Katie Paterson

Raise Your Glass to these Amazing Clever Girls!

2011-08-02T15:14:00.004-04:00

Check out this video that features some amazing ladies from the Clever Girls Collective!!

Click Here : )

Credit goes to these amazing ladies;

Alissa - @havestroller

Amy - @theBitchinWife

Denise - @sdenise

Kelli - @mommaneedsbeer

Michele - @scrappinmichele

Untitled

2011-03-23T11:44:00.001-04:00

Test Test.... Hello blogasphere! I am trying a new tool that will hopefully allow me to blog a little easier (which leads to me blogging more often). Testing out Posterous and hope that it pushes to my blogspot blog and I can post on the go from my phone since I am unable to find an app for Blogger/blogspot.

What blogger apps to you use on your phone that you find helpful?

Where is Haiti Now? Heart of Haiti Project

2011-01-11T21:25:00.000-05:00

As we come to the anniversary of the devastating earthquakes in Haiti, we start to have our thoughts wonder back to the country and we wonder, Where are they now? The quake on Jan. 12, 2010, killed 200,000 people across Haiti, including 58 Canadians, and left hundreds of thousands more homeless.

After all the front line efforts that were made to raise funds shortly after the life altering event I wonder where do they stand now? Have we forgotten about them and moved on with our lives since they feel so far away? I find myself asking when was the last time I have thought about the earthquake the destroyed Haiti? Honestly, not since last February when all the "hype" and celebrity funding winded down and we moved onto the next big story. That is hard to admit but it was definitely an eye opener for how my charity focus can come on go based on which celebrity is backing up the newest trendy cause.

Through the Clever Girls Collective the organization founded by Willa Shalit, Heart of Haiti was brought to my attention. This is one organization that has taken strides to continue to support Haiti in this time of need. In partnership with Macy's they are providing a channel for Haitian artisans to sell handcrafted goods tot he mass in the US.

Here is what the Heart of Haiti Organization has to say:

"From recycled oil drums and wrought iron to paper mache and stone, Haitian artisans transform some of the most unlikely materials into extraordinary art. These one-of-a-kind crafts reflect a rich culture and history and the Haitians unwavering drive to rebuild their lives in the face of tremendous adversity.

Give a Gift that Gives Back
Proceeds form Heart of Haiti purchases help provide better nutrition, improve education and health care-life-changing resources for the artisans and their families."

In partnership with Fairwinds Trading and BrandAid Haiti

For more information follow this link - http://bit.ly/HeartofHaiti-ShopforABetterWorld

My only other wish is that a Canadian department store a would join forces with Macy's to bring these items to Canada. What to you think The Bay?Any other takers??

You can find Heart of Haiti on Twitter (hashtag: #HeartofHaiti) and Facebook.

K. Paterson

I was selected for this very special “CleverHaiti” opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity. All opinions are my own.

What I am Proud of Today...

2011-01-06T11:04:00.002-05:00

So with January being well on its way, the lingering talk of resolutions gets dim as each day passes. We all make promises to ourselves or loved ones in the glimmering light of the new year's ball and find ourselves making excuses for our failed resolutions over the next coming weeks.

I have decided to acknowledge all I am proud of so far even if I have not been 100% perfect or been able to accomplish all the resolutions I stated at the end of 2010

- I have not driven to work since the new year started, thus saving money!
- I have been on the Wild Rose D-Tox for three days, nine more to go!
- I have been at work before 8:45am everyday to ensure I do not miss my morning meeting.
- Been in bed by 9pm to wind down for the night and get shut eye by 10pm

Not too bad, I could now list a bunch of things I also promised on New Year's Eve that I haven't accomplished but I don't think that would be productive. Instead I am going t celebrate my successes to date!

Reverb 10 | Prompt 23 | New Name

2010-12-23T11:09:00.002-05:00

December 23 – New Name

"Let’s meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why? (Author: Becca Wilcott)"

Well I really like my name "Katie" but my legal name is Katherine so really I wouldn't change a thing.

I always introduce myself at Katie but will also answer to Kate.

Short and sweet! Nothing to see here!! :)

Reverb 10 | Prompt 22 | Travel

2010-12-23T11:03:00.004-05:00

December 22 – Travel

"How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year? (Author: Tara Hunt)"

{Future Tool: New Year’s Goal Questions for No-Goals Creatives from Jeffrey Davis. For the next 10 days as you round out your year, the Reverb 10 Crew and Jeffery Davis we’ll share one tool each day to help you plan your year ahead.}

Travel as always been a big thing for me and something I can never get enough of! It has been way to long since I have been back to Europe and I am dying to go back but I do not think it is in the cards for 2011 and that is okay there are many there places I can venture for 2011 and have great experiences.

This is where I traveled in 2010

July: London, ON/St. Jacob's Road Trip & San Francisco for HR Star Conference
August: Florida with BF's Family
October: Frankenmuth, MI with BF's Brother & Blue Mountain for Company Retreat
December: Cancun with friend's from Work

Not the longest or most exciting list but sometimes I think I expect too much when it comes to traveling since I have been so blessed in previous year's. I sometimes think I worry to much with the actually destination rather than actually trying to make the most of where I am at the present. So many local places have a so much to offer and I really want to take advantage of that this year. I also want to travel more with work, below is my wish list of places I would like to travel to in 2011.

Boston
Las Vegas
San Diego
Jamaica
Quebec City (been before but would love to go back with the BF again)
New York (want to take the BF!)
Waterloo (for Oktoberfest)

I think that list is long enough since I am also trying to save for a down payment for my first house!!

Reverb 10 | Prompt 21 | Future Self

2010-12-23T11:00:00.002-05:00

December 21 – Future Self

"Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?) (Author: Jenny Blake)"

Advice I would give myself a 5 years from now...
- Be patience and enjoy the journey with the ones you love!
- Make the best with the life you got, you are lucky and have the world at you finger tips.
- Remember you are not defined but what you have but what you bring to others.
- You may think life is complicated now but enjoy it because there is a lot lying ahead of you!
- You are strong, believe that!

Signing off for now,
Future Self :)

Reverb 10 | Prompt 20 | Beyond Avoidance

2010-12-23T10:59:00.004-05:00

December 20 – Beyond Avoidance

"What should you have done this year but didn’t because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?) (Author: Jake Nickell)"

I have been avoiding fitness.... I should be active 2-3 weeks but instead I find myself sleeping in and making excuses for why I can't make it to the gym or get on my Wii for a 30 minute workout. I have really let myself down in 2010 but I will be expecting more from myself in 2011!

I will take control of my health and take no excuses! Here I state my commitment to Move More and Eat Less! I am taking on the challenge by Cathy Zielske and going to commit to myself and my body for better health in 2011.

If you are interested in joining me on this challenge check out Cathy's Blog Post here and get you "Move More Eat Less" journal here. I will be blogging about my progress over the next 12 months.

Reverb 10 | Prompt 19 | Healing

2010-12-23T10:57:00.003-05:00

December 19 – Healing

"What healed you this year? Was it sudden, or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011? (Author: Leonie Allan)"

What did I heal in 2010.... I feel like I have had the opposite effect this year. I have found a real difference in the way my body has been interacting with the outside world. With each cut, blister or bruise I have gotten on this year I feel like they linger longer then past year's. I am wondering if this is a sign that I am officially getting older... this scares me. Or maybe this is a sign that I need to improve my health and there is hope for me to regain my recovery rate.

