Create Kate

So much to say

Coming back from a whirlwind is always a bit strange. I had such an amazing time. Words cannot express how much the Fontwerks team means to me. Meeting Grace and Becky for the first time and then feeling like I had known them forever. Bonding with them, laughing and sharing in the joy that is Fontwerks. There is something so fulfilling and exciting knowing that you are doing something that you completely and totally love and then sharing it with people who feel exactly the same way. I also got to meet up with and see more of my wonderful Hummer gang. I have a special spot in my heart for those FUN girls. They are so supportive. I truly believe that the spirit and energy that permeates our groups has helped all of us keep our love of this hobby throughout all of the trials and triumphs we have been through. And then meeting other garden girls. Wonderful. Jeff has us all in stitches and Kristina was Kristina. She has such a vision for this hobby. Her passion for all things scrapbooking is truly heartfelt. Loved that about her. Lastly, the excitement of meeting retailers who enjoy my products is unparalleled. Hearing people say they love what I have created fills me up. It's such a rush. It was an amazing trip. Words truly cannot express it. I've added the album here.

After my stay in Chi-town, I headed up to Grand Rapids for a few days of R&R with Melissa. Her family was so welcoming and sweet. And her kids were adorable. We got to spend some time in Grand Haven next to Lake Michigan. What a beautiful spot. Walking up and (well more like trudging) down the 125 steps to the beach was well worth it. It was gorgeous. And jumping in the waves made me feel like I did when I was 11 years old and doing the very same thing with my brother just north in Lake Superior. Nothing beats freshwater waves. I love the ocean, but there is something so nice about those big waves to jump in without the taste of salt and the worry of encountering jellyfish. Thanks Melissa for a wonderful time.

Then I came home and realized that yes; there is this nice little scrapbooking bubble for me. Came home to life, dirty laundry and two Korean exchange students living with us. Sitting here this morning, I felt a renewed enthusiasm for the life that I capture on my pages. I have grown incredibly fond of our two Korean students. They had only been with us for 3 days before I left and now it's been another three days. Being a surrogate other is a special feeling. They are two kind, caring and silly teenage boys. Mackenzie loves them and chases them around the house after dinner yelling "Boys!! Boys!! Look at this." "Boys! Come play puzzles with me." "Boys!!! Wanna play cards?" You get the idea. She adores them and I feel the feeling is mutual. We had originally asked for two girls, but then found out a few days before their arrival that we would be getting two 14-year-old boys. Initially I was struck with a bit of panic. Boys?? But I have a girl. I don't know anything about looking after boys. But in the end it was all for naught. I'll be sad to see them go in another 10 days. They have made me realize that there is so much more to life outside my little scrapbooking realm.

And also my little sweetie. I think each trip brings me closer to her. I get to go away for a few days and play the role of kid again. Staying up late, laughing with friends, going out with no worries in the world and feeling energized. Then I come home to an overwhelming sense of love. A feeling of being missed. Then there is my big sweetie. Couldn't do it without him.

And lastly, I came home to wonderful news. My sister got engaged while I was gone. We have had a feeling it would happen for awhile now, but no idea when. What a fantastic surprise to come home to. They were off on a trip/camping adventure on the Oregon coast and will be home tonight. I can’t wait to see her ring and here all the details. My little flower girl is beyond excited and had already been practicing her role. Next summer will be an amazing summer for sure. So happy for my dear sweet little sister.

Drive by post

Finally uploading my pics from my trip to Chicago and then onto Michigan to visit my dear friend Melissa for a few days. I love her. She has the best fanily and some of the cutest sweetest kids out there (this is coming from a teacher too who has met a LOT of kids!) That's Mel and I in another reflective photo-good times!

CHA was wonderful. Beyond wonderful. I grow to love this hobby more and more. The trade shows bring us all together from across the country and help cement the online friendships that are dear to me. So many good times had by all. And so fun to see people enjoying the products that were made with a lot of blood sweat and tears. Now comes ther fun part when it all ships out and I get to see what people produce. It is incredibly rewarding and I love it.

I'm back to work on layouts for the upcoming garden and editing photos. Will update with more CHA pics. soon. So gladto be back home and sleeping in my bed- ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.

In awhile crocodile!

Off to the windy city! I hear it is HOT. I've packed lots of skirts and shorts! And I'm bringing along my compadre Shannon Freeman (who shall be known as Miss E-Flat for the duration of the trip) She's going to be coming to the booth with us. Stop by and say Hi at the Fontwerks booth and grab a photo with E-Flat! Hoping to see some of you soon!

