Monday, June 27, 2011

a sister's apology

It was my little sister's birthday yesterday and I didn't even call her. How bad is that?
Thought I'd share a few of the layouts I have done in the past that have photos of her.

Playful: I love this first photo. She's the little one in the yellow bathing suit. I seem to remember this moment at Spruce Woods when we were little. Although we probably thought she was a pain in the butt at this point in our lives........we still had fun with her. I don't have the photo that happened right after this blissful moment........maybe we don't want to know. Maybe that's why she's never been a true mermaid in the water. What did we do to her?

House of Gold: I remember the wall paper. I remember the tacky linoleum. I remember playing with the farm pets we had growing up. But, for the life of me, I don't remember this dog!!!! It's funny. None of us do. Don't ya just love the red turtle-neck and overalls on me? And look at that mushroom haircut.
3 roomies: I've had the priviledge of vacationing with both of my sisters -- not at the same time (that would be CRAZY!!!!) -- but, on seperate occasions. Although my older sister & I had a blast together, I think the most special vacation was spent cruising the Caribbean with my younger sister. It was incredibly meaningful to watch her first reactions to so many things on our holiday. We were able to share so many moments together and I will cherish that forever. Thanks, Buff, for coming along and helping me through a week of work that would have been difficult if you had not been there.

Blissful: My younger sister has a complete wacky side of her and she is so funny....sometimes. This was a time when she was determined to ride this crazy, retro bike that my older sister has on the farm. She could hardly stay on the thing -- she was practically peeing with laughter. And so were the rest of us.
Picture Perfect: Although there are a ton of differences within us three sisters, I do not deny the similarities. We are too much like our mother -- and she's a pretty incredible woman herself. The three of us live so close to one another and we are so blessed to have children the same age, who love each other very much. So, I will never take my sisters for granted. I know this doesn't happen everyday -- that three sisters can see each other whenever we want. That we can share a bond so close that it makes people around us stop and take notice.
Happy Birthday, Buffy.....a little late, I know.

From your two OLDER sisters.


{from the farm},

j.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

to those who care

Tonight's supper.

Yum!!!!!




{from the farm},


j.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

make me smile

It's been a pretty bleak Spring here on the farm. Although the crop is {somewhat} in the ground -- most of it -- we are still facing LOTS of rain in the forecast. To tell you the truth, it's pouring right now (again) as I type this. As farmers, we wait all winter for a glimpse of spring when we can sow our crops and work all summer for a harvest. We live for it. Which, in a nutshell, is why we are farmers in the first place. We love the challenges -- although this one that He is giving us this time is a bit much, my dear husband would say. It's a challenge alright, just trying to stay positive everyday when the sun shines in the morning and the clouds start rollin' in during the evening.

So.......I thought I should post some of the more upbeat things that are happening around here. Things that are making me smile.

1. My flower beds are looking great. A lot of the blooms are full right now and some of my faves (lilies, lamb's ear, lilacs) are filling the beds nicely. I love taking my coffee in the morning and walking around the yard in silence, just looking at the beauty.....and the weeds. ;) Yes...they are there as well. This is one of my favourite beds in my yard -- I can see it from my front living room window.

2. I out did myself the other evening (if I can brag), and created a marvelous meal of barbequed cod, garlic mashed potatoes & green beans. Carter thought it looked like something at The Olive Garden.........funny, we never go there. Don't know why he said that.
I actually thought of Allison Orthner while I took this photo of my supper because she, in the past, has emailed me on occassion to ask what I was making for supper. Too funny. Well, girl........wish you could have enjoyed it with me.

3. Carter is, again, learning to mow our lawn. It is so fun to watch him as he zips around on the mower. He is much braver than I think he should be -- going way too fast for his mother to be watching him. He sings at the top of his lungs the whole time (notice his mouth in this picture). I love sneaking a photo now and then.

4. Daria is done her Grade 7 exams. She wrote two of them -- L.A. & Science. And......amidst all the studying and last week of classes, she and Carter decided they should get StrepThroat. I actually thought Dare had mono because she would literally fall asleep in the middle of studying (and she's a BIG studying-kind-of-kid). One night she fell asleep in the middle of the dining room floor, with her study notes all around her. She ended up writing her Science exam at home, in her jammies. But they are done now and she is on penicillin and on the mend. Carter is still quite sick, but I'm sure by Monday we'll have some meds for him......and then he'll be back to mowing & singing!!!

