******Christmas Cards!********

I am a big card giver at Christmas time! Dave and I enjoy sending cards to all of our family, it's a great way to feel close during the holidays as most of our loved ones are on the other side of the country!

I am definately feeling the crunch this year! I am handmaking all of my cards this year and having so much fun! I think that handmade cards are so special, giving your time and making something personal for each family is an extra step that i just love to take! I am almost done all my cards now and just in the nick of time, according to the Canada Post Holiday Suggested Mailing Times I will be going to get envelopes today or tomorrow in anticipation of my deadline on the 16th!

I added these cards to this post to give you some ideas and maybe you will pull out your craft stuff and get your creative juices flowing! I also check the kwerner designs blog for inspiration its FABULOUS!!

Happy Crafting !

E

TGIF - Four Shopping Weeks Left!!

This weekend its all about Christmas for me! I am decorating the house, the office and finishing up my Christmas cards! Have I mentioned I LOVE Christmas?

I have been thinking about the supplies I need to get down and dirty making every ones gifts! I have so much to do and so little time...a much heard seasonal chant. I have also been thinking, as usual around this time of year how can I help?

This season is famous for massive spending and consumerism..lets take a moment to just be thankful for what we have! Our Families, near and far, Our health, though we may have challenges we are here to enjoy yet another Christmas.

So many people around the world have little or nothing and its times like these that we must cherish our many gifts and think of those in need. Keep them close to our hearts and in our minds and be aware that if we are in a position to help those less fortunate, now is as good a time as any to give all you can.

Be it sponsoring a local Charity dinner, lending a hand buying presents for a family that you know needs it, or just offering a smile to someone having a bad day - Each one of these things keeps the spirit of the holiday alive.

When I was a nanny for children aged 3 and 5 we decided that at Christmas time we would go through all of their toys and choose some to give away to children in need. The kids were so generous and had so much fun delivering them to the shelter, they really felt that they had made someones holiday that much brighter and I encourage each family to do the same. Teaching your children the value of sharing and caring is something that will stay with them throughout their lives and hopefully bring an end our our often selfish ways...



Cheers and may your holiday season
be magical!



E

Make it - Vancouver!

This weekend I went to a lovely little craft/gift fair....

Make It!

The Handmade Revolution

was showcasing local talent and I went to peruse the merchandise.

I was pleasantly surprised by the selection and there were quite a few things that caught my eye!

Here are a few photos that give you an idea of just what treasures could be found...and remember this was all about being local so these wondrous gifts are all around the city! Keep your eyes peeled!

Take care,

E

'Tis The Season

38 Sleeps, 13 Hours, 35 Minutes till Christmas!!!

Hello all and and may I say that I for one am SO excited for this Christmas season. I can already feel the cheer building up! I am among the many that consider Christmas time magical and just LOVE everything about it. I have long since started on my Christmas gifts and am well on my way to knowing just what everyone is getting form Dave and I this year.

I do try and make something special for each of my friends to go along with the customary baking that is expected each year! This year I am downsizing our gifting commitment as we are going to be out of town for the holiday. We are going to visit Dave's brother Brian and his girlfriend Mindy in Tofino! We are expected around December 23rd and will stay till Sunday the 27th then head back to the mainland for work on Monday the 28th.

I have quite a few projects I'd like to get underway in the next little while like....I am going to make braided rugs from random material found in the house for our laundry room! I'd like to re-learn to crochet, learn to do needle point and perhaps even cross stitch! I am also tossing a few homemade gift ideas around as well like...change purses, slippers, pj pants, jewelry...

I am going to document my Christmas preparations this year in a mini scrap album called Countdown to Christmas. I got this Fabulous idea from good friend and fellow blogger Sheila Ho at Life's Like That..check out her progress here.

Until next time folks,

E

Eat, Live, Pray

I have started my "smart" reading for this year off with a bang. This charming book has made it a smooth transition from smutt to smart..let me explain.

I have some strange ideas about silly reading versus smart reading. Books that make me think and punch out the sides of my proverbial box are considered "smart reading" as apposed to romance novels and the like that are just fluff and for fun, great they are, but they do not make me ponder lifes questions.

Each year during the summer months I fill my head with fanciful stories from swashbuckling pirates to ladies in distress..by reading historical type romance novels. Among my favorite authors are Nora Roberts, Jude Deveraux, Julia Quinn and Hannah Howell. I like to think that I transport myself on vacations of sorts. Then in the Fall when school begins again I revert to my so called "smart books" and try and read current novels that may come up in discussion at a dinner party, in a local coffee or may invoke a question from a fellow bus rider.

