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

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

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

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

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

October [2021] Template Freebie | Sahlin Studio

A few weekends ago, Barry and I got out to the woods for a few hours. 

We had to drop Madelyn off at a nearby location, to enjoy a canoe day with her Trex group. 

Rather than head back home, we decided to pack a lunch and make the most of our time before having to pick her up. 

I created a layout, using Sahlin Studio free October template, to record this memory.  The template is available to download, for free, through the whole month. Click here to go check it out and download. 

I also used October's featured product, Autumn Stories for this page. It's on sale for 40% off through the rest of the month. It's perfect to tell any fall stories you might have. To check these products out, links can be found below. 

The day was perfect. It started off rather chilly. We slowly striped layers off as we went. By the time we stopped for lunch, it was t-shirt weather. The colours weren't changing as much as I thought they would have, but it was such a great day. So glad we did it. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

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

Autumn stories J. Cards: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Autumn-Stories-Journal-Cards.html

 

February 2021 Template Freebie | Sahlin Studio

It's that's time again, and Sahlin Studio has just released her template freebie for February. 

It's free to download through the entire month, simply click here to go to the template.

I used it to document a recent trip I made with the kids to Bowness Park. 

One Friday afternoon, back when Madelyn was doing on line school, she finished up early and we grabbed skates and headed to Bowness Park. 

We weren't totally sure what we'd find... The park had been on the news multiple times up until then, with bylaw officers turning carloads of hopeful skaters away. 

We were lucky. No bylaw officers, we weren't turned away. Lots of parking spots available and the ice wasn't stupid busy. 

The kids skated while I walked the dog. 

We were delighted to find that they have created a bunch of skating paths around the park, in addition to the frozen lagoon and canal. 

We sent about an hour. It was a bluebird day. The kids explored and once they were finished, their cheeks were red and rosy. I still love to see red and rosy cheeks. 

Hopefully we'll be able to get back there a few more times this winter. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used:

February Template

Winter Stories Kit

December Template Freebie | Sahlin Studio

Sahlin Studio has released the last freebie for 2020. 

Download for free by clicking here, though the remainder of the month. 

It feels weird to say, the last month of 2020.

Let's be honest. I just want this year over. Things have been up in the air since last March. We had a brief period through the summer months, of feeling on the verge of 'new normal'. 

That has long since passed, and we seem to have entered the panic stage once again.

I am under no illusion that 2021 won't be similar to what we're living right now. It's just the idea of starting a new year. Hopefully a better year [fingers crossed] that keep me hopeful. 

Right  now, the words I whisper to myself multiple times a day are: 

Breathe in... Breathe out... One day at a time... You can do this... 

Here's the layout I created using the template: 

We went to Costco last week, and surprisingly it wasn't overly busy. As we were leaving the parking lot, Barry wanted to pop into Winner's to see if he could find a specific item. So we went in there quickly as well. Madelyn was wearing her Christmas sweater and elf hat. She'd worn them both to her 'last day of school'. 

I ran ahead and snapped this photo of them walking towards me, arm in arm. It's not the best picture I've taken. It's blurry, taken in the dark, but I love it. I was just happy to capture this moment in time. We're making the most of the little things that bring us joy right now. 

We don't leave home very much. Still. So a trip to a place we used to look forward to going to, is kind of a big deal. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

December Template freebie: http://sahlinstudio.com/free-digital-scrapbooking-template-sketch-december-20/

Oh What Fun Kit: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Oh-What-Fun-Kit.html

October Template | Sahin Designs

October templates were just released at Sahin Designs. 

I happened to be looking through some old photos the other day, and I came across our one and only trip to a local pumpkin patch. It was really, just a big dirt pit, as the pumpkins were totally picked over. We're from Alberta, so truth be told, I have no idea what this pumpkin patch might have looked like in it's prime. I only know that when I've been to BC and seen pumpkin patches there, my jaw hit the floor...

Looking back at these photos, it feels like they could have been taken yesterday. 

It also feels like they were taken a lifetime ago. 

Time just marches on. 

Slowly and quickly. 

Even if the kids don't remember in detail, the adventures we've had, I have them documented here.

Our precious memories. 

The following Sahin Designs products were used: 

https://sahindesigns.com/products/october-2020-layout-templates/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/pumpking-song-elements/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/pumpkin-song-papers/

October Template Freebie | Sahlin Studio

It's that time of the month again, Sahlin Studio has released the October template. 

