Happy New Year's Eve 2007

I just can't believe we are at the end of a year! It's mind boggling to stop and think at times just how fast time does go! I am going to make myself scrap a page which shows pics from each month of the year. I've wanted to do that for a long time..in fact I'm even thinking about a mini book. Hmm

I have though been working on some assignments for ScrapJazz and my focus this month was on Technique Tuesday products..which I LOVE! I have to say their tiles are simply perfect! The right weight, thickness and so many cool designs. And who would have known they are also perfect to stamp on! Check out my new favorite layout that I used the Technique Tuesday "Dog and Pony Show" stamps on the tile border and next to the title. Also impressive to me to have 7 photos on one page!LOL

For this layout I covered the Technique Tuesday tiles with paper. I used the scallop strip and the arrow. I also used new Bo Bunny Clownin around papers, the title sticker and rubons.

Let's see what else is new besides scrappin. Christmas was great..the kids told me it was the best one ever. Funny as I didn't spend what we normally do and found amazing deals on things at Amazon that saved ALOT!

Here's a cute picture of all the great-grandkids on Christmas Eve at my Grandparents house. The kids range in age from 12, Connor being the oldest, down to the newest addition..Baby Hayden who is 2 1/2 months old! They are all showing off their gloves that were in their stockings.



I have to show this one as I think it's exceptionally cute of Haley with Baby Hayden.


Here's one of all of us. Haley had on the cutest dress ever that to me.. made her look like a teenager instead of a 10 year old!
Here are some from Christmas Day at our house. Parker showing off his train ornament Santa left for him with his stocking.

Haley with a new DS game she was excited about!

Messy hair Connor with one of the coolest remote control cars I've seen! Hmm..I wonder why I like it?!
and the cool Lego Firehouse that he was nuts over!

and another messy haired guy..Scott with his big suprise! Framed movie posters of our favorite movies! We've had blank walls in the basement just waiting for us to start filling them up and this is just the beginning of the movie posters. He got Shooter, National Treasure The Book of Secrets, Ocean's 12 and a Soprano's one.



He was really suprised which made me feel good!

Here's a cute one of the kids dressed nice, hair fixed..well Connor could use some more help, when my parents and grandparents came over!

And last one as hopefully you haven't fallen asleep yet..the tree...I think it looked really good this year. It's hard to appreciate all my pretty glass ornaments given they just reflect with the flash. Next year I am putting up a slim tree upstairs with the non breakable ornaments. I had everyone asking where our tree was and since it's downstairs (ie babies=breakable ornaments) most don't get to see it.

Well that's it for now..my next post will be in the new year..2008! I hope you have a fun, safe and happy New Year! Check in soon for some very cool scrapbook news I get to share!

Julia

2007 ~ Acknowledgement and Gratitude

So, I was already getting psyched about envisioning 2008 and kept getting stuck in my tracks. I'd be all set to imagine, write, collage and then get sort of "deer in the headlight"-y. So I asked myself, "What's up?" Silly me. I hadn't stopped to acknowledge and be grateful for 2007! It's so easy to forget all that we've done and enjoyed. Blogs can totally come to the rescue on that one. Going through my blog helped me remember a lot of the great things that have happened this year.

Highlights of 2007 ~ The Joys, The Accomplishments & A Loss

• Traveling to Cape Cod with Shannon, participating in the Creative Bazaar and meeting fabulous blog folk.
• Being accepted into ISIS and beginning a foundational program in Expressive Arts Therapy.
• Launching Wishcasting.
• Launching Circe's Circle.
• Beginning to teach Nia.
• Being discovered by my mentor.
• Making new and fabulous friends and colleagues in blogland, RL and more.
• Coaching extraordinary, beautiful, smart, creative people.
• Hosting the first ever Try Day at Create a Connection.
• Buying a laptop.
• Learning to knit.
• Becoming certified in CPR.
• Hosting another year of Shyne Like a Star Virtual Dance Party. (Be ready for May 1, 2008!)
• Participating in a Ladies Who Launch Incubator.
• Paying my student loan in full.
• Being interviewed by Sabine for Leaving Academia.
• Being interviewed by Jana for Create a Connection.
• Claiming the name Jamie Ridler Studios.
• Working with a branding expert to define my business identity.
• Making real progress on my wardrobe revitalization program.
• Making real progress in home improvement (reupholstering, fixing, furniture)
• Attending movie fests with the MovieMoxie (TIFF, After Dark, Reel Asian)
• Toronto joys: the Beaches, the ROM, Harbourfront.
• The yearly joys: the Auction, Halloween, the Ex.
• The weekly joys: Friday nights with Shannon, Saturday morning adventures with my husband.
• The loss: this year Justin's mother's partner Tim passed away. He is deeply missed.

