It's a girl!

We are so pleased to announce the arrival of

Molly Marie Ross

our little baby girl who was born on Sunday,March 14th

and weighed 8lbs2oz.

Indigo = Bad News

This (above) is the book I purchased today for our Book Club. The cover price was $25. But I am an Indigo/Chapters iRewards member, and so I save 10%.

I drove into the city after my ultrasound today to "slip in" and pick it up.

I parked the car. I went inside. I was handed a coupon for an additional 10% off for iRewards members. I entered the title of the book into the computer and found it's location.

WAIT! BACK UP ONE MINUTE!

The coupon. That's where things took a turn for the worse...

20% off anything in the store. Anything. My choice. Anything.

Done. Count me in.

I had some birthday money stashed away in an unused part of my wallet (I put it in there naively thinking that I won't spend it. It worked, and for 21 days this time. New record? Maybe.) I was going to save it and put it towards a new slip cover for our white couch, which is not-so-kid-friendly.

I am a compulsive shopper. I admit it. Everyone knows it. Big deal. For the most part, I have it under control (I mean, it's not like Miles is running around with no diaper on... and we make contributions to out RRSP's each month....)

Here's what I bought today:

Heidegger and a Hippo Walk Through Those Pearly Gates

My Book Club Book. And the only item I intended on buying.

Bath Salts.

Two tubs.

I couldn't decide which one I like better. Was it more important to Sleep or Breathe? Hard choice. Couldn't make it. Bought 'em both.

Another Cook Book.

The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone.

Clearly, I am addicted to cook books.

And I lent most of mine to my sister, who hasn't returned them (but is actively using them, so I'm not mad... just left feeling empty). So I thought to myself: "Self, you have some perfectly good post-it tabs that are dying to be put onto pages of recipes you want to try. And heaven forbid you piss off your post-it's..." so I bought the book.

And I have NO buyers remorse when I flip through & see the Summer Succotash (pg.169) with beautiful green lima beans or the Cheesy, Oozy Guacamole Bean Dip (pg.207).

Some Picture Frames.

Silver plated ones. And a beautiful white one with raised flowers.

I need these for pictures of the new baby. All existing picture frames are full. I want to be fair don't I?

Layout #139

...Without a fight by Haley Ross

(double-click to enlarge)

This is my favourite layout from the weekend. (There are 3 that I did that are so ugly I won't even post them). I love this paper. And I love the Big Bite that allowed me to punch a dotted circle in my photos (I also used a template from Crafters Workshop). If anyone knows where I can get more paper from this line, let me know. I got these two sheets but that's all Scrapbookers Paradise had. I'd love some more.

Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers; Alphabet Stickers: Scenic Route; Flip Flaps: Close To My Heart; Pen: Ek Success Zig Writer.

Layout #138

happy by Haley Ross
I did this layout last week and I was pretty pumped. I like it a lot. The paper is adorable. And I finally put those old chipboard buttons to good use. I always likes the Elsie line from ki memories but found it so hard to use.
Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned & Embossed Paper: ki memories; Flip Flaps:Close To My Heart; Buttons: ki memories; Flocked Rub-Ons & Journal Spot: Heidi Swapp; Embroidery Floss: Bazzill Basics; Pen: Ek Success Zig Writer.

Layout #137

There is Magic All Around by Haley Ross

Um. This is like 100% CTMH. It requires no brain at all. Whatever. I like it. And without sounding too nauseating, my kid looks friggin' cute in that picture, non?

Materials: Brads: Karen Foster; Everything else: Close To My Heart.

Layout #136

Time Spent With You by Haley Ross
I don't like this layout. I just don 't. I think the title is wonky (doesn't match?) or something. Anyway. I do love the Prima flower and the beautiful lace I got at Scrapbookers Bliss last week. Love it.
Materials: Patterned Paper & Stickers: Cosmo Cricut; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Brads: Doodlebug Designs; Flip Flaps: Close To My Heart; Flower: Prima; Lace: Unknown (bought at Scrapbookers Bliss by the meter); Alphabet Stickers: making memories; Other: Transparency.

Layout #135

Funny Guy by Haley Ross
Once again, I used up some stale old stuff I had lying around. Woohoo! Those fabric tabs are ancient. Everything else is new? Hey, I never said I wouldn't still be shopping... I would never commit to not buying any new stuff (Kim?) that's just ridiculous.
Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper, Stickers & Die-Cuts: Crate Paper; Fabric Tabs: Scrapworks; Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts.

Layout #134

Ski Bum by Haley Ross

Materials: Cardstock: Coredinations; Patterned Paper: Scenic Route; Stickers: making memories; Ghost Shapes: Heidi Swapp; Brads: making memories; Chipboard Letters: lil' Davis.

Layout #133

Oh Boy by Haley Ross

"My Special Hugz". Hugz with a Z. Sorry. It's an inside joke (which is annoying) but I had to.

Oh! And please note the letters that I bought when I worked at moments about 7 years ago. Using up old stuff makes me so happy!

Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Border Strips: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: Scenic Route; Letters: making memories; Sticker: American Crafts; Ribbon: From a friends stash!

