30. I love me some JilliBean Soup!

I remember when I worked in retail at Coles and then Chapters, we were told to be nice to our customers. That sounds obvious, right? The reason they gave us? One positive experience is shared with one other person; one negative experience is shared with ten. That got me thinking: it is true that as a race, we humans tend to bitch about our bad experiences a lot more than we are to share our good ones. Why is that, you think?? I'm not sure... But I never forgot that. I also promised myself that when I get good service, I would tell others about it. I believe a company who takes care of his customers deserves more attention than one who doesn't.

Which is why I'm here to tell you Jillibean Soup has great customer service! Last week, I was getting ready to use their Green Graph Alphabeans for the first time when I noticed they hadn't been cut through properly; they were ripping off the sheet. I immediately contacted them, telling them what my problem was. First thing the next morning, I got an email saying a replacement sheet was on its way to me. Five business days later, I received my replacement sheet, plus 2 other alpha sheets, plus journaling sprouts and felt flowers!

It's important for me to share, because in a world where customer service seems to be lacking, it's nice to know some people still care.

Scheme 19 - Look, I'm a Fish!

Yesterday was reveal day at the Scrap Schemes blog. Check out the cool artwork we drew inspiration from:

And here is the layout I concocted from that. The Jillibean Soup paper with all the circles came to mind immediately when I saw the scheme.


To see what the other DT members came up with, click here!

And if you like what you see, why not apply for the team? Click here for more info!

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Oh, and if you would like to win some blog candy, check out these links:

Janet

Debbie

Kim

Tracie

Fiona

Janet #2

Keith quote + CK May 09

As you may (or may not know), I love writing down quotes that my kids say. I always end up using them on my layouts.

Today, here's a priceless quote from DH Keith. I'm sure it was funnier if you were there, but I'll still share. Yesterday morning, the kids were up fairly early, around 6:30. That's not unusual. But although there are always on the go, they were particularly "busy bodied" yesterday. They seemed to be bouncing off the walls, especially Sean (which is rare!!) Out of the blue, Keith says: "A 4 year-old in the morning is like a 30 year-old coked out of his a**!" I'm sorry, but I thought that was hilarious!!!


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In other news, I finally received my copy of May's Creating Keepsakes, my first time with them! If you feel like it, turn to page 102 to see my Fresh Face layout. I'm quite excited!

This is my Baby Girl?

One of my favourite layouts ever!

Join our design team!!

Every 2 weeks, Scrap Schemes gives you a scheme to draw inspiration from. You can use the products you like, you can make layouts (or cards) on the theme you like and your work gets to be seen by many! Come join us, Katy always has fun schemes to work with! All the info can be found here. To see what the DT has done previously, check out the other posts!

Mini Album - Scrap Within Reach

I made this mini album using the Elliott collection by Scrap Within Reach. I used some random chipboard pieces for a fun mix. The final project is approximately 4" x 4".

Got a little mail lovin' today!

Last week, I entered my name in a draw over at the Paper Crafts blog to win a pack of American Crafts Flair embellishments. I love those embellies, but can't afford to buy them, so I was thrilled to be one of the winners. Notice what the very first one says?? How cool is that?! Must use it on a layout soon!

They also added these clear stamps, always fun to have. *sigh* I miss Scenic Route...

Like what you see?

No, you are not dreaming. This is a gorgeous camera strap made with Basic Grey Sultry fabric! I know, I know, it a scrapbooker's dream come to life, lol! My pal JJ is now selling these (I totally took this image from her site) as well as other camera straps made with BG and Cosmo Cricket fabrics. You can also find some non-reversible straps (I own the olive green one!) and you will soon be able to purchase some point & shoot wristlets.

You know what I especially like about the straps (other than they are gorgeous)? It's that they are longer than my original Canon one. Which means I can now carry it across my body, not just over my shoulder or hanging on my neck. Love it!

Also, if you like the crochet flowers I used on my layout from a few posts ago, she sells those too.

So head on to her store, Threading Lightly, and check it out!!

A rare thing for me!

On a whim the other day, I ordered the Sookie Stackhouse boxed set from amazon.ca. I had recently reread all the books I love and keep (I should make a layout about these; there are only a few I will reread regularly) and since I don't go to the library because the only one close only has books in french, I needed something new. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind reading books in french, as long as they were written in french. Translations, however, are another story. Have you ever tried to read Mary Higgins Clark in french??? It is horrible! Really.

Anywayyy, in the wake of the whole Twilight frenzy, there was lots of talk everywhere about what other series are fun to read. This one kept popping up, so I decided to just go for it. Yes, I could've bought just the first book to see if I liked it, but I decided to throw caution to the wind and order the whole set.
Once I'm done, I might have a few friends who'd be interested in reading them, and then Kiijii might be there to help me get some of my money back! ;)

So, if you've read this, did you like it?

