Share The Love Sunday - Second Edition

Hello, and welcome to the second edition of Share The Love Sunday. For an explanation of how Share The Love Sunday works, view my page here.

Today, I would like to share three Etsy shops that really, really make me wish that I'd learned how to sew!! I think I'll have to add 'learn to sew' to my bucket list - not that I could ever hope to get this good!

1. Adopt An Alien

2. Card Table Playhouses

3. Softies

It amazes me what people can do by taking basic, raw materials and creating such whimsy, fun, and cuteness! I could just stare at these projects for hours - it's almost meditative to me. Soaking up these artists creativity sparks my own (although, sadly, I have yet to produce anything anywhere close to being this delightful). Sigh. Pure bliss.

So what goodness have you got to share?

Below is a Mr. Linky list if you'd like to add a link to your own Share The Love Sunday post. (1) Make sure the link you submit is to the URL of your post and not your main blog URL. (2) Include a link back here.

Thanks!

7 Quick Takes...

I came across this fun meme over at The Conversion Diary and I thought I'd join in, so without further delay, here are my 7 Quick Takes:

1. Another Friday, another challenge over at The Inspired Scrapper. This one is simply to use flowers. Spring is springing, after all! Check it out, and join in via Mr. Linky!

2. After being married for almost eight years and having three children, my husband and I are now looking to buy our first home. It's a nerve wracking process at times! In the past, whenever I've heard anybody say they were 'devastated' when an offer that they've made on a house hasn't worked out, I would think, 'Relax - it's just a house - find another!'. Nice, eh?! Now - I understand how somebody could feel that way.

3. This is the final weekend of the 2010 Winter Olympics. I'm going to miss it! Living in the host city has been the opportunity of a lifetime - I wonder, have I done enough? Have I taken advantage of all the goings on? How are my children going to remember this time? I think that Vancouver is going to feel some post-event blues. I think I will too. On the positive side, while I've enjoyed watching all the Canadian and International coverage on televsion - I'm looking forward to NOT having the TV on for awhile!

4. I never thought I'd ever say this, but...I actually prefer McDonald's coffee to Tim Hortons and Starbucks! I used to look at McDonald's coffee with complete disdain. Then, sometime this past year, McDonald's offered free coffee in the morning for a period of a few weeks, so I started hitting the drive-thru on my way to work for my freebie, and marketing works, folks, because McDonald's proved to me that their coffee is now not only improved, but superior! I actually crave it now and will go out of my way just to hit the drive-thru. I still feel a bit embarrassed to be seen drinking their coffee (I'm sure that will pass), but...I'm a convert!

5. I have been blogging for over three years now - I can't believe it! I started this blog when my last born child was about three weeks old - feels like a lifetime ago. At the time, I wasn't sure about this whole blogging thing, but three years later - I absolutely love it! I think I'll be blogging forever - although, it will be interesting to see how blogging evolves and what it will consist of in the years to come.

6. I am mulling over the idea of getting a dog. For years, I was dead-set against having any pets, but now...this little itch for a dog is getting bigger. I'm not going to make any sudden moves - it's a huge decision. Like having another child, in a lot of ways. A dog is a big, long-term, and somewhat expensive commitment, and not one that I take lightly. I think I'll have to dedicate an entirely separate post to discussing the pros and cons of adding a dog to our family. I hope my husband's not reading this...I don't think he's anywhere near being ready for a conversation about this! The kids, however, would be ecstatic. We'll keep this quiet for now...ssshhh...

7. It was harder than I thought it would be to come up with '7' quick takes, and I don't know if they'd all qualify as 'quick', but this was a fun meme to take part in and I will definitely be doing it again!

A Short But Sweet Card Making Session Today...

Today I found a bit of time to indulge my crafty side by participating in two sketch challenges at two of my favorite sketch blogs.

The top card is based on a sketch from Card Positioning Systems, CPS #155. The bottom card is based on a sketch over at 2 Sketches 4 You - Laura's Sketch #46. Two very similar sketches this week!

Thanks for visiting - wishing you well this Wednesday evening!

Multitude Monday...

While poking about on Facebook today, I saw that my friend Heather had a link to her blog entry for today, which featured a list of things that she was thankful for. I loved the idea, so I am adopting it here. For a full explanation of this concept, go to the Gratitude Community. Basically, the idea is to somehow acknowledge 1000 graces or gifts in your life with gratitude.

I have decided to do this in gradual steps - 20 per Monday for 50 Mondays equals 1000 gratitudes. Maybe some weeks I'll get all crazy and go beyond 20; hopefully, I don't have any weeks where I struggle to even make it to 20. I will admit - I am not a religious person, but I appreciate the concept of recognizing the good things, the fortunes in our respective lives. So, without further ado, here is the first leg of my quest for 1000:

1. A nice day at home with Cody

2. Lots of sunshine and record breaking (high!) temperatures.

3. A hubby who has a strong work ethic.

4. Everett Crowley Park as part of the walk home with Casey after school.

5. The joy of blogging.

6. A real-life and online community of women in which to share my love of all things paper crafting, parenting/family life, and photography.

7. One individual doctor, as well as the wider circle of people who are involved in her group practice, who has been such a lifeline to me for almost two decades!

