Guesting at Scrapbook & Cards Today

I have the awesome privilege of guest blogging over at Scrapbook & Cards Today.  I was thrilled when Catherine invited me to share what she calls my 'signature layering style' of scrapbooking with her readers.  Today is part one of two that will post this week on her blog, and I'm sharing with readers my take on the August Colour Suite.

The colours were a prefect match to The Pier Collection by Crate Paper, and the design elements in the ephemera package were a perfect start to introducing readers to how easy layering can be.  Here is a little peek at the layout I created.

I would love for you to pop over to the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog to see the rest of the layout, and have a peek at my post for today.  I'll be back there on Wednesday to break down my layering process if you're at all interested.

I hope you're enjoying this gorgeous Long Weekend.  Thanks for popping in today!

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Chic Tags - Challenge Sunday

I love mixing and matching manufacturers and old and new product together so much.  That's exactly what I did for this week's Instagram Challenge over at Chic Tags.

A little masking, and misting.

Some old Pink Paislee trim with some new Everyday Life II Chic Tags, and new My Mind's Eye Enamel Dots.

I created this cut title using my Silhouette Cameo

It was so cool meeting Jennifer Putnum (Stricker) for the first time in MSP.  We are IG friends who both love to scrap.  She saw that I ws coming to Minneapolis for Belle's Dance Competition, and offered to hook up with me.  She introduced me to the wonderful boutique type store known as Typo (where this pic was taken by her hubby).  We also hit up Archiver's.  Two hours of fun together.

Create a layout using an Instagram photo and link it up to our Challenge.  You could win yourself a little shopping spree to the Chic Tags store.  Hop over here to get the deets and see what the rest of our super talented DT created. Pin It

Here & Now

Sorry I've not been around too much lately.  It's just that time of year around here, where Dance picks up for everyone, and many hours are spent on hair, make up, driving, practicing, watching performances, and waiting for results.  I can get a little stressed about it all, but I really do love it.  Love watching my girls shine on the stage as they do what they really love to do.  So please forgive me for my absence around here lately.

It's Sunday so that means another Chic Tags Sunday Challenge.  This week our challenge was to use Arrows.

That background sheet of paper by Studio Calico was perfect to jump start the challenge.

This cute Note Clip Tag and Icon from the new Everyday Life II Collection were also perfect.

Here I've layered a Studio Calico arrow sticker over top of the tip of one of the Everyday Life A/B tags

Another A/B Tag here, partnered with some Stuido Calico chevron veneers.

There you have it.  Pop over the blog to see what the rest of the Chic Tag designers came up with.  You can also link up your own take on the challenge to enter yourself some fabulous scrappy goodies.

Also I'd like to wish wish all my fellow moms out there a blessed Mother's Day.  I hope that you are able to take some time for yourself today indulging in whatever your little hear t desires, and that the people in your life gift you with some YOU time.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'll have a few posts to come for you this week.

Almost forgot to mention that I'm linking this layout up to the Paper Secrets Challenge.  Check out their sketch.

I loved it so much I just had to use it (to be honest I think I'm going to use it again just to see what I can come up with a second time around).   I can't even remember the last time I'm played along with an online challenge.  Thanks Paper Secrets for the enticement.  You can see the challenge for yourself here, you still have a couple of days to link up if you wish too.

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Gordon Ramsay Steak

Happy Friday!

Popping in to let you know that you still have a couple of days to get in on our Chic Tags Sunday Challenge for your chance to win $20 to the Chic Tags shop.

We've got a colour combo for you today.

Gorgeous right?  I was able to round up some great Studio Calico papers to match perfectly for my layout.

The photo is less than fabulous, unfortunately.  I can't wait until summer when the sun makes it's daily return to our great city.  The photo was taken on our way to Gordon Ramsay Steak in Las Vegas.  Oh. My. Goodness.  That was the absolute best meal I've have ever had.  Ever!  If we ever get the chance to head back to Vegas together, we are definitely heading back there.