Nonetheless this has triggered something new in me for 2011. I want to bring wellness into my lifestyle to ensure that I heal my body has a whole. To do this I want to have it as a drip by drip evolution so it becomes second nature to me;

I will make better food choices
Cut down/out artificial foods and preservatives
I will integrate yoga into my life 2 times a week
I will run two times and week
I will laugh on a regular basis :)

Stay tuned for my blog posts on fitness in the coming year : )

Reverb 10 | Prompt 18 | Try

2010-12-23T10:50:00.003-05:00

December 18 – Try

"What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did / didn’t go for it? (Author: Kaileen Elise)"

Wow this is a tough one since I really pushed a lot of my limits in 2010 and left no stone unturned...

But something I have been working on for some time is my patience; for others, in my relationship and with myself. I worked on this quite a lot in 2010 but feel like I fell short on more occasions than I would like to say. I found myself fustrated with others where really I was more frustrated with myself and my short comings.

I want to be able to except the people in my life as they are and appreciate all they have to offer. I want to be able to except the journey I am in and not rush to reach the final destination, but enjoy what I have not and be patience for what comes next. I do not want to take people for granted in the present since that is all we have.

I will take the challenge on again in 2011 and plan to have more success then I did in 2010. I will know that I have achieved this goal because the people in my life will be at ease in my presence and I will feel at ease with myself. There will be a space for me to have joy within the relationships I have currently and new relationships on 2011.

Reverb 10 | Prompt 17 | Lesson Learned

2010-12-23T10:41:00.005-05:00

December 17 – Lesson Learned

"What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? And how will you apply that lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver)"

Biggest thing I learned about myself this year... I learned that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. Over the past year I have found a strength in myself that pushed me through the transition I made from engineering to event planner and I am only just getting started.

Going forward I am going to use this strength to push myself to live BIG, no more with excuses or why I can't do something and play it small. I know if I put my mind to it I can do it!

Reverb 10 | Prompt 16 | Friendship

2010-12-23T10:27:00.005-05:00

December 16 - Friendship

"How has a friend changed you or your perspective on the world this year? Was this change gradual, or a sudden burst? (Author: Martha Mihalick)"

I am not sure if I could boil this down to one person but more to the change/additions of friends I have added to my community.

Working in 2009 I worked in an office that I just didn't seem to fit, I would here of others talking abut their friends they had at work or meeting for drinks after work and I just didn't get it, I didn't have that. For the longest time I had assumed that socializing at work was not the norm, or at least not the norm in my industry. Even though I told myself this I still felt like something was missing from my work life and I felt lonely each day.

I realized that work was where I was spending the most of my time and I was lacking true interaction other than the daily meetings and shop talk.

So I needed a change and that change came when I starting working in the event planning world. I was meeting people left, right and center. Connecting on facebook, twitter and coffee dates. I found myself with a social network that was also my industry community. This was all very new to me and I am still treading water but I am liking it. I am in a place now where I can be one whole person and not work Katie and Social Katie.

Sop in 2011 I am going to concentrate on being the best person I can be, one whole and complete person!

Here's to friends in all areas of your life!

Reverb 10 | Prompt 15 | 5 Minutes

2010-12-23T09:55:00.006-05:00

Okay so here I go, I am about to catch up on all my reverb posts from Dec 15th to Dec 23rd!!!! So here come a whole lot of posts today : ) Please keep coming back to read the posts and leave comments!

December 15 - 5 Minutes

"Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010 in five minutes. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)"

Wow I found this one tough but here it is!

The most memorable or life changing moment I want to remember from 2010 is the moment I received the phone call from my current employer. It was a moment that excelled me forward for 2010. I had just come back from my first yoga class at 889 Younge Yogo and Wellness studio and I was feeling energized and at peace with where I was in my life. I had taken a leap of faith to follow a new career path in 2009 and what was ahead was unknown but that was okay because I was savoring the journey and learning all I can from each person I was meeting along the way. As I walked into the Bay & Bloor subway entrance next to the Starbuck's my phone rang. I was jolted with excitement and anticipation. The excitement was then greeted with great news that I was being offered a position as a full time event coordinator! I couldn't believe all the hard work for the last 9 months was paying off.

And here I am today almost 8 months into my new position and I couldn't be happier :)

Life works out in mysterious ways, just trust in yourself to be strong enough to push through and get what you deserve in life :)

Reverb 10 | Prompt 14 | Appreciation

2010-12-14T19:24:00.002-05:00

December 14 - Appreciation

"Appreciate What’s the one thing you have come to appreciate most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)"

As I think about this prompt I am having difficulty thinking of something I appreciate and express gratitude for.... I mean that's not to say I do not appreciate all I have in life. I just do not think I have done a good job expressing gratitude for all that I have. I believe in 2011 I need to open my eyes and change my ways to ensure the people in my life know and understand how important they are to me and my life.

One person that comes to mind is my boyfriend. He has always been on my side and has an uncanny ability to love me unconditionally (something I hope to learn from him) He was my supporter when I made the decision to leave my engineer profession and my cheerleader when I was making my way into the event industry. NO matter what I do or say he is always behind me supporting me.

I couldn't ask for a better person to have in my life and I better person to spend my days with :)

In 2011 I am taking more time out of each day to ensure my boyfriend knows how much he means to me and how lucky I know I am to have him by my side.

Reverb 10 | Prompt 13 | Action

2010-12-14T19:14:00.004-05:00

December 13 - Action

"When it comes to aspirations, it’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen. What’s your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)"

I took sometime to think about this one. I am a do'er so there is always something on the go so and always a next step. But if I had to choose one to focus for 2011 and really make a part of my like it would be my health. I have made it my Personal Top 1 at work to loose 15 pounds. This is not just about loosing the weight but about making a lifestyle change so I am happy about who I am inside and out. I want to make "good choices" when it comes to my health but still enjoy life as well.

My next steps to do this is to integrate both yoga and running back into my life 2 times a week each. I need to utilize my mornings hours to take a run before work in order to both jump start my body and focus myself for the day ahead. Once this is done I am not too concern about the numbers on the scale but the smile it will put on my face.

**I write this blog while sitting in the hotel lobby of Riu Cancun awaiting for my roommates to awake from the afternoon nap : )

One more post to catch up on for Reverb 10!

Reverb 10 | Prompt 12 | Body Integration

2010-12-12T23:16:00.004-05:00

December 12 - Body Integration

"This year, when did you feel the most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn’t mind and body, but simply a cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Author: Patrick Reynolds)"

This year was the first time I tried both Yoga and Hot Yoga. I was amazed how centered and focused I felt as I worked through the exercises and how renewed I felt after the class. I am hoping in 2011 I will integrate yoga regularly into my lifestyle.

I look forward to attending my local yoga studio Moksha Yoga on Wellington hopefully twice a week in the new year. I will be able to find a better me through yoga and allow myself to come back to the ground amongst all the craziness of life. Although I am sure this new habit will drain my wallet... anyone want to sponsor me for my new Yoga lifestyle? : )

Okay fellow reverbers, I am once again caught up! But I am leaving for a 7 day trip to Cancun and not sure how often I will be able to pop onto the internet. But I have made a promise to myself to to get caught up once I get back to Canada!

Reverb 10 | Prompt 11 | 11 Things

2010-12-12T22:53:00.004-05:00

December 11 - 11 Things

"11 Things What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)"

Wow I am loving the concept of this prompt, less see how hard it is to list 11 things to eliminate...

1. Television
2. Being late getting to work in the morning
3. Negativity/Doubt in myself
4. Guilt
5. 15 pounds off my body!
6. Foot pain in my right foot
7. Laziness/Procrastination!!!!!
8. Credit card debt
9. Second thoughts
10. The pile of photos I don't have scrap booked!
11. The need to reach the destination, just enjoy the journey!!