Layout #132

My Papa by Haley Ross

... First of all, I ripped this layout off (well, I adapted it from a single page layout..). And second, I love it. I love it. I love it. And when I showed it to Brian when I got home he said "Hey, that's something different, cool." Love it. And look how few materials this requires? Cheap!

(Do you make your husband look at all of your layouts even though he's seen the pictures? I totally do. Poor guy. I'd die if he made me look at his score cards from golfing...).

Materials: Patterned Paper: BoBunny; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Alphabet Stikers: Thickers by American Crafts.

Instead of 10 Randoms...

I was lucky enough to squeeze in one more retreat before the arrival of Bean (that's what we've been calling this baby). I was tired and whiny. I was uncomfortable & sick. And I only got 11 layouts done... I usually get at least 20 completed. Nonetheless, I had fun. And as a tribute, here are

10 People Who Made My Weekend

1. Kim. She organizes these weekends. A thankless job. So Thank You Kim. I deserve & depend on these weekend for my sanity... therefore you can truthfully tell people you have saved my life.

2. Tara. Even though she was seriously encroaching on my space this weekend, I like sitting next to her. She doesn't make a huge fuss over every detail in her layouts which makes it much more relaxing. Also, she showers & does her hair, which reminds me to do the same...

3. Sloane. She smells so good. And she is such a good baby... being around her gets me excited about our next little addition.

4. Anna. Um. I love scrapbookers who love to share scrapbook stuff. Anna has more ribbon than anyone I have ever seen. And it cracks me up because she is always right there offering it up. Twice this weekend I dipped into that ribbon supply. Oh & Anna likes to over-embellish. Which I love.

5. Shannon. Who spends a bit of her weekend trying to talk Anna out of over-embellishing. Shannon is a really good scrapbooker, but doesn't draw any attention to her layouts (unlike me, who makes an announcement every time I finish) so when I walk by & see her current project I am always shocked. She is really good. I loved loved loved her raspberry layout this weekend.

6. Kim S. It kills me the things Kim says in order to avoid swearing. "Craps & Giggles"? Come on! I love it. And if that's not a good enough reason to scrapbook with someone? Well, Kim has about 1,000 Cricut cartridges.

7. Brian. Who made it possible for me to go in the first place.

8. Kacey. Kacey scrapbooks like me. Simple & quick. This girl makes progress. She pumped out a really decent layout that I am planning on ripping off. I like Kacey, but, she did something very very sneaky. Warning: It's not over until the fat lady sings. And I am not singing.

9. The chef (who also happens to be someone who irons our pillowcases to make everything perfect!). And who shall remain nameless.... She whipped up some pretty arse kickin' meals. There's no way I would have eaten, Pork Roast in a berry reduction, crab stuffed potatoes & other Martha Stewart-y foods if I had stayed home this weekend. And the salads...oh the salads!

10. The "Oh My______" lady. Yeah. Because everyone needs to be brought back down to earth sometimes with an insult from a random stranger. Thanks, it gave me something to laugh about on the way home :)

Layout #131

Monkey by Haley Ross

Ugh. I hate this layout. Hate it. You know when you have really really good idea, and then, as your begin to execute it, you realise it's not going to turn out the way you planned? That is what happened with this layout. Ugh. Hate it. Anyway, I'm not going to re-do it, because I don't "believe" in that. Besides, making that white circle frame took way too long. Ugh.

If anyone has any suggestions that don't require me taking this apart, let me know...

Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper & Rub-Ons: We R Memory Keepers; Alphabet Stickers: S.E.I; Pen: EK Success Zig Writer.

Layout #130

Isla by Haley Ross

I love My Minds Eye. So matchy-matchy. Love them!

You know what else I love? The 4x6 cardstock mats from Coredinations. They are so handy & they come in great colors.

Materials: Cardstock Mats: Coredinations; Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye; Border Punch: Fiskars; Die-Cuts: My Minds Eye; Pop Dots: 3L; Pen: Le Pen; Alphabet Stickers: making memories; Rhinestones: Kaiser Craft.

Layout #129

Little Engineer by Haley Ross

These are still old layouts that I have had done for a while. I am finally getting around to posting them... I guess that's what you do when you are too sore to do anything else...
I never thought in a million years I would be buying themed scrapbooking products. So tacky! Even my trip to Disneyland doesn't have a Mickey Mouse sticker on the layouts. But I am probably as addicted to Thomas the Tank Engine as my son is. I bought him the train table in November & at first I was a little regretful (it was pretty pricey) but I am amazed at how many hours Miles of entertainment he has gotten from it.
Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: Sandylion & Reminisce; Rub-Ons: Making Memories; Alphabet Stickers: Thickers by American Crafts; Transfers: Scrapworks; Chipboard Die Cuts: Sandylion; Brads: Doodlebug Designs.

Layout 128

A New Vue by Haley Ross

I remember when there was only Brian, Koho (our cat) and I to scrapbook about. And now it seems I really only scrapbook Miles. So doing these pictures of myself was a little weird. Also weird? Using this license plate sticker I bought about 7 years ago. It managed to survive every purge since then and I'm glad it did. It worked well.

Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Sticker: Sticker Studio; Chipboard Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts; Flip Flaps: Close To My Heart