Babypalooza!!!

Hello everyone...and welcome to Babypalooza!!! I hope that you've enjoyed to stops along the way so far. You should have been directed here from Kat's blog.

If you've gotten lost along the way and want to start over, you can begin at Britt's blog.

My family has been hit hard with baby fever...in just the past 6 months, I have welcomed 4 new nieces in to my life. There is Zoey, Amelia, Penny and Reiko...I feel so very blessed and cannot wait to meet my south of the border girls!! In fact, everyone around here has gotten a bit of baby fever, what with Britt's little bundle of joy coming soon...and just look at this beautiful new baby kit that she has whipped up for all of us to play with!! Isn't it just amazing?!


Now, I was lucky enough to be able to play with it ahead of time and I know that most of you are here for the freebies...so without further ado...here is the quickpage that I've made for you all.

*** ETA. This download is no longer available...look for this and the rest of the blog train goodies at Britt-ish Designs ***

For those of you who weren't able to download this because of a lack of bandwidth, and if you left a comment about it...please email me at bcnatty22@hotmail.com!!

Make sure you let all your friends know about this blog hop...these freebies will only be available until Thursday February 17th.

The next stop on your hop is Krista's blog.

Enjoy the rest of the ride!!

SM 3rd Birthday Blog Train

Hey Everyone!!

First let me say Happy Birthday SM!! I have had the wonderful priviledge of being a part of the SM CT for a while...and I love it, I consider it part of my digital family.

I hope everyone has been enjoying all the wonderful freebies that the CT and designers have created for you all!!

You should have found your way here from Amy's Blog. If for some reason, you get lost along the way, or found your way here without following the train, you can start over at ScrapMatter's Blog.

Your next stop should be Trixie Scraps' Blog.

I have a few memorable birthdays that I want to share with you all. When I was growing up, my Grandma always made these amazing birthday cakes. I mean, these are ones that you would pay good money for at a bakery...but my favorites were always her Black Forest Cakes. I would look forward to my birthday every year just for her cakes. I have been priviledged enough to have been taught by my Grandma how to bake her special Black Forest Cakes, and it was my honour this year with my younger sister, Erika, to surprise her on her birthday (the first one that I have been here for in 15 years) with her own Black Forest Cake.

My family has a birthday season...it runs from the middle of April through the end of May. During that time we have 9 birthdays in just 5 weeks. I have totally missed out on our birthday season during the 15 years that I was living in the States, but now that I'm back home in Canada...this year I was in heaven. It gets a little hectic, planning that many birthdays, but I loved it. I made a LO of all the birthdays we celebrated this year...

The other birthday that I want to share with you is my last birthday, which I celebrated in May. This is the first one in 15 years that I have been able to celebrate with my immediate family, it really meant a lot to me to have everyone that loved me and that has helped me through some really tough personal times there with me this year. And just knowing that this is the first one of a lot to come makes it even better!! I love my family so much, and I'm so glad that I am home with them again!

So now on to what you have all been waiting for...my freebie!! I hope you enjoy these cluster frames that I have made for you all. Just click on the preview to download!!

***ETA: This download is no longer available. Please check out ScrapMatters for the add on to the Cupcakes & Candles kit for all the blog train freebies!!***

Enjoy the rest of the train, and have a wonderful time during this amazing week at ScrapMatters!!

Just wanted to quickly pop in here and mention a couple things that are going on at ScrapMatters.

First of all...I'm hosting a Speed Scrap...so if speed is your vice, check out the ad below.

And for playing along...you will get this fabulous Participation Prize!! Isn't is awesome?!

Also...ScrapMatters is turning 3 next week!!!!! So you have to make sure that you check it out...we will be having games, chats, speed scraps and sales all week long!! Make sure you're there for some fabulous fun and prizes!!

The Party Never Ends at SM!!

In case you guys didn't get enough of ScrapMatters this past iNSD...get ready for more excitement, challenges, prizes, chats and fun!!

It Just Keeps Getting Better

Because of continued issues with the ScrapMatter's site (it must be because their designers are SO AWESOME!!) they have decided to extend their iNSD sale through Thursday May 6th!! Take advantage of these awesome prices because after Thursday, they go back:(
Have a great week and Happy Scrapping!!

This Just In...

