2024 Special | Dunia Designs

The last thing I did as a guest member at Dunia Designs was create a title page for my 2024 project life album. I used Everyday Project | 2024 Special. You can find the link below, it is on sale for a very short while, and will be perfect to use for you 2024 albums and pages. 

It's hard to believe that we're nearly at the end of 2023 already. I swear time just keeps going by faster. 

The following Dunia Designs products were used:

https://the-lilypad.com/store/Everyday-Project-2024-Special.html

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

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

Autumn Title Words | Dunia Designs

Autumn weather has arrived. 

I used Autumn Title Words to create both layouts below. On sale for a short time for 50% off the regular price. 

This layout is a pocket page style.

This 2nd layout is set up as a travelers notebook. 

There is one member of our family who is beyond thrilled to pull out sweaters and toques. We don't all feel the same way. 

The following Dunia Designs products were used:

Autumn Title Words: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Title-Words-Autumn-Dunia.html

Autumn Collection: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Autumn-Collection-Dunia.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

PL2022 - Week 2 | Sahlin Studio

January turned out to be more eventful than we'd wished for. Barry and I ended up coming down with Covid... Considering we rarely leave the house, we're not totally sure where it came from. He got it first, then lovingly passed it along to me. Thankfully, we both experienced mild head cold like symptoms. The biggest challenge of it was to isolate away from the kids and stay home. Which we've been doing, but when you  HAVE to stay home, it becomes quite a hardship...  

• Looking up cold symptoms, vs covid symptoms. Let me be clear here, we had NONE of the typical covid symptoms. It just felt like a crummy cold, but we tested and it was positive.
• Working through 30 day yoga journey this month. 
• Eating by ourselves in the dining room, the kids served and made all our meals. They were really helpful. 
• Before finding out we were postitive, Mason & his sweetheart checked out the wolf dog sanctuary. 

The following Sahlin Studio products were used: 

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

Winter Stories - J. Card: https://the-lilypad.com/store/Winter-Stories-Journal-Cards.html

PL2021 - Week 3 | Sahlin Studio

It's taken me a few weeks to get into the groove of my new pocket page format, but I think I'm finally there. 

One awesome bonus of this new format is, I don't need to trim pictures any more. I simply slide them into the sleeve. Not that trimming pictures was super time consuming, but these pages do come together surprisingly fast now. 

Also, I just picked up my very last batch of photos at Costco, in person. It looks as though I'll still be able to order photos on-line, but now they'll be delivered to me instead. I'm a bit skeptical about how this will work. I'll let you know when my first order arrives. 

Here is week 3 of my project life album:

• I don't get too many opportunities take selfies with both kids at the same time any more, but I got 2 this week. One with our masks on, and the other when we made a trip to Costco.
• Masks everywhere we go. On the bright side, it keeps my face warmer in the chillier temps. 
• Miss Libby, sunning herself at the back door. 
• Mason helping out with some snow removal. 
• 
  

I used the following Sahlin Studio product:

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

PM Frozen J. Cards - https://the-lilypad.com/store/Project-Mouse-Ice-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/

August Template Release | Sahin Designs

It's template time again! 

Sahin Designs August template is available and, as always, it's awesome.

Many of Elif's template releases give you to choice between two template possibilities. Both of which are included in the download. Such a great option. I really appreciate having a choice.  

I decided to use this template to share the photo of Barry and I with Mason. Our graduate. 

After the shake up this year, and cancellation of grad, the mood was low. I think the mood was lower for Barry and I, than it was for Mason. We did have the opportunity to celebrate with the graduating class of 2020, in early August. It was an event planned by a fellow student. There were only 68 people there, including the grads and their parents. It was so, so nice. 

This was definitely a rainbow in an uncertain time. This gathering was small, intimate. Not a detail was left out. The venue was perfect, it took place outside, under tents. The weather happened to be perfect, lucky us. It was so much better than a huge gathering at a convention centre would have been. 

The kids all dressed up fancy. Boys wore their suits, girls wore their beautiful dresses.  It was very formal looking, yet super casual. I was so thankful that the kids got to celebrate this momentous occasion. 

They had even hired a photographer for the night, so kids were able to get all sorts of photos. 

I'm so very thankful for the family that planned this. It meant so much to everyone. 

The following Sahin Designs products were used: 

Template: https://sahindesigns.com/30-50-off-quarterly-sale-new-layout-templates/

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

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