PL2020 - November | Sahlin Studio

It's that time of year again, when I seem to be playing catch up. 

We're only a couple of days away from the end of 2020. 

Once December hits, I spend the majority of my time working on my December Daily album. 

Here is a two page spread for November. 

November was a bit of mixed bag weather-wise. We started off the month with very mild temperatures. The walking ladies got out for one last walk and park coffee. Mason and I went down to check out the field of crosses along Memorial Drive. The very next day it snowed. Remembrance Day was chilly and snowy this year. 

• Park coffee gathering with the walking ladies. 
• We watched the US election with anticipation. Biden was declared the winner, but Trump will be going out kicking and screaming. He's still, at the end of December, trying to intimidate and sue, for what reason? No one can know for sure. He's like a petulant toddler that's never had the word no said to him before. It's just so embarrassing...
• Lefsa making, one of the only times extended family has gotten together this year. 
• Playing Mason's new game, Pandemic. Because seriously, living it is not enough...  

• Me and the boy, stopping for a selfie. 
• Mad got a haircut this month. 
• New sweatshirts all around.
• Covid numbers are once again creeping up. All team sports was cancelled. Madelyn started at-home school at the end of November. 
• We put our Christmas tree up earlier than ever, to give us a bit more joy. 
• These two, working together on a fleece blanket. 
• Walking through Confederation Park, was really quite nice. Before meeting friends was banned.

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

PL2020 - Week 44 | Sahlin Studio

This week of my project life album zeroed in on Halloween.

Halloween in 2020 landed on a Saturday AND there was a second full moon of the month. The Blue Moon. At the beginning of the year, Madelyn was excited invite friends over to watch scary movies and gorge on candy. In reality, the 4 of us sat at home together, while FOUR kids came to our house trick or treating...

As I have in the past, I make some fun 'spooky' meals leading up to Halloween. I think the kids still get a kick out of it, and I enjoyed doing it. The photos were bad [read blurry] I only have a photo of the cookies Madelyn decorated. 

Snapchat filters start to become fun around this time, first with creepy halloween themed things. Shortly after that, it introduces festive Christmas filters [my fav]

October 31st also happened to be the premier of Hallmarks Christmas movies. Yes, I recorded and watched the very first one. [Yes, I've recorded and watched movies every weekend since then] Yes, there's a lot of eye rolling and similar story lines. 

After all, we have had our Christmas tree up since mid-november.

These photos are self explanatory. Madelyn ended up wearing her plague doctor costume to school the Friday before Halloween. She got a lot of great feedback. I mean, is there a better year to wear a plague mask?

We decorated pumpkins. We prepared ourselves for 50 trick or treaters, just in case. After all, it was a mild night AND a full moon. Then, we ate copious amounts of mini chocolate bars.

It was the first Halloween, in many years, that we were all home. No hockey, no ringette.

Perhaps we'll be able to get back to hosting our annual Halloween Party some time in the future. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Halloween-BUNDLE.html [j.cards and elements]

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Halloween-Enamel-Pins.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Halloween-Artsy.html

Throwback | Sahin Designs

Here's the layout I created for Sahin Designs Creative Gallery. 

I used the Throwback collection. 

I stopped short when I walked into the living room the other day, and saw these two sitting together on the couch like this.  It was deja vu to their younger years. 

When hanging out with one another was what they did. Daily. 

They were so close when they were little. Then suddenly, one day, didn't seem to have an ounce of patience for one another.

If there's been a good thing that's come from all this time home this year, it's these two have been forced to spend more time together than they have in many years. They've played video games together. They've put puzzles together, together. They've played board games together. 

I hope their relationship gets back to the special friendship they shared when they were little.  

The following Sahin Designs products were used: 

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

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

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

PM See You Real Soon Collection & PM Start to Finish Templates | Sahlin Studio

Project Mouse (See You Real Soon) and Start to Finish templates are the last collection of 2020 from Sahlin Studio. 

 

Project Mouse focuses on all things Disney. 

But that doesn't mean your stories have to. 

Here's the layout I made, bidding farewell to 2020. 

This layout is not a fuzzy happy feeling. In fact, it's the opposite. This year has been stressful. It's been unprecedented. It's been the longest year I can remember. I'm feeling very over it. 

It's okay to tell some of the not so great stories too. 

2020 has been riddled with one disappointment after another. 