Man this most really got me thinking and brought up something I never really expected!

Reverb 10 | Prompt 10 | Wisdom

2010-12-12T22:22:00.004-05:00

December 10 - Wisdom

"What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway)"

A lot of my posts seem to follow a trend... everything relates back to the career change I made in 2009-2010. When I read this prompt there was one thing that came to mind, the decision I made to take the full time Event Associate position at I Love Rewards. (the other wisest decision would of been to leave engineering to pursue a career in Event Management, but this was in May of 2009 so it doesn't count!)

Making this decision changed my world, I went from wearing steel toes to high heels. I traded in my khakis to skinny jeans. My coworkers used to be 15 to 2o years older and now they are my age and even younger. It has been almost 7 months and I get to work in the heart of Liberty Village everyday doing what I love! I get to utilize all my project management, organizational and problem solving skills from my engineering background to a new creative outlet of event management.

I am so excited looking forward as I venture into my new career I see many new possibilities for 2011! Stay tuned...

Reverb 10 | Prompt 9 | Party

2010-12-12T21:51:00.004-05:00

December 9 - Party

"Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)"

Being an event planner you would think I would have a long list of parties that rocked my world in 2010 but the reality I am usually "behind the scenes". This is usually where I prefer to be anyways, so don't feel sorry for me! :)

But one event that I was able to be the "guest" and really represents the full transition I made from engineer to corporate event planner in the city. This was the Film Festival party held at Kultura in Toronto. It was the end event for the 2 days client event I did at for work. I worked hard for months to assist on this large annual event and was up for hours on the days of the event. Then on the Friday night myself and the fellow event planner had a hair and makeup artist meet us at our hotel to get us all dolled up! We both had purchased brand new dresses and shoes. After about 2.5 hours we were ready to meet the other girls and head out to the party to meet the rest of the company and guests.

It was the first time in months I was able to just relax, have all expenses paid night out and get to know my fellow co workers. It was a blast and I night I will never forget.

Reverb 10 | Prompt 8 | Beautifully Different

2010-12-08T10:07:00.004-05:00

December 8 - Beautifully Different

"Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)"

Wow this is a hard one since I tend to be a person who can at times shy away from being different. For many year's in my life I made the choice to blend in over standing out or making a statement. If I truly want to answer this post I might have to be brutally honest with myself.

- I am a mix of both technical and creative (Engineer by education, Event planner by day and Serial Hobbyist when I find the time!)
- I love the cold and would have my window open all year round if I could
- I am shy but relish in sharing my life on the web
- I love to travel but can really be a hermit at times!!
- I am a bowl of contradictions!

Okay none of these are overly interesting I really can't think of anything overly exciting, sorry guys!

To close this off I would like to share one thing that I think lights people up; This is a tough one but I am going to make it simple and re-iterate what my Mother has told me for year's and I think it is my SMILE :) Thanks Mom!

I think this was the most difficult since I felt like I went in two different directions.

Maybe better luck with tomorrow's prompt....

Reverb 10 | Prompt 7 | Community

2010-12-07T11:24:00.013-05:00

December 7 - Community

"Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris) "

In 2010 it was the year of the event community and social media.

I have connected to the following communities;
- Special Event Boot Camp
- Twitter within the Scrapbooking world/HR Professionals/Torontonians
- WPIC (Wedding Planning Institute of Canada)
- Big Picture Classes
- Event & Meeting Management graduates
- Hip & Urban Girl TO Blogger network
- Close to my Heart Consultants
- My new coworkers as of May 2010
- My family

In 2011 I would like to push my involvement in the communities I am already listening to or participating in over the last year. But I would also like to push new ground and get connected to the communities below
- #eventprofs on Twitter
- Stitch & Bitch (want to crochet more!)
- Health & Fitness community (running/ yoga class friends)
- Book Club with Work have signed up but has not started)
- Smark Cookie Women Financial meet up group
- Blogher
- GenPink

I feel like I could list 100 things but I think these were be the top ones!

Tia Singh (@tiasparkles) from the #reverb10 community had a great suggestion on Twitter today.

Okay officially caught up! Excited about tomorrows prompt :)

Reverb 10 | Prompt 6 | Make

2010-12-07T00:17:00.004-05:00

December 6 - Make
"What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)"

The last thing I made was a wedding album for a friend of mine who was married in October (Yes, it is a very late wedding gift!!) I made the project out of a 8x8 album and makde blank pages with embellishments so she can add her own photos and caption. I can't wait to give it to her. That reminds me I need to take picture and post after I give it as her gift.

There are lots of things I would love to make; I am a serial hobbyist and wanna be DIY'er. I will take on any craft and dive right in! But if I wanted to narrow it down to one thing it would be a scrapbook of my travels to Europe in 2006. It has been so long but I know in the years to come I will wish I had but all my thought into one space so I can share it with my family.

Reverb 10 | Prompt 5 | Let Go

2010-12-07T00:16:00.004-05:00

December 5 - Let Go
"What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)"

I am letting go of the need to say yes to everything that comed my way. I find myself drowning in the guilt of not attending each and every blogger/twitter event and not being out of the house 6 nights a week. I do not need to be at those events to be whole and complete. I am letting go of the guilt and the pressure.

I will prioritize what is important to me and bring my full attendance.

Reverb 10 | Prompt 4 | Wonder

2010-12-07T00:14:00.003-05:00

December 4 - Wonder

"How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)"

My drive to travel and see new places feeds my sense of wonder. I have found it hard over the year to kept my sense of wonder alive once I settled into the routine of a full time job. I started to believe that wonder does not exist if routine is present. I am taking on the challenge for 2011 to have a life that is balanced and structured but is still a life that is full of wonder.

Traveling is not just about getting on a plane and going somewhere far far away. Traveling can exist in your own backyard. You must stop taken the simply things in life for granted you never know what you might miss. I choose to be a tourist in my city of Toronto for the year of 2011! That is how i will cultivate a sense of wonder.

Reverb 10 | Prompt 3 | Moment

2010-12-07T00:13:00.004-05:00

December 3 - Moment
"Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)"

In my efforts to catch up on this challenge I need to pump out 5 blog postings today. I am dreading getting this one done because I am drawing a blank... I have experienced a lot over this past year but I feel like it has been internal and more of an inner change then some momentous moment.

So I have taken some time and finally chose the moment when I discovered I was being offered a full time Event planner position.

I began my journey to transition from a career in mechanical engineering to event management in May 2009. I will spare you all the details but I left my previous employer and started attending classes and volunteering in the city to gain as much exposure as possible. Eleven months later, an opportunity became avaiable in the corporate sector to work as an event professional. I was not currently on the job hunt but had a feeling this was an opportunity I could not let pass me by. After having many interviews as an engineer I had technical interviews down pat but I was embarking on something completely different when I entered the building for my meet & greet.

I completed the interview and in the process convinced myself this was the only job for me! I left the buidling feeling confident but unsure what was going to be next. But two days after I received a phone call stating they want to book an appointment to have me come in and look over an offer. I couldn't of been more over the moon! I had just completed a very relaxing and clarifying yoga class and was walking home on the cool crisp night in April. I felt as light as a feather when I heard the news and retrain myself from jumping up and down in the Bay Bloor entrance to the Nike Store. This one moment cemented all the hard work I had put into changing my path to a path I was being lead down to a path I was guiding myself.

After almost 7 months working at my new position I still feel I need to pinch myself.