Available to download for no cost through the month of October, follow this link to download.

If you follow me on Instagram, or have read any of my blog posts, you know I've been gushing about the fall we've been enjoying this year. 

This is not something we take for granted. Last year we had a record snowfall at the end of September. 

I don't know about you, but that is NOT the kind of record I like our city to be making...

Two years ago in 2018, there was actually a snow day, my kids weren't able to make it to school. Barry and I happened to be out at the west coast for this particular 'event'. We can say we didn't miss this, not one bit. But we did get photo evidence. 

But this year... It's been so, so enjoyable. 

Considering our weather was crap right up to and including the first week of July, I think we're being rewarded. 

This layout was a no brainer for me. Of course I had to document some of my fabulous fall photos. 

I would be happy if this weather lasted right through April.

I know it won't, but a girl can dream. 

Wherever you are, I hope you're having an amazing fall too, full of swirly, twirly falling leaves.

The following Sahlin Studio products were used:

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

Autumn stories J. Cards: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Autumn-Stories-Journal-Cards.html

July Template Freebie | Sahlin Studio

Can you believe it's July? 

Where has the time gone by this year? 

I'm not going to lie, March and April felt like an 

e t e r n i t y. Then, it seems like I blinked and suddenly May and June were over.

Always, with the start of a new month, the template freebie from Sahlin Studio gets released. Here is the July template. Click here to go and download. Remember, it's only free to download through July. 

I had a few ideas swirling around my head when I first saw this layout. In fact, I sat down at my computer and went in a very different direction when I started. I first filled all the boxes in with different patterned papers. Initially I thought this might be a good 'favourites' page.  

One of my favourite parts of digital scrapbooking, is the ability to swap elements in and out. Try it this way, then try it that way. I started playing around with this page a little, and finished off with this: 

 

This is a 12x12 sized layout, that I shrunk down to 8x8. 

I'm so upset for my kids, they're both missing out on their grade 9 and 12 farewell/graduations. There's no sugar coating it. It totally sucks. 

I was so glad when one of Madelyn's classmates organized a meet up in the park. At least the grade 9 kids that attended got the opportunity to say good-bye to one another. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

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

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

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

 

June Template | Sahin Designs

June templates are now available to download from Sahin Designs. 

I love these monthly templates. I just have to pick out a couple of pictures, and then I can get right to  storytelling. There's nothing I have to figure out. Well, aside from what digital collection to use. 

For this layout, I chose these photos of my Mum's recent Birthday. It was the first time in months, that  we've all been together and shared a meal together. It's been a long time coming. It was just a day that felt so normal. I'm pretty sure that's what we could all use right now, a dose of normal. 

We're taking it day by day right now. But this was certainly a moral boosting step in the right direction. 

The following Sahin Designs products were used: 

https://sahindesigns.com/products/indexed-papers/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/indexed-elements/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/indexed-cards/

April Template | Sahin Designs

April templates have been released from Sahin Designs. I adore working with circles. So this did not disappoint one bit.

Here are the templates:

This is my layout using one of the templates.

Surprise, surprise, it's a Cover-19 layout.

If nothing else, Coronavirus is giving us something to document.

Does this still feel surreal to you? It does me. I've been home now for 42 days. I've only left home a handful of times. I still can't quite believe that there is tape around playgrounds, indicating they are 'closed'. I can't believe there are empty shelves at the grocery store. [Last week I found yeast, the week before that, snagged the last 10 kg bag of all purpose flour] So baking can continue [which is a good and bad thing, my waistline will tell you]

Ironically, one thing I haven't been able to do is settle down and read. What? At the middle of March I'd already read 17 books. Seventeen!! And since March 14th, I've read 1... I don't quite understand it myself. I have the green light to sit and read, and I just can't seem to focus.

Covid has shut down so many businesses, I can't even imagine what things will look like a few more months down the road.

I'm so ready to get back 'out there' to the normal every day things I'd be doing. Yet, so nervous at the same time.

So thankful that the sun is a little bit more dependable as of late.

Sitting in the front or back yard, feeling the sunshine on your face, nothing is as good as that.

The following Sahin Designs products were used:

April Template: https://sahindesigns.com/products/april-2020-layout-templates/
Homebody Elements: https://sahindesigns.com/products/homebody-elements/
Homebody Papers: https://sahindesigns.com/products/homebody-papers/
Covid-19 Digital Stamps: https://sahindesigns.com/products/covid-19-stamps/

April Template Freebie | Sahlin Studio

Here is the Sahlin Studio template freebie for April. 

