Rooted Mini Collection | Dunia Designs

Last week we went out and took family photos. The timing was perfect, because only a few days later we had our first snowfall warning of the season. Sadly, the forecast of 10-15 cm of the white stuff was accurate.

I created this layout using Rooted, a new Mini Collection from Dunia Designs. On sale for a short time at the-lilypad. 

I so appreciate that my family puts on the clothes I ask them to, and drives to a park so we can take family photos. 

Always so happy to have updated photos.

The following Dunia Designs products were used:

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Rooted-Mini-Collection.html

Spooked Collection | Dunia Designs

Spooked, a new collaborative collection from Dunia Designs and Anita Designs. On sale now, for a limited time.

Halloween is one event I enjoy decorating for. The past few years I've made a spooky station on my dining room hutch. I wish I had more storage, so I could add more things. But we just don't have the room. Here's my bit of spooky. 

The following Dunia Designs products were used: 

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Spooked-Collection.html

Be Inspired N.11 Layered Templates | Dunia Designs

I'm using this template, part of the Be Inspired N.11 Layered Templates, by Dunia Design to tell the story of our recent pub hopping trip. Templates make it so easy to just drag and drop photos!  On sale for 50% off the regular price for a short time. Get them while you can!!

Love how this turned out! 

The following Dunia Designs products were used:

Be Inspired N.11 Layered Templates: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Be-Inspired-N.11-Layered-Templates-Dunia.html

Vibrant Collection: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Vibrant-Collection.html

Everlasting Mini Collection | Dunia Designs

Everlasting a new mini collection from Dunia Designs, is on sale through the weekend at the-lilypad. 

We recently got back from a quick get away on the west coast to celebrate our anniversary. We fit a lot in during our 5 days away. Here are a couple of pages I created using the Everlasting mini collection:

I am so thankful that we both enjoy spending time near the water. Definitely be with someone who gets you. 

The following Dunia Designs products were used: 

Everlasting Mini Collection: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Everlasting-Mini-Collection.html

Duo Template Vol 10: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Duo-Templates-Vol.10-Dunia.html

Bibliophilie | Dunia Designs

Bibliophilie from Dunia Designs is on sale for 40% off the regular price. 

I have loved reading for as long as I can remember. As kid, I used to wait until I heard my parents go to bed at night, then quietly [and sneakily] turn my reading lamp back on and read until the wee hours.

I can still read until the wee hours, but my roomate gets quite grumpy when I don't turn the light off...

One thing I'm happy to have passed along to my kids is a love of reading. For many years, they both had their noses in a book. Especially child number two... The teachers used to call me and complain that she was sneaking books to class, hiding them in her desk and reading while lessons were happening. 

Now they prefer to read their phones, if I'm being honest, but every once and awhile I catch them reading. I hope it's something they'll both be passionate about for their whole lives.

The following Dunia Designs products were used:

Bibliophile Mini Collection: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Bibliophilie-Mini-Collection.html

Duo Templates Vol. 7: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Duo-Templates-Vol.7-Dunia.html

October BYOC | Cozy | Dunia Designs

A quick layout I made using October's BYOC [build your own collection] Cozy by Dunia Designs. On sale for a short time for 40% off the regular price. 

This time of year, just like spring, is fleeting. The colours put on a show, but we're only privvy for a very short while. Or until it gets windy...

The following Dunia Designs products were used:

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Everyday-Project-Cozy-Papers.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Everyday-Project-Cozy-Elements.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Everyday-Project-Cozy-Cards.html

Duo Templates Vol. 7 | Dunia Designs

There's been a lot of buzz lately about December Daily. I start to get excited when this talk begins to happen. I'm trying to decide this year whether or not I'll do my book completely digitally... I've wanted to try it for a couple of years, but keep coming back to the physical album. 

In any case, with December on the brain, here's a layout I made using a Dunia Designs template: [Template is on sale today only, September 27, 2023, for 50% off the regular price]

Last year, getting together with family and friends was such a treat. Something that we no longer take for granted. 

For this layout, I used Dunia Designs journal cards that I got through a holiday blog hop at TLP in 2021.

A super simple page, with some of my favourite people.

The following Dunia Designs products were used: 

Duo Templates Vol. 7: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Duo-Templates-Vol.7-Dunia.html

Journal cards used on this layout were available only through a blog hop in 2021

Memo Mini Collection | Dunia Designs

Happy Friday! With that, a new mini collection from Dunia Designs. 

Last week I was lucky enough to make a last minute trip out of town to see a friend. 

So lucky to have a gorgeous couple of days, to relax, enjoy the sunshine, drink a bit of wine, read uninterupted and enjoy many laughs with a friend. 

I used the new digital product, Memo to create this layout. On sale through the weekend for 20% off the regular price.  

The following Dunia Designs products were used:

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Memo-Mini-Collection.html

Celebrate | Mini Collection | Dunia Designs

This mini collection, Celebrate, from Dunia Designs is new and on sale through the weekend. I used it on this layout, to document a recent birthday celebration. I love the colours of this kit, they just ooze celebration. Pick it up while you can! Products used are linked below:

The following Dunia Designs products were used:

Duo Template Vol. 2: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Duo-Templates-Vol.2-Dunia.html

Celebrate | Mini Collection: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Celebrate-MiniCollection.html

Autumn Stories | Dunia Designs

Happy September 1st!

