warm winter wishes

a card I made for Catherine...

the best for last

the Christmas card for Melanis & her family. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

next card challenge in the making

Here is what we have to use for the next card challenge, which we will turn in on January 24...




Interesting, huh? We have to use all pieces seen here, even only partially if we want, and we can add whatever we want, as long as, in this challenge, it is PINK... make sure to return in a couple of weeks to see if I came up with anything... ;)

Card exchange

This my first card exchange with the scrap ladies... I want to share the process to reach the final result... it started with this card... I wasn't quite satisfied with the ribbon thing at the bottom so I started thinking about something else. that's when i realized that instead of ribbon I needed something to recall the 2 brads at the top.... so the next result was the following, which is what the other 7 scrap ladies got to take home: Since I didn't enough of the pink background paper to redo the card I get to keep for myself, I had to hide the slits made from running the ribbon through it so I just put a dot on each slit... and here's the card I have with me... I like the card with only 4 dots better...

I'm here

I wanted to explain a little why there has been no posts on here since Thanksgiving week end... 2 reasons: I haven't really made any projects to post on here, second, the situation with my dad consumed most of my free time and my train of thought really wasn't right... I have worked on putting myself at peace with whatever happens. Not easy but I am getting there. I am still hurting and worried, but that's the way life goes sometimes...

so I am back, not quite to normal but at this point, let's face it, I probably will never be the same person again. I am more than just my father's daughter, but nothing can change the fact that he is my father, and what he is going through has changed my perception on a few things...

But honestly, don't worry... I am OK...

"Happy Holidays" card

"Be Jolly" card

I couldn't wait much longer to use my CTMH new Christmas papers... as for the stamps, it is a part of the "Christmas Season" set from Angel Company... I am returning to the use of chalk... it works wonders sometimes...

another Christmas card

quite simple... except for making the flower. I used a tag punch and followed a Splitcoaststampers.com tutorial. it didn't turn out the greatest as far as proportions but it still works... I have to practice and make some more flowers for future use...

Christmas card

This one was made using the "Scandinavian Season" set (tree) and the "Snow Swirled" set (sentiment), both from Stampin' Up... There again I had the hardest time with the bow...

Christmas wreath card

pretty and quite simple... shiny white paper, hand cut stars on scraps of scrap paper, a small piece of red ribbon, and voila! actually one of my favorite cards so far...

and yet another one...

the silver stars paper looked good when i chose it but now that I see the finished product I am not a satisfied as I would have liked to be... the Christmas tree is from one of those lovely Stampin Up! sets I have been playing with...

just another Christmas card

and the fun goes on... I love my new stamps from the Angel Company

just another Christmas card

and the fun goes on... I love my new stamps from the Angel Company... here's what I have done with some of them so far...

Season's Greetings

I simply could not wait to try out my new stamps without getting my scrap area out of control for the night so I picked that small "Season's greetings" stamp and had some fun for about 10 minutes... a quick and simple Christmas card. I love the result... Now if only I could remember how to tie a beautiful bow... I will have to practice! :-)

Savoir aimer translation

I updated my July 8, 2008 post with a translation of the "Savoir Aimer" lyrics... check it out...

oops!

just a word about the cards in the previous post. I forgot to mat the middle pieces... yep, someone needs a vacation! that should be easily fixed and I will update my blog accordingly...

Christmas cards

The stamp i want to use in the middle of the card is not in my possession yet so I get to play around and practice a little... I used clip arts for the center of the card. Not as stunning as it should be but fun anyway...
and if you have followed my blog, you'll notice that this card is inspired by the card on the previous post...

CTMH party

here is one of the projects we "worked" on yesterday during a Close to My Heart Party. I really like that cute little card, and I might use the idea for some of my Christmas cards...

Attempt at Christmas card

OK by far not by best job but this is me last night unable to fall asleep and playing with scraps... when I saw it this morning after finally getting some sleep, I thought "what the heck did I do?". Oh well, it was fun and why not share it with you guys?

card class

A few scraps and embellishments here and there and 4 different different set of stamps later, here is what last week end card class was about... Melanis taught the class. I told you she was talented...
the cards are shown below in the order we made them that day.

