BLOG CANDY EXTRAVAGANZA!!!

If you are into cardmaking, stamping, or scrapbooking then definitely check out this link for an awesome contest.
The items are adorable and beautiful so be sure to take a peek and follow the instructions, entries close today.
http://crissysartnheart.blogspot.com/2009/07/blog-candy-extravaganza-plus-sneak.html

Here is just one of the items included:

The planning stages - USA roadtrip

For years now I have wanted to take a cross county road trip, across the USA. I know as a Canadian I should want to see my country but I have to be honest and say not really, lol.

I have driven from Vancouver to Winnipeg and do plan to include parts of Ontario and the Maritimes in this road trip so I have covered quite a bit of this huge country.

Now when I say I am planning you have to be aware that this is for probably just under 2 years away, given that Brendan has only just turned 4 I want to be sure that he will at least remember some of it. I have found that Trevor really doesn't have many real memories of the trip we took to New York when he was 5 but anything after that he does so I am hoping the same will be true for Brendan.

Also although I don't plan to plan every second of every day I do like to travel with itineraries, without them I just find my family goes around and around in circles. This type of itinerary will (without taking over my life) take quite a bit of time to complete and I want to be sure that we get the most out of each place we visit.


Here is the quick itinerary I have put together, now this is only as detailed as cities at this time but if you can think of any major places I am missing or any awesome places in the cities listed that you don't think we should miss I would love your feedback. I do have it ending in L.A. as we have done that leg of the trip so many times already that I believe this will be the place we fly home from, only after visiting with Mickey of course.


Niagara Falls
Ottawa
Montreal
Quebec City
Moncton, NB
Charlottetown
Halifax
Boston
Providence
New York City
Philadelphia
Atlantic City
Washington D.C.
Norfolk VA
Savannah
Orlando Fl
Memphis
Nashville
Louisville
Chicago
Minneapolis
Rapid City
Yellowstone
Salt Lake City
Grand Canyon
San Diego
Anaheim

We are hoping to have at least 45 days to do this, like I said just in the early planning stages but I love planning trips.

Where did the weekend go!

Where did the weekend go??? It felt as if Friday evening arrived and then poof it was Sunday night. We did have a great weekend, the weather was comfortable which is always nice for Rory as the heat just wears him down.

The boys let me sleep in on Saturday which was a nice treat but boy does it ever throw the day off balance , I think this is one reason it felt as if the weekend was going so fast.

On Saturday we packed up the kids to take them to a place here in Langley called Critter Care. This is a non-profit place that takes in orphaned deer, bear, skunks, raccoons, opossum, basically if it has legs and no Mom it's in :)

Once a year they have an open house to teach people what they do there and to raise money. I had planned on doing this for about a week but honestly had no idea the number of people that were there and planning just like I. So unfortunately we didn't get to take the tour because it was 1 1/2 hour wait and we had to go to a birthday party. We did have lunch, make our donation, the boys played in a fire truck and we watched a dog dancing show (still not really sure what the point of that was)

Following Critter Care we went to my sil's birthday party. The kids were able to swim and it was a great day/evening. We didn't get home until midnight so you can imagine we did pay for this on Sunday but it was worth it as everyone had fun!



On Sunday I completed a 2 page layout that I will be listing sometime today. I'm not sure if it's because I don't normally work with pink (two boys not a lot a pink happening, lol) but I just don't feel this one, thinking like I said it's just the color, it throws me off.

I have some cards and tags on the go tonight but of course only to be done after watching the Bachelorette, for those of you that watch I must say I was very relieved that she got rid of Wes, what a snake!!!

Anyway I hope to have those new cards listed tomorrow and sometime this week there will be an Etsy food seller feature, can't wait to do that, so many great items available.

Etsy artist feature - July 9th

Way back when I started this blog I was doing a regular feature of really awesome Etsy artists and would like to start this up again. So once a week I will be doing an Etsy artist feature, it may be just one or a few and I hoping to always show different themes. This week there isn't a theme as I am just getting back into it, actually strike that, the theme this week is that they are all great with unique items to showcase :)
So here it goes, I would love for you to take a look and support these wonderful sellers.

Valentine Photography
http://www.valentinephotography.etsy.com/

This Etsy seller has some of the most beautiful photographs I have seen. All different types of themes including landscapes, flowers, bees & butterflies, and much more. This shop even features free shipping to anywhere in the US.

Here are just a couple examples of the beautful work to be found:

Sasha Sews
http://www.sashasews.etsy.com/

Here is a relatively new seller to Etsy but one with great talent! I love the idea of sewing but have never been able to get it, not sure why, but this seller sure does get it! Bags are the passion here and they are beautiful. So if you are looking for a new bag be sure to check out this seller.

d'Pholk Designs
http://www.dpholkdesigns.etsy.com/

Finally this last seller I am featuring this week has items I would love to fill my home with. All beautiful and wonderfully unique. This shop has a great blend of Fused Glass and decorative art.
So if you are ever in need of a wedding gift, Christmas gift, or a just because I deserve something beautiful be sure to visit this shop, I am sure you will find something that is perfect!
This seller also offers free shipping to the US and Canada on the fused glass pendants.

So again I would love you to check these sellers out, it is always great to support small business and handmade!

Cheers