Link up your layout here for your chance to win. Pin It

Seeing Starts

A new challenge is up at Chic Tags today.  It's all about stars.  I've had this mediocre photo of us with some friends since last April.  I've put it off time and again because it's not the best quality.  The memory of it, however is still so vivid that I could put it off no longer.  I thought It was fitting with the star theme.  We were invited to join our friends in a suite at the MTS Centre to watch the Winnipeg Jets play their final game of their first season back in the NHL.  The atmosphere in the arena was so electric.  Fans were so loud, and so supportive of this beloved team.  At the end of the game each of the starters' jerseys were raffled off to a fan in attendance.  It was an emotional ending to an emotional season.  I felt blessed to have been able to be in attendance to witness it.  All thanks to a call from Deb & Terry.

I used my silhouette to cut out some tone on tone starts, outlined them with red marker, and machine stitched them to the cardstock.

I kept it pretty simple this week, but added a few more inked up veneer stars, a handful of sequins, and a Crate paper button to finish things off.

Journaling reads "We were super excited when Deb called to say her brother had 2 extra tickets for the final Jets game of the season.  I thought I would never get the chance to see a game live, as tickets are almost impossible to come by.  The game was even more exciting than I thought it would be.  It may have ended in a loss, but he arena was alive with excitement from start to finish."

Hop over to the Chic Tags blog to see more star laden examples, and link up your own creation.  As always Veronica has a great prize up for grabs.  Hope to see you play along.

Thanks for popping in, have a wonderful Sunday friends! Pin It

Chic Tags Sunday Challenge

Seems like the week has flown by.  I won't lie, I kind of hope it continue so Spring will arrive faster.  The sun rising earlier and the temperature rising ever so slightly has me in good spirits.

I have a quick layout to share with you today.  Once again it is Sunday Challenge over at Chic Tags.  This week the challenge is to use a specific colour combination.

Here is my layout.

My sweet friends and their beautiful girl kindly allowed me to use one of their family photos this week. I just adore the expression on Ella's face.  The new collection by Prima totally fit the challenge so I grabbed this sheet with the honeycomb pattern all over it.

I added some grapefruit coloured Zing and embossed the chevron pattern over top.   

The tag is covered with Martha Stewart modeling paste using a Crafter's Worskshop mask.  I think I may addicted to this stuff, can't wait to try more of it.  The title was made using my Silhouette Cameo.  I am so loving that machine, totally worth the price I paid.

Altogether I have four different Chic Tags products on here and a few other embellishments.

Hope you'll jump in and participate this week.  Veronica always has a great prize up for grabs.  You can see the colour combo and link up your own project here.

That's it for me.  I hope you are having a fabulous Sunday with the ones you love.  Thanks so much for popping in today!

Reminder, you still have until 11:59 CST to enter my Birthday Blog Hop giveaway here.  Good luck to all who enter. Pin It

Chic Tags Sunday Challenge

Happy Monday friends,

There is a brand new Challenge over at Chic Tags.  Veronica thought it would be fun to add a challenge to the blog on Sundays, so yesterday the first one was launched.  The challenge this week is to use seven items or less on a layout.

I chose the following items:
1. Assorted Chic Tags
2. Assorted Alphabet Stickers
3. Brads
4. My Silhouette Cameo
5. A Cardstock Sticker
6. A Flair Button
7. A Doily

Here is my layout

Apologies for the poor photo quality.  No sun = bad photos

Super cute Cre8tive Cre8tions flair button

Technically I should probably be penalized because I added machine stitching to this layout once it was finished (it just didn't look complete), so that should probably be a separate item.  I won't tell if you don't.

I like that we've added a challenge to the blog, and hope you'll decide to play along.  There's a great
"win it before you can buy it" prize being offered this week.  Hop over to the Chic Tags blog to check it out, and see what a few of the other dt members came up with.

