Whose List Are You On?

When my eldest daughter was born, my husband and I decided to use a picture of her for our Christmas card. And for three years, the cards were a hit. 



First, we did a cute Santa pic....

Then, I was inspired by that beloved holiday classic, Rudolph....

And last, but not least, (and my personal fave)....the Grinch....

After that year, and to the disappointment of our family and friends, we decided to take a break and we weren't inspired for a few years. But this year I had an idea that I knew my youngest daughter could pull off. 

Now, you have to understand, usually when we want to take a picture of Kimee, it takes a looooooooooooong time to get that perfect shot. She squirms, makes the silliest faces and has this fascination with coming right up to the lens (typical toddler!). Needless to say, my husband always gets the shot, after about 50 clicks!! But this time, THIS time, Kimee surprised us all! We got this shot after only about FIVE tries!!! And she nailed it.....wouldn't you agree??

Here is my layout..........

The caption on the inside of the card is:

We hope you're on the "nice" list!

I already have a plan for next year's card....I'm thinking that the girls will do something together.....but you'll just have to wait another year to see my vision come to life ;)

Thanks for looking!!

  

Has It Been ONE WHOLE MONTH??

I can't believe that it has been almost a month since I updated my blog!!! That is awful!! What is worse is that I have not even created anything during that time! Each day is so crazy that many of my free moments are usually spent sleeping! Does that ever happen to you?? I mean LIFE getting in the way of LIFE?? Think about the things that mean the most to you (God, family, friends, hobbies) those thing that add all of the memories that truly come together to make each day more meaningful and purposeful. Do they get pushed aside for the secondary, the mundane, but necessary daily routines that somehow unite to form those busy, stressful, and "to-do" packed days called LIFE? Believe me, sometimes I can become so focused on the latter that I begin to allow all of those "other" things that, while important, are not what I really want to define my days, my calendar, or ME. I need to stop and RE-prioritize to ensure that what I love most is actually what I do most. This doesn't always work out....and I admit that I am very blessed to have a career that I LOVE, but I think we all need to stop every once in a while and check to make sure that life is not dragging through time leaving us dizzy and disoriented. We all have to travel through life, so I guess we should choose the scenic route whenever we can.

So, speaking of what I love most.......here is a page that I created a while back :)

For My Daughter...

Some may think that it not the best thing in the world having a mother for a teacher. Fortunately for me, my girls really seem to love it. Everyday when they come home form school, they go upstairs for what well affectionately call "Brown Academy". That is my time to work with them to build their academic skills. We have a lot of fun too! The girls even call me "Mrs. Brown" !! 

Anywhooo......I wanted to make something for my youngest to encourage her to learn to print her name. So, I used one of my my  blank CD jackets and transform it into a mini writing book.

I decided to hand write the alphabet on the inside cover so that she can have it to refer to when she is practicing her printing.

The little blue booklet is what she will use to practice her printing. This entire project was created with my guest DT kit that I received from Kreatorville Krafts.

I had so much fun creating this and I hope that my daughter will have even more fun using it!!

Look Who's Turnin' ONE!!!

It has been ONE YEAR since Scrapbook Challenges began hosting on Ning.....so what better way to celebrate than with a BLoG HoP???

If you have just happened to stop by and want to join in, the fun starts at Pamela's blog. Now, what would a hop be without a FAB sketch to play with?? For this challenge, you have to create a layout, card, or any other project using this sketch as your guide.......

I decided to create a card, and here is my interpretation.....

So, why don't you join in the fun???? There are great prizes to be won and I know everybody loves prizes :)

Everyone who leaves a comment on all the blogs in the hop will be entered into the drawing to win the It’s Your Day collection from Fancy Pants Designs.

Everyone who does a layout based on the sketch and posts it in the Hop On section gets entered into the drawing to win the Early Bird Collection from Cosmo Cricket.

Everyone who joins the group during the Birthday Bash gets entered to win the Merry Christmas collection from Echo Park Paper Company

Everyone who invites someone to the group during the week, through the "invite" link on main page, gets entered into a drawing for the Road Map collection from October Afternoon.