It's geting closer!

CHA is getting nearer and nearer. Can I just say I am excited?? I know, i say it all thetime, but there really isn't another word to describe it. I AM EXCITED. Getting to see my Fontwerks buddies, my hummer buddies and hopefully get to meet some of the other garden girls in real life. And hopefully some digital girls. And meet new people. It's going to be a blast. I can't wait. I've been busy creating and scrapping. Yes, scrapping. It feels good. Really good. I have missed it. I'm keeping this post short and just leaving you with some things I have done lately.

That's my paper pack available at Two Peas- watch for an embellishment set ths weekend. :)

This week's 2ps2sday chat was a scraplift of our digi girl of the week. We chose ShabbyMissJenn. Fantastic work. I have long long been a fan of hers.

This one is from last week's 2ps2sday challenge. Rhonna posted an awesome ad for us to be inspired by. Mine was loosely inspired as it looks a lot different than the original. I love the road that inspiration takes you down sometimes. You can see some sneaks of my embellishment set coming.

This was one of my garden layouts this month. I love that I now havea page capturing my love for Tims- the grandkids will love it for sure. Hee hee

One from last month when I first joined the garden girls and we all tried to post something new in the gallery. My little kiddo loves and I mean LOVES to belt it out like nobody's business. A Canadian Idol in the making there folks. Well, not if she grows up with my voice. I cannot sing. Nope, not a bit, but it doesn't stop me much to my family's chagrin.

I have two more under wraps- one should be up soon for a tutorial I did this week and another coming in two weeks. I haven't scrapped this many pages ina few months and I am loving it. Hitting a good groove. YAY!! :):)

And lastly my papers for CHA. Hope everyone enjoys them :) Let me know what you think. We went with a theme of hey fellas and hello ladies. The papers are all named after the design team. So we have Hello Rachel, Hello Melissa, Hello Grace and so on. Then the guys are named after everyone's significant others. So fun to thank the girls for all the hard ork they do in a fun way like this. I love our team. They are an awesome bunch of girls :)

Bloggin' it

I have been busy and out enjoying the fantastic weather we have been having lately. yes, summer is here on the west coast! I had gotten so far behind on my blog reading so today I spent some time catching up. Bloggin' it. I love reading everyone's blogs. Dang people. There are some good bloggers out there. Cathy Z for instance. She makes me laugh. Not just a little either. Morethan once have Icracked up at her blog and my DH has come in wondering what is so funny. I would love to sneak into her funkyhead for one day. Her little space chat was too funny. Too funny. Then there is Ali. Nobody and I mean nobody inspires quite like Ali. Her post on music totally reached out of the computer at me. Grabbed me kwim? I got that one deep in my bones as music moves. I dig it. Hopped over to read Loni's blog. Man another girl I heart so freaking much I can't stand it. Her typography makes me brain hurt. In a good way. Loni's attention to detail and design leaves my jaw on the floor lonnnnng after I have ogled one of her pages. seriously good stuff. Hopped over to check in on Kah-Mei. She;s got a new crumpler coming. Oooh I lust over those bags. I'm saving my pennies. Over to Rachel's place. Cracked up at her son's antics. I talked to rachel about it last night. Our kiddos are only 2-3 months apart and are often going through the same stages. Kenzie is right there with Ethan and the imaginary friends and the endless supply of invented words. cracks me up. all the time man. They are so funny at this age. I love it . I need to remind myself of how precious this is when I get stressed with all the other fun tidbits that comewith having an almost 4 year old. Over to Rebecca Cooper. Another scrap girl crush. I love her way with softness and simplicity. Such a distinct style. I adore her work. adore it. Then onto a few digi spots. Rhonna's blog always leaves me feeling uplifted and ready to take on the world. Her energy is catching andthat my friends is a goodthing. I've needed some happy vibesthe past few days. Rhonna is perfect for that. And over to Heather Melzer- OK does she not make the cutest kits or what??? Made me want to be an American for the day so icould whip up some cute 4th of July pages. And for the record, I want that purse. Yes I do. Going to have to scope it out. So fun!! And finally finsihed off with a trip to digi/paper gal Amber- she has a preview to her new lines coming at CHA summer. Ooh la la - be still my heart- good stuff. Her designs are just like her- happy and fun.