I know that we have a long way to go, to put this behind us. But having hope is one major factor in making it through this pandemic. And I hope that 2021 is a better year.  

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-See-Ya-Real-Soon-Elements.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-See-Ya-Real-Soon-Journal-Cards.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Templates-Start-to-Finish.html

Oh Deer Collection | Sahin Designs

Sahin Designs has just released her final collection of 2020. It's focused mainly on Christmas, but also has some content that can be used to document the new year. Introducing, the Oh Deer collection.

This collection will be on sale through Sunday for 20% off. If you happen to be a newsletter subscriber [and you absolutely should be!] watch your inbox for your chance to download the bundle for 50% off. Plus you get a free set of stamps if you purchase the whole bundle. 

Here's the layout I created using this collection: 

We are all doing our best to make the most of a crummy situation. 

Last weekend we made a couple of quick videos to share for a special birthday video. The four of us sat together, and after a few takes, had a snippet to send off. We were all laughing, because nothing seems funnier than videoing yourselves. 

Everything is different right now. Sometimes it feels like it's too much. 

But most of the time I just feel grateful for my people. 

The following Sahin Designs products were used: 

https://sahindesigns.com/products/oh-deer-elements/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/oh-deer-papers/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/oh-deer-cards/

December Daily - Days 5 & 7 | Favourite Things Collection | Sahlin Studio

I've been slowly working on my December Daily album. 

Each year, I anticipate using more physical products. And then, the ladies I create for come out with awesome digital products. I always anticipate my December Daily album will be more of an 'old fashioned scrapbook' with paper, glue, cutting and pasting, physical elements. Then I get great digital inspiration, and end up running with it.  

To be honest, it really doesn't matter how the album comes together, as long as it does. 

Sahlin Studio has decided to feature her latest release, through Christmas. You can get the whole bundle for 45% off up until Christmas Day.  

I've used this collection for a few other pages already, and have now added a few more. 

Day 5: 

I wanted this to be able to flip open, to include a bit of journaling. 

Day 7:

Last year was a monumental year, because we finished up the gigantic roll of Costco wrapping paper. So I was pretty excited to include something new. All of this digital product was from Sahlin Studio, except for the word wrap, which is from Kerri Bradford Studio. [I can't wait to use more of these words on another page somewhere in my album]

This album is a lot of work. But I'm always glad I've taken the time to do it. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

https://the-lilypad.com/store/favorite-things-paper.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/favorite-things-elements.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/favorite-things-journal-cards.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/December-Days-No-6-Numbers.html

PL2020 - Week 42 | Sahlin Studio

I realized I forgot to add Week 42 of my project life album, so here it is: 

• A shot of downtown, including foliage.
• Mason on the ice. It was so good to get back to something normal again, watching the kids play. Well, sort of normal, with all the signs, restrictions and mask wearing in place. Though watching them play was sadly short lived. 
• An outing with Trex. Being outdoors right now is how girls were meeting. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

All About Me Cards and Word Art: https://the-lilypad.com/store/All-About-Me-Cards-WA.html

December Daily - Day 4

So far, I've done a pretty decent job of keeping up with his album. To be honest, I'm impressed. 

It doesn't hurt that it's currently recommend we stay home right now. 

Here is Day 4:

The journal card and Merry & Bright were a freebie from Ali Edwards, 12 days of  giveaways, Christmas 2016.

Adding new coloured Christmas lights on the house this year, is awesome. 

Can't get away from this blue tinged colour of this photo. Black and white just wouldn't have had quite the same effect. I took my big camera out at several different times to capture the outside lights. 

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

December Daily - Day 3

So enjoying the warm temperatures right now. We know what's in store. 

Here's day 3 of my DD album.

I used Sahlin Studio - Home for the Holidays product on this page. 

December Daily 2020 - Day 2

Well, so far, I've managed to get the first two stories told. 

I KNOW I won't be able to keep this up. But I'll do my best not to get too far behind, and feel overwhelmed.

That is the opposite of how this project is supposed to make you feel. 

But the fact of the matter is, this is a labour intensive project.  And I love it. 

We are, like many people across North America, doing at-home school again.  

Making the most out of situations we have no control over. I'm hopeful next year Covid won't be all we talk about. But right now it is. And though we're all tired of it and wish it would go away, it will be taking up a lot of real estate in this years album. 

For this page I used Sahin Designs digital products, follow the links are below. 