Thanks for stopping by today friends! Pin It

A love for tags

Hooray for Friday!

I participated in a challenge to close out this week.  Cristal over at Scaptastic Kit Club offered up a challenge this month to use 2 tags on a project. If you know anything about me and my preferred style of scrapping, you know that tags manage to find their way onto many of layouts.

This is a photo Isabelle took out in the forest behind our home. That girl can take some pretty great shots if you ask me.  I just had to scrap this beauty. 

 

I added one office supply tag, and one silhouette cut tag.  The office supply tag I played with quite a bit, by adding paint, mist, and masking.  The other I cut out of scrap paper, then offset and placed on a second piece of scrap cardstock.

The heart is cut from AC Pow paper, and the ampersand from vellum, both cuts  are from the Silhouette online store

That die cut paper is from Studio Calico

This inspiration for the title came from Isaiah 60:1 "Arise and shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."  I think this may be the first layout I've ever completed that doesn't  boast a bit of patterned paper.

Thanks for stopping in today.  I hope you're in a for a fun, and relaxing weekend. Pin It

Lifting Up

Happy May 1st everyone!

My Scrapbook Nook hosted a 'lift the person above you' challenge.  It's a fun way to experiment with different styles.  I had the pleasure of lifting Jennie.  After browsing through her gallery, I chose this layout to work with.

I really like her clean and simple style.  But, man did I ever have a hard time replicating it.  Here's what I created with her layout as inspiration.

Using Studio Calico, Ormolu, OA, and Basic Grey products

The girls often come out their rooms wearing the same colour combination/style of outfit.  It cracks me up, because people use to mistake them for twins all the time, and sometimes it looks  like nothing has really changed over the past 6 years.  They still look very much alike, are still almost the same size/weight, and they are even drawn to the same colours and style of clothing.

I couldn't keep from adding my bits and pieces to the layout. 

Some of the ladies really knocked it out of the park with this challenge.  I encourage you to pop over here to have a look for yourself.

That's it for me today, hoping to have some Week In The Life photos to share with you really soon. 

Thanks for stopping by friends!

♥ S.

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Story Telling

I spent a little time yesterday creating with more Crate Storyteller from My Scrapbook Nook's April Kit.  Danni, had a Card Challenge for us this week.  There's a new Card Challenge, over at the Nook every week in fact.  This one was to create an unconventional banner on a card.  I hand cut a couple of these pieces, and simply covered tags or tickets to make the others.  That "Hello" sticker was just screaming to be used on a card.  You should see what some of the others came up with, there are some really wonderful creations in the Forum Thread.

Stacey had a layout based challenge for us .  Her April Colour Challenge had a few requirements to it.  We had to scrap about an everyday activity, include journaling, and use some sort of natural texture.

The jewelery cord is from my stash, and the reinsforcements are from the Nook Dec kit featuring the Crate Peppermint line, the mist is Studio Calico Green Apple.

I realize produce is not an "activity", but it is something that is consumed daily in our home, so I figured that was kind of the same thing.  The journaling says "Fresh produce, something I often take for granted".  I kicked myself for having adhered the double sided dimensional tape before realizing I had not put the tag through my typewriter.  It could have looked so much better.  At least it's legible.  Another reminder that perfection is overrated.

Welcome to the weekend friends.  I wish you laughter, and plenty of time to enjoy the poeple around you over the next two days.  Hope it's a good one!

♥ S.


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Painting

I have a few scrappy online friends who love to use paint in their projects. They do such a fabulous job, that I was inspired to get myself some paint of my own around Christmastime.  I've made a few meager attempts to use it, but not to the extent these talented ladies do.  Well I finally got around to it.  A Member Inspiration Challenge over at My Scrapbook Nook opened the door for me.  The challenge was to life this layout by the sweet, and uber  talented Zarah.  I was excited, yet nervous to dig in and get a little messy with my white paint, and stamps.