Layout

My friends JJ and Erin made me the crochet flowers. Thanks girls!

Quick post

Today was spent in my pjs, since I caught Kira's cold. I never catch my kids' colds. DH does, but not me. I guess being tired prevents me from fighting it off... Anyway, it means I have nothing good to say so I might as well just leave you with this layout. Thanks for stopping by!

Funnies.

I thought I'd give you 2 cute/funny things my kids said recently.


First off, when I asked Kira if she wanted to go play at the park, she said "It sounds perfect!" She's 2, people!! Adorable!


As for Sean, who's no quite 5, he asked me: "What's our country?"

Me: "Do you mean what country do we live in?"

Sean: "Yes, what country do we live in?"

Me: "We live in Canada."

Sean: "Oh! I love this country called Canada!"

So do I baby, so do I! :)


Let me leave you with a fun layout I made quite a while ago. Isn't he cute??

Scheme 18

This was the cool inspiration piece provided to us by Katy. Just below is my interpretation of it. It's pretty straightforward this time around: I was inspired by all the squares as well as by the music theme.

Here it is!

Okay, I better start this post by *finally* announcing that the Scrapbook Centrale has been shut down. I've had a wonderful five years over there and it has definitely helped shape me into the scrapper I am today. I have known for about a month now, but I was waiting for the official announcement to be made. Once it was, I had moved on and made peace with it, so I didn't bring it up. I have many great memories of this dt and I wanted to keep it that way. I was dissapointed, for sure, but it's all good now!

It did, however, leave me with a hole to be filled. Being on a design team where you never know which products you'll get to work with is always challenging. You *have* to come up with something amazing no matter what is given to you. Also, working for a DT has made me work doubly hard to make great layouts. I push myself more. So there I was, without a store/kit DT. Of course, I am on the Scrap Within Reach DT, and it's awesome! But I always know what I'm going to work with. I needed something extra to keep being surprised, kwim? A manufacturer's DT and a store/kit DT are two different things.

So I looked at the different calls on the Scrapbook Call blog. I clicked on many links, trust me! But nothing grabbed my attention like Scrapbook Circle. Their kits are fun and fresh! I can't wait to get my hands on mine!!! When I got the email from Lisa inviting me to join the team, I was thrilled! And how cool is it that a pal of mine made it on the DT with me?! Mel, it'll be great to work with you again! :)

Check out the 3 other DT members, their work is awesome!

Melanie Blackburn
Danielle Wycough
Stacy Milford

I have news...

...but I can't share with you yet! :o) Don't you just hate that?! Hopefully I can come and update my blog later today! (no, I'm NOT pregnant, lol!)

In the meantime, here's a layout I made a while ago, it's time I shared it with you.

The end of a long weekend.

*sigh* I love long weekends. Being a SAHM, it really doesn't make that much of a difference. I mean, I don't get time off! But it means Keith is home for an extra day and I love that! It also means that this week will only have 4 days, so it'll go by faster.

We had a nice time this w/e. Saturday was spent going to Costco and then going to the sugar shack. On Easter Sunday, there was an egg hunt in the house. Lots of fun was had by all! ;) In the evening, my FIL came by. We used the BBQ for the first time this year, it was pretty yummy.

Yesterday morning, I slept in while DH cleaned the inside of the car of all the cr*p that gathers in the winter. The kids used the sidewalk chalk that were given to them by the Easter bunny. We have quite a colourful driveway this morning, lol! Then we brought them to Mickey D's, where they had fun in the play structures. When we came back home, Kira and I took a nap while Keith and Sean had some daddy/son time. We used the BBQ once again, this time for some yummy italian sausage.

Good times.

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Here is a layout I made a few months ago using cute Bo-Bunny paper. I didn't have to do much here, it was already so pretty to beging with! :)

Have a good day!!!

I hate the sugar shack!!!

As far as I can remember, I've hated the sugar shack. It's not the food that I don't like: I love eggs, and ham, and the like. It's the ambiance that I don't like. For some reason, as soon as I walk into a sugar shack, I feel a dark cloud fall over me. I know, I know, it sounds dramatic, but it's the truth. Hard to explain, really. I just get all knotted up inside. It's just a bad place for me to be. Add to that that I don't like the music, I hate being crowded by too many people and I can't stand sticky hands... I just don't enjoy these outings!

