love so much(you know who you are) have a great weekend everyone!

oh yeah Close to my heart has marked discontinued items down up to 40%, these offers are only available on a consultant website and while supplies last be sure to shop early!

Officially starting the new year

with a purge and the kids returning to school and some after Xmas shopping. I always shop the boxing week and after sales for gifts for next Xmas. I went to the Disney Store with my mom, sister and the kids this past weekend and scored this sweater in sizes to fit me, Marissa and Victoria next Xmas, we don't need em now or so we can wait. I already can't wait for next year ;)

I also lost 2.5 lbs the first week of my diet, totally jazzin about that!!!

Looking forward to a crop at The Nook this Saturday and getting my DT kit for this month and then a surprise bday party later.

I am also having alot of fun learning the in's and outs of my Nikon, playing with different settings and such, here are some pics I've taken with it.......unedited.