Due to some issues with the ScrapMatter's site over the weekend, they're extending our 40% off personal use, and 30% off Commerical Use sale through Monday, May 3rd.

And as planned, the sale will continue through the rest of the week at 30% Personal Use, 20% Commerical Use Tues thru Thur 5/4 - 5/6!

Take advantage of this extended sale to grab those goodies that you weren't able to grab this weekend!! Happy Scrapping!!

Happy {Inter} National Scrapbooking Day from ScrapMatters!!!

Hi all!!

Welcome to your next stop on the ScrapMatters [inter]National Scrapbooking Day blog train. This train has stops ALL OVER THE WORLD and is absolutely HUGE!!! You have probably just come from the Krista's blog. That's the stop before this one. And now you've arrived in beautiful Northern British Columbia!

Our NSD mega-collab at SM this weekend is called "Moments that Matter" and the whole theme of our celebration is all about those moments in our lives that really matter. At each stop you'll find a story about a Moment that Matters along with a freebie!! There are TONS of stops on this blog train, so you can pick up a LOT of goodies!!

So the 'moment that matters' I've chosen to share is with you. . . the birth of my first child!

My first pregnancy was a dream pregnancy. I was never sick, I barely gained any weight (I actually was able to wear my normal wardrobe throughout my entire prenancy!), and I didn't have any crazy cravings...I know...you all hate me! But really, I had a wonderful pregnancy.

So throughout my dream pregnancy my doctor never once had any worries with me or my child, medically. That is until a week and a half before it (and I say it, because we chose not to find out the gender) was born. At that time I went for one of my very last weekly checkups. My doctor was a little worried because I had a large weight fluctuation between the two weeks (I honestly thought that the doctor's scale was a little off the week before, but they didn't believe me). So it sent them in a little bit of a tizzy...and my doctor then decided to mention that he was a little worried that I wasn't very big. Not the coolest thing to say to someone who is 37 1/2 weeks pregnant. So anyway, he sent me off for an emergency ultrasound.

I spent 5 hours in that ultrasound office, with the nurses speaking in hushed tones...then sending me off for fetal stress tests, then bringing me back to recheck...and calling the doctor in and speaking in more hushed tones. What the doctor finally told me was that he was worried that he thought that one of my baby's arteries in the heart was closing prematurely....which meant that my baby could go in to heart failure. I needed to get that baby out as soon as possible. I asked the doctor if my baby would be okay once it was delivered and all he could tell me was "I can't say for sure." SERIOUSLY?! After a dream pregnancy...a week and a half left and this doctor tells me that my baby may go in to heart failure, so I need to be induced, and he isn't sure whether or not it will help?!

So needless to say, I start panicking and majorly stressing. Oh, and I forgot to mention that this was the day before Thanksgiving...and he wanted me to deliver in a bigger hospital that had a NICU, in case something did go wrong with my baby's heart. So that meant that my regular OB wouldn't be able to deliver me...new hospital, new doctor, emergency induction, possible heart failure...this was all wrong!!

Well, after a few hours of labour, one well placed epidural and hours of stressing...I had delivered a perfectly healthy baby girl...with absolutely NO heart problems!! It was the most amazing and stressful moment in my life...but I will never forget when they placed her in my arms and said that she was perfectly healthy.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing one of my moments that matter. Here is your freebie you've patiently waited for!! Click image to download...

This link will be active until midnight Thursday night 5/6. Then all these blog train goodies are getting gathered up and put into the store!

Your next stop is...

Amber L's (jeffsamber) blog.

Remember, if you ever get lost along the way, you can always start over at the ScrapMatter's Blog

Be sure to stop by ScrapMatters this weekend for amazing sales, challenges and chats. It's going to be amazing!! Just check out the ads below!!

And of top of all the amazing things going on for {i}NSD...we are also hosting the 3rd Annual Queen of Scrap challenge!! These participants are absolutely LO cranking machines!! Stop by the forums for more details...