Elements: https://sahindesigns.com/products/home-for-the-holidays-elements/

Paper: https://sahindesigns.com/products/home-for-the-holidays-papers/

December Daily 2020 - Day 1

Oh my goodness. December is here. 

I didn't get foundation pages together the way I have in the past, this year. 

I have had a hard time getting motivated, though I KNOW I will be putting an album together. 

Such a weird year this is going to be. 

Having said that, I finished Day 1. 

I have a flip up 3x4 sized flap that shows the under photo and includes my journaling. 

I used Sahlin Studio product on this layout, a combination of Holly Days and Favourite Things. 

Taking this project like everything else this year, one day at a time. 

To check out products I used, click the links below. 

Holly Days

Favorite Things

PL2020 - Week 43 | Sahlin Studio

December is the featured product this month at Sahlin Studio. On sale through the entire month of December, it's another great product you can use to help tell your December stories. 

Of course, you can use it to tell other stories as well. 

I used it on Week 42 of my project life album, which happened to be in October. You're probably confused because you assumed by the snow photos it was December. 

Nope. 

I just happen to live in Canada, where we're not surprised that it snows. Ever. 

An example that you can use product intended for one thing, for another. 

• Sitting reading, cozy on the couch with Libby. 
• Mason shovelling snow. 
• Don't ask... The plague mask comes out on occasion. 
• Felted bear for a friend. 
• City skyline on our way downtown.
• Family game night, the one where I won...

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

Elements and Paper: https://the-lilypad.com/store/December-Kit.html

Journal Cards: https://the-lilypad.com/store/December-Journal-Cards.html

Home for the Holidays | Sahin Designs

Sahin Designs just released Home for the Holidays collection, and I can not wait to add this collection to this years December Daily album. 

This collection is 30% off through November 30th, don't miss out! IF you're a newsletter subscriber, watch your inbox for your code to download the bundle for 50% off. Also, if you pick up the whole bundle, you will receive the printable colouring pages for free! 

I created this layout using the product.

Christmas this year, is going to look different. 

I've been focusing on joy. We put our tree up nearly two weeks ago. I had a sneaking suspicion that the white lights would make my heart happy. 

Guess what?

It did. 

The funny thing is, I've talked to so many people that have done the exact same thing. We are not letting Covid bring us down this year. We're making our own joy. 

Truthfully, that's one thing that we've learned over the past nearly 8 months. We have to control our attitude. Doing that makes a HUGE difference. 

So for now, I choose joy. 

This past Tuesday, our province was once again place in a State of Emergency. I'm much calmer about it this time around than I was last time. Though I was absolutely bewildered to walk past the toilet paper aisle and once again see it empty... What's up people? I will never understand this type of hoarding. 

The following Sahin Designs products were used: 

Elements: https://sahindesigns.com/products/home-for-the-holidays-elements/

Paper: https://sahindesigns.com/products/home-for-the-holidays-papers/

J.Cards: https://sahindesigns.com/products/home-for-the-holidays-cards/

Digital Stamps: https://sahindesigns.com/products/home-for-the-holidays-stamps/

PL2020 - Week 41 | Sahlin Studio

The days have become short.

It was super noticeable during week 41. We dropped Madelyn off at the rink for practice, walked Libby and raced to get back to the rink before it got dark. One positive aspect, the sunsets are amazing.  

Now, in mid-November, it's completely dark by 5:30. Probably even before that. This time of year is hard, that's one reason I've got all my Christmas decorations up. I love turning on the white lights. It just makes me happy. 

Week 41 of my project life album: 

• Checking out this amazing sunset through the trees of Confederation Golf course. 
• How surprised we were to see this rainbow one morning as Madelyn left for school. 
• Bought, thawed and cooked my first ever turkey.
• We had turkey with all the fixings, just the four of us. It felt weird. 
• Grateful for my crew, who all pitched in to get supper on the table. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

Photo Journal Templates Magazine: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Photo-Journal-Templates-Magazine.html

Favourite Things & November Template Freebie | Sahlin Studio

Favourite Things is the brand new release from Sahlin Studio, it's just in time to prepare for the holiday season. It's on sale until Sunday night [November 16th] if you purchase the whole bundle, you can get it for 45% off. Product links are at the bottom of the post.  

 

This year will be my 12th December Daily album.  

