Wishing for warmer weather...

It's the end of the month, which means it's time for a Sketchabilities reveal!

I had fun this month playing with Glimmer Mists to create my background and the colours I used left me hoping for spring weather soon :)

Be sure to check out the Sketchabilities blog to see what the rest of the team created.

More recently...

As promised, here is a look at the full two-page spread from my January layout with Sketchabilities... I even did some journalling on this page - not something I do very often!

This past weekend I was working on my next layout for Sketchabilities and I have some final touches to finish up before the February 28 reveal. Please sure to check back soon to see it!

In the meantime, I'd love to share a what else I've been up to lately. A nasty throat infection kept me from doing anything but sleep at the beginning of February, but the month definitely improved from there.

For Valentine's Day, Brian and I headed up into wine country and we spent the day in Jordan at a wine and cheese tasting seminar at Cave Spring Cellars. Following the seminar, we did some more wine tasting and enjoyed a fantastic dinner at the Inn on the Twenty restaurant, which SURPRISE included even more wine tasting. The wine and cheese pairings seminar was definitely a highlight of the trip and we had a great time tasting the different pairings with the great people at our table and being tricked by the instructor into thinking that a single wine was really three different wines, because of the effect different cheeses had on the flavour.

At dinner, I think our favourite course of the meal was an appetizer that Brian ordered that was referred to as a pulled pork and scallop bruschetta. It sounds like a strange pairing and I must admit that it did not have mush resemblance to traditional bruschetta, but it was defintiely delicious!!!

In celebration of Valentine's Day, my friend Sonia and I spend the day before creating some really cute mini books for our men. All the elements for the minibook were designed by House of 3 and Sonia and I had a great time being creative and putting these together! Next step is to add the photos from each of our Valentine's Days, respectively. I haven't seen her photos yet from her Valentine's Day trip to Ottawa but I'm sure they'll be great! I'll be sure to share some close up picture of our completed books once the photos have been added.

Sketchabilities Reveal

Have you been over to the Sketchabilities blog recently? The design team's recent reveal is definitely not one to be missed. Take a minute to visit and see what the talented designers have created this month - you won't be disappointed!

Here's a peek at what I created... the photograph is of my mom, my brother (beer in hand - lol) and I at my mom's 60th birthday surprise party this past November. I've actually completed a second page to create a 2-page spread - just need to take a photograph so that I can share it!

A New CAR!!!

Yes, that's right! I bought a car and its my first BRAND NEW car!

(Source: www.autorivals.net)

The RAV4 will soon be mine and then I can post a photo with me in the driver's seat.

Unfortunately I have to wait likely until the end of February for my car to be ready. Toyota has been selling a lot of these and when I made my purchase at the beginning of January there were only two left in Canada of the model I wanted. Sadly, I couldn't get my hands on one of those two as they were located up in northern Ontario.

So they're making me, and a lot of other people, a brand new one!

I can't wait!!!

Christmas, Christmas and more Christmas!

So much has been going on over the last little while that I've been neglecting my blog, but I've been enjoying life and taking pictures so I can share. The Christmas season is a wonderful time to celebrate and spend time with loved ones and I been doing just that.

So here is my "share" for today...

Veronica, Kelly and I started a new Christmas tradition last year of going to the spa to spend some quality time together and this year we thoroughly enjoyed a whole day at Ste. Anne's Spa in Grafton, ON. It was my third time visiting and every time I'm always sad to leave.

The three of us spent the morning enjoying the outdoor, yes I did say outdoor, and indoor hot tubs, the steam room and the sauna. After working up an appetite (ha, ha) we enjoyed a delicious lunch in the dining room - you can even wear your robe to lunch, but we opted for our lululemon pants (surprise, surprise - they are the best pants EVER!).

After lunch it was time for our spa services. Veronica and I both tried out a new offering at the spa called the Chakra Balancing massage. We weren't really sure what to expect, but afterwards we both agreed that it was FABULOUS!!! It was a combination of massage, reflexology and energy work - a great option if you are going to Ste. Anne's just for the day and want to try out a couple of the services they offer. I didn't want to get off the table at the end of the hour session - I was sooooo relaxed and very tempted to just drift off to sleep. To be honest, I think I may have for a few moments!!!

Naturally after working up an appetitie again (ha, ha) we returned to the dining room for afternoon tea. What a delicious afternoon! There was a selection various teas - I had pear something or other which was very good - and there were scones with cream and preserves, brownies, cheese with crackers and grapes, cucumber sandwiches, smoked salmon rolls, cookies and more. I would go on, but I am making myself hungry!!!

Next we headed off for our group meditation class. So I knew this class would be relaxing, but with the pillows, blankets, dim lighting and music, how was I not supposed to fall asleep?!?!?!?!? At least my friends didn't have to wake me up at the end of the sesssion - cough, cough, Kelly!

Thanks Kelly and Veronica for an amazing day! I'm definitely looking forward to continuing the tradition!

To the rest of you reading this entry, I definitely recommend this spa if you have the chance to go. This place is amazing! Check it out http://www.steannes.com/

Christmas is coming....

Can you feel it? I sure can.

A Creative Weekend

There is a drive inside of me to create and this weekend I was lucky enough to do just that with some amazing women.

Saturday I spent the day scrapping while being distracted by laughing, shopping and eating muffins & fruit salsa - I blame the snacking on the chef - thanks Lori!!! Your treats were delicious.

During this time, I added a few more pages to the mini book I created at the TSF retreat. Here's a peek at my "award-winning" mini book. LOL.

Last week I also designed a Brizezilla and Bridesmaidzillas layout that definitely captures some of the fun we had getting ready for Sonia's wedding this past September.

On Sunday, a few of my friends from university and I continued with our yearly tradition of baking and decorating Christmas cookies together. I was a little disturbed that we were doing this in November!!!! but managed to have a wonderful Christmasy time anyway. They even made me listen to Christmas music, which I typically refrain from until December 1. Don't get me wrong, now that it is December I am fully happpy and prepared to start celebrating the Christmas season, but November was pushing it! LOL!

Brian and I nibbled on the cookies on Sunday and Monday evening and then my coworkers got to enjoy the rest on Tuesday morning - welcome to December!