I've been a busy little bee packaging up a bunch of my stash to sell at Clipper Street's humongous garage sale!

This was the LAST garage sale in July and it was FUN! It inspired me to let go of a lot of my un-used goodies.

The funny thing about it, is I'm working in the store and can't man my own table, so Ian (my hubby) is actually doing it! I hope he does ok, and doesn't scare too many ladies away!! (Just kidding Ian!) I am thankful I have such a supportive husband. Not everyone would brave throngs of women like this. I hope he comes out unscathed!

I have made little packs of coordinating paper with embellishments to sell, a bunch of stamps, about 70 of my cards that I've made over the past2 months, and other various things (you know how it is...). So if you're in the 'hood, come on down to Clipper Street and say hi to me/Ian!!

my lonely craft area... so sad and unused.

• I give myself permission to take a break from crafting when I am sick
• I give myself permission to take a break from SCHOOL when I am sick! (this is the hardest thing for me to do...)
• I give myself permission get frustrated that everytime I get sick, I get REALLY sick and develop this HORRIBLE cough and lose my voice. It's THE worst thing on the planet for a choir teacher... *sigh*

I have been SO sick this year and it seems like ever since I got H1N1 in October my immune system has stopped fighting, or is unable to fight, or whatever! But I am downright MAD now. Why do I get so sick, so often? I have started taking liquid vitamins (apparently they are superpower vitamins) and beyond that, I don't know what I can do.. Any suggestions?? 

It could be worse.. Which brings me to my next point.. I was blog hopping (because I am sick and can't do much more than that) and came across this story about Linda Burnasakorn.
Wow that is some heartbreak! To lead an absolutely normal life, get sick, then wake up from a coma with no feet and no fingers.. It takes my breath away.. I am going to donate to her cause and I hope you can find it in your hearts to do the same. I have NEVER done this on my blog, but her story is so real and heart-wrenching that I couldn't resist spreading the word.


PS.... Look at my hit counter.. I'm about to hit a HUGE milestone. Do you think I should celebrate?

Over the weekend, my last weekend until school starts again, I decided to do something relaxing and good for the soul: MOVE MY CRAFT ROOM!! Yah, I'm crazy. You don't need to tell me that... But it was a move I have thought about for a while and pretty soon it will be ready for me to share some photos...

For now, I have a couple projects to share. I felt so inspired and invigorated by the move that I got busy!!


This is a very sweet image from Cornish Heritage Farms that I have had laying around for a while. It was time to make it into a card. The cuttlebug'd background added to the antique look I have going on with the image.

Reorganizing always inspires me to use old materials, do you do that too?? I have had these prima flowers for ages, and I bought that bright green Hambly overlay months ago and just never used it! Well the time is now, my friends! I love these products now, and may not in a year's time, so why not enjoy them on a layout instead of my shelf?

School tomorrow.. yay.. I am excited to get back to work again, but there is SO much to do. I just got a call and another one of my choirs was invited to sing at an Olympic event. It's only a month and a half 'til the Olympics and we are going to have to WORK WORK WORK!!

To all of you that are back to work tomorrow: GOOD LUCK!

This is a Christmas of new traditions for our little family. We are departing from the usual Christmas dinner with my family and opting for a less stressful, less "DRAMA" -filled holiday that includes activities we have all opted to do, including:

• Ice skating on Christmas Eve (we did that today and it was GREAT!)
  
• Dinner with Ian's family on Christmas Eve
• Uncle Ryan sleeping over and opening presents with us
• Going to the movies (we're thinking Avatar) after presents and breakfast
• A small Christmas dinner that includes the following:
• Turkey BREAST (I brined it... yummy!)
  
• Mashed Potatoes (with cream cheese)
• Broccolini with a smoked gouda cheese sauce
• Kraft dinner (Phoenix's choice!!!)
• Apple Crisp and Ice Cream for dessert
•  Go to Uncle Marks after dinner for some good hangin' out

And that's it for this year! I am so excited to not have the stress of my family weigh heavily on my heart. It's time I make my holidays the best they can be, and I truly think this will be the best Christmas yet!


Thankyou dear blog readers for a wonderful year. I have really enjoyed this past year of creating and blogging about the many changes in my life this past year. On New Years I am preparing a post of my top 10 favourite cards from 2009.. If there are any particular cards that were your favourite I would love to hear from you! I would love to send one contributor an RAK (I don't send enough happy mail...) for your trouble..

So Merry Christmas to you all. I wish you all a happy, peaceful, and FUN Christmas day!

Tobi

This is a comparison of two inks that are great to USE WITH COPIC MARKERS! I have been using Nick Bantock ink in Lamp Black (by Ranger) for a LONG time. It was the ink I first used with Copics.. Then everyone said, "Try Palette!! It's the best!!!" and it wasn't... So I went back to Nick. Then everyone said "Try Memento! It's definately the best!!!" So I did.. And it's not! I'm sorry... Here's why:

So you all remember the Martha Stewart cover that inspired this card, and then inspired my student to make that card for me etc etc etc...  Well we got that exact wedding cake!!! And I'm not saying this just because it was my cake, it was the best cake I've ever had. Chocolate cake with mint icing on the bottom, carrot cake with cream cheese buttercream in the middle, and creme brule cake with hazelnut buttercream on top.

I put "Spring" in quotes because it sure doesn't feel or look like spring around here. We had one afternoon of sun peeking through the clouds, but that didn't dampen (haha) our spirits.. Here were some of my favourite moments:

oh yummy... I think I will go make one of these right now....

P.S. If you are thinking about visiting BC (if you're American your dollar would go a long way right now..) you have to go to Victoria. It's beautiful, and there's so much to see. Email me if you have any questions about BC or Victoria and I'll give you some tips, my fiance Ian lived in Victoria for 8 years so I had my own personal tour guide..