The Sweetest Thing

Blog Hop Giveaway extended.  Because I've got so much to share on the blog over the next couple of days.  I've decided to extend my giveaway to Thursday.  If you haven't done so, you may get in on the action here.  Winner will be announced on Friday, March 8th.

A new month a new Challenge over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.

This month Marjolaine has challenged us to scrap about a gift we've given or received, that really touched our hearts.  It was a perfect challenge to scrap the sweet, sweet gift Théa, my 10 year old, gave us this past Valentine's Day.  After dinner that night she took off from the table and returned with two gift bags.  One marked Daddy, and one marked Mommy.  We were told we had to open them simultaneously.  Inside were these canvases.

The twist is to add bling.  Mine is yellow, so a little difficult to see.

I have been fortunate enough to receive many gifts in my lifetime, but none so sweet, and thoughtful as this.  There is just something about your child choosing to pour time and energy into something handmade especially for you.  I love that the Lord put inside of her a love for all things artsy.  It's been a real blessing watching her discover her strengths and giftings, and even more so when she chooses to use them in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.  For all the times I want to crumple over in frustration, exhaustion, or sheer bewilderment at this thing called parenting, moments like that one on Valentine's Day, make it all seem like a journey I should feel continually blessed to be on.  How about you?  What gifts have you received or given that still cause you to feel incredibly proud or grateful?

To see what the rest of the team created in the spirit of gratitude pop over to the SEM blog.  You have until March 31st to link up you own creation, and get in on a chance at lovely kit sponsored by Sue at ScrapChicKits

This will be my last post for Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  I will forever be grateful to Nicole for welcoming me onto the team in the middle of a term.  SEM is a wonderfully warm, inspiring, supportive, creative place on the web.  She has done a wonderful job of creating a place for those who love the Lord to come together, share together, and create together, all with Jesus at the centre of it.  I wish her and all the new, soon-to-be announced members of the team the very best as they carry on the vision of Scrapping Everyday Miracles.

On a happier note, please come back tomorrow for a fun announcement, I've been keeping secret for weeks, and for your chance at the best RAK I've ever offered on my blog.  It's big.  I promise you'll want in on this.

Happy Monday friends! Pin It

A New Chapter Blog Hop

 Happy Friday friends,

I'm thrilled to welcome you to Scrapping Everyday Miracle's blog hop.  It's been wonderful welcoming a few more talented ladies to our team.  Sad to see some of my friends leave, but that's the great thing about the world wide web, no one is ever too far away.  I wish our departing friends all the very best as they go on to begin a new chapter in their own lives.

A New Chapter.  That's the theme for this hop.  We are inviting you to create a project that captures the essence of the new chapter you are currently in.

My new chapter is that I've joined a woman's bible study once again.  It's been several years, and although I have some great resources for my own quiet times here at home with a great cup of coffee, my journal, and my sharpie pen.  There is something really special about gathering around a table with other women, from other walks of life, with other stories to share.  Last week was the first week.  I went thinking I would only know one or two women, but ended up running into quite a few other women from various past chapters of my life.  I also met some really wonderful woman right at my own table.  They were warm, unassuming, welcoming, and ready to dive in and be real with one another about what God is calling them to in their lives (or not knowing exactly what it is that God may be calling them to at this point in their lives).  I had a wonderful time, and am really looking forward to the Beth Moore study on James.  I've heard such great  things about her studies.  I've seen dvd studies by her, and listened to several You Tube, and Pod casts by her.  She's so charismatic, passionate, and full of conviction for her desire to teach others about the lessons she's learned along the way through various chapters of her life.

Using My Scrapbook Nook August kit featuring Carta Bella

The verse printed on the tag in the little pocket is Isaiah 43:19  "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert, and streams in the wasteland."  It's kind of our theme verse for this hop.

SEM always has a twist, and this month it's to use to book pages on your project.  Now, I have to be honest, I totally forgot about it.  I had it out, and everything...I just simply forgot to add it.  On the upside, however I have two actual books in my photo, ha ha.  I'm hoping that will cover me.

And what's a blog hop without a few raks (Random Acts of (scrapbooking) Kindness).  Here is what I have up for grabs for one lucky reader.

I'm a big fan of bits and pieces, and so that's what I'm offering up to you, I'll even throw in a package of Chic Tags (my new fave embellishment), and an Evalicious badge or two.  To be eligible, I'd love it if you would become a follower of my blog (if you haven't already), and leave me a comment letting me know you're interested in this bundle of goodies.  That's it.  Easy peasy right?  This give away is open to everyone, as I am willing to ship internationally.  I will leave it open until Monday, 11:59 pm October 1st, and use Random Generator dot com to select a winner, and post on Saturday  October 6th.

