Ode to Autumn

Here's what I've been working on for the past week or so, I had so much fun making my "hand-made" Summer book a few months ago that I decided to do one for Fall, my most beloved of Seasons. Again, ripped out pages from the Fall Toast catalogue (the clothes are too expensive but they have beautiful photography, and great non-glossy paper to work with!), and used very little photos, just added bits and pieces and scraps and tried to get as much journaling in as possible.

[Journaling is probably the hardest thing for me, it's something I want to improve on, so this is good practice.]

I'm going back to "regular" scrapping now, I cleaned off my scrap desk and re-arranged some things, added some much needed light, so I'm hoping that it will make me sit down and get more layouts done. I was looking at the RV kit for October and it looks soo fun, I wish I could play with it! Unfortunately money is going to become a little tight in the next few months, so luxuries such as that must be put aside. Besides, I have plenty of scrap goodies to play with, I haven't even used everything from my kits I got in March and July!

Tonight is Heather and I's first night of Halloween fun. Last night we went and got all our supplies to have a crafty night (skulls and glitter, oh my), and we are going to watch the first in our series of scary/Halloween-ey movies, "Sleepy Hollow". I've never seen it but it's Johnny Depp and Tim Burton set in New England in the 1700 (1800?)s, how could I not like it?!

Our candy bucket has officially made an appearance in our house, which means it's Halloween time, and I love it. I bought some super creepy jelly cockroaches and spiders and rats for my windowsill, I'll post some pics of it when I get it all done, it's going to be spooky!

We are heading to McAdam this weekend to visit my brother in law and sister in law, and 2 little nephews, one of whom I've never met, so that's very exciting. I'm going to bring my camera and hope that the weather is nice so that we can take a walk (McAdam is in the middle of nowhere in the woods, but at this time of year that's a good thing), and I can snap some much needed Fall pics.

Well I suppose that's all, Happy Thursday everyone!

September, where have you gone?

"Hmm, that's odd, the blood usually gets off on the 2nd floor."

-Mr. Burns, Treehouse of Horror V

^^^

I'm offically into Halloween mode now. I've been watching some Treehouses of Horror (annual tradition), and the quotes just make me laugh so much, there are some really good ones.

This month has gone by so quickly I can't believe it. It makes me sad knowing that half of Fall is gone essentially, but I'm also excited for October, which is probably my favourite month of the year. So much to look forward to, so much to do! Heather and I made a "Heather and Geneviève's October Spooktacular" calendar with all our activities laid out for the month. We have pumpkin carving, a "spooky" dinner party, 3 craft nights, a Halloween inspired photoshoot, and every week we are going to watch a scary movie. It's going to be so fun!!

Anyway, just wanted to share some pics of the beginning of my living room wall collage. I've seen plenty of decor magazines with collages like these and I love them so much, so I've decided to start one with what I have, and I'll built onto it when I find more treasures. I got the cross stitch and the oval frames from Value Village, and I inserted a picture from a Toast catalogue in the other frame, I'll switch it out when I get tired of it. I also have my little deer plaque I've had since I was a baby and my Flea market frame. Soon I hope to fill the entire space above the couch, but half the fun will be hunting for what I want to add.






I finished my Fall book last night, I'm scanning it tonight, I'll probably post tomorrow.

Until then, welcome Spook Month!

Preparing for a weekend of...

sleeping, tidying, mopping, dusting, sweeping, laundering, picture hanging, rain watching, movie renting, crafting, contact paper installing, closet organizing, sandal storing, cookie eating, hair cutting and hubby kissing.

I ordered my glasses today. Two pairs. One "nerdy" and one less nerdy. Can't wait to get them...in 2 weeks. Darn me and my Marfan.

Working on another Toast pages "book" like the one I made this summer. Hope to get alot of it done this weekend, I will post again if I do :)

So, I had some leftover contact paper from when I did my cupboards, and it hit me one night in bed that I should made decals out of it, like I saw on Rachel's blog, so I made a branch for my room and quickly did a free hand "Love" for my living room. Not sure if I'll keep them, but the neat thing is that if I don't like them, I can just remove them and try something else!



Been annoyed lately with my body. Its lack of fertility is something I try not to think about, but as that 1 year mark approaches, I can't help but wonder what the hell is going on. Time is passing, we're getting older, and I want this stage of my life to begin. I keep hoping for the best, that's all I can do at this point. But I am annoyed.



Well, that's all. My mind's blank, time for sleep (been super tired lately, it's the Season.)

Night night. Happy Weekend everyone.

Who's afraid of the big bad wolf...

Welcome Autumn.

Oh my word...

...I scrapped. It's a friggin' miracle. And, even more, it's a 12X12! And, gasp, I used a REALLY hard sheet of BG patterned paper that I would have otherwise never been able to use. But I've decided during my weeks long hiatus that I'm not going to be so hard on myself when I scrap, I'm not going to compare myself to the girls I so admire, I'm not going to worry about technique or which products I'm using or if everything looks exactly perfect, I'm just going to sit down, scrap what I can manage and be happy about it. And you know what? It worked.

I have a bunch of pictures from my sister's wedding, and since her colours were pink, black and white, most of my pages will have those colours and nothing else. I also decided to play in the the OLW challenge, which was "Love". Easy peazy.