Nonetheless, we had fun with Joe, Antoinette and the kids. The food was really good, the kids ate like animals and I think I got a few good pictures! I still have to check those. Anyway, the evening wasn't a total bust, but it wasn't the most fun I've had this year, let's just say! ;)

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In better news, Scrapbook Trends requested a layout for their September 09 issue! It took me forever to get a request from them, and now it's the third one in only a few months! I'm thrilled!

Today is Friday

And I have nothing good to say, really. I did absolutely nothing yesterday.

Oh, there is the crop at SC tonight, which I'm glad is happening. Being Good Friday and all, I wasn't sure, but it turns out they decided to have one anyway! JJ and Caro will be there. Erin and Noémi will be missed for sure!

Here's a layout of Sean last summer. He had fun running from bases to bases after one of his daddy's softball games!

Great day!

I had so much fun at Bella's today! She had made some sugar cookies in Easter shapes and had gotten all the royal icing ready. All we had to do was decorate them! The kids had fun. I mean, it's not in my house that a lot of baking goes on, lol! They loved the icing, and the sprinkles and the chocolate chips and more sprinkles.... Sean even put shaved coconut on his cookie, and later, after eating the whole cookie (which is surprising for my son, no joke!), he told me he likes coconuts! :)

We made hamburgers for dinner, b/c that's what Sean asked to eat. Sean eats about 5 things in total, and hamburgers have never been on that list. He's never even tried it! Well tonight, he ate the whole thing!!! My boy has become a monster, lol!

Okay, I'm writing this while listening to my playlist, so I'm not sure I make any sense. Check out this song by Lex Land, As Much As You Need, that I discovered during an episode of Brothers and Sisters (even if the YouTube vid has PP as a still). I like her!

And here's a summery layout to celebrate the snow we had today! ;)

I should go to bed, but instead...

...I'm doing this:
http://www.photofunia.com/

April 7th, 1976 - 08:02AM

Thirty-three years ago, I was born, no hair and all. I was joining Sylvain (then 13) and Richard (who turned 15 a few weeks later.) As I like to say, I'm not an only child, but I always felt like one. My brothers were off with their own lives.

Oh, they took care of me, for sure! I was really lucky, actually. Growing up, I was quite spoiled by my brother Sylvain. He took me out to movies (E.T. and Annie come to mind). He would sing with me using a lamp in his bedroom as a microphone. When I was a teenager, he cleared it with my mom so that I could skip school to go see Patrick Bruel at a local radio station!

And what about Richard? I'm not good with remembering my past. But one story that sticks in my mind is this one: One night before bed, he came to see me to tell me the story of Adam and Eve (he's a Baptist minister, in case you didn't know.) He was speaking french, so when he talked about God taking Adam's rib to create Eve, he said "Dieu prit une côte d'Adam..." In my little girl mind, I understood "coat". I never said anything, but for the longest time, I couldn't figure out why God would need Adam's jacket to create Eve, LOL! It's only years later that I realized the confusion!

Also, he made me an aunt at 11 to my sweet niece Evangeline, how cool is that?!

So what was my point with all this? I don't remember. But it's nice to write it down, to share the memories.

I thought I would share a layout I made a few weeks ago about my birthday last year, using Scrap Within Reach papers. I love the "Full Bloom" collection, it worked so well with this picture of me blowing out the candles!

Birthday talk + a layout

Last night, my mom, brother, brother-in-law and FIL were here to celebrate my birthday with me (I'm turning 33 on April 7th). We had a nice sushi dinner, followed by a chocolate cake with moka icing, which I had requested. And yes, the cake was the boxed kind, because I prefer that to anything home-made. The icing was made by my husband though. It was his mother's recipe.

Thanks everyone for a nice evening! :)

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Here is a layout I made a few months ago. Love this American Crafts collection!!


I've been updating my 365 blog this week-end, I'm almost caught up. If you feel like checking it out, click the banner on the right of my blog.

Thanks for stopping by!

Bonne fete papa!

Today would've been my dad's 73rd birthday. I wanted to share that with you because I'm thinking of him today and I thought it would be nice if others could think of him too.

He's been gone almost 2.5 years, but I can still remember what he was like.

Tiny little things remind me of him these days. I've been playing a lot of Tetris on Facebook, and I remember that my dad loved that game. He played it a lot on the original Gameboy.

Also, with Easter approaching, the Cadbury Creme Eggs are all around us. My dad and I used to spread them on toast. Yum, so tasty! They were much bigger when I was little, though. It's horrible how they seem to be shrinking more and more!

Bonne fete papa, je t'aime!

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Wednesday was reveal day on the Scrap Schemes blog. Here is the inspiration piece Katy gave us, isn't that a great umbrella?!
And here is the layout I came up with. I'm happy to have written down the words phonetically, it'll be nice to read in a few years!