I'm BAAAACCCKKK!

Trying to get back into the swing of things. After a several month hiatus. Been through some rough and tough spots during that time, but am going to get through.

I started out by redoing Kristmess's blog. Here's a snapshot of it.

I am planning on doing some scrapping in the next few weeks because I have lots of photos to scrap after a few months (including 2 trips!!!)

Training wise, I've been doing pretty good. My ankle injury is 95% better. I don't know if I'll ever be able to recuperate the 5% though. I am in the process of training for my 2nd degree black belt which I should be going for March 26th 2010. I should be ready by then, as long as I don't suffer any more injuries.

I have started teaching more karate classes. I teach Sunday mornings with one of the 'senior' teachers (who is 15 years my junior, but is still a senior instructor compared to me). I'm enjoying it more and more every week.

That's about it for now but I WILL be back!

I haven't been active on my blog, doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about it! I have caught a stomach bug that took me away from scrapping (and karate sadly) for a few days. Me and my DH have also been working on our basement renovation and putting lots of hours there too. So, I haven't been as active on producing any layouts. But yesterday, I got a new kit from Chanin at Snowflake beach designs. This is a preview from the kit:


I've made 2 layouts from the kit already. It's a great beach themed kit and I don't know anyone who doesn't have at least a few beach pictures.



Chanin is also having an anniversary sale so you can get this kit (and any other of her kits) at 50% off!!! The advertisement will link you directly to her store!


And if you go to Chanin's blog, she has a gorgeous quickpage by Belinda who is part of the Creative Team. I also have a quickpage that is going to be offered on her blog in a day or 2 I think.

Some new layouts and a FREEBIE!!!

April will be here in a few hours!!!  I'm starting April with a cold and a headache.  Ugh.  I did manage to drag my arse to karate class tonight, but it was a struggle.  Thanks to the kids for bringing me.  DH almost died during class (i'm just exaggerating a little bit).  I'm still longing for when I'll be able to go all out with my training.  I can't wait to run again...  the weather is starting to get so nice outside and it's really difficult to NOT run.  Guess I'll have to continue reading the book Chi Running.  For anyone who is into running this is a must read!

On the subject of running, I got out these old photos from 2003 when I ran my first (and last) half marathon in Montreal.  Since then, I've had a kid and have never been able to complete training for another half marathon.  I'm always injuring myself (which is why I'm reading Chi Running).  Anyways, I'm hosting a challenge at Scrapable this month which is called X-marks-the-spot.  It is a challenge where I give you a title, and you make a layout.  Simple huh???

Here's where my 2003 pictures come in.  The title is Sweet Victory.  The instructions are that sweet has to be the dominant part of the title.  Doesn't have to be the only word, but it has to be more prominent than any other word in your title.  For every challenge completed at Scrapable, you get points that are redeemable towards their store.  Pretty awesome!

Both layouts were done with a kit by Cherie Shields called Pretty in Pink from Scrapable

Here's where the freebie part comes in.  See the photo mask I used in my second layout?? Well, I'm giving it to you!  All I ask is that if you use it, please let me know if you do use it (and give me credit please).  Tell me in a comment... I just want to know!

You can download the mask HERE

New layouts

First I wanted to say how great my DH is.  Last night, he surprised me with a feast that he had cooked himself AND arranged for friends to be there.  It was such a great evening!!!  I was surprised at how good a cook he is.  We had enough wine and port to make it difficult to get up this morning for our weekly double karate class.

Speaking of karate class, I feel like I'm doing much better with my training.  My ankle doesn't seem to think so though.  It is still swelled up and stiff.  However, there is hardly any pain anymore.  But according to my physiotherapist, pain is hardly something I can rely on.  She would like to chain me to the clinic and would prefer me acting like a ninja!

On to the layouts.  The first layout was made during a speed scrap on March 27th. It's my son enjoying himself during the Britney Spears concert in Montreal.

Used the kit Wild Child to do this layout, by Snowflake beach designs.  If you clink on the preview it will take you to her store.

The second layout was done for a challenge at Scrapable for the X-Marks the Spot challenge.  I used the March godigitalscrapbooking collaboration kit Puddles of Play.

The reveal

So, I'm ready for the big reveal.... TADA!!!

The picture SHOULD be linked to Kristina's blog.  The blog elements and background were made with her kit Cheeky Monkey.  Fantastic kit by the way.  Eventually, I want to make a layout from it.

My big boy was home sick today (some sort of stomach flu) which did give me some time to make a layout or 2.

The first one was made with Kristina's kit Nature's Re-birth:

Here's a preview from Kristina's kit that you can get at Gottapixel and Godigitalscrapbooking.

Here's a preview of Kristina's kit which you can get at any of her stores.

The next layout was done as part of a challenge at Scrapable.net.  I was supposed to scrap an indulgence of mine, so I decided to scrap "hommage à la poutine"!  Photo courtesy of Wikipedia cuz there is no way i'm photographing a plate of poutine!  Layout was done with Teri's thing-o-my-jigs and alpha by Cherie Shields (mini-me reloaded)

Long time, no blog!

Soooooo, I haven't blogged in over a week. What's new? Well, this is the first week since I had my sprain/fracture that I'm feeling much much better. The flexibility in my Achilles tendon is coming back nicely. I'm doing good with my proprioception training too (ie fancy word for saying balance training). I was able to do 2 karate classes back to back twice in the last week, with modifications, but I'm not as sore after class aaaannnnndddd, I've started running with my heels striking the ground (I could only run on the tips of my toes up until this weekend). So I've seen some major progress.

I also turned 40 this weekend. I can't believe I'm 40, most days I feel like I'm much younger than that. For my birthday, me, DH and the kids spent the day doing karate and then hanging out with friends. Oh and I also got a night out with my oldest DS to see the Britney Spears show in Montreal. Will scrap about that later this week.

I'm still working on that project, so I haven't done as many layouts as I wanted too. But here are 2 I did during the week:

Both layouts were done using this kit by Moosetrack Designs and Kathy Winters, both available at Scrapable. If you click on the previews it will take you to the store.