It will also be my first time documenting Christmas during a pandemic. Covid-19 is still going strong, and numbers are once again rapidly rising. 

I'm not quite as anxious about Covid now as I was back in March. But I've also been home, almost exclusively, for the past 8 months. 

We plan to enjoy this year by decorating earlier than usual. Twinkling white lights, make everything better. We celebrated Easter and Thanksgiving this year, without extended family. We are FOR SURE taking extra precautions over the next 5 weeks, so we can safely get together with family for Christmas. 

I've started working on this years December Daily album. I've already got a few pages done. I'm super happy with how they turned out. 

I'm a sucker for the Hallmark Christmas movies. Every one here groans and sighs at me, but the movies are just so darn sweet. Right now, hopeful and sweet are where it's at. Also, I got Barry on board last year, by playing drinking games while watching said movies. [I'm not going to lie, it certainly added an element of fun] 

This years first Christmas movie premiered on October 31st. I've already watched 2 of them since then.  I plan to update my layout and mark off movies that have been watched.  

Aside from Hallmark movies, we do have a few other favs. It's the one time of year I can get Barry to watch romantic movies without many complaints. Well, as long as I promise to watch Die Hard at some point during the holidays. He assures me, it's the ultimate Christmas movie. 😂 I go with it, because I actually like John McClane, I've even been known to quote him a few times. 

Here are pages that I'll tuck somewhere into this years DD album, highlighting this years new movie line up.  

I also used Favourite Things collection to create a quick layout, using Novembers template freebie. [Available to download for free - click here, through the month of November]

I use snapchat strictly for it's filters. 

I honestly, have no idea how the app works. And I don't care. 

I do know that I get a lot of joy out of taking photos with my favourite people, while using these silly filters. 

I'm already looking forward to this years crop of silly photos. Here are a few from last year: 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

https://the-lilypad.com/store/favorite-things-paper.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/favorite-things-elements.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/favorite-things-journal-cards.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/December-Days-No-6-Numbers.html

PL2020 - Week 40 | Sahlin Studio

Here is week 40 of this years project life album: 

• Waiting in the car at ringette practice, so much waiting...
• The Phantoms are looking pretty sharp with their new practice jerseys. 
• Enjoying each and every day of autumn. The colours are amazing. 
• While madelyn was at the Calgary Farmyard with her ringette group [wrangling chickens] Barry and I found a patio to hang out on. 
• Can't believe we're enjoying a morning coffee on the deck, in October. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

Photo Journal No. 3 Templates + Stamps: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Photo-Journal-No.-3-Templates-and-Stamps.html

Good Times | Sahin Designs

The Good Times collection was just released from Sahin Designs. 

You can get it for 20% off through the weekend, check it out! 

Newsletter subscribers, watch your inbox for a 50% off the bundle code! 

It's the perfect collection to document the different ways of spending family time together. Baking, cooking and eating, to name a few. 

It's released just in time for the American thanksgiving. But like most everything else this year, that is bound to look a little bit different. 

In Canada, we celebrate thanksgiving the first part of October. 

This was definitely a weird thanksgiving for us. We celebrated it as our little 4-some. Taking no chances of spreading Covid to any family members. 

It was the first turkey dinner we've ever planned, cooked and executed without the help of my Mumma. Though the bird was a tad over done, Heather with no Feathers, was a gorgeous specimen. Making a turkey dinner feast with all the fixings, was quite a feat. Once finished, a great accomplishment. 

I learned a few things along the way, and will definitely try my hand at it again. It wasn't as scary as I'd made it out to be. I also started a 'turkey journal' to remember the size, weight, time cooked etc. 

Here's the layout I created, using Good Times: 

I'm so thankful for this crew of mine, who helped at the final stages, when we needed to bring everything together. My wish is we'll be able to have everyone over at Christmas. Crossing our fingers and toes. 

The following Sahin Desigsn products were used: 

https://sahindesigns.com/products/good-times-elements/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/good-times-cards/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/good-times-papers/

PL2020 - Week 39 | Sahlin Studio

Looking back at these 'fall' photos, I just feel like we were so lucky. 

Of course, I do wish the colours could stick around for longer. It would be lovely if we had mild days right through November. Alas, we live in Canada. The weather shifts and changes crazy fast. 