Reverb 10 | Prompt 2 | Writing

2010-12-06T23:58:00.002-05:00

December 2 - Writing

"What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?
(Author: Leo Babauta)"

I do a lot of things that do not contribute to my writing... I have never considered myself a writer or a person who has a way with the English language. I have a degree in mechanical engineering and I haven't written an essay since Grade 8. I do not go out of my way to sit down and write, it has never been a part of who I am. But I believe there is always an opportunity to learn and grow and that is what this blog is for me. With each post I will practice putting my thoughts into word and over 2011 I know I will see an improvement.

So to answer the question... what do I do each day that does not contribute to my writing? EVERYTHING!!! But what I can feel I can eliminate is TV. I can easily exchange an hour of time in front of the tube to sit and share my thoughts.

I am making a commitment to trade in one TV hour for one hour of writing each day for the month of December.

Reverb 10 | Prompt 1 | One Word

2010-12-06T23:25:00.003-05:00

Prompt 1 - One Word

"December 1 – One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? (Author: Gwen Bell)"

Just one word... I have found this quite challenging since I feel like my life this year was pulled in many directions. I ended one career and started a new one; I moved apartments; I became a student once again and completed a certificate in a field completely different than what I took in university and I branched out to discover the new me.

When I think about all the milestones I have reached in 2010 and the word "Transformation" pops into my head.

I believe transformation has acted both good and bad in my life in the last 12 months. Although my over all opinion would be deeply positive. I feel I have transformed to a person who is aware of the journey I have ahead of me to learn about the new me, the new me who has complete control of how I feel hour by hour. I am responsible for the good and the bad in my life and that is okay, life is what it is and I choose how I feel about it. I have transformed from women who must know all the answers to a women who is excited to see what's next and how I can learn more.

Now that I have conquered my word for 2010 and have reflected what these past 12 months have meant to me I now look forward and create what I want for the next 12 months. Now it gets exciting!!!

I have a positive outlook for the new year but I feel with all the change in 2010 I would love to have a year of balance and happiness. I want to enjoy the small things in life and be grateful for what I have around me.

I have chosen my word to be: Rejuvenation

I want to rejuvenate by health and my body, I was to bring life back to my friendships and relationships I have not paid enough attention to over the year. I have spent the past year focusing on me and my career goals and I think I need to rejuvenate the areas in my life I have been neglecting.

Reverb 10 | Introduction

2010-12-06T23:11:00.002-05:00

While blog surfing today I came across a very novel website... and a light came on. I think this is the answer to my new found commitment to starting to blog regularly for 2011 and taking the time for myself to reflect on the past 12 months and to look forward to the great world ahead.

The website is called Reverb 10 and is is a daily blog prompt for the month of December. I think if I had taken to to complete a December daily Album this would be a perfect compliment. But I thought I do what I can and you always have to start somewhere right? :) So this is me starting somewhere. I am 6 days behind already but I am going to catch up and get this going.

Here is what Reverb 10 founder Gwen Bell have to say about there movement;
"Reverb 10 (#reverb10) is now an annual event, an inspired response to (and evolution of) #best09. It’s an open online initiative that encourages participants to reflect on this year and manifest what’s next. It’s an opportunity to retreat and consider the reverberations of your year past, and those that you’d like to create in the year ahead. We’re connected by the belief that sharing our stories has the power to change us. We look forward to reading yours."

Happy December!! Keep coming back for more posts and let me know what you think about reflecting on the past 12 months and getting ready for the new year.

It's Been way too long.....

2010-12-06T15:56:00.002-05:00

Hello Blog World!

So as life goes by and time flies I have been neglecting this blog and my personal life as I have being living in the world of transformation this year. There have been many changes in my life and I had hope to document these on my blog over the past 12 months but I have been unsuccessful.

But that is okay, life goes as it goes and I have loved every minute of it!

I still have a urge to share my life and my adventures on this blog. I want to make 2011 the year of recording my thoughts and sharing all the small things in life that make me smile. So I have stumbled upon a little site I think will kick start my creative juices and allow me to bring 2011 in with a bang!

I have join the #reverb10 moment; even though it it s little late. I will catch up on the past 6 days then keep it going until the end of December. Check out the website here.

And keep coming back for more!

Another summer month, another Great Stamp of the Month!

2009-07-03T11:58:00.005-04:00

So another month has gone by and I still have yet to unpack all my scrapbooking supplies!! Although my very sweet boyfriend surprised my last night when I got home with my scrapbooking shelf! I have a large EXPEDIT shelf from IKEA that holds all my scrapbooking supplies and now that it is up I can start unpacking my boxes and start scrapping again :)

But until then I am going introduce you to this month's Stamp of the Month and put some links to some great and creative CTMH consultants who have done some great artwork with this new stamp.

Enjoy!!

Nona - Great Flower pot card
Jena - Card with embossing
Wendy - Great Layout!
Melissa - Another Great Card!
Paige - Great technique with white embossing powder!
Jamia - Matched the stamp with a cuttle bug embossing floder!
Heather - Super cute tag!

My First Blog award and the SOTM Winner!

2009-06-01T14:49:00.007-04:00

Hello All!!

First off I would like to apologize for being absent for so long. With moving this month and starting night school I am finding it hard to find the time to get on this blog and/or even scrapbook. I am sad to say all my scrapbook supplies are still in boxes since the moved so I have not scrapbooked in sometime. Although the good news it I will need to get some scrapbooking supplies together for this weekend since I am heading to Smith Falls to the LSS Tomorrow's Treasures. I will be attending Vicki Boutin's weekend class that will focus on 7 Gypsies and her personal vintage style. It is a pleasure taking her classes and I can't wait to get my hand on some of these great products. If you ever get the opportunity to have Vicki come to your LSS take her class, you won't regret it. This will be my third time driving from Toronto to Smith Falls to take her classes. I have also taken classes at my LSS Bizzy B's Scrapbooking and at Scrapping Turtle in St. Jacob's.

Here s sneak peak of the project we are working on this weekend! I can't wait!!

Well let's get down to business!

So I have been given my first blog award from Karen Wilson! I am so excited and honored!
Karen thank you so much for the recognition, I truly appreciate it. It's so nice to get props from a fellow Close to my Heart Consultant and fellow Ontarian!The rules for the lemonade stand awards are:

Comment on this blog
Nominate 5 to 10 blogs you feel show great attitude and gratitude
Link to your nominees within your blog post
Comment on their blogs to let them know they received the award
Link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation

So now I will pass it on to the following great bloggers who I find always inspire me and I look forward to seeing the work that they do! I wish I could list every one of the blogs I visit, but here's just a few!

1. Lisa
2. Laurie
3. Katie
4. Stephanie
5. Kelly Jo
6. Melissa
7. Jena
8. Nona
9. Tracey
10. Ruth

Well thank you ladies for all your inspiration! It has been a pleasure being a follower of all your blogs :)

Also I have drawn a winner for the May SOTM blog candy!! and the winner is ............

sandyh50 said...I love these silhouette stamps!
They remind me of the song I am Woman, hear me roar! LOL

Congrats Sandy! I will be sending you an email to get your address and I will send you the May SOTM shortly, you are going to love it! I was so excited to get my hands on this one I can't wait to make birthday cards, thank you cads and bachlorette invites with these super trendy ladies! Keep posted on my blog for monthly draws for each SOTM from Close to my Heart.

"Everyone can write a Little"

2009-05-14T21:51:00.002-04:00

I know with life getting in the way I have found it hard to get out to my local scrapbooking store and for classes and crops. I really miss going to classes and learning something new from the teacher or my fellow classmates. So for now I think I have found an alternative...

Online Classes!!

