Now _this_ is really scary…

I have been a life-long non-runner.  Aside from running the bases in 3 pitch (not pretty) and enforced runs back in middle school (also not pretty), I have essentially avoided this activity.  Until now.

A few months ago, I decided that I needed to up my activity level in order to boost my weight loss/weight maintenance efforts.  I ended up trying the "Couch to 5K" program which essentially starts off interval training – run for a short period, then walk for a period.  Eventually, the running periods become longer, and the walking periods become shorter or non-existent, until at the end of the program I was running for 30 minutes straight.

I realized that I needed another program or goal to work towards, and mentioned this to a friend of mine.  Before I knew it, we were signed up for the 10km running clinic at a local running store, plus we've registered for a 10km and a 5km race.  The 10km race is before the 5km race.  Not sure where the logic is there…anyway.  My friend Amber has also already signed up for the Around the Bay Race – which is 30km long!!  I am still dragging my feet (literally and figuratively) on that one…but it is definitely a goal to shoot for, I suppose!!

So here's Amber and I in the glamorous pre-run shot…

Pre-run

 

no, we did not coordinate our outfits, it just happened that way, really.

 

 

now – for the really scary part….be warned…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stretch

 

BOO!  SCARY!!!  this is me stretching post-run (a few weeks later).  Note how I kept the photo small so you can't see quite as much sweaty detail LOL!!

Photo was taken by Amber who finished waaaay ahead of me so had plenty of time to hang out and take a photo afterwards.

 

This has definitely been a fun, challenging experience, though!!  I'm planning on making a scrapbook layout of my adventures in running – will share them here when they're done (think I'll wait until after the races so I can include stories about them…). 

 

If you have photos or stories you would like to scrapbook, consider joining my next Stampers and Scrappers club – starting in January – contact me for details! It's a great way to get some "me" time in, plus get some scrapbooking (or cardmaking, depending on which group you choose) done, and budget out your crafting purchases (along with earning hostess benefits easily!).

Happy Hallowe'en!  Hope all the trick-or-treaters have a safe and fun time tonight.

(A technical aside – even scarier, this is a re-write of this entry…I completed one and thought I'd saved and scheduled it…but it's nowhere to be found on the site…)

Share this post on:

Stamping Classes in Burlington

VintageChristmasGroupPicMy next themed class is Vintage Christmas.  You'll create four cards with a coordinating box.  This would be fantastic to give as a gift, or to get a head start on your cards and gift packaging!

 

 

Click here to reserve your spot and securely pay by credit card.

Cost is $25 and includes all supplies.  I've scheduled this one for Monday, November 29th at 7pm here in Burlington. The Autumn Spice class is the week before, but I thought it would be good to get this class in before December hits!  If there's demand, though, I can offer this class again in December….LET ME KNOW if this is the case for you!

There's still a few spots available for November's Card Class – this Wednesday, November 3rd at 7pm here in Burlington.  Cost is $15, we'll be doing all Christmas cards to get your holiday preparations off to a roaring start. Contact me to grab a spot before they're all gone!

Share this post on:

Quick and easy Hallowe’en Decor Elements Pumpkins!

DSC_0072 I realized that we didn't have any pumpkin decoration for this weekend….so I stopped by the farmer's market and picked up these 3 little pumpkins which were all about the same size. 

I used my Big Shot and the Serif Essentials Alphabet Dies to cut the letters BOO from a white Decor Elements sheet.  Since the letters were small enough to manage easily (and since these are admittedly not permanent decorations!), I simply peeled the backing off the letters and stuck them onto the pumpkins (which I'd wiped down with a damp towel & dried). Normally, and especially with larger elements, I would use the transfer sheet to avoid getting my fingers all over the adhesive and lessen the tackiness, but hey, it's a quick holiday decoration.  It was a little fiddly since the surface is not flat, but I was happy with the result.  This literally took me about 5 minutes – not counting the time to purchase the pumpkins.  I think I took longer choosing the pumpkins than decorating them.  (and YES I took this photo myself; used my 50mm f1.4 Nikon lens.  I LOOOOOVE this lens and should use it more than I do).

Stampin' Up!'s Definitely Decorative catalogue features wonderful Decor Elements designs for your home or crafting projects.  I love the fact that I can buy the Decor Elements sheets, and with the help of my Big Shot, quickly create decorative elements for any occasion or surface!!!  You can see the online version of the catalogue HEREContact me if you have questions about how to use Decor Elements, or if you'd like a hard copy of the catalogue. 

 

Share this post on:

Boo! Getting ready for Hallowe’en

Ninja This is my son's costume this year.  I love how easy it was….he wanted to be a ninja.  He already had the black "gi" from karate camp – yay!  I have started running & am preparing for running outside as long as possible so purchased a black running hat and a bandana / lower face scarf, and running gloves, all of which were worn by my son first! LOL.  We googled throwing stars, and created some from a cereal box (We used a Stampin' Up! punch for the centre of the stars!), covered in tin foil. We were both thrilled with how well the costume turned out!

Happy to say the costume is done and I think he'll be warm enough on Hallowe'en night here in Ontario… where we make sure the kids can wear layers under their costumes!! 

This was also a reminder to me about photo tips – look at the background – I would have preferred a more plain backdrop…I think the door handle/lock is a bit distracting (and now I'm drawing all of your attention to it LOL)… I also cropped off the bottom of the photo because our ratty door mat was NOT a good addition to the photo either!  While it's not a technically perfect photo, at the same time, it's preserving a memory, so it's still a good photo in my book!!!  Oh, and plus I get a "re-do"!!  This photo is from the other evening when my son was headed to a Hallowe'en party.  I can re-take this photo on the actual day and make sure I take into account the background and foreground of the photo!! 

Next step – scrapbook this!!  If you're looking for a way to get started in scrapbooking, consider joining the next edition of my Stampers & Scrappers Club – starting in January.  Start off the year creatively!!  More details on my events page – or contact me if you're ready to reserve your spot!

Share this post on:

Letterpress Video

Here's a video showing Stampin' Up!'s letterpress dies for the Big Shot.  (I'm not sure that it always works if you're reading this by email/reader, so if not – click here to come to the blog post)

I got my issue of Creating Keepsakes in the mail today.  One of my favourite features is the section where they show a crafter's scrapbooking/craft room.  I always drool over these pages….anyway, the latest issue features the craft room of Stampin' Up!'s CEO/co-founder, Shelli Gardner! 

Meanwhile, in my much smaller, much messier craft room, I'm finalizing prep for my upcoming workshops and Christmas Card Clinics.  There's still space in my November card class (featuring Christmas cards), and in many of the Card Clinic dates.  Please see my event page for dates and details, or contact me for more information!  Hope to see you soon!

 

Share this post on:
FREE TUTORIAL
FUN FOLD CARD
Fill out the form to let us know where to send your free tutorial video!
SEND MY TUTORIAL!
Learn At Your Own Pace.
close-link