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/

PL2020 - Week 36 | Sahlin Studio

This year, the beginning of September came with much anticipation. 

Kids finally headed back to school. 

And although I say kids, plural, only one of mine headed back to this year. 

It hasn't him me yet. Probably because this year has been so darn weird. We've been home since mid-March. I'm hoping for the best, because I know Madelyn for sure needs this. But to only have one going back, after all these years, is unusual. 

Here's week 36:

• Madelyn sitting in the back yard with her plague mask on. It makes me laugh especially when there's an open houses happening next door.
• First day of grade 10. Not sure how that's possible.
• Libby has been getting into dirt in the backyard.
• This time of year, they evening sky can be amazing.
• Crossing our fingers that the forecast for the abrupt weather change is wrong. [Spoiler alert it was]
• Barry enjoying a day on the golf course.
• Sittiing outside, listening to music with cheeky kids. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

Photo Journal No. 2 Template: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Photo-Journal-No-2-Templates.html

Charmed Kit Sampler: https://the-lilypad.com/store/CHARMED-Kit-Sampler.html

3x4 Photo Templates vol. 1: https://the-lilypad.com/store/3x4-Photo-Templates-Vol-1.html

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

Project Mouse (Princess) Adventurous | Sahlin Studio

Sahlin Studio has just released another brand new Project Mouse collaboration. This one is called Project Mouse (Princess) Adventurous. 

This collaboration features 3 different princess: Mulan, Merida and Pochahontas.

The entire bundle is available right now for 33% off.

I used the Pocahontas the Pocahontas Bundle:

 

And the Mulan bundle:

You can buy the individual bundles fo 30% off.

Here are the layouts I created: 

Gosh, Madelyn was only 6 when we went to Disneyland. It was such a magical age,  her being 6 and Mason being 9. I would love to get there again, knowing full well, this would be a different trip. 

I wonder if Disneyland will ever open again... I wonder if we'll ever be able to go across the border again. What I wonder the most, is when will we feel safe to travel...

Love this photo of tiny her, in this huge space. The words on the journal card were accurate then, and they're accurate now. 

Mulan was one of the Princess we met on our visit. 

Disney employs the best people for these jobs. They do in fact make the dreams of little girls come true. For that I'm grateful. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

Pocahontas 

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Princess-Pocahontas-Kit.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Princess-Pocahontas-Cards.html

Mulan

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Princess-Mulan-Kit.html

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Princess-Mulan-Cards.html

Boo & Stuff | Sahin Designs

You guys. 

It's October.

And you know what that means, all things pumpkin and Halloween-y.  

Still getting so much enjoyment out of our fall colours. The temperatures have been amazing, though now when you're standing in the shade, you do notice the chill that's there. The last time I remember our autumn being this nice, at this time of year, was 2008.  Barry and I came back from celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary in Greece. I remember being so thrilled when we returned, that we still got to experience fall.

Wow, that was a while ago...

Speaking of fall, Sahin Designs has just released her newest collection, Boo & Stuff. I love it. Halloween is one of my favourites. 

If you didn't already know, this weekend is NSD [National Scrapbook Day] because of that, this collection [and many others on her website] are 40% off! So get there before midnight Sunday, October 5th for the chance to download some great products at great savings! 

Don't forget that newsletter subscribers will receive an email with a link for 50% off this collection!

This collection is awesome, and I'm in love with the little vellum ghosts. Like seriously, how cute are they?

I created this 8x10 sized layout, to document some of the couple costumes we came up with for our Halloween parties. 

Some of our Costumes were: 

• Beth and Dog - Bounty Hunters
• John and John's wife - Hutterites
• Cleopatra and Caesar
• Angel and Devil

We thought our parties were fun. Everyone came dressed up.  Lots of great food, lots of our guests contributed an appy. We had prizes for best costume, best couple. The kids were little, so we sent them for a sleep over and Ama & Baba's. Fun times indeed. Maybe one day we'll get back to adult Halloween parties again. I'm always on the look out for the perfect couple costume ideas. 

The following Sahin Designs products were used:

https://sahindesigns.com/products/boo-stuff-elements/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/boo-stuff-papers/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/boo-stuff-cards/

https://sahindesigns.com/products/boo-stuff-stamps/