Can I Say...

that I still hate math!! Sorry mom...but it still drives me bonkers!! I know my mom is cringing right now...she was a high school math teacher when I was going to school. I can remember endless nights of me sitting beside my mom, in tears, trying to figure out my math homework...getting so frustrated because she made it seem so easy and it was SO stinkin hard for me!! And now...after spending the last 2 1/2 hours working with Pumpkin on 7 pages of her grade 3 math homework (which...I found stuffed in her bag the night before it was due) I am having very realistic flashbacks...I hope that I am explaining this to her the right way. I hope that I'm not making it totally complicated for her. I hope that I'm at least making it a little easier to understand. But sometimes I can't help but get totally and utterly frustrated with her. I'd say about 2 weeks ago I almost lost it with rounding...I mean, really...rounding to the nearest tenth or hundredth? Doesn't sound too hard, does it? I mean the whole, if the number after is 5 or above, you round up...easy peasy!! Well let me just tell you...it is NOT easy peasy to someone who is just learning that. I can't tell you how many times I had to remind her of that rule...and then explain to her that she doesn't actually round up that number after...I mean, problem after problem I had to remind her!! And I became so frustrated that we had to take a break...I just couldn't understand how she couldn't remember that simple rule from one problem to the next. I thought that this would be one LONG year of math. (By the way...my mom thinks that we are being WAY too hard on her...this coming from the woman who drove me to tears almost every single night...I guess she's learned better...and from the looks of things, I haven't...yet). But then tonight...she was just breezing through the rounding...I was SO freaking proud of her!! I mean, my heart swelled...literally swelled!! She is so smart...she just rushes through things and has no confidence in herself...but then again, I can remember being in that position; with your mother sitting over you, wondering if you are writing down the right number...checking her face, desperately seeking that look of satisfaction, and hoping that it's not disappointment...I vividly recall that. And I have to remind myself that I hated being in that position...I don't know about everyone else, but for me it's so easy to fall into that role - the one my mom played; leaning over her shoulder, getting frustrated when she doesn't get it the hundredth time...and I have to take a step back and remind myself that being in her position sucks...and maybe, just maybe, she needs that hundred and oneth time to remember that stupid rule.

I love you so much Pumpkin!! You are so smart and you totally ROCK!! And don't you forget that!!

Anyway, you know that I can't let a post pass without something scrapping related being mentioned. So first of all...I wanted to inform the whole 2 people (if I'm lucky) who read this blog that ScrapMatters is starting up it's Daily Download again!! Beginning Oct 1, you can stop by the SM forums and download a piece of this amazing kit...for FREE!! Check out the ad below:

And, for all you thrill seekers...there's a Speed Scrap this weekend...you totally need to check it out!! It is SO much fun!!

And not only do you have tonnes of fun...but you get this amazing prize...just for finishing it!!

Aren't our designers just awesomely generous?!

And now on to my latest LOs. This first one has some pictures of my Pumpkin in a pumpkin patch 3 years ago when she was in kindergarten...I can't believe how young she looks. Wow...how quickly times flies!! I used Chelle's Creations Midnight Crow kit for this...love the colours in here!

And this next one is a pic of my kiddos with their friends. We took this at the Monterey Bay Aquarium...I totally love this picture...and I LOVE this LO!! I just loved using Britt-ish Designs "Fish Are Friends" kit...it worked perfectly!!

Anyway, that's all for now...I'm off to dream about rounding!!

Fabulous Collabs

Hey everyone...I know, I know...you can get up off the floor..it's really me popping in here before a month's end since my last post!! But I just had to pop in here and blog about some fabulous collaborations that I have had the amazing opportunity to work with before they were released to the public (man I love being on creative teams)!!

First off, let me show you a little sneaky peaky of Fei-fei's Stuff's collab with the one and only Liz from Paislee Press!!

Doesn't that just look amazing?! The colours are so me right now (I'm totally in love with greys and yellows), I just loved playing with this kit. And here is a LO I made with it...

You totally need to pick this one up!! Also, make sure you stop by Shaui's and Liz's blogs for a chance to win this beauty on Sept 17th!!

So, if that last collab wasn't enough...TaylorMade Designs also did a collaboration with Paislee Press!! And the result...was just a fabulous!!

Seriously...I have been in heaven these past 2 weeks working with these amazing collaborations with Paislee Press...have I mentioned that I TOTALLY LOVE Paislee Press?! Anyway, here is a LO I made with this beautiful kit

But not to worry...I have been hard at work with my ScrapMatters CT!! I'll just show you a couple of LO's I've done recently with the amazing kits found at ScrapMatters!!