So...what are you waiting for??? Just "HOP IN" for your chance to win these great prizes!!!

.....and though I hate to say goodbye......it is time for you to hop over to our last stop in the hop.... BRYNN!!

Here is the order, in case you get lost along the way :)

1.  Pamela: http://www.pamelasworldofscrap.blogspot.com/

2.  Dani: http://alongcamedani.blogspot.com/
3. Jowilna: http://www.jowilnanolte.blogspot.com/

4.  Jolanda: http://jolandascrapsels.blogspot.com/

5. Holli: http://holligurl01.blogspot.com/ 

6.  Amanda: http://afewpacesfromhere.wordpress.com/

7. Natalie: http://njmacs.blogspot.com/

8. Amy: http://queen-of-the-crazies.blogspot.com/

9. Ana: http://anazelia-myscrapbookaddiction.blogspot.com/

10.  Sookie: http://totallydoodles.blogspot.com/

11  Jackie: http://mybasketofscraps.blogspot.com/

12. Rene': http://www.stampinginsunnysa.blogspot.com/
13.  Racquel: http://www.mouseyface.blogspot.com/

14. Brynn: http://bzbdesigns.typepad.com/  

Sharing My Passion

I was recently asked by the owner of Kreatorville Krafts, Keandra, to be a guest designer on her blog. Now, you jump on over to her site and have a look at her fabulous work and the work of her design team! I met Keandra on Scrapbook.com and every page she posted was both unique and gorgeous. She has an old school feel, and whenever I see her work I think of Motown artists like The Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder. Trust me, her handmade embellishments are one-of-a-kind and she offers monthly kits that are the perfect combination of the latest in papers, ribbons, embellishments and stickers. She even includes her handmade art to add that perfect finishing touch to your pages and projects. Check her out....you won't be disappointed :)

Well, as a guest designer, I participated in Keandra's Kreatorville tradition of creating an "About Me" page that incorporates a head shot of me on a personalized hand drawn body created by Keandra. So here is my page......

 The background paper was actually black and white, and I used archival-safe markers to colour it in. I had a little trouble coming up with a title, but then I started to think about what phrase embodies the role that every woman plays. I thought about the different roles that we play and how each one is an integral part of who we are. Then Whitney and Chaka Khan came to mind....you know the tune....."I'm every woman, it's all in me. Everything you done baby, i'll do it naturally..." So while this page is a reflection of me, it is also a dedication to every woman who juggles kids, work, spouse, dreams, goals, plans, hobbies, and life and still manages to make it. Even if you stumble, or fall, along the way, you are still fabulous; you are EVERY WOMAN :)

So, check back soon when I post the projects that I made with Keandra's October kit. Have a look at the kit......you'll want to order one to :)

Happy Birthday Donna!

Last weekend my very good friend celebrated her birthday. Now, this friend of mine is probably the  #1 fan of MouseyFace and has ordered countless products from me. She also has an obsession with personalized items, so she is the perfect friend for someone who has an obsession with making personalized things, me. Well, as a part of her gift, I decided to make her an altered notebook that matches the theme of her career, teaching. It was fun to make and I know that she truly appreciated it.

First Day of School

I know, I know....I've been neglecting my blog :( But life has been very hectic lately. Actually, September 7th marked my first day back at school. Not only did I go back to work, but I began a new teaching assignment this year in a grade five classroom. So, I have 24 students in my care each day and so far, the journey has been amazing. But enough about my personal life.......

Each year my hubby takes photos of our girls on their first day of school, and each year intend to scrap them. Well, what actually happens is that they go in the "Photos to Scrap" box....a box that is a constant reminder of how far behind my scrap booking projects are!! Well, I finally got the chance to create pages for my eldest daughters first day of JK and SK. She is in grade one now, so I guess I am not doing to badly (but then again I still have Easter 2008 to scrap) Here are the finished products......Thanks for looking :)

Junior Kindergarten

Senior Kindergarten

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!

Sorry that I took so long to post the winner of my surprise RAK from the Scrapbook Challenges Blog Hop, but life has been crazy!!!! Well, thanks to the good folks at random.org, I have randomly selected a winner :) And the winner is.........

Emeraldvalkyrie!! Who said...

"I am a new follower. Your take on the sketch is fabulous. I love how the photos seems to jump right out from the page."

So Emeraldvalkyrie, send me an email at contact@mouseyface.com with our snail mail and the prize is yours :) Congratulations and thanks for playing!!!!! 

Welcome to the Scrapbook Challenges "Seasons of Change" Blog Hop!!

We officially begin on September 3rd at 10am MT (or 12pm EST) and we keep hoppin' until September 5th at 12pm MT (or 2pm EST)!!

Now, I KNOW you enjoyed seeing Dani's amazing talent, and I am your 3rd stop on the hop! So, if you just stopped by and would like to join in the fun, click here to return to the beginning, which is Pamela's blog.

In case you don't know...Scrapbook Challenges is a fun group filled with wonderful people. I am so excited to be a new member of their amazing Design Team! The weekly challenges keep your creative juices flowing and there are always great prizes to be won!! And who doesn't LOVE a prize??!! My addiction to love for scrapbooking was discovered shortly after my first child was born, and I absolutely love it! I can be creative and artistic while recording memories that will be enjoyed for years to come!! And it's therapeutic too :)  


Well enough abut me, let's get hoppin'.....


Here is the sketch challenge that is being issued for this weekend's hop....

Here is my interpretation of the sketch.......

And what would a Blog Hop be without PRIZES????  

So, read on so you can maximize you prize-A-bility!!

1.  Everyone who leaves a comment on all the blogs in the hop will be entered into the draw to win the new "Restoration" line from Crate Paper.

2.  Everyone who does a layout based on the sketch and posts it in the Hop On section of the Scrapbook challenges forum gets entered into the draw to win the new "Pixie-Licious" line from Cosmo Cricket, including the 12 x 12 sheet of chipboard.

3.  Everyone who joins the group this weekend gets entered into the draw for a Prima pack.

4.  Everyone who invites someone to the group this weekend, through the "invite" link on main page, gets entered into a draw for a Prima pack.  

5.  There will be a fifth prize in the Hop On section of the Scrapbook Challenges forum, so check it out!

And.....as if this wasn't sweet enough....if you follow my blog today, you will be entered into my draw to win my mystery RAK! -and it is sooooo worth it :) Just add "new follower" to your comment. 

So, now that you are probably mentally planning out all of the wonderful projects you could make with these FAB prizes, Hop over to the sensational SOOKIE for even more chances to win :)

And thanks for playing today :)

Oh, in case you get lost, here is the hop order.....

1.  Pamela: http://www.pamelasworldofscrap.blogspot.com/

2.  Dani: http://alongcamedani.blogspot.com/

3.  Racquel: http://www.mouseyface.blogspot.com/

4.  Sookie: http://totallydoodles.blogspot.com/

5.  Debi:  http://bumblebeesflight.blogspot.com/

6.  Amanda: http://afewpacesfromhere.wordpress.com/

7.  Jackie: http://mybasketofscraps.blogspot.com/

8.  Jolanda: http://jolandascrapsels.blogspot.com/

9. Rene': http://www.stampinginsunnysa.blogspot.com/

10. Jowilna: http://www.jowilnanolte.blogspot.com/

11. Ana: http://anazelia-myscrapbookaddiction.blogspot.com/

12. Jenn: http://www.jennscreativechaos.blogspot.com/

13. Amy: http://queen-of-the-crazies.blogspot.com/

14. Sarah: http://www.scrapcetera.com/

15. Shannon: http://sdombkowski.blogspot.com/

16. Jamie: http://paperheartproject.blogspot.com/

17. Natalie: http://njmacs.blogspot.com/

18. Holli: http://holligurl01.blogspot.com/ 

19. Brynn: http://bzbdesigns.typepad.com/