Love in a jar....

I have come across sooooo many women who scrapbook... I love their reasons for scrapbooking, I love the finished product and I especially love all of the crafty bits and bobs that are used... having said that, I am not in love with the time that's involved with creating one, or with trying to find storage for supplies and finished albums.

As a side, I also am not into documenting every occasion by taking a billion-and-one photos or videos...am I sounding like the worst mother yet??? I have a reason that I am getting to...

I have attended special events, some have been celebrations of my own children, and have witnessed people snapping off photos left and right and actually interfering with the naturalness of what's taking place. It's a real shame that many people cannot enjoy the moment... in the moment. I understand that they want to capture the events; however, a moment in time can be preserved in a few photos just as well as it can be in fifty. I would rather remember something fondly in my thoughts with just one candid photo; rather than looking at a whole mini album and asking myself why I don't remember what happened when it's right there in fifty pictures.... does any of this make sense???

So... the reason for this post... my simple and heartfelt way of documenting special events in my children's lives... an easy craft that requires very few materials and very little skill... and, AND! it requires just moments of your time and very little space!!!!!

I call them our "I love you" jars...

You'll need:
large canning jars with lids
scrapbook paper that has a side that can easily be written on
scissors
pens, pencils, or whatever writing implement you prefer



Essentially what we are doing is cutting out heart shapes from the scrapbook paper and writing an "I love you" on each one, date it, fold it and drop it in the jar. DONE!



So, a sample "I love you" could be... I love the way you run through the house naked after a bath and before getting your pj's on... or, I love that I got to witness your very first steps alone before anyone else... You get the idea. These are just little samples of what I have written in our jars... the ideas are endless...

I guess the point that I was initially making was that I prefer to enjoy the moments as they happen. Yes, i do take pictures, but they themselves are just snapshots in time... I hope you like the craft as much as I do... have fun with it and make it your own ;)

Postcards...

Dear Laundry Hamper... Why are you always full? Don't you understand that I need a day off from time to time? And why is it that when I do take a day off you seek revenge by not only filling yourself to the brim, but also spilling out onto the floor? I'm starting to dislike you...

Dear Telephone Solicitors... Why do you insist on calling my home when I've added my number to the national DO NOT call list? No, I don't want to purchase my groceries through your company and have them delivered in a big freezer that takes up what little space I have free in my basement... No, I don't want you to come and clean my furnace, chimney or ducts... No, I do not want you to try to win back my business by offering me a deal that you will revoke just months after I re-sign with you... However, what I do want is for you to stop calling me at dinner time or at 8pm at night when I'm trying to get my children to bed... why don't you leave me your name and number and I will call you at 3 in the morning to see if you would like to switch from cable to satellite...

Dear Unfinished Crafty Projects... I have been a very neglectful crafter... I miss you all and think of you often... I promise, promise I will finish each and every one of you as soon as I can fit you in... have faith in me, please...

Dear Panhandling Psychopath... You scared the hell out of my friend when you jumped in front of her car spewing profanities because she declined you a handout after you were asking her and other bank customers in a threatening and badgering manner for money for you and your "lady friend"... maybe you should re-think your strategy... maybe she didn't have the money to give because she has two little boys to take care of... you are a bully and a coward and for your actions you do not deserve anyones' charity...

Dear Winter... Where was all the snowman snow? I'm soooo ready to embrace your sister, Spring...

Dear Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins... I love you for breakfast, lunch and dinner :D ...

Dear Monkeys... I love you sooo much... slow down... mama's not ready for you to grow up... no, no, not just yet...

Coffee talk...

A lot can be said over a cup of coffee. And I am so fortunate to have found a handful of friends that I can laugh with, cry with, be stupid with, vent to, shop with, rely on... the list goes on and on and on... and that's what friends are to me... people who expect nothing but your love, understanding and friendship. Forget pettiness, grudges, greediness... that's stuff we left back in high school.

I think a lot of people get too caught up in life and let friendships fall by the wayside... it's really unfortunate... and I have to admit, that up until last year, I too was guilty of getting caught up in life. Work, kids, household chores, and so on and so forth... we forget the importance of what one special friend can bring to our lives. In the past year I have really gotten to know a number of ladies who I feel I have known forever... where would I be without these ladies??? I'm sure I'd be fine... and perhaps a little lonelier. My husband is a wonderful man whom I adore more than words can say, and yes he is the BESTEST friend I have ever had... but there's something about getting together with a bunch of ladies over coffee (or wine... wink-wink) and just dishing... kids, husbands, shopping, silliness... whatever it may be... we just understand that this is needed.

