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.

♥ S. Pin It

Insomnia leads to layout

For some reason I just couldn't fall asleep last night.  It's rare for me to suffer from insomnia, generally my head hits the pillow and I'm out with in a few moments.  Last night, rather than laying there staring endlessly at the ceiling, I got up and headed to my scrap table.  I had had this design floating around in my head for a few days, so it felt good to finally get it out on paper.  As it turns out the colours I had in mind matched up perfectly with the latest inspiration challenge over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles, a happy coincidence.  Here's what I came up with.

I have more scrappiness the share.  So check back soon.

Happy Tuesday friends Pin It

Scrapping Everyday Miracles

It was a while back that I mentioned this new Christian based scrapbook site called Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  I've been keeping up with them in spirit only thus far, as it was so busy the last month of school, and then being away at the lake.  Last week however I had a chance to participate in my first scrappy challenge with them.  The challenge was to scrap a layout using lyrics of a Christian song to inspire the layout.  I took this picture while driving home from the lake one Sunday evening last summer.  I've used it several times while leading worship, or a  devotional time with my group, etc.  The photo doesn't boast the best lighting, but even still, one is able to see the rays of light cutting through the sky, and flowing down from the Heavens to earth.  That is my favorite kind of sky, aside from the Harvest moon.  I always imagine that it's the result of God pulling back the curtain of Heaven to have the angels, and those that have gone to join Him before us, to reveal what His children are up to.  The song that rose up in my heart as I was looking at it last week was on oldie called "Be Still And Know".  I thought it had been DC Talk who sang it, but I can only find a Newsboys version.  Perhaps I remember wrong.  At any rate it's the same song I remember.  You can hear it here if you're interested.  This song takes me back, and the words ring as true today as they ever did so many years ago.  A sky like this causes me to be still for a moment and take it all in.  His great, great love for us, demonstrated by the 'pulling back' of the Heavens and drawing us near to Him.

Materials used: Alphas: Basic Grey & Sassafras, Paper: My Mind's Eye, Studio Calico, Chipboard Heart: Maya Road, Sculpture Flower: Prima, Trim: My Mind's Eye, Embroidery floss: DMC 747

Thanks to the lovely Sasha I've gotten a little hooked on hand stitching :)  I love the tone on tone here, still working on getting my stitches closer together, need to find a proper needle. 

Happy Monday friends.  I hope you'll pop by again soon. Pin It

Scrapping Everyday Miracles

Yesterday while checking in on a blog I frequent, I discovered a new Christian based Scrap Site called Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  Here's what they have to say about themselves ..."We are an inspiration challenge blog... we want to encourage you to look at what God is doing in your life and scrap about it. He has blessed us with such wonderful talents and should glorify Him with them"  I think this is so exciting as it would seem that they've taken my vision for a simple blog and turned it into something even bigger and better, and able to reach more people.  The site doesn't actually go live (designers, challenges, etc) until June, but in an effort to help get the word out, they've created a fun and inviting home page and already have a wonderful prize pack to give away to one lucky person.  I'm pretty excited about the launch of this site.  I've found so many, many blogs out in the blogusphere that center around scrapbooking.  Some only post photos of layouts and cards, while some include a little more personal information related to their life, but few are openly Christian.  Perhaps it's because of fear that visitors will be offended.  Perhaps it's because it's hard to put into words how being a follower of Jesus impacts our everyday lives.  Perhaps it's because we assume our readers will simply pick up on this important part of who we are simply by keeping up with our blogs from week to week.  I can't speak for others, but I know for me it's a little bit of all the above.  Through this site I'll be challenged to live out my faith more through scrapbooking, and that gets me pretty excited for things to come.  In addition to the fabulous giveaway, they are also holding a DT call.  Applicant duties are listed on their page.  It sounds like a potentially great team to be on.  I've never applied for a DT position before, but really think it's time to change that.  I've decided to throw my hat in the ring here.  How wonderful it would be to be able to call this place home.  I know it's a very long shot, but I'm going to go for it.  Sometimes I struggle with pride, and putting myself out there.  Fear of rejection, or failure can keep us from experiencing wonderful opportunities in this life.  I want to be the kind of example to my girls that shows them that it's not only okay to take risks in life, but mandatory if we are to truly allow God to work through us.  Scripture tells us that, not only does He choose to accomplish His will through us, but that he delights in us, and wants to do in us more than we could ever think or imagine.  His will can only be fully accomplished in and through me when I give over control.  So here's me.  Letting go...  For more on how you can possibly get your hands on these goodies ...

Or simply to check out what this fabulous new site is all about hop on over here.  Who knows maybe I'll see you around?!

Happy Wednesday all,

♥ S. Pin It