Using Pink Paislee Prairie Hill Collection

The final product is not exactly as I had hoped, but I can now say I've actually used something a little more exciting on a layout.  I still think the Ormolu tag should be tucked further behind the photo, but it's so cute I want it to show.  Originally the title was on that tag in a yellow font, but it just didn't look right so I removed it and went with this look instead.  Even though it's not exactly as I had envisioned, I think I'll leave it.  Do you ever go back and re-do layots?  I am anxious to give painting another go though, I have another idea I want to try out.

On another note the April issue of Scrap Street Magazine is out.  I had the privilege being asked by one of the writers(who also happens to be one of my scrappy heroes) to create a layout  that documented one of the ways I re-energize myself.  The focus of the article was Spring, focusing on how it is a time of re-birth, and rejuvenation.  The first thing that came to mind was having one-on-one time with some of my closest friends.  I went on the hunt for photos, pulled out some fun, and colourful Studio Calico Memoir papers, and Amy Tangerine goodies, and went to work.  Here is the magazine page where my layout is featured (sorry I'm not actually allowed to post it anywhere until next month).  All the journaling is hidden on a tag, tucked behind the envelope,  it's pretty lengthy, so I'll leave it for when I can share the layout here.  I hope you'll pop over and have a look.  It is officially my new favorite layout.   Some of my fave people, bright and cheery, layered  all over, with fun little bits sprinkled around, and mist...love!  If you take the time to go back a page in the magazine you'll see another super talented scrappy hero of mine, who also happens to be from Winnipeg, and who I had the delight of meeting for the first time last week.

I hope this finds you in the middle of a great week friends.  Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by, and especially for your sweet and encouraging comments.

♥ Sherri


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One Of A Kind Girl

Can you believe it's April already?  Did any of you have to endure any cruel and unusual April fools pranks?  The girls tried their hand at a couple here before church.  It was pretty cute actually.

Today over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles we have the April Layout Challenge up for you.  Jeannine had a great idea for us to scrap about the person or people in or lives who make us laugh with the things they say.  I had just taken these photos of Eden.  She was up to another one of her crazy shenanigans.  She had the crazy idea to wear her dad's old boxing gloves on her feet, rather than her hands.  She looked hilarious, with her tutu, and leatherette pants.  She was fooling around while I was getting supper prepared, when out of the blue announced to me that she was posing in 3rd position.  Well, right then I knew I had the photos and subject of my layout for the challenge.

Using Echo Park Fabulous collection

The journalling reads: Eden is forever doing or saying the silliest things.  On this occasion I found her sporting her Daddy's old boxing gloves on her feet, rather than her hands, as makeshift ballet shoes.  She was already wearing the tutu, albeit, combined with black vinyl pants, and a bright green tank top.  She looked hilarious.  Once she had her feet comfortably in place, she placed her hands squarely on her hips, and very proudly called out to me "look Mommy, I'm in third position."  As much as this girl of mine can have me pulling out my hair, she is quick to see the humor in things, can laugh easily at herself, and knows how to quickly get the rest of us to join in.

It's a fun challenge, hope you'll join in.  Our sponsor this month is Scrapbook Circle.  A wonderful kit club filled with some of the most recent product.  They're offering up a wonderful prize to one lucky winner this month, so be sure to hop over to SEM, and check out all the details. Pin It

Grateful

Scrapping Everyday Miracles Challenge #13  is live today.  This month Roulien challenged us all to come up with one word that describes who we are.  I found this a little difficult.  I've always found it difficult to describe myself in one word.  I guess it's because I feel like choosing just one word would put me in a box.  There are a number of words that would be appropriate today, that may not be appropriate next week, or next month perhaps.  There are times when I believe that the best way to describe myself would be to say that I am a contradiction.  Some days I am as predictable as snow in winter.  Other days I can take even myself by surprise with the choices I make.  What I chose to do rather, was consider all the ways my Lord would describe me.  As it turns out one of the devotions from Proverbs 31 Ministries last week focused on just that very thing.  The article spoke about the trouble we can have, especially as women, recognizing our worth outside of the role we fill for our spouse, our children, our bosses, etc. The writer went on to remind us of all the ways God sees us, the way He created us. I chose to use this as the basis of my layout.