So that was my quick little blog hop today. Where did you go? What else should I check out?

Phew!! 47 times

Sooooo....

is that:

a.) the number of tries it took me to log on tonight
b.) the number of times I have sat down and tried to log on or
c.) both

Man. Having some typepad issues. not really sure why, but when I finally got on I wanted to do a little dance! Onto todays business :)

The first of the month has now come and gone and it was fun. So exciting to watch the garden bloom and see all of the wonderful digital creations. The garden girls blew me away with their interpretations of digital. Some went fully digital, some went hybrid and Emily did a cool page about being a non computer gal. And the digi girls. WOW. So many fantastic kits. It was so fun to see everything debut. I know there is more in store too and I can't wait! Those girls are great. Rhonna has been nothing short of wonderul and amazing. Can't say enough goodthings about her or the girls. That place is fun fun fun. I am loving getting to know those girls and can't wait until CHA now. More people to meet :) I love love meeting people that have becme such close friends. It's always a bit nerve-wracking at first, but it always seems to take a matter of minutes before you realize that you are really just like old pals getting together again.

Oh did someone mention CHA????? I saw Kah-Mei had a little sneak on her blog and I have two as well. One piece from each line. We have two lines coming in paper- DOUBLE-SIDED. yahoo!! So meet the first pieces of paper from the Hello Ladies and the Hey Guys lines:

And there is more :) A set of acrylic shapes that will have pieces that will match BOTH lines! Not to mention some wood-mounteds as well. Oohhhhhhh I am EXCITED. I think another little dance is in order. i get so giddy as the shows get closer. I get a little bit nervous too. That "oh my goodness I feel like I am about to walk onto the stage in highschool in front of a huge crowd and speak" kind of nervous. But the part I am most excited (yes, I am saying excited AGAIN) is my good friend Kah-Mei. The past few months have been huge for her and I know the next few are only going to be bigger. I know she has so many great things in store and her vision for Fontwerks is so cool. I am excited to watch it grow and grow.

SCHOOL is OUT for SUMMER!! yay!! yes, i like my job. yes, I like the kids, but man oh man does summer feel good. I just felt the weight coming off my shoulders on Friday afternoon. Mackenzie even slept in until 8:20 the other day in celebration. A few days at the beach this weekend and I feel like summer is in full swing. We went to the local Canada day shebang and sat out in the blazing sun all day. Phew. It was hot. So nice to get home and put my feet in Kenzie's pool even if it was only a 10 inch deep pool!

I missed the weekend *hotSpots* so I'm going to add them now. I know it's summer and it's hot but I still love my morning cup of tea. So the theme this week is tea.

1. Mighty Leaf Tea- Ok this one is by far my absolute favourite tea. The organic Earl Greay is amazing. I mean really really good. The tea comes loose in these almost fabric like bags. i get it at this little bakery on near my parent's place. I finally found it online and went - OUCH. It's pricey. But I am so saving for a pack for the Fall. It's worth it. It's that good.

2. Twinings- Ah yes good ole Twinings. This is what I dirnk most often. Earl grey, English Breakfast and Lady Grey. Love them all. Costco sells the Early Grey in big bags so we always have one on hand. I go through phases too where all i want to drink is the Lady Grey too. It only comes in the 20 packs so it's a bit of a pain. I love this company. goes back to me remembering my first cup of loose tea in the Twinings yellow tin. Good stuff.

3. The Tea Guide- See I don't always make you shop :) well sort of. This litle site has a guide to tea rooms all over the world. I found a few cute little ones in my area that were adorable. Kenzie has become a bit of a little tea girl .She loves scones and tea (mostly warm milk with a splash of tea) but she loves to get to go out for a little Mommy/Daughter tea party. Check it out. I'll bet you'll find one near you too.

4. The Tea Blog - want to know even more about tea? Go here- So many great resoucres. you'll learn more than you ever knew about tea guaranteed. Like there is a Wolrd Tea Expo and there are Tea Dictionaries. Who knew? Now you do. Cool blog.

5.Tea Sets at Rosanna Inc.- Ok so a tea list would not be complete without some tea sets now would it? this place has seriously some of my all time most drool after tea sets. the whole sites speaks to me. Another item I am adding to my ever expanding must save my pennies for list. But really. The tea's me set is scrumptious. I adore that place.

that's it for now. Go have a cuppa on me :)