Magazine feature

When i was asked for the first time at school when i was 5 years old what i wanted to be, the answer was a writer. When i was 7, 8, 9 and into my teens the answer remained the same. I have always wanted to be a writer. My bucket list has wanting to write a book before im thirty a priority. 

At 15 and 16 i had two poems published in a compilation book, and i remember that feeling of achievement when i saw my name and work in print.

My first real experience writing was a column for 4 years in the local newspaper here Saskatchewan. I love it. Every week i would write my column. It began about me being an english girl in a canadian world, and the ups and downs and confusions, in humour of what that was like.

I had gone to university to study english so i could eventually come out with a degree that i could use to go into journalism. I dropped out at the age of 20, and it is sometimes hard to think of what i could have achieved if i had of stuck it out. But i know God's timing was for me to not be there, and i would not have come to canada with my parents had i have still been at uni.

So to put it bluntly people have told me out blunt that i would never be a writer because i dropped out of uni. Well to that, i honestly saw SCREW THAT! You have to pursue your dreams, no matter what qualification may be needed. You have to try harder to prove yourself, but its worth it. You have to open doors and windows that may looked closed, but you keep trying if you know its what your supposed to do.

I have recently had the opportunity to start writing for a new magazine called "Fine Lifestyles" and last week was the first time i have seen my name in a glossy magazine, and i have to say it is quite exciting.

I got to write about two local businesses in town, that appeared as double page spread. I am looking forward to more in the future.

I  believe God puts desires in our hearts, not to tease us, but to show us that he believes in us and he is willing to walk with us if we would only be willing to trust him.

I do not need a degree to prove myself. I just need to trust the lord, and who he created me to be.

I am proud of what i am accomplishing but not in a prideful way if that makes sense. i believe it wasn't possible without God. So i celebrate this achievement thanking him for putting these desires in my life and fulfilling them.

the bios in front of the magazine!

the double page spread with both of my articles.

Looking forward to the future in writing.

Choose Life :: Video Project

about 5 years ago i came across this movement called BOUND4LIFE. It blew my mind. It was not a traditional pro life movement, or an angry abortion protest, but a what they call a 'prayer siege'. You may have seen the red tape with LIFE written on it across peoples faces on pictures. This is that movement.

Groups of christians get together and pray outside court house & abortion clinics, wearing this life tape. Reading the word. Praying. Praying for God to break through the mindset that a baby in the womb is not classed as a valued life.

I know this sounds a little heavy for a blog, but it is something i am passionate about. Even more so when we lost our first baby, Joshua, at three months pregnant. I believe my son was a live inside of me from the moment we conceived. I believe God had a purpose and a plan for my baby, even if it was for just three months, and his face remained unknown to us. He was ours. He is God's. He will always be my first baby.

Now a year later, a hold my second son, Finley-Stephen (means courageous one). I saw his black and white picture on an ultrasound at 12 weeks pregnant. He was alive. heart beating. Body forming. It was life. Life staring at me straight in the face.

When he came into the world, i could not believe this precious life was mine. I was so happy, so joyful.

The second day in the hospital, my husband put on some worship music, and i started to think of my first baby.  That tiny 12 week baby in my belly, would have looked a lot like the baby i was now holding. Finley started out just that small too, and here he was, a strong healthy baby. With purpose.

No matter how bad life can be, or what the circumstances are, that little life is life. it is joy. it is the promise that God loves us. That God is creator.

When i borrowed Mr J.L's camera, i took a couple short clips of Finley just on the floor playing, and when i looked back at the footage, i couldnt help to think of those babies that were created and never given a life on this earth. I am not a protester of abortion, i am pro life. Pro God.

Here is a little video i put together. Simple. Nothing too flashy. Hope you enjoy. Press link to view.

https://vimeo.com/36431678

CHOOSE LIFE.

Snaps :: Impromptu Baby shoot (thanks to Mr JL)

Last year, we used to meet at our house once a year with friends to just pray and read the word together. We had some amazing times, and among those times we got to know this guys, lets call him "Mr JL". My brother in law invited him along, and it soon became clear we had a lot of the same desires, and thoughts. The husband and I thought he was pretty cool. When i found out he loved photography and videography, it was just another thing to add to the pro list :)

I have been very fortunate to have him trust me to borrow his camera on a few occasions, and i had the chance again yesterday night and today. As soon as the camera arrived i couldn't help but take some photos of my baby boy, and i just fell in love with his camera all over again.

Thanks Mr JL, for being too cool for school and lending me your awesome camera! 

Here are a few sneak peeks from last nights impromptu 4 month baby shots.

 he loves his grandad. skype dates with him are noisy and smiley!

 he thought he was quite funny here... every time we would sit him up he would fall forward (on purpose) and then stick his bum in the air. this pic catches him in action trying to simultaneously lick the couch.

 i could kiss this face all day

 those little pursed lips... he can offer an array of looks at any given time

 this is his face most days.... happy as larry

 tummy time

this is his "im talking to you face, and you better be listening"

"Her bump, her lovely little bump... check it out"

I love when i get to photograph people at pivotal moments in their lives. I love weddings, expecially watching the father see his daughter in a white dress for the first time. Or the grooms face as he sees his bride walking down the aisle.


But the gift of life has to be the most precious of all. To know that we are capable of creating another life is amazing, to be responsible for raising that life is a little scary but still amazing, and i am on that journey myself with my 4 month old.


