So, I used to work at a local scrapbooking store. Crazy, right? But, I was only teaching three out of four blocks a day at that point, my boss was awesome and gave us a wicked discount, and besides, it was fun. Like, kid-in-a-candy-store fun. School's-canceled-for-a-snow-day fun. Gold-digger-in-a-jewelry-store fun.

Ok, so that last one doesn't quite fit, but I bet that's fun if you're into that sort of thing.

So when we got in a whole boatload of Cosmo Cricket's Mr. Campy paper, of course I bought several sheets. Because, uh, I camp a lot or something? Or, maybe because I enjoyed the "looks like you dragged your paper through the dirt" look? The truth is, the line is adorable, but it's really not a colour palette I gravitate toward. That explains why it's never matched any of my photos before.

Until this one.
Dad and Saffron. A match made in heaven. And perfect for Mr. Campy and Creative Scrappers' sketch #79.

I was so excited when I put together this combo. The Bazzil Swiss Dot paper and the scalloped-edge cardstock were in my goody bag at the crop last weekend, and I had the Cosmo Cricket alphas left over from my March Paper Poppy kit. I was also super stoked to use the cute little Cosmo Cricket chipboard dogs that have been in my stash for ages.

***Editor's note: Are we sensing a trend here? Apparently I have an affection for all things Cricket. Who knew?!?
I grunged 'em all up a bit so they look like they go with that cute-and-dingy Mr. Campy. I used a walnut spray stain on the puppies and pounced some chalk ink over the alphas. I think they compliment my dad's muddy pooch perfectly.

I'd say Saffron knows a thing or two about gold-digger-in-a-jewelry-store fun. Emphasis on the digger.

No wonder my sister never wanted to play checkers with me.

So, here's a simple little layout from my time in Newfoundland last summer.

This was the only foggy day in my whole two weeks there. I was starting to think they made up all that "fog" stuff.Luckily, a friend who was at the crop last weekend is from St. John's and offered me this gorgeous map paper. I added some crystals and a journaling card from the April Paper Poppy kit, as well as a Prima flower, a Chatterbox make-your-own brad, and some Bo Bunny alphas.
Quickest. Page. Ever. But it upped my number of layouts completed this weekend.

First counting a double-pager as two layouts, and now this. I'm such a cheater.

Here's my first April Paper Poppy creation. Uhh, no joke here. It really is.

I have been at my favourite weekend crop event for the last two days, and here's what I accomplished:

1. I finished 7 layouts. One was a two-pager. I pretty much think that counts as 8.
2. I made a cute card for my niece's birthday, and two other lovely cards for Mothers' Day.
3. I was part of a team of dedicated individuals who likely set a new record for the most "that's what she said" jokes in a 48-hour period. It's really too bad the Guinness people weren't there.
4. I managed to buy my raffle tickets at precisely the right moment, which meant that I won a $200 scrapbooking shopping spree! Thank you, raffle gods. I shall never doubt you again.
   
5. I laughed my tail off for two days straight.

Here's the first of those 7 layouts, and it's my entry for the Paper Poppy Kit Co.'s April sketch challenge.
Yup. That's my ma. Pickin' strawberries. She's so awesome.I made this layout with my April Paper Poppy kit, those little Making Memories alpha stickers, approximately 6.5 questionably-inappropriate "that's what she said" jokes with Adrienne, and a whole wack o' Chalk Box inks.

I especially love that Pink Paislee pleated ribbon. Everyone was asking if I made it myself. Of course, I did the honourable thing and told them thank you but it came with my kit. I also passed on my little review: it's pretty, soft, and super easy to handle but just was a little too long.

Hehe. That's what she said.

Where have I been?!? I've been looking for me everywhere!

Ok, peeps. What a week it has been.

So, last week, I was so drained from having to find my inner drill sergeant at work that I couldn't post, or even read my usual blog haunts. And by "couldn't", I mean there weren't two coherent thoughts to bang together in the ol' noggin.

Then, I had an awesome weekend, but I lost the little cord that attaches my camera to my computer. (And seriously, when you see the photos, you'll know why I couldn't post without them.)