Here's my week 39 layout: 

• Picking Miss Mad up from school. 
• Enjoying the fall colours this year, as much as possible. 
• We grew sunflowers this year, they were a huge success. Will definitely grow them again next year. 
• Celebrating Barry's birthday. Candles can still be blown out, if you serve a cupcake. 
• Waiting... at the rink. Only the athletes and coaches are allowed in. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

You are Here Elements: https://the-lilypad.com/store/you-are-here-elements-ss_youarehere_ep.html

You are Here J. Cards: https://the-lilypad.com/store/you-are-here-journal-cards.html

Lemonade | Sahin Designs

For Sahin Designs November creative gallery, I went back to sunny summertime. 

Madelyn has wanted to catch snakes, for as long as I can remember. 

This girl is absolutely fearless, when it comes to most things. 

The first snake we ever saw, was quite a few years ago, at Head Smashed-in Buffalo Jump in southern Alberta. The four of us were walking along some of the outside pathways and saw a large black snake ahead of us. Madelyn took off like a shot, headed directly for the snake. We all yelled stop! Thankfully she did, and the snake quickly slithered away. We think it might have been a bull snake. But didn't get a good enough look to know for sure. All I know is 3 of us stopped, and one wanted to investigate up close...

What I do know, it was a big snake. Also, I don't care much for snakes. 

She found a little snake in May, at her Grandma & Grandpa's house. Grandma was yelling "don't touch" but it was too late, she'd already scooped it up, fascinated by it. On our way home, all she could say was, this has been the 'best day ever'. 

On our camping trip near Pincher Creek, we saw 4 snakes. Madelyn caught 3 of them. 

I assume these were harmless little garter snakes, but I really have no idea. One thing I do know, she's not scared to catch things, that could potentially bite. 

I am. 

So she doesn't get her bravery from me. I don't like to pet strange dogs for heavens sake...

Naturally, I had to do a layout of her summer snakes. 

The following Sahin Designs products were used on this page: 

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

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

Home for the Holidays | Sahlin Studio

The November featured product for Sahlin Studio is Home for the Holidays. 

You can get it, through the entire month of November for 35% off!

For me, it came at the perfect time. Just when I'm beginning to think about putting my December Daily album together. 

December Daily... My most favourite, as well as the most 'all-encompassing', project of the year. 

This year, I didn't buy any new products for DD. Last year I was delighted with the Elle's Studio Document your December kit, but this year the shipping to Canada was off the charts. I just can't justify paying those prices in US dollars. 

So, this year, my album will be mostly digital. Though I have lots of left-over physical product from past years. I'm kind of excited about how it will turn out. I love some of my albums more than others, but what I do love is the 11 years of December Daily albums I can look back on. 

So, I created this 6x8 sized layout, that will be the title page, or close to the title page of this years album. 

We had family photos done in October. A Christmas mini session. It's been 2 years since we last had photos done. I am a photo person. Pictures bring me such joy. This is something that's worth doing, to me. I know I could have set up my camera and taken photos myself. [And sometimes I do] But the kids listen better, and don't roll their eyes as much when someone else is telling us what to do.

Looking forward to working on this years album. 

For sure a bright spot of 2020. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Home-for-the-Holidays-Elements.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Home-for-the-Holidays-Papers.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/December-Days-No-4-Numbers.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/

PL2020 - Week 38 | Sahlin Studio

Enjoying all the time we can spend outside, without having to be bundled up.

In my last few posts, I think I talked about all the snow we were getting. And we got a lot of it. The last few days, we've had chinook winds, and it melted nearly all of it! Hallelujah! We get to start with a clean slate again. I hope the snow holds off now until December.  

Back to week 38 of my project life album.

• Just loving the falls colours this year, we've been so lucky.
• Trying to get lots of dog walks in while Madelyn's at the rink.
• Kitchen corner before and after, not sure what took us so long, it opens the corner up so much. 
• Happy 22nd Anniversary to us. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

For Real Elements - https://the-lilypad.com/store/For-Real-Elements.html

For Real J. Cards - https://the-lilypad.com/store/For-Real-Journal-Cards.html

Cozy Nook Release | Sahin Designs

Sahin Designs newly released Cozy Nook Collection is now available.  

I keep thinking I couldn't love a new collection more than the last collection released, but I do. 

This one is perfect. Although where I live it seems we have gone from fall to winter, with no turning back. This is what it looks like in my neck of the woods currently. 