I found myself on the Big Picture Scrapbook website going through the workshops and found few I was really interested in and I have already sign up for Cathy Zielske's class "Everyone can write a little". This course focusing on integrated micro-blogging (Twitter or Facebook) as a tool to enhance your journaling. I think it will be a very interesting creative journey and with it being an online class it allows me to schedule the task into my busy life.

Have you taken an online class before? Where did you take the class? How did you like the class compared to the Local Scrapbooking store experience? Love to hear what you all think!

Check out this great Facebook inspried layout "25 Random things" by Christine Drumheller

I was hoping to have sometime to do up a layout myself but with the move into the new apartment, starting night school and being in a wedding this month things have gotten in the way. Looking forward to a happy scrapping June once I unpack all my scrapbooking tools! I won't have a free weekend to do that until June 13th!!

Idea Book 2009 Giveaway Winner!!

2009-05-11T09:06:00.003-04:00

So I used my trusty random number generator at RANDOM.ORG and the winning number was 7!!!

So this is who won

Erin A said...: I would love this book! Thanks for the giveaway!

Erin, I will be getting in contact with you today to get your address so I can send out the book your way!

Thank you for all who participated. Don't forget to check out the May Stamp of the Month Giveaway at this link.

You can win a stamp set for FREE!

Congrats,

May Stamp of the Month - "Be Yourself" Giveaway

2009-05-04T12:24:00.000-04:00

Check out this month's stamp of the month that is offered by Close to my Heart for April! A fun new My Acrylix stamp set is introduced and featured each month and is offered for that month only. Make a qualifying minimum purchase, and it's yours at a special price or even free!

I am in love with this stamp set, I can't wait to make gift card set for my friends! Great for little hostess gifts or birthday gifts. Everyone should have fun little cards on hand just in case they need to write a Thank you to someone!!

If you are interested in purchasing this stamp contact me, you may even qualify to earn one for free!

Just like last month I am giving one of these stamp sets away for free!! Just leave a comment on this post with your name and email address. I will pick a random posting on May 31th 2009 and contact the winner and send out the stamp set.

Earn an extra entry for posting this blog candy on your website, leave a comment with the link to your posting and I will add another entry for you!

Stay tune for next month's giveaway!! Also I am giveaway the new Summer 2009 Idea Book, check out this post for details.

Close to my Heart Summer 2009 Idea Book Giveaway

2009-05-01T13:43:00.009-04:00

Okay it is finally here, Close to my Heart has released their Summer 2009 Idea Book and there are lots of great new papers and stamps to get excited about.
If you would like a catalog reserve yours today by sending me and email (I sell them for $2 each or you get one free with any order or hosting a gathering!) Email me soon, since I only have a limited supply!!

OR WIN ONE FOR FREE!!

...for being such loyal bloggers I am also going to give one away for free! Just post a comment and include your name and contact information before 12pm on May 8th 2009 and I will pick a winner and send you the Idea Book in the mail.

Here are the new papers that have been released
- "Back Country" perfect for your cottage pictures or masculine cards
- "Bella" perfect for daughter dance pictures or set of thank you cards to a friend
- "Moon Doggie" perfect for beach photos or "Wish you were here" cards
- "Tinkerin" perfect for for picture of your little one who loves lego or youth cards
- "Animal Cookies" perfect for all your toddler layouts or birthday cards

Here is the picture of Animal cookies, this paper pack is just too cute!

Also they have added, foam letters that go perfect with "Baby Cookies" and another set of journaling tags that match the "Bella" paper pack. I can't wait to use these and all the other new embellishments on my layouts and cards.

Check back soon for my own artwork that featured these new paper packs.

Summer 2009 Idea Book Sneak Peek #4

2009-04-30T11:30:00.006-04:00

So here is your Fourth edition of the Summer 2009 Idea Book sneak peeks.....

New paper pack - Tinkerin!!!

What do you think of this paper pack? What LO's would you use it for! I thought it would be great for toddler pictures or birthday cards.

Don't forget to enter my Stamp of the Month giveaway for this month! Check out the details here. Time is running out to win!!

And tomorrow will be the official release of the new Idea Book! I only have a limited quanity so email me if you want one and I can reserve one for you.

Summer 2009 Idea Book Sneak Peek #3

2009-04-29T11:30:00.004-04:00

So here is your third edition of the Summer 2009 Idea Book sneak peeks.....

New paper pack - Bella!!!

What do you think of this paper pack? What LO's would you use it for! I thought it would be great for sympathy cards or pretty summer wedding pictures.

Don't forget to enter my Stamp of the Month giveaway for this month! Check out the details here. Time is running out to win!!

Summer 2009 Idea Book Sneak Peek #2

2009-04-28T11:30:00.003-04:00

So here is your second edition of the Summer 2009 Idea Book sneak peeks.....

New paper pack - Moon Doggie!!!

What do you think of this paper pack? What LO's would you use it for! I thought it would be great for all my travel pictures.

Don't forget to enter my Stamp of the Month giveaway for this month! Check out the details here. Time is running out to win!!

Summer 2009 Idea Book Sneak Peek #1

2009-04-27T11:28:00.002-04:00

On May 1st Close to my Heart will be releasing it's new Summer 2009 Idea book and it is fantastic!! I ave one and taken a look though it and I have fallen in love with some of the new stamps and happy to see they have made some of the Stamps of the Month from last year a permanent stamp in the idea book.

Over the next week leading up to the idea book release I will be posting sneak peaks of upcoming products for your viewing pleasure.

So here is your first edition of the Summer 2009 Idea Book sneak peeks.....

New paper pack - Back Country!!!

What do you think of this paper pack? What LO's would you use it for! I thought it would be great for male cards.

Don't forget to enter my Stamp of the Month giveaway for this month! Check out the details here. Time is running out to win!!

Tip Tuesday #4 - Chipboard

2009-04-21T10:05:00.004-04:00

Okay so today's tip is going to be brief since my life has been crazy this past week and I haven't even had the time to scrapbook anything!

Since my boyfriend and I are moving into new place at the end of the month I have about a week and a bit to get everything packed and also keep the place clean to show prospective tenants... I am going crazy. Above that I am also getting ready to take a night course for the next 4 months... I don't know what I am thinking.

Anyways, here is this weeks tip.;

Check out Scrapbook Etc. website to see 26 ways to dress up your chipboard. I knwo sometimes I get stubbed as to what to do with all my chipboard letters other then glue it on the page as is!

Enjoy! Leave a comment on your favourtie way to dress up chip board :)

Don't forget to enter my Stamp of the Month giveaway for this month! Check out the details here.

BPS Online Book Club

2009-04-20T14:45:00.000-04:00

In an efforts to expand my reading scope and engage in different styles of non fiction I have joined the Big Picture Scrapbooking online book club.

This is a full year book club, with a new book each month and it is free to join! Which was a big plus for me.

The book for April "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" and so far I have enjoyed it. It would have never been a book I would of picked up and read on my own and I am glad this book club has pushed me to do so! This book is much more serious then I am used to. I usually read mysterious, science fiction and a lot click lits book. So reading this has been a chance of pace and quite an eye opener.

So if you have an interest in reading or just want to connect with fellow book worm scrapbookers, come join me at the BPS online book club!

If you have read this book, leave a comment and tell me what you thought of it.

National Scrapbooking Month Campaign - "Tickled Pink"

2009-04-15T11:20:00.002-04:00

Close to My Heart is releasing a fantastic deal in celebration of the National Scrapbooking Month. The kit is to die... Look at all the goodies you get!!

