karatechickscraps

2009-10-08T07:39:00.002-04:00

I'm BAAAACCCKKK!

2009-09-27T17:11:00.005-04:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

2009-04-10T20:14:00.002-04:00

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

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

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

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

Some new layouts and a FREEBIE!!!

2009-03-31T21:56:00.006-04:00

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

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

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

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

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

You can download the mask HERE

New layouts

2009-03-29T19:49:00.008-04:00

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

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

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

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

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

The reveal

2009-03-26T17:57:00.015-04:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Long time, no blog!

2009-03-25T09:46:00.004-04:00

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

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

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

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

Three new layouts: Scrapable products

2009-03-16T09:03:00.006-04:00

The first one was made with Cherie Shields Mini me reloaded kit and a template by Spinky Dink Scraps. Both from Scrapable.net. The template was provided as part of a challenge at Scrapable this month. I thought these pictures of my youngest son when he did his first ever karate exam were appropriate. He was certainly a mini me back then.

Here's a preview from Cherie's kit.

The next layout was done with a template by Kristin's ScrapDesign (pack no 19), which includes the fantastic photomask. The papers and elements are from Scrapable's March collaboration kit (Life's a beach). I used a picture from my brother who recently went on a family trip to St-Martin in the caribbean (lucky, lucky!). This is his 4 year old son (my nephew).

Here's a preview to Kristin's templates. I love the photomasks!!!

FINALLY, there was a speed scrap at Scrapable yesterday. I got in with only 30 minutes to spare, and this is what I came up with! Not too shabby for 30 minutes. Could be better too! Used the collaboration kit again for this one. These are baby pictures from my youngest son on his first trip to the beach.

A new layout today

2009-03-14T22:38:00.002-04:00

I got a new kit to work from at Scrapable yesterday. Actually, I got a template too. I was really excited to get to work with a kit by Cherie Sheilds (My mini me reloaded). I always love her work. Also, I've gotten some more templates by Kristin's scrapdesign (template set no 19). I love that 2 of the templates in this set include a photo mask. I always love the effect of these.

The picture is a picture of my and my youngest son. Taken just last week. I still love to play with extractions, and there is an extraction here. Notice the photo is black and white. Well, there is a layer of coral (from my sweater) that I extracted and placed as a second layer on top of the black and white. Learning new techniques every time I do a new project!

Still working on that blog project (not mine... that'll be for later... I have projects for that too!)

Still working on that project!

2009-03-13T22:08:00.012-04:00

But now I can say what it is. I didn't want to talk about it before because I wanted to make sure that I was not going to goof up. I'm helping someone design their blog. It is a lot of work, and a lot of trial and error, but I am doing pretty well. It's not completed yet, and it already looks superior to my blog! At least, IMHO.

I have 2 new layouts to share. One of them was done during a speed scrap at GDS. These are really fun events. Anyone who is into digiscrapping should try this once. I used to be scared of them, but it forces me to come up with a layout in 2 hours flat. Great experience in becoming more efficient. This first layout was done during the speed scrap:

This layout was done with Kristmess's Spring blossom that you can get at any of her stores (Gottapixel, Scrapdish or Digitalscrapbookingpages)

The second layout was done by Laitha's kit (Old time lovers) available at Scrapable.net

I'm so excited!!!!

2009-03-12T17:22:00.002-04:00

My oldest son went for an admission exam at a private school at the beginning of the week. He had been on the waiting list of this school since he was in kindergarten. There was 1 open spot for 3 candidates. We were warned that they would admit only the strongest candidate and he got in!!! I just found out via email when I got home from work.

Working on a new project...

2009-03-11T21:25:00.004-04:00

... it's a secret for now but it involves digiscrapping! I should be able to unveil it soon.

On the forefront of my ankle injury (severe sprain and interior malleolar fracture), I had an appointment with my physio who thinks I didn't improve in the last week. Actually, there is a deterioration in my flexibility and especially, increasing in swelling. She told me I am starting too much too fast :( I have been training at a very light pace, it is still too much. I'm going to have to dust off my stationary bike I'm afraid (I hate the stationary bike!)

I didn't listen very well though. The dojo tonight had an introductory Capoeira class tonight for the masters club (black belts only), and I told myself, I would just observe, but it was SO fun, that I couldn't help it. I was doing cartwheels and stuff. I think I'm going to pay for it tomorrow. I'm icing my ankle as we speak (or type in my case).