So, here's how the weekend went down.

On Friday, Cliff went to visit his parents, and so I was left by my lonesome. So, what's a single gal to do?

Go to an '80s "murder mystery" birthday party, of course! (Duh!)

My name was to be "Randy Reporter", a creatively named...uhh...reporter.

Friday was occupied by a lengthy trip to Value Village, where I bought this sexy little ensemble.

One must attend these functions in style, you know. Penciled-in Brooke-Shields eyebrows and all. Nothing says "hotty" like a shoulder-padded polyester blouse in the perfect shade of "zombie skin."

***Editor's note: I think I need to frame this photo. It clearly will make the perfect focal point of a room if I ever go through a "Designing Women/Working Girl" decorating phase.

I took my role seriously. Here I am interviewing Bailey Babble, the town gossip.

I think she's saying, "Your outfit is stunning. I must know the name of your personal shopper," and I'm like, "Who, me?" and batting my eyelashes.

And then, I gave this little gift-card holder to my girl, Leena, who was celebrating her birthday that night:
And then I went home, scrubbed off my eyebrows, crawled into bed spread-eagle right smack-dab in the middle and thanked my lucky stars that: a) once in a while, a weekend alone feels nice; and b) I don't have to wear my pants pulled up to my ribcage on a regular basis. Seriously. Ouch.

Pondering after a busy and vexing week at school.

I've been tagged!

Ilene, a super-talented scrapper whose blog I recently stumbled upon, has tagged me in a blogging chain. Isn't she sweet? Thanks, Ilene!

The deal is, I have to list 10 things that make me happy, 5 pieces of trivia about myself, and then pass this award along to 5 of my favourite bloggers.

So, onward and upward.

Things that make me happy:

1. Laughing with Cliff
2. When a student comes up with something brilliant that I've never thought of before or that I didn't expect them to get
   
3. When a student achieves a personal best
4. Starbucks grande non-fat Tazo chai lattes
5. My dog and cat when they're doing something funny
6. Uninterrupted scrap time
7. Finding something awesome at Value Village
8. Getting to spend time with my family, especially when my niece and nephews are involved
9. Long weekends
10. Road trips with people I love
    

5 Pieces of trivia about me:

1. I have literally been addicted to Labello (now Nivea) lip balm since high school. No other kind will do, and without it, my lips start to hurt within a day. I think I am single-handedly keeping that company in business.
   
2. Other people's gum disgusts me. There are only two good places for chewed gum: your mouth, or the garbage can. Anywhere else makes me want to wretch. Sitting in the cafeteria at lunch in high school was the worst for me. Why, oh why, must you stick your gum on the edge of your plate?
   
3. All my life I wanted a weiner dog, and just before Christmas break in my third year of university, Cliff brought one home for me wrapped up in a flannel blanket. I bawled.
   
4. Crafting for me began at a very early age. I remember making puppets, especially. Do any of you Canadians remember "Take Part", a kids' show that was on in the late '80s and early '90s? I basically could not get enough of their craft tutorials. Fast-forward 20 years, and I'm still enthralled by glue and paper and felt and buttons. As my mom always says, people don't change that much.
5. My favourite restaurant is the Blue Bayou in Disneyland. Mmm, crab cakes and creme brulee. Though for convenience' sake, it would have been nice to choose something a little closer to home.
   

And now, "Tag! You're it!" to five of my favourite blogging peeps whose work you must check out:

1. Adrienne from Happenscraps, etc.
2. Jen from Scrapping Daze
3. Mandi from Tidbits from the Tremaynes
4. Katie from Katie's Nesting Spot
5. Pearl from Pearl's Paperfections

And while you're at it, go and check out Ilene's blog for a wealth of scrappy inspiration!

Happy Sunday!

This little birdy says "Thank You"

When your guy's mom sends you a beautiful new blue purse for spring, you send her a handmade "thank you" card.

I think the bird stamp says "Thank you for adding a little more colour to my world!"Or maybe, "You make me so happy I poop flowers".

Either way, I think she'll know I'm grateful.