The Tickled Pink scrapbooking kit includes:

1 – My Acrylix® I Am Stamp Set (D-size)
2 – 12” x 12” Floral B&T Duos™ Paper (1 with glitter)
2 – 12” x 12” Stripe B&T Duos™ Paper (1 with glitter)
1 – 12” x 12” Blush Textured Cardstock
1 – 12” x 12” Crystal Blue Textured Cardstock
5 – 12” x 12” White Daisy Textured Cardstock (1 sheet with die-cut shapes)
1 –Mini-Medley Accents White Daisy Collection
1– Foam Texture Tool
1– Brochure (instructions for 2 two-page layouts from brand-new patterns)
Featured Colors: Blush, Crystal Blue, Twilight, Hollyhock, Sweet Leaf

Dates: April 15–May 31, 2009
Customers can get the Tickled Pink kit in one of following ways:

Purchase the kit outright for the price of $43.50 CAN (The kit has a retail value of $49.95 but CTMH is offering it to you $6.45 savings.).
Earn the Tickled Pink kit for FREE with a purchase that includes a minimum of $75 in stamp sets (excluding K-size/customized and Stamp of the Month).

For Hostesses:
Dates: April 15–May 31, 2009
Hostesses who hold a qualifying Home Gathering with minimum sales of $400 US / $500 CAN will receive the Tickled Pink scrapbooking kit for FREE .

For New Consultants:
Dates: May 1–May 31, 2009
New Consultants who enroll during the month of May will receive the Tickled Pink scrapbooking kit for free as part of their New Consultant Kit.

So if you are interested in this great kit feel free to contact me for an order or book a gathering and earn it for free!

Here is a card that was inspired by a fellow CTMH Consultant, Lisa. Check out her blog here! made with the stamp set that is included with the Tickled Pink kit. How cute and easy is this card!!
Don't forget to enter my Stamp of the Month giveaway for this month! Check out the details here.

Tip Tuesday #3 - Ribbon

2009-04-14T11:17:00.005-04:00

While checking out the Two Peas education centre I came a cross a great video that shows different techniques for adding ribbon to your cards. It's a nice twist from just wrapping the cards and tying a bow at the front.

My favourite technique has to be adhering the ribbon with a staplers and creating a gathering affect on the front of the card.

Check out the video tutorial here.

Don't forget to enter my Stamp of the Month giveaway for this month! Check out the details here.

Happy Easter Everyone!!

2009-04-10T14:39:00.000-04:00

Well I am off to enjoy my 3 day weekend at my Parent's place in Creemore, Ontario. I am bringing some of my scrapbooking supplies to do some crafting with my Mom. Maybe I will get caught up with some online challenges they are I be wanting to do for while! I can only dream right? :)

Most important thing about this weekend though is rest and relaxation. I have been in such a tizzy lately and truly need to get some time to regroup and find my centre again.

Hope you all enjoy the weekend and I will hopefully have some artwork to post on Monday!

For now take a look at the little easter giftie I made for my sister in law. Inside is a LUSH bathbomb that is shaped like a rabbit. Her and I have always shared a love of bath products and being a Mom I think she fully deserves a nice relaxing bath for Easter, kid free!!

Also don't forget to enter my April Stamp of the month giveaway. The details are all on this post.

{Supplies}
Paper - White Daisy (CTMH), Magic Moments Patterned Paper (CTMH)
Ink - Versamark
Stamps - Say in Style (CTMH), Today's Date (CTMH)
Misc - Cello envelope, pink ribbon (Unknown), Black Embossing powder (CTMH), border punch (Fiskars)

Fitness and Wellness Commitment

2009-04-08T02:15:00.000-04:00

Okay so the sun is back out and the weather is getting warmer. Like most I start to think shorts and bathing suits and don't want to even imagine trying to fit into one since I have let myself go over the winter... Need to shed that winter coat and get ready for the summer!!

To do that I am thinking of dusting off my ipod NIKE+ and running shoes and hitting the pavement. I started running in 2007 and I did really enjoy it but like always life can get in the way and the running fade into the background. I am ready to to get back out there and give it another try and push myself further, and hit that 10k.

Seeing Donna Downey's widget on her blog it has really inspired me to get my butt in gear! Thank's for that Donna, you are an inspiration. Both both for health and creativity.

In the next week I will be adding my Ipod NIKE+ widget to my blog to track my progress and keep me in line. So feel free to watch it and kick my butt if I am falling behind!!

So who else out there is up for the challenge? What are your fitness tricks to keep motivated and on track? Do you work out in the morning or in the evening after work?

To get this fitness journey kicked off I scrapbooked a photo I have of myself from a past run I did in 2007. The sketch credit goes to Gretchen McElveen from Memory Makers blog. Her running layouts were just too cute and simple I had to take the inspiration and make my own running layouts to remember my past achievements in fitness.

Enjoy the layout and get out and get active!
{Supplies}
Paper - White Daisy, Indian Corn Blue, Magic Moments patterned paper for scalloped edges (All Close to my heart)
Misc - Dimensional Elements (CTMH), blank writer pen, staples, Color Ready Alphabet Bold (CTMH)

Tip Tuesday #2 - Shadow Stamping

2009-04-07T09:49:00.002-04:00

This is a nifty little trick I use to create depth on my stamped images without too much trouble.

What I did was ink up the sentiment with black ink and stamp it on the card stock and without re-inking I shift the stamp just slightly and re-stamp. The second generation stamp leave the perfect shadow!! I just love this affect, its so simple and you don't waste any ink!!!

Here is a little Thank You Card I made and did the "Thank You" using the Shadow Stamping technique.

Enjoy!

Don't forget to enter my Stamp of the Month giveaway for this month! Check out the details here.

{Supplies}
Paper - Unknown
Ink - Tim Holtz's Weathered Word Distress Ink, Black (CTMH)
Stamps - Flourishes (Basic Grey), Sentiment (CTMH)
Misc - Ribbon, Brads (Joann's)

I am #1 on Google!!

2009-04-06T22:40:00.004-04:00

I googled myself for fun with my boyfriend tonight and found out I am number one on the list when you google "Katie Paterson scrapbooking". It's hard for me to be high on the list with a well known author named Katherine Paterson and a very popular European photographer also named Katie Paterson. But I keep on trying!!!

Come back tomorrow for Tip Tuesday #2!!

April Stamp of the Month - "World's Best Dad"

2009-04-01T12:10:00.007-04:00

Check out this month's stamp of the month that is offered by Close to my Heart for April! A fun new My Acrylix stamp set is introduced and featured each month and is offered for that month only. Make a qualifying minimum purchase, and it's yours at a special price or even free!

This stamp has come just in time to make all your Father's Day cards! I am sure all Dad's would enjoy a hand made card to add a special touch to any gift.

If you are interested in purchasing this stamp contact me, you may even qualify to earn one for free!

Also starting this month, you can win the SOTM. Just leave a comment with your name and email address. I will pick a random posting on April 30th 2009 and contact the winner.

Earn an extra entry for posting this blog candy on your website, leave a comment with the link to your posting.

Stay tune for next month's giveaway!!

Tip Tuesday #1

2009-03-31T09:42:00.005-04:00

So I want to start at least one weekly post that has a reoccurring theme of some sort (I would love to have one each day of the week but I don't think I can keep that up!) So for now I am going to start with "Tip Tuesday". These posts will feature original tips from me or tips I find from other bloggers out there. Tips can range from scrap room organization, card making, scrapbooking, techniques, thrifty hand made gift ideas, the possibilities are endless!

So here is the first edition of Tip Tuesday!

This week I would like to feature the tip that inspired this whole idea of the Tip Tuesday weekly post. It is from a fellow Close to my heart consultant Tammy.

