11 & 12

My husband read my top 10 list & had a couple of his own that he thought I should add.

11. While waiting for a table at Moxies a family of four came in & waited as well. The 2 daughters (you could tell they were all related) were about 30-35 years old. One of them was wearing original RED Doc Martens & about 12 silver Goody hair clips in her hair to hold her ponytail securely. She also had on an over sized sweater to complete her look. But more importantly (my husband so lovingly pointed out) she was sporting the exact SAME LOOK I had in grade 9. Only hers was well preserved.

12. Once seated at our table, we could see a store that sold chair massagers and back relief products. Brian commented that he couldn't believe a store like that could afford the high rent cost in Market Mall & that it would be out of business before they knew it. I agreed. And then within 15 minutes we saw 3 people leave with large boxes. What do we know?

10.

Monday & Tuesday were my days off this week. Which would naturally mean I spent them at three of Calgary's finest establishments... Chinook Centre, South Centre & Market Mall. I didn't buy much, but I did some great pre-shopping! (Waiting for pay day...) And got to people watch, which I love.

10 Things I saw at the Mall(s)

1. The Apple Store. They have a new one in Market Mall & you can play with all the latest Mac gadgets. What a cool store. And it was packed.

2. Wicked Wedge is now in Chinook Centre. Great pizza. No, amazing pizza. And you don't even have to go downtown to get it!

3. A girl who was about 12 years old with the best/worst cleavage I have ever seen. Which prompted a debate on how much control you have over your teenagers wardrobe.

4. Old friends. It was good to see Mike again. And I saw an old friend Tracy & her adorable baby girl Emma. It's always fun to run into people.

5. A pair of Ray Ban's that I immediately added to my Christmas List (but I think it's a bit too late!)

6. A lady drop her baby intentionally. It was a weird shoplifting scam that I sadly witnessed. It's a long story, but I am more than willing to tell it. It was SO weird.

7. In the SAME store, a woman freaking out at a poor guy who innocently asked if she'd like to be on the email list. She freaked out... " I already get about 2 emails a day from you people!". He looked terrified. An argument ensued. (Side note: I get the Gap emails & only get about 1 every 2 weeks. And yesterday it saved me 30% off my entire purchase. If that lady gets the emails, why didn't she have the coupon?) Some people are such Scrooge's.

8. About 50 men watching the "Jumbotron" South Centre has put in. They just relaxed while their wives/children shopped. Brilliant.

9. A waitress who told me that if I ordered the duck it would "change my life". It took everything I had not to burst out laughing (she was 100% serious). I couldn't even make eye contact with Brian. Sorry chicky, but a $13.99 duck from Moxies is NOT going to change my life. Unless I choke on it.

10. A woman who had a Top Deck hair dye job. But from far back both Brian & I thought she had a small animal on her head. As she got closer I had to actually bite my lips. It was unreal. I bet she spends hours on it every morning. It was scary & impressive all at once. I will remember it forever... (?)

Layout 122

Waiting for Dada by Haley Ross

Materials: Edged Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: Jillibean Soup; Ribbon: May Arts; Journaling Spots: Jillibean Soup; Brad: Bazzill Basics; Rub-Ons: Making Memories; Pen: EK Success Zig Writer.

Layout 121

Little Star by Haley Ross

Materials: Patterned Paper: BoBunny; Chipboard: Riff Raff Designs; Chipboard Alphabet: Heidi Swapp; Rub-Ons: making memories

Layout 120

The Newest Flames Fan by Haley Ross

How fabulous are those skate stickers from Jolees? Unreal. The detail is unreal. I love them. Did I tell you that Brian has got Miles yelling "Goal" really loudly whenever he sees a hockey game? Yep. Sure does.

There is some old old stuff on this layout too. Hey, I'm feeling this recession & using up as much old stock as I can is really helping me get through (or giving me an excuse to get more?)

Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: Rusty Pickle & NHL; Eyelets: We R Memory Keepers; Chipboard: Heidi Swapp; Sticker: EK Success Jolees by You & Heidi Swapp; Pen: EK Success Zig Writer; Other: Shoe Laces.

Layout 119

Moving Forward by Haley Ross

It use to be that every year, around Christmas time, I would think "Where did the year go?" but now, I think that every time I look at Miles. This was one of those pictures where I just felt overwhelmed by how BIG he is getting. And I am proud to say I used some nearly ancient embellishments on this page :)

Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye; Rub-Ons: making memories; Chipboard: Lil' Davis; Die-Cuts: My Minds Eye; Metal Accents: Scrapworks.

Layout 118

Happy Birthday by Haley Ross

Ugh. This is a boring layout. And the picture is crooked (sorry.). But isn't the Bella Blvd. paper beautiful? And I scrapbooked my birthday just so I could use it.

Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: Bella Blvd; Rhinestones: Kasier Craft: Stickers: KI memories; Alphabet Stickers: Thickers by American Crafts.

Layout 117

Fat Lip by Haley Ross

Isn't this paper adorable? Yeah, it is! I love it. And intent to use it over & over. And that's rare. So, here is another layout I have finally completed. I have a couple to post today, on my way to 150. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.

Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants Designs; Chipboard Alphabets: Cosmo Cricut; Ribbon: Fancy Pants Design; Pen: EK Success Zig Writer

Layout 116

Eat Cake by Haley Ross

Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: BoBunny; Brads: Doodlebug Designs; Alphabet Stickers: Thickers by American Crafts; Pen: Ek Success Zig Writer; Cricut Cartridge: George; Other: Photo Flip Flaps: Close To My Heart.

Mrs. Claus?

Nope just me. Although I have a Mrs.Claus-esque silhouette. I was looking through the pictures my sister took of last nights "Bake-Off" & I have to laugh because I am holding my belly in every picture. I kept sticking it into stuff, and by the end of the night I had a big streak of chocolate & icing sugar across my tummy. Anyway, the pictures look ridiculous...

10 Things I Love To Do Before Christmas

1. Baking. Generally I hate baking. Love cooking, dislike baking. But I like Christmas baking. And this year (for once) I didn't dip my fingers in the batters until I was sick. Also, it helps that I get together with my sisters for this annual Bake-Off... it makes things so faster & is much more fun.

2. Shop. I love buying gifts. Love it. I make a list, but rarely stick to it (same goes for my budget... sadly). Plus the malls are decorated so lovely that I can't help but be in a good Christmas Spirit.

3. Eating. In our house, as of December 1st it's Open Season for treats :) I love having a house full of Christmas Oranges, Egg Nog, Candy Canes & boxed Chocolates (I love looking at the "maps" that come in each box).

4. Taking a Drive to look at Christmas Lights. If you know of any good places to go, post them in the comment section. One year we did a light tour by bus & it was great.

5. Christmas Music. Every year I buy the Starbucks Christmas CD. I now have 7 of them :) Most of the songs are the same, just by different artists, but I'm ok with that. This year there is a song by Norah Jones & Willie Nelson that I just love.

6. Christmas Movies. There is often one playing in the background at our house:

Here is my official Christmas movie count so far this season

Prancer = Once

Muppets Christmas Carol (a favourite) = Once

Home Alone = Once

Madagascar Christmas = Twice

Four Christmases = Once

Shrek the Halls = Once

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer = Twice

Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation = Three Times!!!

I have others I love too, and I'll get to them. Oh, I will.

7. Make Wrapping Paper. I'm doing mine with Tattered Angels mists & screens this year. It's gonna look wicked.

8. Burn Christmas Candles. Mmmm. Cinnamon & Pine. Love it.

9. Go to Zoo Lights. Its pretty much the same every year, but it's nice to get out & walk. And it's pretty. (Oh! And I have a 2 for 1 pass in my Entertainment book this year! Woohoo!)

10. Read a Christmas-y Magazine. This year I got REAL SIMPLE which I subscribe to. And it was fabulous for some cool, cheap ideas. And I got O. With Ellen on the cover. And she's cute as heck. I love Ellen. (And got a kick out of a super expensive O-List. Recession anyone? Not Oprah obviously.)

Get Stuffed SALE!

We would like to apologise for being closed Saturday, December 5th. This was not planned, but I was unable (and unwilling?) to shovel the snow drift out from behind my car. I do not want any premature babies, especially in this weather. Thanks for your understanding! Instead, we'll make it up to you by having a SALE...

Monday, December 7th - Wednesday, December 9th

Come & Get Stuffed!

Pick up a Snowflake shopping bag & stuff it full to recieve

35% off

the ENTIRE contents of the bag*

_______________

You can even take 35% off the NEWEST products from TPC & My Minds Eye!

Stuff in a Slice Cartridge or Storage Solution! It's up to you!

This is a great opportunity to buy stocking stuffers (or send in your husband!)

* Some exceptions apply. Not valid on 12x12 cardstock or adhesive products. See in-store for more details.

Layout 115

Spoiled by Haley Ross
This is my last layout post for the day (I've been pretty productive, non?) And I saved my favourite for last. I just love this layout. (Because I love the photos) Look at the cheeks on this kid! Does the right-hand side look familiar? It should, once again I used Donna Downey's Photo First book and scrap-lifted this baby! Say what you want, but I am getting lots done this way, and that is making scrapbooking MUCH more enjoyable for me. Hey, not that I am willing to change it... but is "Spoiled" grammatically correct or should it be spoilt? Is that even a word?
Materials: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper: Karen Foster; Ribbon: Doodlebug Designs; Charm: Around The Block; Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories; Rhinestones: Heidi Swapp.