(such a cute bird card, up there in my list of all time favorites)

(that one involved a little bit of coloring... yes, the houses have all been colored by hand!!! a cute card, but I admit, not my favorite... but the result is quite satisfying though!)

(let it be know that this is my favorite!!!)

(This was a last minute project that Melanis came up with. I messed up the stamp placement, which caused everything to be not quite as centered as intended, but that's OK...)

challenge card

For those of you reading my blog who do not know Melanis (Remi' mom) in person, let me tell you that, besides being an amazing human being, (yes, ma'am, I insist!), she is also very talented and oh so very crafty. Well, anyway, to make a long story short, she got me involved in her passion for card making, and even taught me a technique or two in the paper craft business (I need to give credit where credit is due...)
....
ok I know, this story is not getting short at all, but hey, it is worth explaining what this post is leading to.
....
Anyway, as part of getting involved in the card making thingy, I participated in my first card challenge. Mel gives us the same pieces and we have to use all of them (either a part or the entire piece) and make a card out of them. We can add anything we want, as long as we use what she gives us. Let me tell you that when I saw the pieces she gave us 2 months ago, I kinda wondered what the heck I had gotten myself in to...

But there is the result, and let me tell you that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE RESULT! :) I am even thinking about using the pattern for some of my Christmas cards this year.



To Melanis: thank you for the awesome ongoing inspiration!!! ;)

I believe...

A friend of mine recently posted this on one of her online profiles, and at her request I replied to her post by adding a couple of things that i believe in..

here's what she wrote:

"(in no particular order)
I believe that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I believe that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I believe that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I believe there is a God watching over all of us. However, this doesn't mean that He will always give us what we ask for. He knows best.
I believe that my best friend and I can do anything and nothing and have the best time.
I believe that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I believe that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I believe that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I believe that three of the most beautiful words are "I love you."
I believe that you should live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation.
I believe that all advice should be taken with a grain of salt.
I believe that true friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I believe that you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I believe that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I believe that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I believe that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I believe that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something completely different.
I believe that your life can change in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I believe that two of the most damaging words in life are "I can't."
I believe that you should always look people in the eye.
I believe in true love and happily ever after.
I believe that you should become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
I believe that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I believe that can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I believe that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I believe that it is taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I believe that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I believe that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I believe that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean that they don't love you with all they have.
I believe that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I believe that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I believe that even when you think that you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you-- you will find the strength to help.
I believe that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
I believe that you should say "please" and "thank you" often and sincerely.
I believe that you should avoid negative people and influences."


and here's what i added:

"I believe in soul sisters, although it does not mean that you will end up with him/her.
I believe in love as the ultimate healing power.
I believe that human beings have the right to being human, mistakes and all.
I believe that there is always hope. It might come in the shape of "the thin layer of gold at the bottom of a barrel full of crap," but it is there.
I believe that hope works in these ways: it looks for the good in people instead of hanging on the worst; it discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot; it regards problems, large and small, as opportunities; it pushes ahead when it would be easy to quit; it "lights the candle" instead of "cursing the darkness.
I believe that life is worth living.
I believe that failing is part of learning.
I believe that, while life is a serious business, living your life too seriously might cloud up the essentials in life. Life's a gift, live it up!
I believe that if you judge people you have no time to love them.
I believe that everything happens for a reason.
I believe that some pains make you cry only on the inside.
I believe that it is never too late."


what do YOU believe? feel free to write some of your thoughts, that's what this is all about... I'll make sure to add some if I think about some more and actually remember them.

Happy Birthday Jason!

My boss Rachel invited me to her husband's surprise 30th birthday party. I do not know Jason that well, so I kept things simple. But it was fun nonetheless!

Happy Birthday Steph!

My sister in law is turning 40 Sept 24. at first I was going to put a big 40 on the front of the card but I couldn't quite incorporate it without getting too crowded, and Steph should like it much better that way (especially without the number itself being on there... teehee...)

I AM BACK!!!

Sorry about not posting anything for a month and a half. I am still here, thinking about my blog every so often, so here I am today... I haven't worked on anything on quite a while, except for durinf that one CTMH class. and since my sister-in-law Stephanie's birthday is right around the corner, I made a card for her. see next post.

summer family

let's face it, I have spent more time time with them this summer than with anybody else. so here they are, members of my summer camp family... I will miss them when next week is over...

