More Grad Photos!!!

So my niece graduated from grade 9 this year and wanted to have her Auntie Allison do some fun photos for her and some friends and of course I complied!!!!  

I seriously LOVE LOVE LOVE doing photos of teenagers... know why????  They actually love seeing themselves in photos!!!    It's sad, really, that somewhere between this age and my age (44), women begin to hate having their photo taken and "almost always" dislike themselves in photos.  Really sad.

I love how teenagers are so keen and eager to try almost anything for a fun photo including climbing a tree or dancing and twirling and jumping in the air.  I wish all clients were so carefree because that's when you can really capture some unique shots!!!!

And nothing beats a great studio shot!!!  This is where the close-ups are magic :)

Thanks to all the lovely ladies who played with me and my camera today and a super special thanks to my niece for simply being the delightful friend of so many... it's no wonder you won a special award today at school... soooooooo proud!!!!!

A day of lockdowns, flat tires, rain and birds!!!

The day started with my alarm failing to go off resulting in us all sleeping in.  Not good when my kids are writing their finals!!!

And I knew driving them to school was NOT an option as my van had a serious flat tire, the spare was also flat (not that I know how to change it!) and Brad was out of town with the other vehicle.

Fortunately we got dressed, ate breakfast, packed lunches and managed to still catch the bus all within about 20 minutes!!  We even got a bit of SS review in there (did you know that the Act of Union was in 1840?)

So with no means of transportation, I resigned myself to play "Molly Maid" today and reward myself with some scrapbooking assignments (working on my "Scrapbook Your Faith" article for Canadian Scrapbooker!) all while watching the Fifa World Cup of course!!!  

All was going well, but I knew I should be heading over to our new house to do some last checks as our walk-through is tomorrow so I got a lift from my sis-in-law and planned to walk/run home when done.

While at the new home (where I realized I had NOT brought the important checklist... ARGHHH!!) unbeknownst to me, my kids' school was in LOCK DOWN!!!  Apparently there was a threatening phone call at about 1:30pm and things swung into action... police were called and students were made to sit silently on the floor in the classrooms for 2.5 hours... SILENT... for 2.5 hours... on the floor... Jr. Highs!!!

As I was heading out to RUN back home to meet my kids, the storm clouds were finally releasing their pent up forces and I found myself running in the rain, thunder and lightening... and my knee was beginning to throb, but I really wanted to get home!!

It's funny cuz as I was running, I kept seeing all these beautiful birds and some were even seeming to follow me along the route... they were enjoying the moisture and truthfully, so was I.  I love how God seems to use birds in my life to remind me of how much He cares and to let me know that He is in control even when my day seems out of control or a storm is brewing around me!!  Birds don't worry... and I don't need to either... God's got my back.

So although red faced, soaked and sore-kneed when I got home, I actually felt AWESOME and was delighted to be able to hug my kids!!!  You never know what can come your way on any given day and although today had it's challenges, I'm so grateful that everyone is safe... including Brad who arrived safe and sound from Detroit through "tornado warning weather" here in Calgary!!

And although I really don't have a clue about the types of birds there are out there, the two posted here are just like the ones I saw along my run... aren't they beautiful????!!!!!!  May YOU hear the same message from a loving God whenever you see a bird :)

Crop and Cruise 2010 Featured Instructors!!!

Kiki is the owner and graphic designer for Kiki Art, one of Canada's newest companies!  Kiki has been a crafter all her life from making paper-mache puppets with her dad to cake decorations with her mom and painting, drawing and countless other forms of art in between.  She discovered scrapbooking as an exchange student in Kansas 20 years ago and hasn't stopped playing with papers ever since!

Kiki's scrapbooking style depends on her mood and the music playing in the background... sometimes clean and simple and others busy and bright, but always using anything she can get her hands on to add volume and texture!  She loves layouts, mini-albums, home decor and altered objects of all sorts!

Originally from Argentina, Kiki has enjoyed the experience of many different countries and cultures around the world, but finally found her home in Montreal, Quebec where she currently lives with her husband, children and a puppy dog who all know how to keep her busy!

You can learn more about Kiki and Kiki-Art HERE!!!

  

Sonja is an avid scrapbook designer, entrepreneur and passionate instructor!  Her designs have garnered national and international recognition within the industry and her passion has resulted in several design team positions, published work and teaching jobs for companies such as Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine, BC Creative Expo and BC Crop for Kids!

Sonja's classes are jammed packed with techniques, tips and methods that will inspire you long after class is finished!  She is also the creator of "The Inspired Scrapper" challenge blog featuring some of Canada's top designers.

Sonja lives in beautiful British Columbia with her four children, Isaiah, Charlie, Abby and Lilah and dog Tuco all who provide her with ample photo ops!

You can learn more about Sonja and her work HERE!!