8. Living in a very advantaged country.

9. Strong steeped black tea with milk. All day long.

10. All the luxuries of our modern era - the internet, microwave, washer/dryer, etc.

11. My sister.

12. My new baby niece, Olivia.

13. All my extended family - I got lucky big time!

14. A good haircut.

15. Good books.

16. The ability to smile, a reason to laugh - everyday.

17. Three healthy, beautiful children.

18. Fresh fruits and veggies.

19. Bedtime 'I love you's' from my little boys.

20. The opportunity for Vancouver to host the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Share The Love Sunday - Inaugural Post...

Hello, and welcome to my new feature - Share The Love Sunday. For a full explanation, go to this page.

The blog I am going to share with you today is OhAmanda. I came across Amanda's site the way I come across a lot of sites I love - by just linking my way from one blog to another on one of my daily blurking adventures. Oh Amanda has a feature called 'Top Ten Tuesdays' - I just loved this idea when I saw it! I'm always on the lookout for blogging prompts and inspirations and this one really appealed to me. I've got my first Top Ten Tuesday post all written up and queued to go in two more sleeps!

Because this post is my first regarding Share The Love Sunday, it's been published late on Sunday night instead of early Sunday morning. In the future, as noted in my Share The Love Sunday page, I will have my post done at the beginning of the day, but in the hopes of perhaps catching some night owl bloggers, and also as a test run, I am going to add a Mr. Linky to this inaugural post. Any late night bloggers care to Share The Love?

Saturday Night's Alright For Crafting...

This layout is in response to last week's Inspired Scrapper challenge, which was to use a 'love themed' quote. The quote that I used here is by Elizabeth Barrett Browning and though she intended it in a romantic context, I thought it was also fitting when it comes to my feelings for my son!

The Inspired Scrapper team has knocked it out of the park again this week! The three most recent posts by DT members are based on February's 'Love Is In The Air' theme and use a sketch by Becky Fleck at Pagemaps. I love the way Susan used rolled up patterned paper as an accent - such a great touch! Virginia used a great mix of patterned papers with red being the dominant colour, which lends so much energy and jump to her photos. Erica printed three different photos from three different moments in black and white and then used very pretty colours in her papers for an overall beautiful layout. Love her mixed button accent as well!

As always, I encourage you to check out The Inspired Scrapper - play along with the challenges and share your creation with us using the Mr. Linky feature. There is no such thing as too much inspiration!

For Today - February 17, 2010

Outside my window...Glorious sunshine!! 10 degrees celsius - welcome to Vancouver, host city of the 2010 Spring Olympics!

I am thinking...about my sister-in-law, Keri. She is pregnant with her first baby. She began having contractions over 24 hours ago and has been sent home from the hospital twice. My thoughts are definitely with her today, and with my brother-in-law, Kyle.

I am thankful...for my husband, for my children, for my life. Also for the opportunity to have a 2 hour nap today to catch up on the sleep I missed last night while Cody had a particularly wakeful, calling for Mommy night!

From the kitchen...Homemade Shepherds Pie for dinner tonight. Must not let time get away from me today, or dinner will turn into leftover spagetti from last night.

I am wearing...I just cut and paste this part from my last 'For Today' entry - "my usual at-home uniform - yoga pants, oversized t-shirt/sweater".

I am reading...an actual adult paperback - "The Devil's Punchbowl" by Greg Iles. I've re-read the first couple of chapters twice now since I usually only read in bed at night and I keep falling asleep after a few pages.

I am hoping...that all goes well for Keri and Kyle and I end up with a brand new little niece, or my first nephew, by the end of today!

I am going...nowhere until I leave to pick Casey up from school. Until then, I am going to stay home and see what I can accomplish around here.

I am creating...a fair number of paper projects lately. The trick for me is actually completing them, and getting them photographed and posted!

I am hearing...nothing but the clock ticking. Sweet silence! Such a treat.

Around the house...lots of clutter. Lots of stuff with no real place to go. Once again, I find myself thinking that it would be easier to just pack and move than attempt to organize.

One of my favorite things...a new baby. A new family member. A new niece or nephew for my husband and I, a new cousin for my children.

A few plans for the rest of the week...once I know if new baby is a boy or a girl, I have some gifts to make. Watch various Olympic events and coverage on TV. Take advantage of our beautiful weather to spend more time outside in the sunshine with my kids. Shave my legs.

Here is a picture thought I'm sharing with you...



An actual photo of my elusive daughter! I think this might very well be the only picture I've managed to snag of her since my above-mentioned brother and sister-in-law's wedding in July 2009! Actually, my daughter took this picture herself with my camera. We were on our way home after she got a very cute new haircut, a haircut that she was actually happy with! A haircut she likes, a photo to document it that she also likes - wow! We are on some kind of roll!

Happy Friday!

TGIF! Three reasons why this Friday in particular is a great one:

1. Friday over at the Inspired Scrapper means that a new challenge is posted, along with great projects by the designers. Looking for Valentines inspiration in particular? Go check it out!

2. Here in Vancouver, the Opening Ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympics begins at 6:00 pm PST. My husband was in BC Place Stadium on July 2, 2003 when Vancouver was awarded these Games. I was watching from home on TV, pregnant with our second child, who was born three days later. Since then, we've had a third child, so we've essentially been waiting for this moment for the duration of our boys' lives!

3. To be honest, I can't come up with a third reason specific to this Friday, but come on - who doesn't love a Friday - any Friday?! It's the kickoff to the weekend, and here's wishing you a great one!