Another disapointment today

2009-03-10T20:59:00.000-04:00

One of the layouts I was working on for the scrapable CT... the file went corrupt and I can't open it anymore!!! I had been working for many days on this particular layout. I wasn't particularly satisified with it, so I guess it was for the best, but I just hate having to do it all over again!!! However, I was goofing off with my kids yesterday and trying to show my oldest son how to modify pictures and build a layout yesterday. He helped me with this layout:

I posted this layout at the february-march technique challenge at godigitalscrapbooking for the use of perspective in a layout. My DH, when he saw this, asked me if what I was smoking was good. LOL I just used mine and DSs imagination to do this. The layout was made with a kit by Miss Erin's scraps (available at scrapable.net) except the moon (from Stacey Crossley's kit Isabella) and the path (Helen Ehrenhofer). And of course, my youngest in the picture is my own extracted element ;)

On another completely unrelated note, I went to karate class with my 3 boys tonight and we had lots of fun. I'm still far from 100% but I can participate with lots of modifications. I'm focusing on what I can do, and not what I can't do. This way of thinking makes me much more enthusiastic!

My first ever FREEBIE

2009-03-09T14:30:00.000-04:00

It is a quick page made with the kit Ashlyn's spring by snowflake beach designs (see previous post). Click on preview to download. If you do download, please leave me some love. I'm new at this sort of stuff and need the encouragement!

Download link has expired for this freebie. You can get the rest of the QPs of this series at Chanin's blog. Check it out at the same time!

2009-03-08T20:35:00.001-04:00

Arrrghhhhh! I worked on my blog almost all day. I made this great blog background, but it doesn't fit!!! It's the same size as the one you see now, but yet, I can't make it work. It was really pretty too! I had used a kit by Kristmess to make it. I'm really disappointed. Although the one I have right now isn't so bad, it's not the one I wanted. The one on display was using a kit by Sweet Digi Scraps called Mischief makers (except for the elements in my header that are mine).

Because I worked on it all day, I don't have any layout to show for. How discouraging.

Edited my post because I was able to figure out a way to make the blog background work. It's not what I had hoped it would look like, but at least I was able to get the kit I wanted up (Kristmess's Birthday Blitz)

2009-03-07T20:15:00.000-05:00

Was at karate today with my oldest DS. It was a fun class, especially that I'm starting to be able to do more because I'm more mobile. I even found a way of jogging without any pain: jogging on my tip toes. It's not as fast, but at least it gets me moving. I helped teach the class this morning (that was a suprise) because they didn't have enough instructors. But I love to teach, so I don't mind getting those surprises. It's nice to see that I'm getting more and more responsibilities at the dojo. My son told me that he wanted to learn to teach like me, so I guess I'm doing something right.

On the digiscrapping front, I will be giving out my first FREEBIE on Monday. It's a QP I made with the kit Ashlyn's spring from snowflake beach designs. Deets soon about this! In the meantime here's another layout I made from this kit.

Also, I have another layout that was made with the kit Isabella by Stacey Crossley:

2009-03-06T15:40:00.000-05:00

So I joined another CT yesterday, Snowflake beach designs. It was a tough decision to make, because I'm so scared of becoming overwhelmed. However, I was asked to try and see how it goes. I couldn't resist that proposition, because I love Chanin's designs. I'll be working on my first project from her designs this weekend. This is a layout I made during a GDS speedscrap hosted by Chanin last Friday night using her kit Cora's best friend. It is one of my favorite layouts that I've done.

Here's another layout I did with this same kit. It was a V-day card I made for my youngest DS.

Here's the kit (image is linked to GDS store, figured out how to link an image on a PC, now I have to figure out how to do it on a Mac):

Tonight, there was a speed scrap at GDS. I really love those. It often what gets me started on a layout. I didn't think I could do as well as last week, but I think I did a pretty good job this week regardless. I learn new tricks (and get new ideas) each time I do those speed scraps.

The layout was done using a new kit by Snowflake beach designs called Ashlyn's spring found at Godigitalscrapbooking

2009-03-05T22:17:00.000-05:00

Another long day at work that required me drinking a glass of wine after. Ugh.

DH pushed me to go teach karate classes tonight (not like I had a choice). It did me lots of good. A small class though, only 5 students, which meant more individual attention. The head sensei worked with the 3 adults, while I worked with the 2 children. I like having less students, because you can really help them more than when you have 40 students in class.

I was planning on doing 2 layouts tonight, but after karate and watching Lost (what a super freaky show... i'm totally addicted!), I just finished a layout I started late last night and finished up tonight.