December Views ~ Dec 30

Perhaps the corniest thing ever but oh, so fun, a Coronation Street special with some of the actors singing.
Time to start visioning for 2008. This is how it always begins for me - a big piece of paper, markers and a cup of tea.
I've decided to create some vision cards (more about that in the next couple of days) and wanted to try painting them. That didn't work for me but inspired me to try painting these styrofoam balls that are going to be a part of my Wishcasting performance (more about that to come too).
Moving from lists to cards.

The creative mess that indicates the process is still going on! I hope to finish my cards in the next couple of days.

December Views ~ Dec 28

Popped out to do some returns and exchanges and found a 50% off sale that seriously helped my renovate my wardrobe project! New basics inspired me to go hardcore in clearing out my drawers.

Then it was time to take a breather and knit. Maybe in 2008 I'll progress beyond scarves.

After some downtime, I worked on a Nia routine we'll be launching in January.

Then meeting up with Shannon for our Friday Night Adventures.

This week is even more wardrobe expansion thanks to your friend and mine, Value Village. I've got the coziest red track pants now!

And then we headed over to our favourite local Chinese/Canadian greasy spoon where this lovely fortune finished off a great day in a great way.

December Views is almost over. Thanks for the inspiration, Daisy!

December Views ~ Dec 26 ~ Time to Relax

For the first time in ages I get to put my feet up.
Wearing the funky arm warmers my Mom gave me for Christmas.

Out to the movies with my honey. Though this fabulous bear was there to promote The Golden Compass, we saw that on my birthday, so we went to see I am Legend.

December Views ~ Dec 25

Justin & I enjoyed a quiet Christmas morning with the cats.
And then headed down the street to his brother's. Funny, everyone seemed to try on the Dutch girl Christmas hat but my silly pic seems to be the only one caught on camera!

Justin & his dad, who is in visiting from Holland.

Me cuddling with their wee dog, Ella.

The hustle and bustle of a big family Christmas feast. Delicious!

December Views ~ Dec 24 ~ Our Christmas

December Views ~ Dec 23 ~ Home from Justin's Family

Merry Christmas Eve!!

Merry Christmas Eve to you!

We're busy cooking, cleaning, finishing up Christmas gifts and of course watching Elf while we do this! It sets the mood and we all take turns reciting the lines we know. Because it is after all Elf!

I promised I'd share some Christmas ornaments and well here you go.

This first one uses Bo Bunny papers, a large circle punch, styrofoam ball and pins. I inked the paper edges and just started randomly pinning around the middle and then filling in after that.

Here's another one using the Bo Bunny Homespun Holiday line. I'll confess..I really like making this style ornament. For the past two years I've been Mod Podging the circles onto Paper Mache balls making them nice and smooth. This is such a great change of look! And what's neat..even though you can't see it..on the very top of the ornament the circle I used has the number 25..kind of cool!

For the next one I used Paper Salon Ornamental Holiday papers, styrofoam ball and pins once again. Instead though of nice smooth circle I crumpled them all up. I will say the photo just does not do it justice. It seems the camera likes to grab onto the little bits of white showing underneath. In person you don't see them and honestly I think it's my favorite!




For the next ornament I used a glass ornament and added a Paper Salon rub on to the front. Then I punched lots of circles from the matching papers and added in glitter and sequins. I painted the ornament top piece as well.

This one I went to town with small colored buttons. I've wanted to do this for a long time. I used a smaller styrofoam ball, lots of buttons, colored pins and now made my daughter's favorite ornament.

and even out of focus I still think it looks great!


So that's it for now! I have a few more things to share once I stop and snap a photo! I'm off to make the dessert for tomorrow and finish cleaning before we head out later to my Grandparents for our family gathering!!

Merry Merry to you!

Julia