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Peony Season

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It’s the end of June and that means it’s finally Peony season here!!!

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I had one plant succumb to winter kill but the other two made it and one is thriving better than ever before. It literally makes my heart skip a beat when I see them!

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I bought my very first plant 6 years ago, I brought it home and discovered that it was covered in ants. I quickly cleaned all the ants off into the dumpster and proceeded to plant it in my flower bed. It died. A seasoned peony growing friend of mine told me they need the ants. I did not like that! Not one bit. I hate ants but I wanted the peonies, I learned to accept that the ants were part of the package. I don’t know what the deal is, I don’t know if they actually need the ants but I’ve been growing the plants successfully since, I’m not about to mess up a good thing.

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Lesson learned: accepting things I do not like might yield a beautiful result.

Explore your backyard

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MacKinnon Ravine Park – Government House Park

Edmonton, Alberta

Photos taken in May & June 2017

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As soon as all the snow melts and the sun is shining bright I head down to the River Valley for my run/walks. I come down here and forget that I’m even in the city. It’s gorgeous, calm and so peaceful. I lose myself in my thoughts and come away more energetic and full of inspiration. This daily practice does wonders for my life.

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I park in a residential area just off 142st near the 142st bridge. I start there and head out through the MacKinnon Ravine Park towards Government House Park. From there I head out over the Groat Bridge, run a few sets of stairs and then head back. It works out to be about 6km with the stair climbs.

IMG_7812The Downtown view from Groat Bridge.

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It’s not a hard 6km, I’m stopping constantly to take in the views and take photographs. Everyday, no matter how many times I see it, this is my routine. Spring/Summer is so short here, I never take these seasons for granted.

IMG_7816Almost to the top of a stair set in MacKinnon Ravine.

IMG_7819The reward for the stair climb. The view south towards Hawrelak Park.

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I have began a habit of looking up. The blue sky, the sun, the light, the green- I feel a happiness inside that I can’t put words to.

Get out, explore, there is magic out there if you’re willing to see it.

 

 

Check out Creative Scrapbooker

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I was fortunate enough to be published in the Summer 2017 Issue of Creative Scrapbooker… 3 times! I can’t even tell you have grateful I am. 3 full pages with my work and the faces of a few of my favorite people.

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You can find me on pages 60, 61 & 62. The magazine is available at Treasured Memories & most local scrapbook stores, Chapters/Indigo, Barnes & Noble,  I’ve also seen at most places where you can buy magazines (Walmart, London Drugs, etc).

The call I submitted for was “Using found objects around your home as stamping tools.”

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I used paper towel & 2 different sized drinking glasses for the rings here. Product used: Simple Stories.

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On this page I used corrugated cardboard. I painted the cardboard and then used it like any other stamp. Product used: Bo Bunny.

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On this page I used bubble wrap and a candle holder & hairspray lid to create the rings. Product used: Simple Stories.

May Month Kit Inspiration

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These layouts were created using the May Month Kit from Treasured Memories. The feature product for this kit was Tealightful  from Pebbles- these papers are so pretty! The kit was packed with goodies from various sources and as the designer of the kit I was only allowed to add cardstock to my pages. I created 7 pages with this kit and had plenty of product left over.

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I wrote a blog post for Treasured Memories using this page as the inspiration.  I wrote about how you can utilize your paper more efficiently by turning it into embellishments.

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Treasured Memories creates a new kit each month, you can check out June’s here.

New Card Kits

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I spent most of yesterday finishing up my card kits from Treasured Memories and today I’m working away on new projects. With all the new product we have coming into the store I feel dizzy with all the ideas I have floating around my head. After I dropped Anna off at school this morning I pressed play on the newest season of Scandal (on Netflix) and got busy creating. I am hoping to have demo photos to share by the end of the week.

Until then, here are my latest cards. Kits are available complete with product, instructions & photos at Treasured Memories.

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These gorgeous papers are from the Simple Stories‘ collection Posh.

And side note…. in case you wanted to know what my face looks like as I watch the last 5 minutes of a (pretty much all of them) Scandal episode. You’re welcome….

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Valentine Cards

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Valentine’s Day isn’t just for the kids or for couples, it’s for all of us. Whether you’re calling it Valentine or Gal-entine or  Pal-entine there really is something for all of us. I created these cards for my tribe of women, my Gal-entines. It’s a simple gesture that says “Hey! I was thinking about you and I think you’re wonderful.” I wrote in most of them something I loved about them- their kind hearts, their beautiful spirits, etc. I created simple cards using the Valentine collection from Crate paper, the latte stickers were perfect as each card also got a $5 gc from Starbucks. I started buying after Christmas each time I had a $5 bill. This way the expense didn’t feel so big and small amounts spread out over time were more manageable for me.

Today I’m making Valentine cupcakes for Anna’s class and apple tarts for our dinner tomorrow. I love love and I we love goodies over here so baking seems like a wonderful gift for our tummies. 🙂

 

Audio Books are my jam!

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I have this thing… I LOVE personal development & autobiographical books! Like can not get enough! However… I don’t like to read them. In fact I can barely get half way through any given one before I’m kicking it to the curb. I can however listen to hours and hours of these books. When I’m walking, when I’m driving, when I’m working, when I’m folding laundry… you get the point. Audiobooks have changed the reading game for me! I “read” more books: personal developement and autobiographical books last year than ever before, at least 15+. I read read maybe 3.

Here’s a few things I’ve learned about myself…

  • I want the audio books to be read by the author. It make me feel like I’m hanging out with them. I will often avoid an audio book if it’s not read by the author.
  • If it’s not read by the author I will listen to a clip and if I don’t like the readers voice or how they read it- I won’t choose that book.
  • I can only listen to audiobooks if I’m alone. I find it annoying if other people are around. I got headphones for my birthday and it was a game changer!
  • I discovered that I can walk/run farther and for longer if I’m caught up in an audiobook.
  • I can not listen to fiction audio books. I can not pay attention and I get bored so easily. (I have to read these and not listen. I prefer crime & thriller.)

The books pictured above are all so good. I have listened to The Year of Yes and Big Magic multiple times. I loved the books from Amy Poehler, Tiny Fey & Mindy Kaling- we would totally be BFF’s in real life, I just know it. 😉 Not pictured are all the books by Brene Brown, I could listen to her tell her story and share her work all day!

I get most of my audiobooks from the library, I simply download it to my phone with the Overdrive app and away we go, I also really like Audible.com when I’m looking to buy.

I’m currently listening to these two and so far I’m loving both. Completely different and both completely captivating.

If you are an audio book lover and you have a favorite (nonfiction) let me know.

♥