Using My Mind's Eye Follow Your Heart collection.  I sprayed the Pink Paislee mistable trim with pink Mr. Huey's and used a Gluber to make the large flower.

There are other words those close to me would use to describe me, and perhaps one day I'll do a layout focused on them.  This week, however it was humbling yet empowering to focus on the way my Creator sees me.  His Word is full of beautiful descriptions of how He sees all His children.  Scripture says that YOU are:
- created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)
- fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
- precious and honored in His sight (Isaiah 43:4)
- redeemed and forgiven (Ephesians 1:7)
- a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- holy and blameless before God (Ephesians 1:4, 1 Corinthians 1:30)
- chosen by God (1 Peter 2:9)
- God's masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10)
- created with purpose to do good works for His Kingdom (Ephesians 2:10)
- and on, and on, and on...

For me, these promises serve as a wonderful reminder of not only who I am, but whose I am.  How about you?  How would you define yourself today if asked?

I encourage you to pop over to Scrapping Everyday Miracles to see what the rest of the team came up with.  There are some really gorgeous layouts to see.  Our sponsor this month is the sweet, and oh so funny Shelleye of Dot & Whimsy.  She has offered up a bundle of her fun and playful crepe paper fringe as a prize for this month's winner.  She has some really fun scrappy goodies in her Etsy shop, so be sure to pop over there and have a peek.  Remember you've got until the end of the month to complete the challenge and "define yourself".  Be sure to link me up if you do.

Happy Monday to you friends,

♥ S.




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Scrapping Everyday Miracles Challenge #13

Nicole is up today with  Challenge #13: to scrap something we're passionate about.  The obvious thing for a mother to scrap would be her family.  That was just a little too obvious for me.  After giving it some thought I decided to scrap about my desire to keep learning.  I'm passionate about growth, and not becoming stagnant in all the various areas of my life (spiritually, relationally with my hubby, and friends, in ministry, in my scrapping...everywhere)  I once read a great quote that said something along the lines of "when I leave this earth, I hope to have not one ounce of talent left.  I hope to have used it all up."  I love that quote, the idea of living life to the fullest, serving others, and embracing every opportunity is so poetic, isn't it.  The reality for me, however, for most of us in fact, is that life happens, and although we feel deeply about something, it's that very something that keeps getting shoved to the 'back burner' to accommodate the rest of life's duties.  I was nearly three years ago that I decided to break myself out of my comfort zone, and put my money where my mouth is.  I had talked to my kids about taking risks, and welcoming new opportunities in their lives, yet my life looked pretty much the same day after day.  I felt I was becoming stagnant.  It was then that I shook things up a little and welcomed some opportunities of my own to grow, and learn.  One of those areas was Dance.  I noticed that there was an Adult Tap Class offered at the studio where my kids dance.  I had watched them a few times after the Zumba class I was taking at the time, and I was intrigued.  It looked like a lot of fun.  It was a small group of women who looked to be enjoying themselves.  Needless to say, I took the plunge, joined the class, spent a few weeks catching up, and enjoyed every minute of it.  It wasn't easy at first, it's almost like learning another language, teaching your feet to move in a seemingly unnatural way.  But it did click, eventually.  Fast forward to this year, where I am now a member of the Kick It Cougars (as they call themselves), an Adult Competitive Tap Class.  It's a ton of fun, good exercise, with a fabulous, and fun teacher, and an equally fun assistant, where laughter is guaranteed in every class.  Sure, I still struggle, and I'll never, ever be able to do a 'pick-up', never mind a 'syncopated pick up'.  But I did what I set out to do.  I put myself out there, to grow and learn, and I continue to do so.  I chose to scrap a memory of that plunge.  This is the Tuesday night Cougar gang, at our end of the year recital practice looking sharp in our bright colours."