It's hard to believe that for the first time in 16 years, I have no student heading back to school through the Calgary Board of Education...

I can finally unfollow a few websites. It seems really weird, and to be honest I don't think it's hit me or the student who just finished going to school for the past 13 years...  Eeks...

September means fall. It means cooler nights and shorter days. It means the changing of the leaves, and I think that we'll have an early changing of the leaves this year, as so many leaves all around the city are beginning to turn yellow. 

Here is a layout I created using Dunia Designs Everyday Project | Autumn Stories Kit. It's a brand new release and is perfect for telling the stories of fall. It's available for 50 % off through the weekend, so go check it out and take advantage of the sale!

The following Dunia Designs products were used:

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Everyday-Project-Autumn-Stories-Kit.html

Sisterhood | Dunia Designs

Sisterhood, a brand new collection from Dunia Designs can be picked up for 20% off through the weekend. 

I used it to create this fun layout.

The following Dunia Designs products were used: 

Sisterhood collection: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Sisterhood-Collection.html

Duo Templates Vol. 3: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Duo-Templates-Vol.3-Dunia.html

New Release | Road Trip | Dunia Designs

Check out the newest release from Dunia Designs, the Road Trip Collection. On sale through the weekend for 30% off the regular price. 

I love these types of collections that make capturing stories so much fun. 

Our most epic road trip happened in 2019. We left our house in Calgary, Alberta and did a huge road trip down to the USA. We spent so much time in the car, but also had the best time. We had road trip playlists. Road trip snacks. Road trip tourist destinations. We still talk so fondly of that trip. Here's the layout I created using this collection: 

The following Dunia Designs products were used: 

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Road-Trip-Collection.html

Volume 1 & 2 Templates | Dunia Designs

Today only, you can get a couple of volumes of templates from Dunia Designs for 50% off. 

I had so much fun with both of these templates. I love the layering aspect. 

Each volume has 2 templates. Here is one of the templates from Volume 1, using the Good Vibes Collection. 

Here is one of the templates from Volume 2, using the Vibrant Collection: 

The following Dunia Designs products have been used:

Duo Templates Vol. 1 :

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Duo-Templates-Vol.1.html

Good vibes: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Good-Vibes-Collection.html

Duo Templates Vol. 2:

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Duo-Templates-Vol.2-Dunia.html

Vibrant: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Vibrant-Collection.html

Vibrant Collection | Dunia Scraps

I've been invited to be a guest on Dunia Designs for the next 3 months.

This layout has no photos, but is all about our disappointment in not getting THE email after registering for Taylor Swift tickets. 

Man oh-man... Such disappointment to be put on the waitlist. 

We've heard since, that over 33 million people registered. [Keeping in mind that the population of Canada is just over 38 million] Also, she's only coming to Toronto, which is the first hurdle, but we thought if we could get tickets, we'd cross that bridge when we got to it. 

We're not totally shut out yet. We still have a chance next week.  Crossing our fingers so hard. 

I was sure Mad had manifested this to come true... She's desperate to see this concert. Like so many others.

I can't remember an artist that has this kind of following. I'm so happy for her. I just wish we could see her in person too!

The following Dunia Designs products were used:

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Vibrant-Collection.html

 

August 2023 Template Freebie | Sahlin Studio

It's August which means that Sahlin Studio has released her free monthly template. 

The template can be downloaded through the entire month for free. To do that, follow this link: 

Here's what the template looks like: 

We just celebrated a grade 12 graduation here, so this was the perfect template to showcase some grad photos. 

I feel really fortunate that we were able to experience this, because when Mason graduated, in 2020 we were in full pandemic lockdown mode. 

To create this layout along with the free template, I used Sahlin Studio featured product for August. This entire collection, Celebrate, can be picked up for 50% off. Check out the info here:

It's super hard to get my head around the fact, that Mad is old enough to graduate. What does that say about her Dad and I? We don't feel like we're old enough to have any kids graduated, let alone two.  

The following Sahlin Studio products were used:

Template: http://sahlinstudio.com/free-digital-scrapbooking-template-sketch-august-23/

Celebrate Kit: https://the-lilypad.com/store/celebrate-kit.html

Celebrate Journal Cards: https://the-lilypad.com/store/celebrate-journal-cards.html

July 2023 Template Freebie | Sahlin Studio

Happy July! Can you believe we're already halfway through 2023? How is that even possible? 

The start of a new month also means the release of a new free template from Sahlin Studio. Here is the free template for July, follow this link to download the template for free.

12x12 in size, with lots of spots to add your own touches. Here's my version of it:

I also used July's featured product on this page, Project Mouse (Paradise) This collection is on sale for 50% off through all of July, so get it now while you can for this great price! I used the entire bundle on this page, but you can pick up individual pieces [paper/elements/journal cards/word art] for 50% off as well. 

