recent nature photos

We are a family that loves to be out viewing nature. In the past two years, birds have been our main study. Since we have started studying birds, it's amazing how many different species of birds you start to notice.

Here are some recent photos we took. The first is a Mourning Dove -- first one we've ever seen here in Newfoundland.

Obviously a crow. Can you tell the difference between a crwo and a raven? Check HERE! Lots of these around here. Hubby took this photo of a crow drinking from the puddles.

And, of course, our squirrel. Right now, we'll let him stick around as he is cleaning up the mess of seed the birds made during the winter. Not sure how long we'll make him welcome.


My kids have their own nature blog. Each of them is supposed to write one post a week, but that doesn't always happen! Check it out :-) Our Nature Study

layouts from this weekend...

I used a sketch by Kim Rodgers for this layout.
Done using the Lovebug April kit.

This was for our Sisterhood of Scrap weekly challenge.
This one was a tough one to do. I don't have many pics of my dad with my children. I was terrified I would ruin the photo and wanted the layout to be JUST RIGHT! I love how it turned out :-)

I used a sketch by Cherie Averill for this layout.

Here Kitty!

I love these photos of my daughter and her first encounter with a cat. She certainly loved them right from the start. Too bad our family has cat allergies :-(

National Scrapbooking Day crop

My sister and I, along with a friend, decided to plan something for National Scrapbooking Day :-) Scrapbooking is getting more popular in our area, so hopefully this will go over well.

It's going to be on May 3rd from 10am-4pm, here in Springdale. We have the use of the dining hall of Living Waters church -- lots of long tables, also a kitchen area and living room area. It will be nice and comfy!

..... anyway, come and bring a friend! Bring your own scrapbook supplies. There will be prizes throughout the day and as well, we'll have patterned paper and cardstock (and maybe other embellishments) that you can buy. We will have diecut systems available for you (ex. Sizzix, Cuttlebug)

Cost is only $10 for the day!! Snacks will be provided and we'll be ordering in lunch (that'll be extra).

Hope to see you there!

April Kit at Scrapbook Heaven

I can't believe I forgot to post my layouts using the April kit at Scrapbook Heaven! I only did 3 layouts, and I ended up scrapping a friend's photos as I only had photos of my son's first Easter :-)

Here they are:

ROOK challenge random winner

The random winner of my ROOK challenge is Rose S!!

Congrats, Rose! Email me at mommarobin@gmail.com with your mailing address.

April Kit layouts (Lovebug)

These are the layouts/cards I made using the April kit at Lovebug Scrapbooking. I would never have thought to buy any of this paper if I saw it online, but I am so glad I got the kit! The papers are awesome! I have a heritage layout done as well -- just need to scan it.

Thanks for looking!

sketch layout..

from Sketches_R_Us:

Sketch by Cherie Averill

Look at these two.....

They often don't get along that well -- two completely different personalities. He's neat and organized; she's messy. She likes to get her own way; he lets others "get their own way" too often! They bicker and nit-pick with each other.

Then.... I catch this moment, and I realize that even though there are arguments and disagreements, they still love each other! And that does this mother's heart GOOD!

Another busy week

I've been busy much of last week and this with our Anniversary crop at Sisterhood of Scrap. Plus, I been cleaning my grandmother's apartment (she's now moved to a retirement home) and spring-cleaning my house -- that's a HUGE job! Thankfully, my kids are willing to help :-)

The snow is almost melted from our lawn, and I can see crocuses and tulips just startng to sprout. Hopefully in the next week or so, they will have bloomed. Come on, Spring!!

It's no trick!

We're playing ROOK today :-)

My hubby loves the game of ROOK, but I get so frustrated with it. Then, he gloats when he wins a hand. NOT my favorite game. LOL!

A rook is a bird in the crow family and is very similar to the crow. In the game of ROOK, the Rook Bird card is the highest trump card in the game. As such, it takes any trick in which it is played.

My challenge for you today is to use a bird on a layout or card, and include some stitching -- either faux or real.

This challenge is due on Friday, April 18th. Check out Sisterhood of Scrap to see what prize you're playing for!

If you include black as a main color on your project, I'll draw for a random prize from me (some Inque Boutique stamps)

Happy Scrapping!

TAG! You are IT!

Here is my challenge for our anniversary crop at Sisterhood of Scrap.

According to Wikipedia:

"Tag (also known as it, touch, tiggy, tick, chasing, chasemaster, chasey) is an informal playground game that usually involves two or more players attempting to "tag" other players by touching them with an object, usually their hands. Played throughout the world, tag is inherently simple — most forms require neither teams, nor scores, nor sports equipment such as balls — but it may be made more complex with various rule modifications. Both of these aspects make tag a popular game amongst children, and it is often played in informal areas such as playgrounds or backyards."

So, my challenge for you is to create a layout/card or altered item that has at least THREE tags. Also include flowers.

Here is my example:

Can't wait to see what you come up with! Post a link, to your creation, here in the comments section.

booboo

Timothy bumped into Jessica yesterday and split open his eyebrow. Nothing too serious, though I did take him to the doctor. He ended up getting one stitch. Actually, the doctor put one in, didn't like the look of it so he removed it and tried again.

I don't think it's too bad that our family has come this far and only one stitch among all of us :-)

It's a "marble-icious" kind of day :-)

I took a walk with my two younger children today. The sun was shining and even though we still have snow here in Newfoundland (and lots of snowbanks still!) the kids wanted to take their bicycles. They are as anxious for spring to come as I am.

We are able to see some MUD! I was excited to see that. Benjamin wondered why I would be excited about mud. This time of year just brings me back to my childhood. We'd be waiting for a spot of ground -- a small spot would do -- and we'd be out making a marble hole to play in. I remember sticking the heel of my boot in the softening earth and spinning around until I had a nice big hole made. Then we'd share out our marbles. Good times, for sure!

I don't see too many kids playing marbles anymore. Too many other things to occupy their time, I guess. We certainly had fun with it though!

guest dt spot

I was so excited to be asked to fill a one-month guest dt spot at Lovebug Scrapbooking!! When I first started scrapbooking, this was the first forum I joined :-) And I am still there!

I am awaiting my kit for April and will post my creations later in the week.