Hacienda Staff Dinner, August 4th, 2008

Anniversary card

Last Thursday marked Melanis and Jeff's 9th wedding anniversary. here is a card I made for them. you can find the tutorial for it at http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/Joy_fold_card

Happy Anniversary Mel and Jeff!

Remi at the beach

yep, he was having fun in the water...
Warren Dunes Park, MI. Thursday, July 24th, 2008

what camp has become

this is what we do at camp these days, grown boys turn into women... all in the name of fun. by the way, this is my friend Collin, aka Fonzie, also now called occasionally Fonzerella, for obvious reasons...

Congrats card.... Cubs style

I am mailing it out tomorrow... I was going to wait until it was received by the recipient to post it here but, even though it is not perfect, I am very proud of the way it turned out, and I have to share it right now... I will elaborate on it later on.

birthdays

2 more birthdays today: my dad and my niece Melinda. So happy 67th birthday Dad and happy 20th birthday Melinda!

The best group of kids EVER

These kids totally rock my world... they make up for every minute that is not going quite well... Sure, sometimes I want to pull my hair out, BUT they have so much love to give and to receive that you can't help melting...

in-laws's 50th wedding anniversary aprty

I am finally getting around to posting photos from the party...

2007 birthday digital scrapbook layout, created by Melanis

I simply have to share it because I love it...

Nick's teaching job

I have known Nick now for 5 years. He was my assistant at the Westville after school program for 4 years. We are keeping in touch as best we can, and I am so happy that Nick finally got a job in the school system. Starting this fall he will teach 4th grade at Riley Elementary School in LaPorte. I am so happy for him and so proud of him! I am working on a card to send to him and I will make sure to post it once finished... Congrats Nick!

another birthday card

I originally made this birthday card for Melinda's 20th birthday. It was working OK until I stamped the "happy birthday' and the 20... now I do not like it that much... but there it is, so your input is always welcome.

birthday cards

I made 3 birthday cards this week:

Remi's


Jeff's


Melinda's (for her 20th birthday coming up in just a few days)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY REMI

Remi is turning 6 today! wow! time flies!

still laughing...

Melanis, this is for you!

If you're not Melanis, you need to know that she forwarded this to me last year, and I laughed so hard my sides were hurting for a while. i still smile when i see it... which reminds me... i have to post the penguin thing too...

Bryan Adams's "Don't drop that bomb on me" lyrics

I was listening to this song tonight on my way home from work. And wouldn't you know, as I am listening to this song which is asking us to take care of our planet or at least open our eyes to what is going on, not only one but two pieces of trash were thrown out of the vehicle on front of me. totally pissed me off... (excuse my language).

Brayn Adams - "Don't drop that bomb on me"

We sailed our ships upon the shores
That once were out of reach
Turned the silence into war and bloodied up the beach
Trashed the forests and the trees
Til there's nothin' left to cut
We raped the rivers and the seas and turned the land to dust
It goes on and on
On and on...

Does anybody know what's goin' on
Can anybody tell me where we went wrong
Can anyone say why wrong is right
If we wanna little peace well we got to fight

Can anyone say things are lookin' good
Just take a look around your neighbourhood
The world's gone crazy

Crash-we can fight it
Crash-we gotta try
Crash-we can't hide it
We gotta stop that fire

Don't drop that bomb on me
Save that little tree
Don't drop that bomb on me
Save our seven seas
Don't drop it, don't drop it
Don't drop that bomb on me

Should every thing thing have a life to give
Will every little child have a place to live
Does anybody feel just a little bit scared
Isn't it about time everybody cared
The world's gone crazy

Crash-we can fight it
Crash-we gotta try
Crash-we can't hide it
We gotta stop that fire

Don't drop that bomb on me
Save that little tree
Don't drop that bomb on me
Save our seven seas
Don't drop it, don't drop it
Don't drop that bomb on me

If ya gonna talk that talk
Ya gotta walk that walk
If ya gonna fly that flag
Ya gotta shake a leg
Ya everybody should try
Cause we're much too young to die

Sévy and Sylvain's wedding, and also Cornélia baptism

My younger sister got married on June 14th (and if you've read the previous posts, you might realize that that was the day of my in-laws' 50th wedding anniversary... what a coincidence!). My biggest regret this year is that I was not there with her. I did receive some photos, and I am sharing one of them. Sévy and Sylvain have been together for 10 years and I love both of them dearly. I wish the bride and groom many years of happiness! Also that day, their 1 year-old daughter Cornélia was baptized... I haven't met Cornélia yet and I am looking forward to the day when I can finally meet her!