We had such a great family vacation last year. We went to our happy place, the west coast. We enjoyed a week together hanging out and beachcombing.  I hope to get back to there soon. There's something so soothing about hearing the waves crash.  

I don't know how many more family getaways are in the cards for all four of us but I sure enjoy our time together when we're able to make it happen. [And I tend to think that as long as we're paying, they'll continue to join us]

The following Sahlin Studio products were used:

Template: http://sahlinstudio.com/free-digital-scrapbooking-template-sketch-july-23/

Project Mouse (Paradise) Bundle: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Paradise-BUNDLE.html

June 2023 Template Freebie | Sahlin Studio

Here is this months template freebie from Sahlin Studio. To download it for free, follow this link. 

I decided to capture the memories of a recent concert we went to, REO Speedwagon. It seems like we're definitely making up for the lost Covid years. We've enjoyed seeing live music once again. Especially bands we grew up with listening to their awesome music. 

I love that templates allow me to drop in pictures and tell a quick story. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

Template: http://sahlinstudio.com/free-digital-scrapbooking-template-sketch-june-23/

Paper piercing Stitch Holes - Basic: https://the-lilypad.com/store/paper-piercing-stitch-holes-basic.html

Holly Days paper: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Holly-Days-Papers.html

Holly Days Elements: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Holly-Days-Elements.html

May 2023 - Template Freebie | Sahlin Studio

Happy May! 

Here's the template freebie for May from Sahlin Studio. [Download here] I also used Mays' featured product, the Pure Happiness collection. It can be picked up through the remainder of of the month for 50% off it's regular price! 

I decided to do a quick layout some of my selfies with Miss Libby. Gosh I'm crazy about this little hound. Lucky for me the feeling is mutual. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

May Template: http://sahlinstudio.com/free-digital-scrapbooking-template-sketch-may-23/

Pure Happiness Kit: https://the-lilypad.com/store/pure-happiness-kit.html

Pure Happiness J. Cards: https://the-lilypad.com/store/pure-happiness-journal-cards.html

April 2023 Template Freebie | Sahlin Stuio

Here is the April's free template from Sahlin Studio, download it here for free through the whole month. 

This template was perfect to tell the story of seeing Hamilton. I had got tickets for it back in 2020 as a surprise for Mad's birthday. And then we had a world wide pandemic. 

Last summer, after nearly 2 years of waiting, we finally got to go see Hamilton. 

And it did not disappoint. Such a great show. I can see why people see it multiple times. I'd love to see it live again. Maybe one day... For now, I'm just glad I saw it at least once. 

Here is my layout: 

To document this story, I also used Drift Away, which is April's featured product from Sahlin Studio. All elements of this collection are 50% through the month.

I'm always so happy to get a story told. 

The following products were used: 

Template: http://sahlinstudio.com/free-digital-scrapbooking-template-sketch-april-23/

Drift Away Kit: https://the-lilypad.com/store/drift-away-kit.html

February 2023 Template Freebie | Sahlin Studio

Happy groundhog day! It's already February and I don't know whether the groundhog saw his shadow or not [I sometimes prefer to not know whether we're in for 6 more weeks of winter] and then I remember: Right... I live in Canada. Of course we'll get 6 more weeks of winter...

With the start of a new month, comes a new template freebie from Sahlin Studio. Free to download through the whole month! To pick up this months template follow this link.

Last week Barry and I went on a road trip hoping to check out the methane gas bubbles at Abraham Lake in Alberta. It's been on my radar for a few years now, but it's nearly a 4 hour drive to get there. And driving for 4 hours in the winter, in the mountains, isn't always ideal. 

Also, you can't be guaranteed you will see the bubbles. The lake could be covered in snow, and then you're out of luck. 

We decided on a date, set out and began traveling west. Two hours away, the clouds got lower and thicker, it started to snow a little bit. We turned off the transCanada highway onto highway 93 headed north.  The road was marked as 'in fair condition'. 😳  The roads were not awesome, visibility not super. There was so. Much. Snow. It was obvious the plows had been through recently.  We began to wonder if we'd made the right decision. Once we got on to highway 11, the scenery and roads changed completely. The snowy landscape melted away, the road was dry and the sun was shining. 

We made to Abraham Lake and at the first stopping point there was actually not a breath of wind. Which from everything I've heard and read, is highly unusual. The huge lake had no snow on it, which was such a surprise [all the bodies of water we passed along the way were covered in snow] We made our way down to the extremely slippery surface [wearing ice cleats] and we saw the bubbles!!

It was amazing to see, and the photos I took do NOT do it justice. It's something you need to see with your own eyes. I'm so glad we finally did this and so thankful we were able to actually see the bubbles. One thing that's crossed of my bucket list for 2023.

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

Template freebie: http://sahlinstudio.com/free-digital-scrapbooking-template-sketch-february-23/

PM Vibes Elements: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Vibes-Elements.html

PM Vibes Paper: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Vibes-Papers.html

PM Vibes J. Cards: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Vibes-Cards.html

PM Vibes Word Art: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Vibes-Word-Art.html