[Story behind the journaling: My sister decided to make cupcakes for her wedding instead of a traditional cake, so she spent hours making around 80 cupcakes, and I helped her ice them all. Then, when the wedding day came, we brough them over to the site and stored them somewhere to keep cool, since it was August, and then with the hussle bussle of the wedding and meal, everyone completely forgot about them. By the time they remembered, everyone had gotten up from their tables and were scattered all over, making it impossible to eat them. So, all those cupcakes went to waste. So sad, but true. Also, so Daphné.]

Supplies: B&G & Love Elsie, Sassafrass flower, MM letter stickers, office label, Hello Kitty sticker, Wal Mart ribbon trim, K&Co die cut shapes, Hambly overlay.

Thanks for looking! Hopefully there will be more to come soon! :)
G.

2 years ago [yesterday...]

...I was walking down an aisle made of dirt under gorgeous grapeleaves at a beautiful nursery, surrounded by friends and family, to "Canon in D". My dress had pollen and dirt on it, my curls were starting to fall out from the heat, and my husband-to-be was wearing the wrong (and very shiny) shoes. My grand-papa's Rosary was looped around my 15$ bouquet I had made the night before, and I don't remember a thing that we said as our vows. We ate pork and orzo, sweated to death in the cozy dining room, and took pictures in the garden. We cut the pie, and Dan fed himself, and people laughed. We relaxed, kissed and left for our honeymoon by 8pm [afternoon perfection.] I loved every second of that day, and remember it with more joy every year.

Since it was our 2 Year Anniversay, Dan and I talked about [over our romantic Chicken Burger dinner], the past year, the good and bad. Here are some reflections I've had about my 2 year marriage to my best friend and Balance in Life, Dan:

1. The two best things that happened to us this year:

-Dan graduated school and we both started working, meaning less strain on us financially

-We moved to our own place, what I would really call our first "home"

2. The two worst things that happened to us this year:

-Dan had to live in Springhill for 8 months of the year for school, so we were apart [again]

-Because Dan was in school, money was tight, making the year boring and stressful

3. The two funnest things we did this year:

-Travelling together on a real trip for the first time and also seeing a concert together

-Our teepee trip for our Anniversary last year...one of the best mini-trips we've taken for sure

4. Two things I've learned about our relationship this year:

-We genuinely enjoy spending time together and miss each other when we're not together

-We are good at negotiating, compromising and coming up with [and reaching] goals together

5. Two things that will never change:

-Dan will never close the shower curtain after he takes a shower

-I will never stop nagging him to close the shower curtain after he takes a shower

6. Two dreams for the upcoming year:

-We start really saving for a house

-We have a child

7. Two things I think that make our marriage strong:

-Time apart

-Complete trust

8. Two things I hope we never stop doing:

-Calling each other "Babe"

-Hugging every single day

9. Two things that have surprised me this past year:

-How hardworking and dedicated Dan is at everything he does

-Money helps (really, sad to say, but it's true, we are much happier now that we have 2 good incomes)

10. Two things I wish for our future:

-That we not only love each other forever, but also really LIKE each other forever

-That we never forget the past, good times and bad.

Anyway, that's all, I just wanted to say that I'm super lucky to have such an amazing husband, after hearing stories from other people from time to time, I come home and realize just how lucky I am to have a husband who is loyal, hardworking, compassionate, giving, and who really wants to make me happy. I can't ask for anything more.

It's just going to get better and better babe! I love you.

Our "official" wedding shot...we look strange, but it's good for us!

My favourite shot from the day, my dad took it, it's natural and serene, I love it...

The funniest shot of the day, Dan's dad caught me, well, being me. Notice the black toenail and 10$ flip flops from Wal Mart...

I...

...am feeling better after being sick for nearly a week
...am debating whether to get nerd glasses instead of contacts tomorrow at my appointment
...am loving Value Village (of course)
...ate too much Treatza Pizza this weekend
...need a haircut, bad
...am ungrateful for what I have most of the time, but am trying to change
...will be married 2 years tomorrow
...am mad that I haven't scrapped in forever
...am even madder that I haven't picked up my camera in forever
...am eagerly anticipating the changing leaves
...want to go apple picking and Sara visiting
...am happy I went to church yesterday for the first time in forever
...love Catholics
...need to lose some weight
...want to pull out my scarves and hats
...become Martha Stewart obsessed at this time of year
...am into my 11th month of inertility
...am starting my Modified Work Week next week (every 3rd Monday off, woo!)
...don't really like the new Facebook
...have nothing to watch on TV (suggestions?)
...heart Ewan McGregor
...have my Halloween Movie List ready
...am getting sick of seeing "artsy" girls and their cool little homes/projects...we fucking get it
...need to eat healthier
...bought golden mums yesterday
...still don't quite get the appeal of the Coen Brothers
...need to start running/Pilates again
...really need/want a dining room table
...want to go home, but am trying to hold off
...am looking forward to nice weather this week
...will buy peaches tonight at the supermarket
...am starting to like my kitchen walls
...want to do something random
...am holding off on decorating for Halloween so far...but it's hard
...can't believe it's mid-September already
...am generally pleased with life.

[...need some pics to post!]