my life is nuts...

Or maybe...my life in a nutshell...not sure which is truer? but as much as renovating is fun and exciting, it is also stressful and MESSY! 

This is pretty much what I've been doing for weeks:

and I've even kept it plugged in...which isn't typically me as I like everything to have its place and everything to be in its place!

So this week our deck construction is waiting on our flooring guy, all we've got to do is the stonework, put the siding back on the house and finish the floors. 

On the deck floor we have decided to go with a finish that will look like tile but it's actually a type of epoxy finish, durable like concrete but won't crack in different weather conditions...sounds great, looks even better but unfortunately this guy is super busy and we have to wait for him to have a day to do the weatherproofing on the deck first before we can continue on and finish the rest...he will put the finished deck product on last once everything else is completed...so this is what it's looking like today:

Jeff has gotten the corner fireplace framed, which changes the look considerably and I really like it! The stonework and framing will continue all the way up into the ceiling on the fireplace with the beam running through it...harder to visualize now.

I'm working on quotes for my chandelier and wall sconces...fingers crossed I can get some smaller quotes as the prices are crazy and now that I know what I want...I want it!

The siding guys are going to have some fun trying to get our old pieces back up, kinda like a puzzle and seeing as it is now discontinued...we have to make sure we get every last piece back on there!

This is the part I am really looking forward to...seeing my deck through the windows inside the house...I have had these shutters closed for years, because of the excessive amount of light and also because I didn't always want to see the yard or neighbours yard...soon I will get to see some lovely rock work and our outdoor fireplace...getting excited :)

Let's Scrap Sketch for Wednesday!

Good Morning Scrappers!

It's Wednesday again and with the new day, comes a new sketch from Let's Scrap!

Here's the Sketch from Cheri O'Neill @ Let's Scrap:

Now there's a reason I love Let's Scrap...there's a lot in the name...when they say Let's Scrap...they mean let's scrap! Since finding this site and actively playing along with the sketches starting from May...I've completed some 30+ double page layouts! 

Because I haven't journaled on this layout yet I thought I'd give you the background on it! For years I've been taking my girls to a great little Historic Town in BC called Fort Langley. It is about a 20 minute drive from our home and is loaded with fantastic little diners and restaurants, antique stores and other cute little shops...my daughters LOVE it there and I love to take pictures there :) The Planet Java diner is totally Retro 50's style diner and the retired old CN Railway Station, that my Grandparents used to arrive from Manitoba on, is a must visit every time we go there!

The journaling circle was cut from my CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge 

and I played with our new stamp set, (D1482) Love Life...

Here's a picture of the images included in this

 fabulous new 'Love Life' stamp set:

If you'd like more information about some of Close To My Hearts products and how you can get your hands on them...
send me some mail and I'll help you out!

Phew...what a month!

Well March is almost behind us and I've been super busy :) Spring break ends today, sorry kids...but I'm OK with returning to some routine...all three are safely on their way this morning as no one missed their bus today!

I had a fantastic time at the Timberline Retreat and connected with some great ladies! We enjoyed many classes, one of which was the Lucky two page layout and we also played with the 3x3 kraft mini album using the Mayberry paper collection.

The countdown has begun for the 19th Annual Sewing and Crafts Expo at the Abbotsford Tradex this Friday and Saturday (Apr. 1-2) I was fortunate enough to be invited to represent Close To My Heart and will have a booth there to feature all things CTMH...come by and see me at Booth #519.

If you are interested in participating in some Make & Takes or classes sponsored by Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine...then follow this link to register for the classes...or stop by the Make & Take Loonie Bar tables during the event for some great projects.

HOT NEWS:

Close To My Heart has created a exclusive stamp set called 'Hope For Japan'...I know that you are probably thinking of all those people that have been terribly affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami that hit the shores of Japan and wondering what you can do to help.

The Hope For Japan A-size stamp set is available for a special price of $5.00 with 100% of the profits of the sale of this stamp set going to the American Red Cross efforts in Japan.

This set is available now until the 30th of April...please consider supporting this worthy cause.

OK...EWWW

Well the sun was shining...ever so briefly here...but as I go from room to room to deliver folded laundry and pick up the odd glass or water bottle..I'm realizing firstly that it is time for wrapping my head around Spring-Cleaning! Secondly, I hate Mess!!!

Beware of thermos bottles lying within the depths of your teenagers' rooms...when you open them up and some sort of SLIME pours out...followed by a tea bag! I wouldn't think that a tea bag and water would produce such a substance...but it did! Yuck

I feel like I've loaded and unloaded the dish washer twice today...hand washed a sink full of dishes three times today and delivered four baskets of laundry today...wait a minute...I Did :)

Oh well, such is my life...as I do love it...sometimes I don't like it though...hope you are enjoying yours!

Stay tuned for next weeks March Workshop projects...there's loads of them as each group is working on different ones! TFSB