So to all of my lovelies...

Becky, your strength is amazing and makes me wonder if I could ever be the pillar that you are through adversity...

Tasha, your constant bubbliness and giving heart lets me know that there are still wonderful people in the world ready to give without question, you are a true sister to me...

Kim, your quirkiness makes me laugh, when we're together we have no rhyme or reason to the pattern of our conversations... it's like we have years of catching up to do and we're trying to get it all out in only a couple of hours...

Nicole, your seriousness keeps me grounded, I can always count on you for helpful hints and tips... I will be sad when you finally move away...but I am so happy that you have found your own true happiness...

Sherry, you are one of the most easy going people I have ever known, you are very easy to talk to and you have a wonderful sense of humour...

Jacquie, you're kookie... and always there for me in a pinch... you make my Saturday mornings just that much easier...

Jane, Crystal, Rebecca, and Jamie... thank you so much for letting me into your already tight circle of friends, I have enjoyed our girls nights together and look forward to more sometimes questionable, but always interesting topics of conversation ;)...

thank you from the depths of my being, I love you all and know that you have all enriched my life in some way, shape or form... if ever you need to call upon someone, know that I am there, just as you all are for me...

thinking of you today B... we're all in your corner... fight like a girl!

Valentine's made super easy...

LOVE day is on Sunday and only one sleep til class parties... luckily my creative energy decided to kick back in earlier this week and I was able to come up with this great idea... I say great because I'm sure it's something I'll use for any number of occasions.

I LOVE trying to come up with unique little Valentine treats for the boys' classmates... and this year I am in LOVE with this idea... pictured above are the supplies needed to complete this crafty bit...
~ fancy-shmancy scrapbooking paper (various designs)
~ card stock (various colours)
~ XACTO knife, safety ruler, and cutting mat (or plain ol' scissors and ruler)
~ snack sized plastic baggies
~ stapler
~ glue or some other adhesive-like substance or material
~ various treats (edible or non-edible)

Okay, so what I've created is my version of those plastic bags of candy that hang very enticingly in the junk aisle of every grocery and department store I shop in. So first things first... measure the width of the plastic baggie or even easier, check out the size on the box they came in (mine were 6-1/2" wide). Measure and cut out rectangles of paper 6-1/2" by 3", I like using my cutting mat for projects like this because it ensures precision cuts... although, having said that, a straight edged paper cutter would do the job just as well... anyway, getting on with it...

Fill the baggies with loot/treats/snacks/whatever you deem fit... try to release as much of the air from the baggies as possible before you seal them... take a rectangle of paper, fold it in half on the short side. Slip the treat bag, sealed side into the fold of the paper, hold and place two staples just below the zipper seal... make enough for all classmates and set aside.

Next, make a heart template, size is absolutely at your discretion. Trace and cut out the number of heart shapes needed to create tags for each treat bag. Have your child fill in the tags her/himself and once that's done adhere them to the treat bag's new paper handle.... VOILA! Your child is ready for LOVE day gifting... enjoy your LOVE day!

Someone is turning 7...

I remember the day that I found out I was pregnant. We had only been trying a short time and I was shocked that it all happened so fast. And here we are now, and you're turning 7... 7... I have to keep saying it because somehow I don't believe that 7 years has come and gone in what seems like the blink of an eye.

I remember the nurse putting you in my arms for the very first time and feeling overcome with every emotion imagineable... and the look on Daddy's face, the pride and love in his eyes, I just knew that I would never ever be without love in this life... and the love I felt for you at that moment was so strong that it was painful... I had a little tiny life in my hands and it was my job from then on to make sure you had everything you needed, a job that I would give up everything to do.

I cannot tell you and make you truly understand the joy and love that you bring to me... how proud I am to call you my son, and how my heart aches when I think about when you're all grown up and no longer need me to take care of you. I try very hard not to think of the future in that way... focus on what's happening here and now... we have so much fun together; and I am very grateful to you for letting me shower you with hugs and kisses and call you baby whenever and wherever I want, regardless of who is watching or listening.

Happy Birthday Baby! Enjoy your day... I will try my very best to make you feel like the special little man you are. I love you, Daddy loves you and M and C love you and think you're just the best thing since cheese and crackers... xxoo