I made this LO using Sahlin Studio's beautiful Blessed kit

Awwww...Aren't my little kiddos just amazingly sweet?! I love these pictures of them, they are all 1 day old here and wrapped up in their hospital blankets with the little knitted toques (for those of you who are unfortunate enough to not be from Canada...a toque is equivalent to a beanie) on their head.

Next I made this LO using Erica Zane's Underwater Escape

This is from our latest trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium...and yes, that is a Great White!! Isn't it totally amazing...and scary?! They recently acquired this little girl when she was accidently caught in Southern California. It isn't too often that a Great White is kept successfully in captivity, but the Monterey Bay Aquarium has this incredible knack for being able to do this and release them successfully as well. I was so excited, probably more so than the kiddos...but hopefully they will look back on this LO and remember that they were this close to a Great White and didn't get bitten!! ;)

So other than that...we've been caught up in the world of youth soccer!! And I would have posted some pics of my kiddos playing...but...my little Monkey was looking at my pics on my camera, and accidently deleted all of them. Now, I was upset...but actually, it didn't bother me too long. And for anyone who knows me at all....knows I love my pictures. But it really bothered Monkey...he was upstairs crying under his blanket. I went upstairs and told him it was alright, but he was convinced that he had erased all the pictures...including his baby pictures. Poor kiddo, thought that he had erased all the pictures that I had ever taken...bless his soul!! So anyway...I'll be back next week to post some pictures of this weekend's soccer games.

Happy Birthday SM!! Blog Train Freebie Alert!!

Hello everyone and welcome to the ScrapMatters Birthday Bash Blog Train!!

Well, it's that time of year again, it is ScrapMatter's 2nd birthday and do we have a great weekend in store for all of you!! Just check out the ad below!! We have chats, tons of speed scraps and of course a huge sale!!

And on top of all this, we also have this amazing blog train!!

One of my favorite summer time activities growing up was camping with my family and friends. Now, I grew up in Central British Columbia so there was always somewhere to go camping and fishing. And to tell you the truth, that's one of the biggest things that I miss now that I live down in California. Now, I'm sure that there are plenty of places to go camping down here, but it's just not the same. I mean, I'm talking about deciding to go camping and then heading out a few hours later and being able to find a perfect spot on a gorgeous lake. And for the most part, there weren't very many people around. The same can't be said around here, if you want a great campsite, you pretty much have to book it months in advance...and there's always people around. I miss being able to get away from people and just being able to spend quality time with my family and friends.

But now that I do live along the beautiful Monterey Peninsula I have to admit that I have a new barbecue tradition that is quickly becoming a favorite. And that is throwing a barbecue on Carmel beach. I was first introduced to this wonderful outing through my co-workers and the parties that they throw on the beach, and my family has quickly integrated this into our holidays. In fact, we threw my son's latest birthday party on the beach, and it was amazing. I mean, how could you really go wrong with the gorgeous blue Pacific Ocean, white sandy beaches, a great barbecue and friends to share it with? If you haven't tried it yet, and you have the opportunity, I would highly recommend it!!

Anyway, enough babbling about my favorite summer and barbecue memories. I know that you are all here for the blog train. If you happened to come across my little blog through the SM blog train, you should have come from Melanie's blog. So without further ado, here is the freebie I came up with for all of you!

Here is the link for Our Favorite Spot word art.

And here is the link for the Perfect Day word art.

**I'm not sure why the previews look so odd on my 4shared account, but I assure you they are just like they look on the preview shown above.**

Okay, so I hope you enjoy these little goodies...make sure you follow this blog train all the way to the end because the CT and Design Team have some amazing goodies for you!!

Your next stop on the train is Stefanie!!

If you get lost, you can always start over at Andrea's blog.

Enjoy this wonderful weekend that SM has in store for you and make sure you stop by the store to take advantage of the wonderful sales, speed scraps and chats we have in store for you!!

I just wanted to quickly pop in here and let everyone know that there is an amazing sale going on at ScrapMatters!! We are having Christmas in July!! You definitely need to check it out!

I would love to stay and chat longer, but I am spending the weekend in Vancouver with my family!! This doesn't happen too often, so I'm not going to miss out on anything! I'll check back in later when I don't have my kiddos for the rest of the summer! My parents are taking them up to my hometown for a few weeks until my sister's wedding.