Now, I hope you're in a hopping kind of mood.  I have your hopping orders right here.  If you haven't started there, I suggest you go back to the Scrapping Everyday Miracles blog, and start there.  The rest of the order will be as follows.

 Svetlana 

  Felicity 

  Elizabeth

  Kelly 

  Nicole

  Sherri

  Marjolaine 

  Cara

  Einat 

  Tracey G 

Dolores

Make sure you stop back at SEM to finish off.  Commenting there after completing the hop will enter you to win the grand prize from our very generous sponsor Art Freckles. 

Our grand prize winner 
will win a 
prize pack 
valued at 
$25 CAD

  In addition, Art Freckles is offering 15% discount to our blog hoppers on all purchases made between Sept. 28th and Oct. 5th.  
Use coupon code is 'SEMHOP'

Happy Hopping friends.  I'll be back tomorrow with a sketch reveal.

♥ S.

Pin It

Beautiful Moments

I received the August Scrapbook Nook kit ages ago, and finally had a chance to play with it.  I wanted to make something that I could start and finish quickly, as I only had a couple of hours.  Needless to say I resorted to the style I began scrapping with.  The basic straight lines, with layers and a few stickers.  Simple, but worked great for me with this photo of Théa, and her two little Dance buddies.

Using Carta Bella Beautiful Moments collection

This was taken shortly before they performed at the Canadian National Dance Competition this past May.  Those little outfits were so stinkin' cute, and the three of them looked just gorgeous up there on the stage.  It's amazing to see how far they've come in the mere 5 years they've been dancing.  They're only 10, I can't even begin to imagine what they'll be doing when they're 13 and 15 years old.  KickIt Dance Studio has been such a huge, huge blessing in our lives, I can barely put it into words.  The directors are two of the kindest, most encouraging, dedicated people I know.  Not to mention the high level of talent they share with their students.  They run a fabulous Dance Camp every year, and bring in the strongest and best teachers in each field to teach classes during the Intensive week.  They treat the kids with respect, and challenge them to bring their best all the time.  In turn the kids treat each other in the same regard.  It is especially noticeable as you observe the older dancers (13-17), interact with the younger ones.  We are so happy we've found a home here.

There is a hidden journal tag on this layout.  The half scalloped journal spot pulls out to reveal the following journaling: "These 3 are so fortunate to have found each other as dance mates at KickIt. They push each other, and genuinely love each other.  Competition is even more fun as they dance as friends.  May 2012"

I'm up over at Let's Capture Our Memories today with a little tutorial on how I created the hidden pocket if you'd like to have a peek.  The LCOM store also has the Carta Bella paper line in stock and ready to ship.  You can check it out here.

Thanks for stopping by today friends.  Hope you're in the middle of a great weekend.

♥ S. Pin It

A New Design Team

Thanks for all your well wishes and comments on my application to the Let's Get Sketchy team. 

I have a new badge as of today ------------------------------------------------------------------>>>

Brenshevia has put together another wonderfully diverse team, and I am honored to be a part of it this time around.  I can't believe it took me so long to discover this site, they have fabulous sketches, great sponsors, and many loyal members.  I have a feeling I'm really going to like it there.  Some of the current DT have already made a point of saying hello and welcoming us newbies to the team.  I don't think it will take long before we all start to feel right at home.  You can take a look at the rest of the new team here.  And you still have a few days to get in on the last sketch challenge if you'd like to be eligible for this month's sponsored prize by Karla's Kreative Korner you can see the sketch here.

Today I'm working on my first sketch for next month.  I'm on Team B, which means our first sketch will go live the second week of the month.  I'll be sure to keep you posted though, it's a good one.

In other news we finally had the chance to meet this little miracle yesterday. 

We fell instantly in love with little Rowan.  The girls couldn't wait their turn to hold her.  What I thought would be a short little visit, turned into 2.5 hours.  It didn't hurt that we love her parents as much as we love her so there was plenty to talk about.  Mostly, though it was because none of us wanted to give her up once we finally got our turn to snuggle. 

And to leave you with something scrappy how about a photo of the card I created for her.

The design was lifted from a card I saw in a recent issue of Scrapbook Trends magazine by Jinny Newlin

That's if for me.  Thank you for stopping by today friends!

♥ S.





Pin It