I recommend you stop what you're doing, right now. Download it. Then create a layout. Trust me, creating layouts and going through photos, takes your mind off the madness that's happening in the world right now. Download it free, through April, by following this link. 

I shrunk my template down, to fit 8x10 size. 

Here it is: 

Team Armada had such and exciting season. 

Ironically, the girls won gold for the first tournament of the season, the NW Ringette Rumble the first weekend in November. Then their last game of the regular season. Not too shabby.

It really was a pleasure watching you girls play. 

I'm thankful that they won this game before the season was cancelled. [Which it was, 6 days after this epic win] 

The girls had made it to provincials, in Leduc, AB, March 13-15th. The remainder of the season was abruptly cancelled, after they played [and won] their first game against the Leduc Jaguars. 

A huge let down, to say the least. They were playing so well together, it's quite possible they might have won the whole thing!  

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

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

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

March Template | Sahin Designs

Gosh, the kids played a LOT of ringette and hockey the last week of February and first week of March.

Pre hysterics of Covid-19, thankfully. This virus has put the world into a tail spin. The remaining practices and ice events of hockey were cancelled. Madelyn was able to get to her very last practice before ringette followed suit.

We are in a very weird time. Unprecedented.

Thankfully, there are some things you can count on. Elif from Sahin Designs just released her March templates. She doesn't disappoint.

March Template:

Mason and Barry were in an out of town hockey tourney a few weeks ago. I wasn't able to go, as  Madelyn had ice times of her own.

There was a photographer at the tourney, taking pictures of all the teams playing. The images of all the games were shared with the teams.

I was able to create this awesome layout, using those photos. It almost feels like I was there.

I'm so thankful for these last few photos of Mason playing hockey.

There were a bunch of 3-on-3 games scheduled to take place the last few weeks of March. To use up remaining ice slots.  In past years, this is one of the favourite parts of hockey. Playing 3-on-3 against team mates and other McKnight teams. I know Mason cherished this fun social time. I'm so sorry that it was cancelled before it even began.

There have been a lot of disappointments the last few weeks.

And a lot of uncertainty as to what's to come. Right now, we're all just taking this thing day by day.


The following Sahin Designs products were used: 

March Template: https://sahindesigns.com/products/march-2020-layout-templates/
Hibernate Papers: https://sahindesigns.com/products/hibernate-papers/

Daybook Papers: https://sahindesigns.com/products/daybook-papers/

Daybook Elements: https://sahindesigns.com/products/daybook-elements/

Hibernate Collection | Sahin Designs

I'm not sure you can really appreciate the cold and snow, if you don't live in a northern climate.

I don't always love living in a norther climate. The snow and the cold can definitely wear you down.

There are a few things however, that I don't mind about winter, and they are:

• Warm drinks of any kind
• Cozy, Bulky Sweaters
• Blankets
• Lit candles
• Fires in the fireplace [There is nothing quite like  listening to the wind howling, knowing it's freezing outside, and being in the house with a crackling fire]

When I saw this new Hibernate Collection, it spoke to me. 

After all, we can and have, gotten snow in every month of the year... [sniff]

 If you are a newsletter subscriber, check your email, it's 50% off the bundle through the 5th of January! If you're not a newsletter subscriber, it's available for 20% off through the 5th of January. 

I created the following layout to highlight this collection. 

Everything I love in encompassed in this. A good book, check. A hot drink, check. A cozy blanket, check. Jammies all day, well, Miss Madelyn wouldn't have it any other way. 

We love our time off between Christmas and the new year. All of us. We sleep in. We slow down. Commitments all but stop. It's so very needed for our hectic schedules. 

I love to brag about the fact that for 6 days in a row I didn't leave the house [true story and it was done absolutely on purpose] While Madelyn likes to brag about how many jammie days she had. I'm not sure there is another soul out there who gets the same joy as she does, not having to change out of her PJ's. 

I love how this story turned out. 

I used the following Sahin Designs product:

Hibernate Elements: https://sahindesigns.com/products/hibernate-elements/
Hibernate Journal Cards: https://sahindesigns.com/products/hibernate-cards/

Hibernate Papers: https://sahindesigns.com/products/hibernate-papers/