When my friend, Wellard (thats just what i call her) asked me to do her baby bump photos, i, of course agreed. Her and her now husband had me take their engagement pics right when is started to get crazy about photography.


Here is the shot they used for their wedding invites in 2008... man, how time flies!

Now as they are about to celebrate their 4 year anniversary on Feb 9th, they await the arrival of baby bolan... boy or girl? they won't tell. I can't wait to meet their little one.

Feb 9th 2008 :: their wedding day www.traceylheppner.com

"Wellard" and I have been friends since october 2007. We spent pretty much nearly every evening and day off she had hanging out with two other girls. 

christmas 2006/2007 single ladies once upon a time

She was the Pocahontas beauty that worked for a paving company, and now at the mines, you wouldn't know it to see her, but she can drive bigger machinery than any other man i know!


I got the privilege of being one of her bridesmaids, and she was one of mine too!

she hosted my hen night (bachelorette)

 so finally, after all my rambling, here is a sneek peek of baby bump.... hoping she will call me up to capture what will inevitably be their beautiful bundle of joy

blessings to you both and enjoy the most amazing ride of your life!

Bucket list dream come true

I have finally had the chance to tick off another bucket list dream. Yes, it may seems like a silly thing, but it represents me not worrying about what other people think, and to fulfil something that i have wanted to do for such a long time....


HAVE PINK HAIR!


I knew the longer and longer i left it, the more ridiculous i would seem as i got older. One of my rockstar friends who is the most talented hairdresser i know, agreed to make this dream come true.


After finally finding the colour that i loved on amazon.co.uk, having to have it delivered to my sister in england, who then brought it by plane (came for christmas, not just to deliver the hair dye, tee hee) and then into the hands of "ninja hairdresser".


I was nervous but excited, and also wondered in the back of my mind if Fin (my baby boy) would know who i was. As long as i smell like milk, its all good, thankfully


It only took three hours to complete this transformation, which by God's blessing was less time that we both had predicted.


I looked in the mirror, and i loved it. it couldnt have been more perfect.


My parents are somewhat confused as to why i did this, and lets just say its not their preference of hair colour on me. Others have used the words "interesting" and "oh, thats different", and my favourite one was "well, thats very...um... you!" I am going to choose to take that as a compliment, even if it wasnt meant as one :)


My little friend, Emma saw me when i went to pick her up from school with her mum, she yelled "I LOVE YOUR HAIR... ITS PINK". I love her! she gave me a good boost, as long she loves it, we are all good! She is quite the honest little one.


So here it is! 


Step by step a little dream came true. Now i need to publish a book before im thirty. That gives me 3 years and 2 weeks to get going... phew-ey!


ORIGINAL HAIR COLOUR (me with my boy)

BLEACHING MY HAIR OUT... PROBABLY THE SCARIEST LOOK FOR SURE

AND THE FINAL REVEAL! LOVE IT! THANK YOU NINJA ROCKSTAR HAIRDRESSER K"Y"M

Fin looks a little scared here, but i promise he loves to pull on it... i think it will be good for him developmentally with the bright colour, bahaha!

i love how we accomplished a two tone hair colour as it goes down to blonde at the bottom

im not a huge fan of self portraits but i was a tad excited to show my sister in england!

Sprinkled with love :: Cupcake Garland

Decorating for Valentines :: Cupcake Garland

Another simple and fun way to decorate you homeslice ready for the season of love.

Hit up the local dollar store or supermarket for your favourite cute cupcake liners and get some thread and needle or use a skewer and wool (this is what i choose).

i have seen these cupcake garlands all over Pinterest (addictive sharing website that you must join).

This was actually one of those crafts where i used whatever i had in the house already and didn't go and buy something new.

I raided my cake decorating box and found some pink and white liners as well as some beautiful aqua with flowers liner that i found at dollar store months back.

Grabbed some pink bakers tiwne from my attic craft room and a wooden skewer from my kitchen drawers. 

a little pastel valentines look this year

I decided on a pattern for every 5 liners. Then poked a hole through them and threaded the wool through. This would be much easier with a needle and thread  but this was what i had on hand.

Just keep doing this till you have your desired length, or in my case until i ran out of cupcake cases :)

Once i had threaded them i pulled them apart and then crinkled them so that they would sit on one another rather than slip inside each other.

Keep a look out for the final reveal of my valentines day mantel with all the decor tutes together

have a happy thursday!

Sprinkled with Love... valentines decor session 1

Welcome to the first tutorial for our Sprinkled with Love series!

This first one is an easy, cheap way to love up your nest ready for valentines.

All you need:

1.Foam wreath (or use a swimming noodle and duct tape, or foam pipe from the hardware store to save on the pennies)

2. Pink yarn

3. 2 red roses or embellishment of your choice

4. dollar store mirror letters

(and i used frosted spray paint to give my letters a blue frosted tint to it)

Start by wrapping your yarn all the way around your wreath form. i just use scotch tape to attached to yarn to wreath and cover it by wrapping the yarn over it

this is the longer sometimes a little tedious part but its well worth it!

Then with a hot glue gun just stick on the red roses where you like the best, and i spray painted my LOVE mirror "phrase" and rested it against the wreath. 

I have decided that i am using the top of my storage cube system as my valentines display for this year

And there it is. I really love the contrast of our blues walls and the pink wreath!

You could hang it on your door or on the fireplace...

Share your photos if you give it a go!