The first of my books this fall is Eat, Pray, Love a book recommended by a lovely lady I went to school with. It follows a strong womens adventure to Italy, India and Indoniesia to find herself. It's very well written, witty and easy to follow. I found myself almost immediatly at bat for the books main character, Elizabeth. I am almost done the novel now and I am looking forward to seeing how she does! I was refreshed by her open attitude and the raw vulnerability she so vividly displays throughout the book! Good for her for taking the leap most of us only dream of.

I would recommend this book to anyone! It's a definate page turner and implores you to live life in the now and search for yourself, your true self, amongst all the nitty gritty that life throws at you!

Take care of yourself and each other,

E

Giving Thanks!

I LOVE the holidays! Any excuse to gather together, cook and enjoy each other is tops in my books! I celebrated by making a few seasonal treats..

The apples were falling from my tree with mad abandon and I couldn't let them go to waste so....

I made a yummy batch of Candied apples!!!!!

Everyone came out to enjoy one, they were such a hit!! I thought they would be difficult but they were unbelievably easy!

The ingredients are few but you would never guess with the taste!

I know this will become a tradition in our house and it should be in yours too...

There is nothing like picking apples and then using your imagination to turn them into something yummy, not that they aren't yummy on there own! This year we have made: Apple Crumbles, Apple Pies, Applesauce, Candied Apples and even some Apple Jelly.

The other thing I made this thanksgiving is my very own Pumpkin Pie! As you know I have a great garden that I adore and this year we grew some pumpkins, and they turned out great! I saved two to carve up for Halloween and used two to make some delicious eats!

The pumpkin pie was a real fun one! I made my very own pie filling, thinking it would be difficult I proved myself wrong yet again. What a treat it was to have after thanksgiving dinner!

For a garnish I made some sugar cookies and sugared some cranberries..it looked so pretty! A great, simple way to dress things up using things I already had around the house.

As I live across the country from all of my family, every holiday I miss them dearly but it is nice to make things that remind me of them. This year I did just that and I felt closer to home.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope your thanksgiving was as special as mine!


Take care of yourself and each other!


E

...Family Visits...

It's always so special when family comes to visit! Especially when there are young children to join in the fun. It has been a wonderful week for me! My family who lives in Ottawa have made the trek cross country to visit with me for my birthday this past weekend. The best gift!

I miss my family terribly living in Vancouver, although I love my life here it would be much better if I were close to the ones I hold most dear. I recently (Feb 12, 2009) became an aunt to the most gorgeous of nephews Mr. Ewan Lynch. My sister Hannah's first son and first grandchild to my parents. It has been so special having him in my home, being able to be around him even only just for this week. Children are oh so amazing and every moment spent in there company is a great one.


The family is heading home tomorrow and it will be a sad day for me. It is always hard for the first week or so of them no longer being close. I look forward to the time when we wont be so far away.

Take Care of yourself and each other!

e

Long time....no post...

Hello everyone,

It's like I fell off the planet! I have been so unbelievably busy..I had to let something go..unfortunately it was the blog..BUT...Im back and SO excited for the fall!



Fall is my favorite season and when it starts to get cold..we spend more time indoors meaning more time crafting! I have a plan people. This month or next I will be joining with Stampin Up to become a demonstrator. This has taken me a long time to commit to and I am now so ready!



Please bear with me during this transition time and I promise..there will be lots of new and exciting things to see on my blog!


Keep it Classy!



E

Happy Anniversary

Today I am celebrating 9 amazing years with Dave! It's been such a trip, moving from our home town not long after we started dating and travelling to Vancouver, BC and setting up our lives here. I am so proud of our years together and hope there are many more to come! I love you baby!

Golden Ears Adventure

Dave and I went on an adventure this weekend!

We left Friday after work and drove up to Maple Ridge. There is a gorgeous park there called Golden Ears National Park, such a magical place so close to the city!

We parked our van, geared up and hiked the Canyon trail for about 5km and then set up our tent on a sandy beach right by a beautiful river!

We woke up Saturday morning and had a delicious breakfast of croissants and fruit. Once full we got our water bottles and the camera and headed out to explore our surroundings.

We headed up the river and found some really gorgeous areas! The water was a little cold and the weather wasn't the warmest and although Dave took a dip I was not so inclined!

On Sunday Morning we took a look on the other side of the river, The water was much more shallow and just perfect for a tube ride! We both mentioned that we would have to bring up a group of friends to truly get the MOST of this spot!

Such great way to unwind after a busy weekend! Dave and I will definitely be doing this one again!

FUZZCAT

An amazing local band...great tunes, awesome message and an all around good time! They have profiles on My Space and Facebook..check them out..befriend them..and listen to the music that is so loved by the masses!

Vancouver’s funk-filled reggae rock attack, has been exploding Western Canadian dance floors since 2006. Danceable rhythms, infectious lyrics, and provocative musical arrangements have earned them a growing reputation as one of Vancouver's most exciting emerging bands.