Allison's happy place is to be anywhere with her camera teaching others her top tips and tricks!! She writes a regular column called "Lights! Camera! Action!" for Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine, appears regularly on TV helping Canadians improve their scrapbooking and photography skills and has been published numerous times including 12 front covers.

One of Allison's favourite roles is hosting the Crop and Cruise Scrapbooking cruises for Canadians where her goal is to keep photography fun and help you learn to use YOUR camera to capture amazing photos during the vacation!!  She is always as practical as possible and only as technical as necessary and is always on the hunt for a fun and unique shot!

In her spare time, Allison plays house in Calgary, Alberta with her "gorgeous gadget guy" husband and two "delightfully fun" kids.

You can learn more about Allison HERE!!

Guess who made the Nikki Sivils Design Team??

So I met Nikki Sivils at CHA last winter and she is simply one of those really talented artists (and cute to boot!) that you can tell is genuine and loves this industry!!!  Her booth was right by the exit that Christy Riopel and I passed by each day so we popped in a fair bit to see all the lovely eye candy she had!!!!

So recently when I heard that Nikki had a design team call out, I immediately thought of one other talented and genuine artist that I thought would be a perfect fit!!!  When I contacted her, she was already on it and was anxious to apply and so it came as no surprise when we learned this week that she made it!!!!!  Many of you are very familiar with her... my "scrappin' soul sista"...

Jill Hildebrand!!

Here's one of her stunning cards she made...

So please join me in congratulating Jill and all the other talented artists that Nikki Sivils announced this week and be sure to watch for her fabulous supplies at your local scrapbook store (and if it's not there, ASK FOR IT!!).  And be sure to check out Jill's BLOG to see more of her work!!

Canmore Weekend

I had the privilege of teaching two workshops this past weekend in Canmore!!  I think Canmore has got to be one of my most favourite places EVAH as it's only 1 hour away from Calgary and located in the beautiful Rocky Mountains!!!  

I was teaching a Strengthsfinder workshop for the staff at Fifth Avenue Athletic Club and this is where we got to stay!!!!  The Mystic Springs Chalets... our chalet was the one at the end of the pool and check out my bed!!!!!

And speaking of pool... my kids spent a TON of time in it!!!  And of course I had fun taking a TON of photos!!!  I especially love these ones as I've been realizing lately how fortunate I am that my kids are best friends and LOVE to hang together and play together.  I grew up this way with my own brother so I guess I don't know anything different, but people have been commenting lately about how much their kids fight and think it's strange that mine don't!!  Don't get me wrong, they do have their moments, but they really do get along well and truly enjoy each other's company!! 

And I'm also thankful for a most amazing husband!!  This one is not a new revelation, however!!!  I've known this since the day I decided I wanted to marry him!  I'll have to share that story sometime, but I couldn't have picked a better husband and father... 

The kids had so much fun playing with their Daddy and Brad got a work out helping them "soar"!! 

And the older Justin is getting, the more I see him looking like his Daddy... both in actual looks and in behaviour and personality!!  Look at my two guys... LOVE LOVE LOVE this shot!

And my precious little "mini-me" Lindsey!!!!  I am constantly amazed at how much like ME she is...

And Canmore is a hotbed of biking trails so Brad and the kids biked from Canmore to Banff the one day!!  Took them about 2 hours to do the trip (and no bear or cougar sightings!!)

But we did get to see this wildlife... they are so used to humans being around that they definitely don't run scared!!  Makes for great photos :)

And Canmore has one of my all-time favourite stores!!!  It's called Willow and I can spend hours in there and this time I let myself splurge on a few new items for my new house!!!  Check out their website and you'll see why I LOVE this store!!  The only thing that would have made it better would have been if my "interior designer friends" Jill Hildebrand and Christy Riopel had been there with me to help me pick!!!  Hmmmm.... a girlfriend scrapbooking/shopping get-away in Canmore... kay girls, let's plan it!!!!!

SALE!!

Crop and Cruise is having a SALE on our next scrapbooking cruise to the Western Caribbean November 14-21, 2010!!!

WHY?? Our Canadian dollar has been doing great recently and with all cruises booked through American cruiselines, we decided that we want to pass the savings on to YOU!! So for a limited time only, you can SAVE up to $140 per person AND receive this highly coveted Tropical NEATNIX Tool Kit ($40 value) for FREE!!

AND... see what's inside the Neatnix Tool Kit???? A WESCOTT trimmer and scissors that ALL our scrapbookers will receive on board!!!! And that's only the beginning of the goodness that is coming your way!!

Our goal with every Crop and Cruise is to have you bring as LITTLE as possible and we send you home with as MUCH as possible!!!! In fact on our last cruise, the tote bag alone contained over $350 worth of supplies, combined with $200+ value in classes and prizes worth over $1000... you can see why Crop and Cruise truly IS the ultimate in scrapbooking cruises!!

If you are interested in joining us and taking advantage of this SALE, please register online at www.CropandCruise.com or email us at info@cropandcruise.com for more information!!

Just imagine!!!!!