She had a tip to sort her distressing sponges in a tackle box and have them labeled by colour. I really love this idea since I cannot stand mixing colours when I want a nice crisp colour accent on the edge of my papers for cards or scrapbooking layouts. Currently I was just dropping them into an old baby wipe container but I had to fish through them to find the colour I was currently using so I did not mix a black with yellow or green with orange! I am going to get me a tackle box or bead box from Walmart and get my sponges organized!!

Here is the Tammy distress sponge organization solution!

How do you keep your sponges? I would love to hear from you!

Created this card using the resist technique with white embossing powder on white daisy card stock.

*Edited to add sponge technique artwork*

{Supplies}
Paper - Hollyhock, Black and Daisy White (CTMH)
Ink - Blush (CTMH)
Stamps - Priceless Love and February Word Puzzle (Both CTMH)

Happy Birthday Hero Arts!

2009-03-30T13:19:00.004-04:00

Hero Arts Blog is celebrating it's one year birthday today! Check out the blog, they have lots of giveaways today and surprises for the rest of the week.

Hope you all are having a great Monday! Check back tomorrow for the first edition of Tip Tuesday!!

Cuttle Bug Giveaway!

2009-03-27T09:19:00.006-04:00

Happy Friday Bloggers! Hope you all enjoyed your first full week of Spring (I think this is the first full week??)

Well just wanted to share the love and let you all know the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog is giveaway a lot of great stuff today and over the weekend and you should go check it out.

I love me little bug! Its just the right size to bring to a crop and add a little flair to your cards or scrapbook layouts.

Here's a list of all the great things you can do with a Cuttlebug:
- Cut with Cuttlebug dies
- Cut with Quickuts dies
- Cut with Spellbinders dies
- Cut with Boss Kuts dies
- Emboss card stock
- Emboss patterned paper
- Emboss chipboard!! (I love this look and its so easy)
- Emboss vellum
- Emboss and ink card stock in one shot
- Emboss you acrylic shapes and add ink to raise sections
- Emboss acrylic shapes and colour in negative space with gel pen
- Emboss card stock and add chalk to raised sections

And there are so much more, hopefully in the future I will be able to post some of these tutorials so you can see how they are done!

Go check out the Cuttlebug Challenge blog!

Wedding Season is Approaching

2009-03-26T09:30:00.008-04:00

So with the warmer weather comes Wedding season, being in my mid-twenties I feel like everyone I know and her Sister is getting married!! Last year I was a bride's maid and went to three other weddings and this year I am a bride's maid for a wedding in May and have a wedding in August. If I am not attending weddings it is bridal showers, Jack & Jills, Baby Showers and Bachlorette parties... the list goes on. I guess this is what happens when you get older??

Although I love weddings sometimes too many can get over whelming (...and pricey). This year for wedding gifts I am hoping to make an 8x8 albums the bride and groom can add there own 4x6 photos and journaling. I started working on one last night but I will post pictures once the bride has received it (I don't want to give away the surprise!!)

So for now in terms of artwork you will have to settle on a card I made as a card gift set for a bridal shower I attended last year. I gave the bride enough cards so she could use them as her Thank you cards for all the gifts she received at the shower.

{Supplies}
Paper - Leaf Green Bazzil card stock, White card stock
Stamps - sposabella (Stamping Bella)
Ink - Rangers Archival Ink Black, Sakura Pink gel pen, Copic markers
Misc - ribbon (Micheal's), brads (dollar store), cuttlebug embossing folder (Divine Swirls)

Blog Format Change

2009-03-25T11:31:00.004-04:00

Some of my past visitors might have noticed that my blog template changed slightly. I have changed my 2 column template to a 3 column template which allows me to add more fun stuff on my sidebars without having to scroll and scroll and scroll...

Thanks to this wonderful tutorial blog - http://www.threecolumnblogger.com

I managed to change all the HTML code myself and make three columns! I am really getting the hang of this blogger HTML thing, oh the possibilities!!

Well I hope all you bloggers out there wanting to have three columns benefit from this great tutorial blog.

Page Challenge - Lara Brooks

2009-03-24T10:18:00.004-04:00

I love to read blogs written by fellow canadian scrapbookers, and yesterday I found the blog of Lara Brooks. She is in the Toronto area (just like me) and contributes to the Canadian Scrapbooker magazine and is also on the design team for myStamp Box. She is a wonderful talented scrapbooker!!

In her most recent post she has posted a layout challenge and is offering some great blog candy so I thought I would join in! and I encourage you all to do the same :)

Check her blog each Sunday for 2 or 3 Themes, post a comment with a link to your layout on her comments, and you'll be entered to win a prize! She has stamp sets, paper packs and lots more to choose from.

Here is my layout for the Theme - Home Sweet Home
EDITED - Adding better photo of layout

{Supplies}
Paper - Scraptivity September 2007 Kit
Stamps - Technique Tuesday Journaling Stamp
Misc - Big & Easy Stickers for title

Florida Mini Album

2009-03-22T21:20:00.012-04:00

This weekend I had a girlfriend come over for a little scrapping at my house and I finally got my Florida mini album completed. I bought the K&Company Sea Glass travel book prior to my trip and brought it with me to journal each day. The journaling lasted about 3 out of the 7 days I was in Florida so I had to really sit down and look over the photos so I could get the rest of the journaling done, I think that was the hardest part but having all the memories down was worth it! But I really like the idea of doing the journaling each day when you are on a vacation/trip. In the end you really get to look back on the trip and have a lot of the little details recorded. Although like most I do have a hard time sitting down at the end of a long day sightseeing and write in a journal, but I think journaling like this is something that takes practice! What journaling tricks do you have?

During my trip to Florida my Family and I ran the 5k Family run together. It was so much fun and something I would love to do again. Maybe one year I will run the 1/2 marathon?? Gotta have goals right? :) So glad I have this album to hold all these great memories.

{Supplies}
Album - K&Company SeaGlass Travel Mini
Paper - K&Company SeaGlass 4x6 Die Cut Mats
Misc - K&Company SeaGlass album, rub ons, chipboard, die cut journal tags and title stickers

Happy Spring... Happy Everything!!

2009-03-20T13:52:00.003-04:00

Happy Spring Everyone! I hope wherever you are reading this post from you have at least a little bit of sunshine. It may not be very warm outside today but at least the sky is clear, I am loving it and this weather is putting me in a perfect mood for the start of the weekend.

Check out this card I made a while back, it just speaks spring to me! Enjoy!

{Supplies}
Paper - Purple and Lime Greenscraps from my stash
Stamps - Love of Life (CTMH)
Ink - Purple & Green (unknown manufacturer)
Other - Foam pop dots

Back to the Blog... With a different focus

2009-03-19T13:43:00.003-04:00

Okay so I am going to start up this blog for the third...fourth time! It has been a long time since I have been on this blog and so much has changed, I went from a university student to living single in the city to living in the city with the man of my dreams.

I want to start this blog up again to track my scrapbooking adventures and creative journey in life. I hope to post any new classes I am taking, layouts I have done and any other random facts I may find interesting. This blog will be a blank canvas for now and I will add more to it as time goes on. This will be a learning experience for me and you are all welcome to jump on board or lend a hand with technical or creative advice.

Other places you can find me at are
www.twitter.com/katiepaterson
www.hungarytrip.blogspot.com

So leave a comment and say hello! I will be back soon I promise :)

Fitness Test #1

2006-04-09T15:47:00.000-04:00

So I forgot to post my first fitness test on April 2nd. I didn't do any measurements but my new weight is...