Charismatic, high-energy performances draw comparisons to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Manu Chao and Sublime, but the band has diverse influences which range from hip-hop to punk. Fuzzcat is a mainstay at Vancouver’s Media Club and Railway Club and has made four tours of the Rockies, playing Sun Peaks Resort Mountain Bike Festival, and venues such as The Drake in Canmore and The Rose and Crown in Banff.







They also organize their own shows at the ANZA Club, the (old) Sweatshop, and other venues playing sold-out nights with local favorites Freeflow, Los Furios, The Dreadnoughts, Mongoose, as well as bringing in international acts like La Severa Matacera from Bogota, Colombia and Maskatesta from Mexico City. Fuzzcat also hosts a monthly Monday at the legendary Railway Club where they showcase their acoustic side alongside stripped down versions of great local acts ranging from hardcore punk to singer-songwriter. The Lads have performed on 'Live from Radio Thunderbird Hell' on UBC Radio and on Radio Bandcouver on 102.7, Co-op Radio, both electric and acoustically.

In the spring of 2007, Fuzzcat released their first album, Impact!, with a sold-out show at the Media Club. Two songs from the album were featured in the 2007 documentary The Five Ring Circus, a Work Less Party production about the 2010 Olympics. 24 Hrs. newspaper in Vancouver describes the band as having “...hooky grooves, catchy lyrics, and rug-cutting riffs.” You can own it NOW..by visiting CD Baby or coming to a show which is, I think the best option! See you there!

Mace from Ronatron.net writes, “Fuzzcat had their mighty legion of fans out of their seats with the quickness. Moreso than any other band of the night, Fuzzcat seamlessly shifted gears and tore through a plethora of genres, all the while mixing up a crazy mix of very tight and technical instrument solos with one-wheel-in-the-dirt jam sessions.”


Check them out at these shows which promise a night filled with dancing and mayhem! Come out and get DOWN!

August 10th at the Railway Club in Vancity...Fuzzcat Presents: Pernell Reichert and The Elders.

Takin' it on the road for August 13th, 14th and 15th at the Rose and Crown in Banff, Alberta.



August 20th at the Shark Club in Vancouver with Island boys, The Kiltlifters.



Till next time,


E

VANCOUVER PRIDE!!!!!!!

This weekend was PRIDE Weekend here in Vancouver and Sunday was a glorious and sunny day perfect for walking the streets of downtown taking in the PRIDE Parade! My housemates put together a float for Canadian Federation of Students and it was outta sight!! Here are a few photos that show just how much PRIDE we have in Vancity!!

These folks worked really hard Saturday morning/afternoon to get this Student Debt Lifeboat a float! Props to everyone who helped out! Gay, straight, purple,red or green most students have such a hard time with the debt load that is almost common place when embarking on their life's journey upon graduation! It's time we take a stand and lower tuitions, offer more education grants and help out the people who are looking to better their own lives and the lives of those around them by furthering thier education!! Let's have PRIDE in our students!

Till next time,

E

Cupcake Confidential!

Last weekend I went to a class held by my favorite Stampin Up demo lady, the amazing Sheila Ho!!

This class was themed after her most favorite things of all time......CUPCAKES! We made a series of three cards with an extra special card holder..That is what she's got her fingers on in the photo on the right!

We were lucky enough to have a mini card maker attend as well. Isabella is my friend Jennifer's daughter and what a gorgeous little lady she is!

Jennifer and her mother Cathy joined us in the class and tried to maintain focus but the baby was just too cute, all of us women lots our marbles over her..cooing and making odd baby noises.

It's funny that babies brng out the "crazy" in people! I must admit I went a little camera happy and snapped more than one super cute photo!

Isabella is almost a year old now, her brithday is quickly approaching it's on August 25th! Man...seems like just yesterday her birth was announced!!

I am attending her cute little princess party on Sunday August 23rd and have already made her brithday card!

Here are the cards we made! They are all using a great stamp set called Crazy For Cupcakes! It's a must have..I know it's on my list!

My favorite card we did is this first one, it has a cute little pocket on the inside for a gift certificate! LOVE IT! It looks like a mini cupcake store!

The next one is a simple and sweet pink card using the Razzleberry card stock from the "in colours" collection!

I am so excited about the ribbon sharing offer that Sheila just started!

Check it out:

http://daisyfleurs.blogspot.com/2009/08/announcing-my-first-ribbon-share.html

The last card is also fabulous and uses the BIG SHOT! a really cool tool that helps with al your die cutting needs! Check it out in the Stampin Up Catalogue, page 194! Its a must for serious crafters! We used the big shot to cut the cupcake top, the sprinkles and the cute little accent heart! It was so easy and quick. No fuss, No muss..ya know what I mean!

Another great class with Sheila! We had so much fun and the cards we made are top notch! I love lazy Sundays with the ladies crafting up a storm!

Till next time,

E

....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