Nikki Sivils - take one

Yesterday I shared with the you the February Sketch/Technique Challenge over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  Today I'll show you the original layout I did with the same photo and product.

When I first opened the My Lil' Monster line, the first photo that came to mind to use for my layout was one I had taken just a few days prior.  It's a photo of my two youngest girls with their cousin Jayden.  My brother and his wife make some pretty cute babies, I think you'd agree.  This kid is so delightful.  He enters the room, and it's like the lights have been turned up to their brightest capacity.  He's sweet, funny, handsome, loving, and going to be a great catch for some lucky young lady in about 30 or 40 years *giggle*.  I adore him to pieces - we all do.  Here's the original creation with the Nikki Sivils product.

I had to bribe Jayden with cookies to get him to sit still for this shot :)

It was only after I had completed the journaling that I remembered the layout was intended for use with the sketch challenge.  The primary requirement for a sketch challenge, is to use the actual sketch, go figure.  This looked nothing like the sketch.  There was no way I could use this layout on the Scrapping Everyday Miracles Blog.  No biggie, I figured since I had so much product (thanks to the generous Ms. Sivils), I would simply create a second layout for the site.  I love this design.  Some of the elements are popped off the page. How cute are those little banners?  I'm hoping to lift it for use with another line I have in mind.  A big thank you to Nikki for generously sponsoring SEM this month and pulling me a little outside my box with these bold beautiful colours.

Have a great day friends,

♥ S. Pin It

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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