Florent Pagny's "Savoir Aimer" lyrics...

This song is now labeled as an old song (heck, that was when I was still living in France...), but I was listening to it a while back and again earlier today and actually paid good attention to the lyrics. Someone was kind enough to translate them for me (thanks Marie-Christine!) and you'll find the translation after the French lyrics...
Those lyrics make me want to use them on a scrapbook layout.. food for thoughts...

Florent Pagny, "Savoir Aimer"

Savoir sourire,
À une inconnue qui passe,
N'en garder aucune trace,
Sinon celle du plaisir
Savoir aimer
Sans rien attendre en retour,
Ni égard, ni grand amour,
Pas même l'espoir d'être aimé,

Mais savoir donner,
Donner sans reprendre,
Ne rien faire qu'apprendre
Apprendre à aimer,
Aimer sans attendre,
Aimer à tout prendre,
Apprendre à sourire,
Rien que pour le geste,
Sans vouloir le reste
Et apprendre à Vivre
Et s'en aller.

Savoir attendre,
Goûter à ce plein bonheur
Qu'on vous donne comme par erreur,
Tant on ne l'attendait plus.
Se voir y croire
pour tromper la peur du vide
Ancrée comme autant de rides
Qui ternissent les miroirs

Savoir souffrir
En silence, sans murmure,
Ni défense ni armure
Souffrir à vouloir mourir
Et se relever
Comme on renaît de ses cendres,
Avec tant d'amour à revendre
Qu'on tire un trait sur le passé.

Apprendre à rêver
À rêver pour deux,
Rien qu'en fermant les yeux,
Et savoir donner
Donner sans rature
Ni demi-mesure
Apprendre à rester.
Vouloir jusqu'au bout
Rester malgré tout,
Apprendre à aimer,
Et s'en aller,
Et s'en aller...

translation by Marie-Christine:

"Knowing how to love"

Knowing how to smile,
To a stranger that passes by,'
Without leaving any traces,
Except that of joy,
Knowing how to love
Without anything in return,
Without regard for, nor big love
Not even the hope of being loved
Simply, knowing how to give,
Giving without expecting anything.
Doing nothing excepting learning,
Learning to love
Loving without expectations,
Loving,
Learning to smile,
Only for the deed,
Without expecting anything else ,
And learning to live
And then go.
Knowing how to wait and
Tasting that full happiness,
That's given to you a little bit by chance,
So much so that it was unexpected.
Seeing oneself and believing in it
To lure the fear from the emptiness Anchored like wrinkles
which tarnish mirrors,
Knowing how to suffer
In silence, without a word,
Nor defence, nor armor
Suffering to the point of wanting to die
And getting up again,
Like ones rises from one's ashes.
With so much love to resell
That one makes a complete
break with one's past.
To dream for two,
Only by closing the eyes,
And knowing how to give,
Giving without any hurt,
Nor half measure,
Learning to rest,
Wanting until the end
Staying despite everything,
Learning to love,
And then leaving,
And then ....moving.

Graduation card

A couple of weeks ago Paul and I were invited to a Graduation partly. Mind you, that was the first one I attended. I didn't even know the Graduate! But anyway, time came to find a card to hand to her, so I made this one quickly. The fun part was to trace and cut out the cap, make a tassel for it and roll the diploma and make sure it stayed on the page... lol... but it was all in the name of good fun...

50th Wedding Anniversary party invitation

My in-laws celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 14th. I volunteered to make the invitations for their anniversary party. this is what i came up with, I must say that I had a lot of fun making all 25 invitations. I love the result, and so did everybody else at the party... talking about the party, I will make sure to post some photos later on...