Happy {Inter} National Scrapbooking Day from ScrapMatters!!!

Welcome to the ScrapMatters blog train!!

Yes...it's finally here...the day all you scrapbookers have been waiting for!! And does ScrapMatters have a big weekend in store for all of you!!! Check out this flyer below...

And yes, you read it right...the 2009 Queen of Scrap contest is now in full swing!! Denise (neeceebee) is looking for the next mega scrapper to take over her spot as the Queen...she is reluctantly willing to pass the crown...check out scrapmatters.com for more info!!

And now on the the part the brought you here...the SM Blog Train.

You should have come here from Cyndi's blog

I have 2 ideas of paradise...one is more practical for me, and the other is more of a dream waiting to be fulfilled.

For my practical one...my idea of paradise is a relaxing day with my family. Yes, you read that right...I love spending time with my crazy little clan here. Now, most of the time, we are busy running around whether it be to different sporting events or errands or work...but every so often, we get to really spend a day relaxing together with nothing on our agenda. On these days we often spend most of the morning laying around and giggling in our California King bed, then we eat a late fancy breakfast and spend most of the afternoon playing around quietly and hanging out (usually I like to sneak off to my laptop and scrap a little), we usually end the day off watching a family movie together all snuggled up on our couch. It's days like this that really make me satisfied to be a mother...it just couldn't get any better than this.

Now for my dream idea of paradise...honestly I can't choose just one. And that's probably because I haven't travelled very much...but it's something I'm totally looking forward too. I can't wait to travel to some remote part of the world with my husband; we missed out on our honeymoon because of a little green card issue, and we're still waiting to take our trip together...almost 9 years later. Topping off my list would be China, Australia, the Caribbean and Europe. I would also like to go on an African safari and on several cruises (including the Disney Caribbean cruise!!) My sister and I also have a little horseback trip through the rural parts of France stashed away as a trip to come. I have so many dreams to fulfill...I can't wait to get started!!!

Although, I do have to admit...that I think that I currently live in a little piece of Paradise right now. I live in the beautiful Monterey Peninsula along the central coast of California. I can't complain right now...beautiful rugged coastlines, great hiking/outdoor venues and beautiful beaches. Just take a look at these pictures and you'll see what I'm talking about!!

Now I know you can't deny that I am one lucky lady!!!

But, the real reason why you are here is posted below (the image is linked).

I hope you enjoy this little quick page I made using the SM Collab kit - Happy Hawaiian Hour -created especially for this {Inter}National Scrapbooking Day!!

Your next stop on this blog train is Stefanie's blog

If you find yourself lost or have missed a step...you can start over at Andrea's blog!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend of scrapping!! Can't wait to see what you all come up with!!

Yes...it's me...no really...it is!!

Yes...I'm actually back and I'm sorry...actually, I'm really surprised if anyone is even reading this!! I have been gone so long, and I really don't have a great excuse, except that every time I came to actually blog...I thought about how much work it would be to catch everything up...and I suddenly became very lazy. I know, terrible excuse...but at least it's true!! So I figure, I'm not going to try to catch you up on everything...just kinda start over from right around now.

We celebrated Easter up in Sacramento with Mike's family. And we had a pretty good time, the kids weren't too impressed with the little easter egg hunt that they threw, but I was pretty happy that they only came away with a little bit of candy!! Sweet Pea ended up finding the golden egg and was given this huge marshmallow lollipop as the grand prize. Pumpkin and Monkey were really bummed that they didn't get one too, but Sweet Pea was kind enough to share it with them.

I just celebrated my 1 year anniversary at CHOMP (stands for Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula) and I guess almost a year as being a licensed PT. I can't believe that it's already been a year...it has just flown by!! And except for a few little scheduling headaches and 3 weeks of light duty because of a neck and back injury...it's been really awesome working there!! I love my co-workers, my supervisor is totally awesome (especially when it comes to having to take off because of your kids), and I have to admit...the hospital is absolutely beautiful and a wonderful place to work!! So I have to admit that I am happy with my career right now:)

Monkey has started t-ball, and I have to say that I didn't think that I would enjoy it so much. I had never grown up around t-ball or softball or baseball (except watching the Blue Jays on tv with my Dad). But I have to admit...that it is so much fun to watch when it's your own kid!! It is just SO cute to watch them at bat and playing around in the field. And I have to admit that Monkey is actually quite a little t-ball player. I mean, I'm not having dreams of being a MLB mom, but he does enjoy playing it, and he's pretty good for a 5 year old. He's actually not using the tee anymore, he can hit some pretty good liners off a pitch. And you guessed it...here are some pictures of him!!