Fancy Pants Love Story papers

I layered the hearts one atop the other and folded the tops to stand out

I hope I never want to stop learning, and that I instill that same desire in my girls, as they see me grab life by the horns and go for it, every now and then.

The scrap twist this month is to use a heart on your page.  I  hope you find some time to play along, and create a layout of your own.   Nikki Sivils is our gracious sponsor this month, and has offered up a wonderful assortment of product for our winner.


Have a wonderful Monday friends,


♥ S.
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Lifting myself

... well not literally.  The scrappy kind of lifting.

Challenges number three and four are up at My Scrapbook Nook.  Three can be found here.  I've not done this one yet.  Challenge number four is from Hilde, who challenged us to pick one of our favorite layouts from last year and lift it.  I chose this one of D.

Although the placement of the journaling bothers me (I think it throws the balance off somewhat), I love this layout overall, so I chose this one.  Plus I had this sweet little photo of Wilson that I knew I wanted to use for the challenge.  Here's what I came up with.

Using My Scrapbook Nook's October kit featuring My Mind's Eye

This time I kept the journaling tiny, and better placed.  It's been awhile since I've hand stitched on a project too, so this was a fun one.

That's it for me today.  Been getting things ready for our trip next week, spoiled myself with my first manicure in about 16 years yesterday, schellac, loving it so far, (we'll see if it really last 2-4 weeks), volunteered in the girls' school today for pizza lunch (loved that), caught up with a friend with whom I haven't spoken to in months, and the sun is beaming in through my window.  Overall feeling really blessed this week. 

What about you, what have you been up to this week? If you plan on scrapping this weekend, perhaps you want to tackle Challenge #12 over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles, or the January Sketch Challenge there.  Or perhaps Sketch 191 over at Creative Scrappers.  There's also the New Year Crop ongoing at My Scrapbook Nook.  No shortage of scrapping incentive this weekend, I'd say.  For those looking for a greater challenge, may I suggest the Creative Scrappers DT Call.  You have until Feb 20th to get your application in.  I just discovered this call this morning, and my heart leaped.  I love CS.  I love that the owner Kristine is a fellow Canadian, and uber talented, and was kind  enough to let me use one of her Sketches for my first ever Scrapping Everyday Miracles post.  And there's never, ever a shortage of inspiration to be found by those who submit to the challenges, nor by the wonderful sketches her team comes up with.  This will be my third time trying out for this team.  I'm really hoping this is the one for me.  If not, no worries, I'm gonna keep trying, she won't be able to shake me that easily, mwhahah.  I think it's good to keep putting myself out there, it helps me develop a think skin.  Something you very much need in this subjective world of creating, and putting emotions to paper.  Wish me luck, pretty please.

Have a great weekend, all!
♥ S.

eta: another 2Peas Fave - yay!

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Unexpected Blessing

Challenge #11 is up over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  In keeping with the theme of the gift of Christmas, this month's focus is on unexpected blessings.  This was a challenge for me at first.  I think I found it difficult because I was trying to think about some 'mountain moving experience' I had had in my life.  The subject finally came to me.  There were no moving mountains, there were, however, three gorgeous little girls.