Weight: 133 lb

I hope I stay this way but I am sure it will bounce up and down. Lately I haven't been doing very well with keeping up on my work outs. I will continue and try my best but things with school have gotten so hectic... I must push through!!

Unofficial Weigh In

2006-03-21T20:56:00.000-05:00

OKay so the whole working out and losing weight thing has come to a slow start.. but that's okay because I am going to stay motivated. I am going to also post my measurements so I can keep track of my progress better.

Weight: 135 lb

Arms: 10 ''
Bust: 38''
Waist: 33''
Hips: 38.5''
Thigh: 20''

Well that's it folks... I will be checking in every 10th workout, so about every week and a half and tracking my progres!! I hope this can also motivate others to get into shape as well. Keep motivtaed!!

Trip to Hungary Counter

2006-03-21T13:18:00.000-05:00

So it looks like I will be off to Hungary for the months of May and June. I will be working in Budapest for the Budapest Polytechnic Institute. I will be working for the department of Manufacturing and Material Science with a focus on injection moulding.

Below I have published a ticker counter to count down my departure date...

Back on the scale...

2006-03-01T11:54:00.000-05:00

Okay so I decided to get myself back into gear and lose some of that excess weight. I jumped onto a scale and its always such a depression event. I don't know what I thought I would expect... I know I have been eating porrly and not working out at all, I guess I was hoping for a miracle. One can hope can't they? :)

Well here it is...

Weight: 135 lb

I hope to loose about 15 pounds which will bring me down to 120 lb which is reasonable for my height (5'4'') So i will try my best to log my progress here. I am currently downloading a copy of Yourself Fitness!, I had a copy but have misplaced the second CD. So in the next few days I will have that all set up and I will start recording my measurments and what not. Wish me luck!!!

Back to the Blogger...

2006-02-27T18:48:00.000-05:00

So it's been quite a while since the last time I post. I find it hard to keep up with this blogging trend... not yet sure if it is for me. But I am willing to give it another try.

So for now a quick little update with what has been going on my life and where I am today. I have finished my 16 month work term at General Motors in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada and I have returned to school at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada to finish my mechanical engineering degree. I have broken up with my 6 year long boyfriend from highschool and I am currently dating my long time best friend and school companion. I have to say I think this is one of the biggest changes in my life so far and I am quite happy with it and quite happy with my new boyfriend. In other news I will be graduating as of April 2006 and moving onto bigger ponds. I will be moving to Hungary for 8 weeks to work the at Budapest Polytechnic Institute in the department of Material Science and Manufacturing. I hope to spend my weekends travelling and blogging my adventures. Upon my return I will be starting work at a desiel heater manufacturing company in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Then 3 month later I am scheduled to travel to Germany with my company from the months of October to February.

So in a nut shell, things are going great and life is going to be lots of fun and exciting : ) Keep looking for new updates and pictures from around the world!!!

2nd Fitness Test

2005-06-24T11:19:00.000-04:00

Okay I was unable to get my weight for the firness test because I do not own a scale and I don't go to the gym anymore... but I dont even feel that great about my weight this week I feel all bloated... blah

Weight: 128...same I guess... not sure

butt: 39'' (lost 1'')
waist: 30'' (same)
thigh: 20'' (same)
bust: 36'' (same)

Bah I am really frustrated because I have been working out everyday and really cut back on what I have been eating and eating lots of veggies and I feel plump... and I dont feel like I really want to get into a bathing suit anytime soon... bah

1st Fitness Test

2005-06-08T17:03:00.000-04:00

Here's my update after my first Fitness Challenge for Yourself Fitness. So I have lost 3 pounds
and 3'' off my waist!! So it's working and I am staying motivated, I have only missed a day or two due to heavy work hours.

Weight: 128

butt: 40''
waist: 30''
thigh: 20''
bust: 36''

I gotta keep it up!!

Inadequate

2005-06-04T14:30:00.000-04:00

I have started a new job about a month ago now and I just feel like I am never going to be good at it. I just don't have the quick answers to things and thats what you need in this job. I hate not feeling like I am doing a good job... I am trying hard but I don't know where or what I am suppose to be doing most of the time. I just feel so lost. I have beentrying to get more sleep at night so my mind is more alert during the day buy I still can't seem to cut it... I hate this feeling. Well I have the rest of the summer to figure it out. I guess I should just be positive and keep on trying, I won't get anywhere giving up. I will check in later with an update.

Motivation

2005-05-29T21:27:00.000-04:00

So I am keeping on track with the new ourself Fitness but I don't think its enough. I need to keep ohn going to the gym and get my butt in gear if I wanna look good in my swim suit in July. That also means I need to cut out all the junk and drink lots of water. My goal is to drink 2-3 L of water a day.

So these are my Goals

1. Work out everyday
2. Drink water (2-3L a day)
3. Sleep by 10pm

First Yourself Fitness Workout

2005-05-27T12:44:00.000-04:00

OKay so I am going to be tracking my weight loss progress on this blog to keep me motivated.

So I started Yourself Fitness today (a great computer program).

Weight: 131

butt: 40''
waist: 33''
thigh: 21''
bust: 36''

Here I go!!!

Is it just me??

2005-05-19T19:48:00.000-04:00

Okay do you ever reach a point where you feel like you have a grip on reality and also feel like you may have completely lost your mind all at the same time?? I get upset about something but then I can;t make up my mind if its rational to be upset about it.. when enough is enough or if I am just being a drama queen? How do you really know? I keep on thinking to myself that I need to see a professional. I wouldn't say it affects mt everyday life or anythin so maybe I am just tryign to make a mountian out of a mole hill.. See what I mean? I consider myself to be a very strong, confident and driven person but when it come to certain aspects of my life I am a complete wreck and I dont knwo right from wrong. Anything little thing could set me off and its like all the good things erase from my memory. I am suprised my boyfriend can even keep up with my emotions sometimes... If I stop and take in some deep calming breaths it can relax me but doesn't really address the root cause of my problem. Do I just keep on living my life hoping things will fall in place or do I talk to someone about it and see what I can do to fix it?

Vacation Countdown

2005-05-19T01:53:00.000-04:00

Me..Sharp?

2005-05-18T01:30:00.000-04:00

I had one of those moments at work today that make fills up your confidence. I have started this new job about 3 weeks ago and it's been quite a challenge. Today, one of my fellow co-workers approahed me and said she saw my picture in the office of the student recuiters (they keep pictures of all the current students) and asked the student recuiter (Karen Fracz) about me. My co-worker said "You know Katie?" and Kren said "She's one of the sharpest students we have."

I just about melted!! All my hard work is worth it. I always think I am not doing good enough and it's so great to hear it from some one. I needed some confirmation and my progress. some feedback.

People in my industry never give you enough feedback or custructive crtizism. They just let all you mistakes or faults muster and nothing gets resolved and you don't know where to improve yourself.

So today was one of those good days, I will remember when I have one of those bad days.

My Dream Car

2005-05-14T19:40:00.000-04:00

This is my dream car. The SMART car. I have been following the making of this car since my first trip to the United Kingdom 8 years ago. I have already visited the dealership even though I won't be buying a car until I finish school and come back from being overseas.

Hello Kitty Banner

2005-05-14T16:09:00.000-04:00

Katie's Blog

ME

2005-05-14T15:39:00.000-04:00

This is me at my old house playing around with my web cam :)

First Blog Post Ever!!!

2005-05-14T15:14:00.000-04:00

So, I have just heard about this whole blog thing and though I would try it out. I just hope my life is exciting enough to be worthy of a blog. This will be a great way to keeo my friends and family in touch while I am away doign work terms or travelling.

So here I go...