And yes, that is Mike giving him a hi-five...Mike is actually the assistant coach of Monkey's team, and I think he really likes it:)

And believe it or not...I'm actually playing basketball again!! I haven't played in about a year because of a partially torn MCL (in my knee). But I decided to start up again, partially because I really need to get in some sort of shape and partially because I really miss playing!! Also, I have a tournament with my asian women's team this weekend in Sacramento...and I badly needed to get out on the court again. So, after talking to a nurse at my job, I decided to join the Women's League in Salinas...and ended up on a team made up of all the people on the wait list. At first I thought that we were going to be pretty good...but now I have realized that we have a lot of work to do. It is really frustrating to play with people who don't really know how to play, at least up to the level (or part way) that I'm used to playing at. And I'm not talking Div 1 level, I'm talking a fairly decent women's league level. I mean, let's face it...I'm 30...I don't expect to be keeping up to the college kids anymore...sad to admit, but it's true. Anyway, for some reason, we keep practicing plays and these complicated zone defenses during our practices. Now first of all...plays? In a women's league? I mean, even this asian team that I've been playing with for years doesn't run plays...and really, who runs plays with a team with no coach?! But not only that...we have a player who has never played ball before and 3 others that I'm pretty sure have only played high school ball, and then have been playing in women's leagues since then. And when almost half of your team just doesn't get it...running a play during a game is impossible. And yet...we've wasted about 3 practices learning plays...and part of it is my fault...I haven't spoken up...yet. But it's come to the point, and I'm frustrated enough to finally speak my mind. I don't think that we should be running plays, I don't think that we should be running complicated zone defenses...we need to get back to basics people!!! I'm talking give and go's, pass and screen away, pick and roll, how to use a screen, how to cut, how to block out, shell drill...basics!!! It's so frustrating that I'm not even that excited to play with this team...sad, but true!! I mean, I am by no means playing up to the level that I should be playing at...and my shot is just ugly right now...but it's hard to get in to any sort of rhythm when you run down on offense, just to turn right around and have to run back on defense because your team just can't help but turn it over!! I'm just hoping that this weekend, with my normal team will build up my spirits about playing ball again...then maybe I can stop playing down to this women's league level...and start bringing them up to mine.

We just celebrated Sweet Pea's 4th birthday...I can't believe that my baby is actually 4!! We had a birthday party for her at a park by our house. And it actually wasn't too bad. What made all the craziness totally worthwhile was when she ran across the field and threw herself into my arms and whispered in my ear "Mom, thank you SO much for my birthday party!" This was the first birthday party where we invited people outside of our immediate family, and she was so excited that everyone was there just for her. So I wanted to share a few pictures with you...and I have to thank our friend Ron for the majority of the pictures...I was busy making sure everything was moving along smoothly and he just took over as photographer!!

And now to my favorite hobby...scrapbooking!!! I have been a busy bee working for all the creative teams I am on. I'm not going to post all my LOs that I have made since my last post...you can check them out at my Scrapbook Gallery. But here are a few ones that I really like.

Nina Scraps Designs - Live & Love

Sue Cummings - Happy Thoughts

Leiko Beck Designs - Grow

Erica Zane - Backyard Buddies

TaylorMade Designs - Heartstrings

(available exclusively in the April issue of BellaScraps magazine)

WM Squared Designs - Honeydew

Designs by Tater & Mickey B Designs - So Totally Teen

Erica Zane - Woodland Fantasy

Britt-ish Designs - Love Bytes

Erica Zane - Josh of the Jungle

Fei-Fei's Stuff - Explore The Jungle

Juno Designs - Soft N Purty

Jennifer Barrette - Lady Bugga

Anyway, that's all the catching up I have time for right now...I promise...it won't take me 3 1/2 months to get back here!!!