There was a time in my life when I use to think that people who chose to have their children really close together were making a selfish choice.  I can remember watching a woman trying to climb a mountain of stairs with a babe in arms and a very little one walking behind her crying, holding her arms out saying "Mommy up, mommy up", to which the mother replied, "No honey, I can't, but you can do it, come on, you can do it."  For whatever reason, something went off in me at that sight.  I decided at that very moment that I would never put my child through that.  I decided that when I had children I was not going to be so selfish, I was going to have my children at least 2.5 years apart, if not even more  so that they could at least be somewhat self-sufficient, and I wouldn't be putting them in a position where they needed to grow up too fast.  Yup...I was that arrogant, and self-centered.  Shameful.  Fast forward about 13 years. I had an almost 3 year old and a newly weaned 6 month old.  D and I had a quick weekend getaway to Vancouver to watch our favorite football team take on the Vancouver Lions.  It was a fun little trip, one we'd never forget.  It was on that trip that I became pregnant with Eden.  I am not exaggerating when I say that I knew that that pregnancy was the beginning of something God wanted to teach me.  I knew it because it meant that I was going to have three children under the age of four, and that the youngest two were going to be only fifteen months apart.  At the time Eden was born Théa wasn't even walking.  I wasn't going to be that mother with the babe in arms, and the younger one trailing behind.  No.  No, I was the mother with a babe in a car seat carrier, a second babe in arms, and a toddler trailing behind wanting to be picked up.  Ugh.  That was hard.  It was an extremely difficult time in my life.  It changed me to be sure.  My mother, had passed away 3 years prior, my good friends had moved out of the city, one, out of the province, we had moved into a new neighbourhood where the neighbours were busy with their own lives, and I had been laid off from my job one month prior.  It was just plain difficult.  God, however, was not unaware of my circumstance.  He was using everything about it to teach me some invaluable lessons.  Lessons I don't think I could have learned, or appreciated as much otherwise.  I realized through those trying days that I was not nearly as sensitive, or compassionate a person as I thought.  I realized through the sleep deprivation, and long lonely days, that I was rather judgmental of others, their choices, and their beliefs.  And most importantly I realized that I had become the center of my life.  The Lord was a part of my life, but somehow He had become more like an accessory than a central figure.  I realized that because of my self-focus I had developed characteristics and character traits there were unpleasing to God, and to others, even though no one ever pulled me aside to say so.  God used the experience of me being so far in over my head in experience, and responsibility to teach me how to become more compassionate towards others.  It taught me the importance of seeing others as women and men made in God's image.  He taught me that I needed to humble myself, and extend the same grace toward others as I would have expected them to offer me. 

Three babies in less than four years brought with them a lot of tears, a lot of laughter, a lot of photographs, and dirty diapers, and a lot of laundry.  More importantly however they offered the opportunity for me to grow up emotionally, and spiritually.  The lessons I learned during that chapter in my life helped me to become more of the woman God is calling me to be.  Grace and humility speak more loudly  than any words ever could.  They are a universal language pointing others towards God, and His incredible gift to us.  The gift of a relationship with Him, made possible through his Son Jesus Christ, "so that the grace of God that is reaching more and more people, may cause Thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God."

Here's my layout. 

My Mind's Eye Fun Day papers, and embellies,  May Arts trim, Lilybee alphas, Crate buttons, Making Memories pins,

There was a scrap twist to the challenge also.  It was to incorporate a treasure onto our page.  My treasure is hanging from the bow.  It's the pendant from a souvenir necklace I bought while on that unforgettable trip to Vancouver in 2002.  Because the story is on the sensitive side, I wanted to keep the journaling hidden.  I created a pocket behind the photo to hold the journaling card I'll fill out with the story of my "Unexpected Blessing"

I usually hand write my journaling, mostly for speed sake, but this time I wanted to use the computer and printer to get the whole story into such a small space.  With everything going on the past two weeks, however, I just haven't gotten around to it, but you get the idea.

That's it for me today.  I hope you'll come and join me in the challenge.  Be sure to link up on SEM if you do, there's a great prize up for grabs once again this month.

Thanks for stopping by today. Pin It

Scrapping Everyday Miracles

My guest spot over at SEM is up.

