baby John

My sister in law Bernadette and my brother Stephen have a new baby names after my mom's dad, John. He is as cute as a button and gold as gold.

I created this layout using Brown Bag, Cocoa, and Blush CTMH cardstock along with a Bazzill scallop page... "contraband"...couldn't resist .

I stamped the circular journalling frame on blush and cut it out. The large chocolate flowers are made with a Stampin' Up scallop punch that i really like. So are the little pink ones. I added brads, and doodling.

The three generations of Kerlovich are interesting: Dad, Steve, and John. My niece Jacqueline looks more beautiful every day.

I caved. I said I wouldnt but I did. I got not one, but Two cell phones. The kids are teens now. They were totally surprised to get them because of my adamant and firm refusals in the past.
We had not had big Christmases in over 2 years as far as gifts so it was really fun to splurge on the kids.
It was a also good decision for their safety so I can justify it. It is not so much the phones that cost money , it is the monthly plans.. text messaging, internet, fun bundle... I felt like I had bought a small car after I signed the contract.

My daughter was so happy to get her phone.
You can really see her elation in the first picture. I know she wont like these pictures because she isnt wearing makeup and she is self conscious about that. But she is so sweet and happy, even with messy hair, first thing in the morning on Christmas Day.

Christmas 07

This year was a really good Christmas. We had a real tree, and some quiet family time . Rick came over in the afternoon and we had dinner with Dad and the kids. I appreciate Rick and my family so much now that I have experienced loss and loneliness in my life.

I scrapped these pages in New England Ivy , Garden Green, and Garnet cardstock from Close to my Heart. I mixed in some Floral Tapestry background paper with a bit of the twilight (teal) colour and it looks vintage and rich. I always use CTMH cardstock ... sometimes I add stickers or ribbons, but my stamped work is all Close to my Heart acrylix. I can see where I am stamping and the images are crisp. I stamped the brackets and flourishes with Love Flourishes and went over them with Sakura metallic gel pen. I also added some Stickles (addictive glitter) to the stickers and ornaments.

I copied some of Julia's corner embellishments with brads... she inspires me. Julia also gave me the large chipboard ornaments that inspired the colour scheme.

my studio

I am lucky to have a big room for my craftwork. It is the Cutting Edge Studio... sharp name for Paper Crafting, isn't it? the font is Salvador DALI.

My dad built me the white block storage cubes and the shelf that lays on top of five rolling craft cupboards.

All my stamps, inks, tools, eyelets, brads, flowers and ribbons are stored there. I also have lots of magazines and books... a library if you will. My friends can sign out and borrow ... I am glad to share. I was lucky to meet some good people in Brights Grove who like to create . The studio gives us a place to focus and room to spread out and socialise at the same time. I have a frig in the studio, perhaps I should add a coffee station.

My friend Julia from Toronto loves to come and play with me in the Studio when she can.

Julia I love your espresso machine.

We also get together at my sister in law's ski chalet by Talisman to scrap. Her name is Bernadette. She introduced me to Julia, who became a scrapbook whiz and addict in no time. Julia is my Toronto downline with Close to My Heart.

We get lots done when we put the time aside to scrap.

It is true, it sounds like a cliche, but I treasure the friends

that I have made through my scrapbook hobby . We are protective of each other and supportive . We know that our time together is limited, special , and valued. When it becomes a privilege to have hobby time with your friends,

your entire perspective adjusts!

January 08

This is the first time I am trying the blog spot, after reading Kathi Carlson's humourous and informative artwork blog . My artwork isnt always the most original, but I like playing with colour , design and texture. I will try to post the cards I made tonight using inspiration from Kathi's designs. A bunch of us are getting together to do a card swap make and take in February so I was playing around with some of her ideas.

I used twilight and black and garnet Close to my Heart Cardstock , some chipboard which I covered in garnet and stamped, black brads , and some oriental paper with a bit of gold in it from my Japanese collection that has been gathering dust in a box. I stamped with Elegant Script and a saying from Love Flourishes. I made the mini tag and tied it with black waxy flax and just wrote trust on it with a micron pen. There is piercing along the edge of the black and twilight papers. I wasnt too happy with the white gel pen, it messes up the word respect, but oh well. I am still happy with the card. It says, love, passion, trust, respect and on the inside I handwrote, "we have it all". It is for my very best friend Rick Town. He better not read this blog before Valentine's Day.

Right now I am looking forward to seeing Jen, Jen, Cathy , Dana , and whoever else wants to jump in for the swap at Cutting Edge Studio in Brights Grove. Dana came up with the idea, that we each design a card and bring the necessary materials precut and supplies to duplicate our cards in a basket that we pass around the table. I cant wait to see what they come up with.