5. I finally caved and gave Asha a 7th birthday party for her. She had been bugging me since......ummmm......March 31st!!!!!!! Anyway, last weekend she invited three friends over for a little sleepover in the basement. We put the big tent up in the rec room and they had some fun....camping in the basement. Now no more listening to "when am I going to have my party?" ('til next year).

I don't have a photo of today, but we had a wonderful day outside today as well. We've been working hard to get our new camper in order for the summer. We parked it by the house last evening and the girls slept in it together. Fun stuff. It was a beautiful day, sunny & hot.
Now.......it's raining (pouring) and the power just went out in the house. Asha will not be impressed as her room is in the basement and it will be black down there.

We can see the sky opening up in the west. It's a spectacular orange. Amazing what God will bring after the bleakness. He tests us all the time; giving us a challenge and then lets us know He still cares and will send beauty in the end. Wow.......{sigh}.

Glad there's church tomorrow...........looking forward to it.


good-night {from the farm},

j.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

don't sniffle at this // mSB Mystery BOX Hop


Welcome to the myStampBOX “Mystery Box Hop”!

If you have just happened upon our event today,

please begin your journey on the







All of our wonderful myStamp BOX designers are joining us today to show off some
inspirational BOX creativity!

Here is the order in which the CREATIVITY will follow:
Bettina Von Gross (http://mystampbox.com/blog/)
Jill Hildebrand (
http://www.fromthefarm-jill.blogspot.com/) YOU ARE HERE.
Sue Sykes (
http://www.kewl-beans.blogspot.com/)
Jaine Drake (
http://www.craftydrake.blogspot.com/)
Janet Zeppa (
http://janetsjoy.blogspot.com/)
Birgit Koopsen (
http://birgitkoopsen.typepad.com/)
Linda Abadie (
http://lindaabadie.com/)
Jolene Johnston (
http://jolenejohnston.blogspot.com/)
Agata Pfister (
http://underconstruction-agata.blogspot.com/)
Rebecca Keppel (
http://www.myclutteredcorner.com/)
Marsha Valk (
http://marshavalk.wordpress.com/)
Allison Cope (
http://yourmemoriescanada.blogspot.com/)

and then back to:
myStamp BOX Blog (
http://mystampbox.com/blog/)

We are giving away an amazing prize package from the myStamp BOX shop for our event this weekend and all you have to do is COMMENT along your journey to WIN.

We have given three of our lovely designers a mystery prize box and you could WIN the prize inside just by leaving a COMMENT on EVERY designer’s blog. Our Mystery Box Hop winner will be announced on the
myStamp BOX blog on Monday so all comments are due by Sunday June 26th at 11:59pm EST. Good Luck!

So....when two naked Kraft boxes arrive in the mail.......

and there are no limits (except to use as many mSB stamps as I can)..........
here is what I did with my MYSTERY BOXes…...

Box #1:


I started with my first box unfolded, laying flat on my desk, and painted it hot pink. After it dried, I used a variety of mSB stamp sets to create a funky design all over the box. I stamped with dye ink in light grey, dark grey & black. I had to be careful which way I stamped my image, incase the image would be upside-down once the box was folded later. With the box still flat on my desk, I cut a long slit in the top of the box with my exacto knife. I fastened part of a clear page protector to the underside of the long slit -- y'know....that clear slit that the Kleenex sticks out through. It worked perfectly. Finally, I folded the box and adhered it together with my tape runner. I filled the box with folded Kleenex and pulled one through the opening at the top. How cute.



mSB stamps used: Backgrounds, Border Lines, Funky Flowers & Timelines



Box #2:
For this box, I used a mask and glimmer mist to create a base on the naked kraft box (no paint required -- just some drying time). I then used a VersaMark ink pad, embossing powder in baby pink & blue and two different mSB stamp sets. I did everything while the box was still unfolded. When I was happy with the design, I created the box the same as Box #1.



mSB stamps used: Colourful Companions & Abundant Blossoms
Now it’s time to HOP along and find out what the next amazing designer has created with their MYSTERY BOX. Your next designer is noneother than the fabulous & incredibly talented Sue Sykes.



Don’t forget to leave a comment below for a chance to WIN one of our MYSTERY BOX giveaways!



HAVE FUN!!!



{from the farm},
j.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

fun with a box.....tomorrow

Check in tomorrow at the myStampBOX Blog.


We are having a


Mystery BOX Blog Hop.