CHALLENGE #10: Nothing speaks of God's miracles and blessing more than nature. God created a world full of wonders and they are all around us. In the Bible Jesus says that if the people stop singing God's praises even the rocks will cry out… Luke 19:40 (NIV) "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Your challenge is to find His miracles in the natural world and what they mean to you. It could be through a beautiful landscape or the amazing intricacy of a flower. Open your eyes and camera to the created world around us. You may be surprised at what you find!

Scrap Twist – Re-purpose something to use as part of your layout. It could be a piece of vintage ephemera or an ad from your junk-mail. Or parts of packaging or other "non-scrapbooking" supplies. Get creative!


Here's the layout I created

The journaling is a poem by Joan Adams Burchell.

Fresh-fallen snow, untouched by man, tops bushes, fence and tree;

The strong, gusty wind, whirling it 'round, improves and enriches its beauty.

It sauntered down in the silence of night, leaving a scenic delight;

Now, in the sun, it dances and winks as we drink in the wondrous sight.

This is a picture-post-card scene - winter at its best;

It leaves a mark etched in our heart of when winter was our guest.

I captured this photo while on the chair lift in Steamboat Colorado last Spring.  The night prior we had received 12 inches of freshly fallen, powdery snow.  The trees were weighted down by the sparkling beauty, and the air around us was perfectly quiet, and as still as could be. It was a beautiful moment.  I am blessed to have been witness to it.  My re-purposed item is a piece of felt I bought to use a floor protector under our garbage can.  I used it to cut out a heart shape, and hand stitched a little burst onto it with embroidery floss.  I hope you'll be inspired to come and play along with us this month.  There's a great prize up for grabs from Designs by Diana.  Entries are due by November 25th.  Hope you pop by.  Don't forget to go and have a peek at what the DT came up with, there are some stunning photographs to see.

ETA: I just got some wonderful news in regards to this layout - yay.  I'll share as soon as I can.

Have a wonderful day friends,

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Meet Jack

I mentioned yesterday that I had spent a couple of days watching a friend's little guy.  Well, meet Jack.  After getting permission from his mom to post photos of him I am able to introduce you to one of the brightest, cutest little guys I know.  He kept me on my toes, that's for sure.  Although admittedly afraid of monkey bars, I was able to convince Jack to accompany me to the park to get some exercise, and perhaps enjoy some of the other play things we'd find there.  I haven't been to the park in the middle of the day with a pre-schooler in several years.  The walk to the park has never been so interesting in the year we've been in this new home.  Jack had us stop to pick 'yellow flowers' in the forest (with which to adorn Miss Sherri's hair), admire the fountain, check out a couple of grass hoppers, chase the geese through the field, and even climb the monkey bars (well he did anyway).  It was so a vivid reminder of all the beauty God has placed around us.  To think He could have created a world in black and white, but didn't.  He could have given us only one season, but He didn't.  He could have made the world free of insects, and birds, trees, and wildlife, but He didn't.  Colour, beauty, and variety, are obviously of great importance to Him, and such a gift to all of us. On the way home Jack found a ladybug, which had to ride in the palm of his hand back to Miss Sherri's, as well as a gorgeous, long, fuzzy, black, and yellow caterpillar.  He carried that guy in his other hand, along with his 'yellow flower'.  The look of contentment on his face was just priceless.  When  we got home, I manged to convince him to allow me to take a couple of photos for his mom, but more importantly for me to scrap as a reminder of the miracle of God's tiniest creatures, and the joy they can bring us, if we take a moment to consider the gift that lies within all the colour and variety of the world around us.

Thank you Jack for a fun couple of days, and the reminder that no detail has been overlooked by God.

Using the Sept kit, and add ons from My Scrapbook Nook featuring Crate Random Collection. Alphas: Studio Calico

Details:

My experience that afternoon with Jack fit perfectly with Challenge #7 over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles "The Miracle of the Moment" was to be the subject for our layout.

Thanks for stopping by today.

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