I used a kit by Laitha called Old time lovers. Gorgeous, gorgeous papers and elements! You can get this beautiful kit at Scrapable

2009-03-04T22:18:00.000-05:00

I had a really long, tough and stressful day at work. Didn't even come home in time to be able to change into my gi and get to the dojo. Besides, my ankle is killing me tonight. Went to encourage DS1 instead who is still working on those kamas. I have some new footage that I want to upload during the week.

Tonight, I worked on a page kit by Stacey Crossley called Isabella. It's a beautiful pastel kit. I have to admit that pastels are tough for me to work with because I don't have any girls (except my party animal kitteh Charlotte). I noticed that most pages using pastels use a lot of white space, so I decided to go that route for this layout from a picture that was taken about 2 weeks before my first son was born almost 9 years ago.

Photo courtesy of Manon Poitras.

Here's a preview of this beautiful kit available at scrapable

2009-03-03T21:15:00.000-05:00

Today, I had an appointment with my physio. I've made really good improvements in my Achilles tendon flexibility. I started working on proprioception (ie trying to stand on one foot for 30 seconds at a time). I have lost all sense of balance since my injury, so I feel I still have a long way to go to recover this. However, my physio says I can do a mild jog now for no more than 2 minutes at a time, which means I'll at least be able to warm up during karate classes now. Tomorrow, I'm going to do the beginner class with my DH. I can't wait to start doing more advanced classes again, all my peeps are in those classes! Soon, soon, gotta have some more patience. But I do feel like I'm improving which is a huge step if I compare myself to 2 weeks ago.

On a completely different note, a new day brings a new layout. Here's my second layout with Kristmess's Slàinte page kit. I'm a big fan of LOL cats and wanted a digiscrapped version for St-Patrick's day. The layout was supposed to bring out the green of my cat's eyes. Well, the layout is very green, but it's greener than my cat's eyes that's for sure. The picture was taken during a rare moment when Charlotte (my very boring cat) was awake.

Signing off for tonight. Tourlou!

2009-03-02T23:10:00.000-05:00

Tough day back at work today. Actually, since I had been called in to work yesterday, it made my weekend seem really really short. Never even had time to go the grocery store yesterday. I don't feel refreshed at all, and can't wait til the end of the week. I'll have a few hours to relax then.

I started working with Kristmess's Slàinte page kit. Here's my first layout with it. I used a template by Brenda Miller from Gottapixel that is a prop for the Blueprint challenge for March. They have really good challenges there and every time you complete a challenge it is good for credits that you can use toward store purchases. The challenges are what get my creative juices flowing the most!

Tonight, my oldest son had training for karate. He's preparing a kama kata for a competition in June. He's doing very well, although still needs practice. I've been filming him since he started and he has made significant progress. Here's the video that I was able to upload.

2009-03-01T16:53:00.000-05:00

Today, I'm learning about customizing my blog and am getting some help from a friend at Scrapable.net. She sent me to The Cutest Blog on the Block website. My background is from there, but they have all the instructions on how to make my own. Now, I just have to find the right kit to make it.

On another note, Scrapable.net released their March collaboration kit Life is a beach this morning. You can get it for FREE with a 10$ purchase at Scrapable. I made 2 layouts with this kit. It's a beachy kit, but as you can see it doesn't only apply to beachy stuff!

I just got this kit from Kristmess. It looks really, really awesome! I can't wait to work on it. You should be able to see my layouts with this. You can get this page kit at Gottapixel

My first blog post!

2009-02-28T21:41:00.000-05:00

Ok, I don't know if this is something that is going to stick or not. Since my start in digiscrapping, I've noticed how many digiscrappers are using blogs to post their layouts and blog about day to day stuff. I figured, I'm no dumb dumb and I could possibly contribute something interesting to the digiscrappers blogging world because I have not yet encountered a karate mom yet in this world.

Yeah, so this first post is a test to see what this is all about.

I'm coming back to edit, cuz it worked!

So, I plan to make this blog about my karate and scrapping and everything in between.

First off. I have been dealing with an injury for the past 4 weeks. An injury sustained during karate of course! I have been progressively reintegrating my training at a very very beginner stage. I'm very excited about that.

As far as digiscrapping. I found out yesterday that I have been chosen to be part of Kristmess's Creative Team. I was so excited because the competition was very very very talented. I am honored that I was chosen. Here are the 2 layouts I had submitted to be part of her team. They were made using her kits Ring it in: