....Tuesdays with Stephy....

My best friend Stephy and I have started a weekly crafting get together. This past week we got together and did some scrapbooking.

Stephy is working on a scrapbook for a former co-worker, helping her to remember all the fond memories made at work.

I have been talking to my sister Hannah about helping her do a scrapbook for Ewan's first year as well! I am so pumped on this idea. We have decided that the album will be a big 12x12 but we can be creative and just attach smaller pages as well! Its such a great idea as anyone can contribute! A great way to keep memories for Ewan to see years from now!

I am working on my BIG scrapbook (12x12) which is an overview of my first years in Vancouver. It a work in progress and has been progressing now for oh.....5 -6 yrs..lol. You can really see the evolution in my scrapbooking,the more time goes on the more I get in to it!

Here is my favorite page of the two I did on Tuesday!

Its Kevin, Dave and Aaron ...Back in Black!

Hope you enjoy your weekend!! I am doing a lot of fun things and you can expect some very interesting and creative posts in the coming week!

Till next time,

e

Louie

I LOVE my dog!

His name is Louie and he is a three year old French bulldog. French bulldogs are a compact, muscular dog with a smooth coat, snub nose and solid bone structure. Their physical appearance is characterized by naturally occurring 'bat ears' that are wide at the base and rounded at the top. Their tails are naturally short, not cropped, straight or screwed but not curly. My Louie is white and brindle with little spots called "ticking" his official colouring is called "Ticked Pie"...

Dave and got him from his previous owner Carol as she couldnt commit to making time for him anymore as her childrens needs came first. I was thrilled that we could step in as Louie's new parents and the transition was so smooth it was like it was always meant to be. He makes me laugh and gets me out of the house for lovely walks in our local dog park - Trout Lake!

History of the Frenchie:

While theories abound about the exact origin of the French Bulldog, the most prevalent opinion is that around the mid-1800s Normandy Lace workers from England took smaller bulldogs with them when they sought work in France. In the farming communities north of France that the lace workers settled in, the little bulldogs became very popular as ratters and loyal family companions and their population began to swell. These little bulldogs were in fact "culls" of the established bulldog breeders in England, who were generally more than happy to sell these undersized examples of their breed to fanciers of the "new" breed in England. This was especially true of the "tulip" eared puppies that cropped up at times in bulldog litters. French bulldogs were originally bred as ratters, but are now bred as lap dogs and companions.

The magazine "Country Life", in the 29 April 1899 takes up the story: "Some five-and-thirty years ago in fact, [i.e. about 1865], the small-sized or light-weight Bulldog was common in this country; so much so that dogs of the breed that scaled over 28lbs were not encouraged at such shows as Birmingham, which was at that period the most important exhibition of its kind in England. Then by some freak of fashion the Toy Bulldog became all the rage in Paris, with the result that the celebrated Bill George, of Canine Castle, Kensal New Town, the most eminent dog dealer of his or any other day, received carte blanche commissions from French customers to procure them light-weight Bulldogs, and by this means England was denuded of all the best specimens".

French Bulldog circa 1915

As the new, smaller bulldogs gained popularity in France, they became favorites of the Parisian "Belles De Nuit" - the street walkers. One reason for this is that when strolled, the exotic looking dogs brought attention to their owner, and gave potential customers a legitimate reason to chat with her. Another is that the docile breed was content to nap for short stretches when brought to hotel rooms, without making a fuss. Breed historians can still sometimes turn up notorious "French Postcards" bearing images of scantily clad French prostitutes posing with their little "Bouledogues Français". The aura of notoriety that ownership of the little dogs conveyed made them a fashionable way for the well-to-do classes to show off how daring they could be, and they soon became favorites of the "artistic" set across Europe.

Photos dating to around this time show the Russian royal family posing alongside their French bulldogs, and they imported several of the little dogs from France. Other famous fanciers included Toulouse-Lautrec, the author Colette and King Edward VII. A French bulldog, insured for the, at that time, astronomical sum of $750, was on board the ill-fated Titanic.

It is inarguable that without the influence of dedicated, turn-of-the-century American fanciers the breed would not be what it is today. It is they that organized the very first French bulldog club in the world, and it was they who insisted that the "bat" ear so associated with the breed today was correct. Until that time, French bulldogs were shown with either the "bat" or "rose" ear.

The more you know....

E

Card Making Frenzy!!

I have been on a Card Kick!!

Since my workshop with Sheila on Sunday I have made quite a few cards. Here are a few pictures of what I've done..

___Card One ___

This one I really like...I made it thinking of sending a hello to my sister in ottawa whom I miss terribly!

I used the Bold Bright Card Stock and Stamp Pads. I used coloured brads and a retired Designer Series Paper with adorable owls on it!

The sentiment reads "You're Absolutely Fabulous" and that is too true about Hannah!



~~~~ Card Two ~~~~

This one I made for my Mom! She loves animals and I think she would think this is cute!

I have been experimenting with colouring in the stamps and I quite like the effect.

This cute stamp is from the Pun Fun stamp set. The card stock is again the Bold Bright Collection. I added a little embellishment with some mismatched "Playground" buttons!





** Card Three **

I think all the time " Who will I give THIS card to?" I was in a rutt of only making cards at the last minute for either someones birthday or a quick thank you..and I thought to myself, why not have them on hand?

This was the inspiration for these next few cards....

I have convinced myself that the occation that is most card worthy or that cards are used most for are birhdays! This card uses the Pun Fun Stamp Set a funky Desinger Series paper and the Bold Bright card stock!


...Card Four...


This lovely card was made out of scraps! I never throw out my odds and ends and look at what becomes of what could have been garbage!

I showed this card to my partner Dave and he said it was perhaps his most favorite!

Simplicity at it's best!




Most of my card making suplies come from Stampin Up as I find thier products superior to the ones I've found with other suppliers. Check them out at http://www.stampinup.com/ca/enc/



Until next time,

e

SUNDAY FUN DAY!

We all had such a blast at my Stampin Up card workshop!

My Stampin Up demonstrator is none other than the lovely Sheila Ho of Life...As it happens. She is a card pro and has the bestest parties!

We did three projects:

The first card we did was beautiful ,we used a basic Chocolate Chip card stock from the Earth Elements Paper Collection and we used the new Tall Tales Designer Series Paper to accent our card. The stamp set we used was so cute and called Simple Friendship it was so fun and easy to do!

The next project was a book mark using three of the new awesome "in colour" papers from Stampin Up! Soft Suede, Dusty Durango and Bermuda Bay as well as a touch of the retired Certainly Celery.

Last but certainly not least! An embossed card using both the Rich Razzleberry Paper, also from the "in colour"paper set, and the Black from the Neutrals Collection. I just loved using the Big Shot for the embossing technique!

I always have so much fun getting together with the ladies and doing crafty projects! I was recently introduced to Stampin Up by my best friend Stephanie and I am hooked in a big way! They just released there new catalogue July 1, 2009 it is a year long addition and I will tell you...It's so awesome!! I want so many things in the catalogue it is scary!

I am having my next workshop on August 14, 2009 from 7 - 10pm and if you live in the Vancouver area and would like to join us you are most welcome. Drop me a line and let me know you are interested. The more the merrier!

Here is a picture of the cards, and book mark I made at the workshop as well as a little gift Sheila gave me as a thank you!

Until next time,

e

Farmers Market Saturday!

I lOvE Saturdays! I had a wonderful visit to the Trout Lake Farmers Market and bought all kinds of great food!

Check out my goodies.. I got two loaves of bread, one is a great garlic and 3 cheese loaf and the other is a hearty multi grain, from a local baker. The Sauce is from The Thai Princess an old favorite of Dave and I..everytime he is at the market I stock up. This time I went curry crazy and got the Green, Red and Yellow Curry sauces. I will be sure to show you all what fabulous creations I make with them! Fresh Farm Eggs, Bag of Mixed Peppers, Potatoes, Hummous and Brie Cheese round out a very sucessful trip and make for a very yummy breakfast enjoyed by all!

Next on my list of to do's for the day was some gardening in my glorious veggie garden! I harvested some Yellow/Green Zuchinni, Nasturtium Flowers and some onions and did some much needed weeding and had Marley the Cat join me in basking in the sunshine! I also noticed just how BIG my marigolds are getting!

I just love spending the afternoon in the garden, so many things to do! This evening friends and I are gathering for a picninc in the park, I'm brining a garden fresh salad and the brie cheese and some of that delishious garlic cheese loaf from the market!

Until next time,

e

and The Half Blood Prince...

Last night Dave and I decided to go on an impromptu date night. We headed downtown and had a lovely dinner at White Spot then we decided to see the late show of the new Harry Potter movie.

I LOVED it! The last three book in the series get progressively darker and it really shows in the movies. I thought the death eaters were really well done and Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange is so perfect it's creepy!

I totally recommend the movie to any Potter fan but go early as Dave and I were there, more than an hour early and even then there were about 200 people i line before us.

Till next time,

e

Exciting Weekend!

What a gloriously sunny day!!

I love summer and nothing beats starting the day off by watering my garden..awakeing all of my veggies to greet the day!! I have been getting a plentiful bounty this year from my ever fruitful backyard. I am so excited at the plans we have for next years plot, although I am trying not to get ahead of myself as there is still so much to be done this year!

This weekend has a lot of exciting things in store for me - Here's the plan!

Saturday as always I go to the Trout Lake Farmer Market in the morning - YUM! and then work in the garden in the afternoon!

Sunday I am hosting a Stampin' Up Card Party at my house from 2-5 pm. The fabulous Sheila Ho will be our demonstrator and if you would like to come just shoot me an email and I would be happy to add you to list of ladies attending! We are making a greeting card, a bookmark and a yet to be disclosed project....OoOooOoo...it's a secret!

I will be sure to take some action shots at the workshop so you all can see what went down, shoudl you not be able to make it!

Till next time,

e

First!!

Here goes nothing...I have joined the world of Blogging! I have started this adventure hoping to share the things I love with the people I love.

I live on the otherside of the country from most of the people in my family and what better way to keep them up to date!

I will start by saying expect the unexpected. I have many interests and would like to showcase them ALL from my garden and my music to BBQ's and card/scrapbook making!

The sky is the limit!

e