[More than a skiff of snow. Sorry garden, I seem to have dropped the ball this year. At least the mums I bought in September were spectacular, right up to this snowfall. We got to enjoy them for 6 weeks.]

Here is the Cozy Nook Collection, which is intended to be used for autumn, but can be used for winter as well. I'm telling you this from experience. 😉

The Cozy Nook collection on sale through Sunday October 25th, for 20% off.  [Newsletter subscribers, as usual, watch your inbox for your 50% off the bundle link!]

A bit of a side note, this collection is an add-on to the MPM [Memory Pockets Monthly] November Bundle,  Nest, found at the Lily-Pad.  A monthly collaboration that Elif is now a part of! If you happen to be an MPM subscriber, you can pick up these add ons for 35% off.

It's been snowing here for 4 days. 

Four days. 

So, I did exactly what you should do when it's snowing in October. I cozied up on the couch, with a blanket, hot tea and a book. [The Last Flight by Julie Clark] Libby, is never far away and always up for a snuggle. 

This year has been hard. And weird. I'm not going to lie, this weather isn't helping. Thank goodness for good books! Maybe this will be the winter I read more books than ever. 

Doing my best to remain positive and look on the bright side of things. Barry insists it's too early to put up our Christmas tree and decorate for the holiday season. For me, the white lights make my heart happy. It make things seem a little bit more magical. I won't put the tree up yet. I will at least wait for Halloween to be over. But I have a sneaking suspicion that 2020 will be the earliest our tree has ever gone up...

I'm so glad I have this hobby that allows me to tell all the story's of our lives.

The following Sahin Designs products were used: 

https://sahindesigns.com/products/cozy-nook-elements/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/cozy-nook-papers/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/cozy-nook-cards/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/cozy-nook-stamps-hobbies/

PL2020 - Week 37 | Sahlin Studio

In my last post, I talked about how when we had a warm summer, lasting through September, I was sometimes ready for the chillier weather....

I want to take that back. 

I lied. 

I'm not ready for boots and sweaters. I'm not ready to bundle up every time I leave the house. I'm not ready for scraping windows and shovelling sidewalks... I want my incredible autumn back. [The one that lasted exactly 3 weeks, according to the calendar]

So guess what. We have snow.  -3 degrees Celsius looks to be our warmest day for the next week. According to the long term forecast. Boots, mittens, toques and heavy coats have come out. I have already forgotten to give myself time to scrape car windows when planning to meet someone. 

Oh winter... Weren't you just here? Sorry to say, I haven't missed you. 

On to week 37 of my project life album. 

• The houses on either side of have gone up for sale... It's hard. You never know what you're going to get move in next door. We've been so lucky with neighbours for the past 15 years.
• First morning coffee, by myself, in a long, long time.
• Best friends.
• Loving the new evening routine of enjoying the sun in the front room for a while. 
• Forest fires in the United States, giving us this hazy sky. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

PM Fasteners: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Essentials-Fasteners.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Ouch-Elements.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Ouch-Journal-Cards.html

Fall is For Collection | Sahin Designs

For Sahin Designs October Creative Gallery, I chose to use the Fall is For Collection. 

I have mixed emotions when it comes to fall. 

On one hand, fall can be so lovely. Sometimes, on a good year, we get our 'second wind' when it comes to the weather. The days begin to grow noticeably shorter, leaves begin to change colour. Our landscape becomes stunning. On these good years, the days are remain warm, evenings enjoyable. [Lots of years however, we get an early snow and a killing frost, we end up missing all the beauty as leaves freeze to the trees, then just fall off. Those years in particular, are hard to take.]

On the other hand, we all know what comes after fall... Winter... Dreaded winter. Blowing snow and frigid temperatures. For that reason alone, fall seems a little bit like a state of mourning. Once the leaves are all gone, winter could happen at anytime. We always hope for no snow come Halloween, but lots of years the kids have gone out in snowsuits as Mother Nature refuses to cooperate. 

This year, after a spectacular July, August and September we have been enjoying the nicest fall in a long time. 

On lucky years like this, I actually look forward to the cooler temperatures.

Here is a quick layout I created. For the first time in quite a few years, I'm actually looking forward to it getting cooler. Not the snow, mind you, but not much we can do about that. 

The following Sahin Designs products were used: 

https://sahindesigns.com/products/fall-is-for-elements/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/fall-is-for-cards/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/fall-is-for-papers/