It's gonna be F.U.N.!!!




Here's a little sneak at what I created with my box:




So, check back tomorrow,

invite your friends to join the fun,

leave a comment........

and you just may be a winner of a huge myStampBOX prize.

Ohhhh....I love surprises!!!!!


{from the farm},


j.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

him

On Sunday.....many people will be celebrating the fathers in their lives.........and I will be joining them. So, I thought it fitting to share a few things I LOVE about my Dad (these are just a few -- there are sooooooooo many more):

1. I love how he takes a special interest in our kids (all his grandchildren, actually). But the special bond he shares with Daria (my oldest / his oldest grandchild) is incredibly special. They just seem to always have this certain "thing" that will always keep them close. I hope, as Daria grows up and moves away, she will continue to grow even closer to her Pa.
2. Dad "tolerates" countless photos taken of him with his grandchildren. What a trooper!!!! Thanks, Dad. (Even Carter's getting involved in this one with his Auntie Lisa).
3. Dad, I love that you have taken a special interest in your girls' lives -- farming. You come out to help us during harvest, you take time to ask us & phone us about how things are going on the farm, and you come out to visit us often, fixing things around the house (okay........actually doing complete renovations on a weekend). I am so incredibly proud to say, when I drive by a newly built home, that "my Dad built that!!!!!!" Cool. Not everyone can say that in this world. We love your help on the farm........



..........and your help when events like this take place too. THANKS, Dad.

4. My Dad is "a lover.......not a fighter".



5. Dad is always fun to be around and is silly with the kids...........................



.....need I say more??!!!!

6. Although technology is not his strong-suit, he's trying.......trying really hard. And it's evenings like when he & Mom phone because they've pressed a button on the TV and don't know what they've done and we're suppose to solve it over the phone..............that I laugh & love them more and more every minute.

7. My Dad is a listener, so when other husbands are doing this...........

.....my Dad is waiting & listening to every instruction.

8. My Dad has always put up with 4 women in the house. I think that's why he's so loveable, forgiving, patient, goofy & .........................demanding!!!! He's learned from his surroundings. And besides.................can you blame him?


.......He puts up with things like this.

I LOVE YOU, DAD!!!!!!


Happy Father's Day.


xox {from the farm},

j.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

another quick peek

Click HERE to see another fantastic peek at Nikki Sivils' new products.........just releasing now. She's showcasing another new line today AND giving you some close-ups of some papers.

Have a wonderful day {from the farm},
j.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

nothing NERDY about this

Introducing the latest addition to the Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker line...................




I just got confirmation that we can now share some images from this new baby!!!! And this is not all. There are FOUR more new lines coming out -- they are just around the corner -- and I promise you I will share them as well.

I'm soooo excited about all 5 of the new product lines that Nikki has designed.......starting with SCHOOL IS COOL. They just seem to get better & better. Nikki has added collection kits, punch-outs, 6 different alpha stickers on one sheet of stickers.......(y'know those little square ones that I use ALL THE TIME), as well as a sheet of stickers that are just elements that coordinate with the collection. Can you believe it??!!!


I can't wait to get the mail!!!!!!!!!


Now, just like with any delivery............... I wait.


enjoy your day {from the farm},

j.

Monday, June 13, 2011

extraordinary girl



Just sharing my latest layout using the Abundant Blossoms and Colourful Companions stamp sets from myStampBOX.


Head on over to their blog today................they are introducing some events that coming up this month.

I've been busy CREATING!!!!! It'll be fun.



{from the farm},

j.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

my mSB Post is up

Check out the mSB Blog today........where I created some artwork using this Colour Combination:




And also take a peek at the latest Swedish e-zine out in publication. I have layouts featured on Pages 28 & 29 and 31. You have a click on the picture of the magazine to see it in FULLSCREEN and then scroll over to see mine. It's an incredible inspirational magazine and I'm so excited to have been chosen for the latest one.



Preparing to go "muck" in the garden today. Wish me luck.


{from the farm},


j.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Swedish e-zine

Received a link today from a fellow Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker design team member (Monika Martinson) that the latest Swedish e-zine is out. And guess who has 2 layouts featured in it?



(who told you?)


Anyway.....take a peek and get tons of inspiration. There are so many layouts that I will use snippets from for creative ideas.


Click HERE to see.

My layouts are on pages 28-29 & pg. 31.


More "life" updates coming soon...........lots since I last posted. It's been a crazy spring.

{from the farm},
j.