The In Between

....that's where I feel I am.  Not quite where I am suppose to be, but not still where I once was.  Ever feel like that?

My life is moving along fine, maybe it's that the kids are getting older and I can see a glimpse of what it will be like around here once they are all off living their own lives in college or university, or living abroad.  I think I'm trying to find myself still.  In my professional life (or lack thereof to be more accurate), in my home life, as a wife, and a mom, as a scrapper, and friend.  I just feel I have so much more to give, but don't know quite what it is.

So I wait.  I wait on the One who has promised to give me a hope and a future.  I wait on the One who says I am fearfully, and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14).  I wait for His still small voice in me to rise up out of the noise and distraction, and self doubt to lead me in the way I ought to go (1Kings 19:12). And in the meantime I do what I have been called to do at this point in time.  I will fulfill my duties here in the home, on my design teams, in my church, in my Dance class, in the school as I supervise over the lunch hour.  I will do it all to the best of my ability....as I wait for what's next.

It's been awhile since I've pulled back the veil of "me", not because I was hiding anything but simply because there really wasn't much to reveal.  These days there's just an unsettled feeling that I'm dealing with, and I want to be honest and forthright with you as I share not only my scrappy adventures, but also a bit of the person behind the pretty paper and stickers.  I never want to be one dimensional in this space.  I never want to make it seem as though my life is all roses and lollipops. Life just doesn't work like that for anyone.  I want us to be able to identify with one another.  So this is it folks real life, uncensored.  

I do have some pretty paper and stickers to share with you today.  It's not all gloom and doom.  These photos were from a week that was a little less "in between" and a whole lot more grateful for the 'here and now'.  The last week of summer was a fun filled one around here.

 We were hosted by my friend and her girls at their cottage for what I believe were the two most beautiful days of the summer.  Lots of sunshine, boat rides, knee boarding, trampoline jumping, and all around soaking up summer happened during this last week.

I finished of the 100 Days of Summer paper pack by Simple Stories with these two pages.  Such a great collection.

Thanks for sticking with me through this one friends.  Hope all is well in your world, and that you are living with a sense of gratitude for the day.

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He Is Risen!

I believe because there is no other logical explanation for how it is that I am the person I am today, other than by the grace of God.  

Today I celebrate that Christ is risen.  

He is risen indeed.

Happy Easter to you my friends.  

May you know the real and freeing love of The Father today!

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Let's Get Sketchy Reveal

Happy Monday friends,

I had no idea when I completed this layout over a month ago that the reveal date would fall smack dab in the middle of Birthday Month Celebration.  Pretty cool I think.

I decided to finally document a snippet of 39th Birthday.  It was nothing special, just a little dinner after the girls finished Dance class with my favourite...Peanut Butter ice cream cake from Marble Slab Creamery.  Delish.

I thought it was only fitting to pull out the scraps I have remaining of Crate Paper Pretty Party for this one.  Journaling reads "A quiet celebration - just the girls, and Darwin, and I of my 39th birthday.  Really 39?  Crazy!  So much to be thankful for.  My family, my beautiful girls, God's grace, and constant pursuit of me.  Calling me to better, bigger, more meaningful, more rewarding for His kingdom.  I am so very blessed.  Here's to a great year."

That tiny camera is an Amy Tangerine Silhouette cut file.  I just shrunk it way down. Isn't it cute?

Our sketch this week is courtesy of Bev Code.   I preferred the look of the layout best once I flipped the sketch.  It gave me a little more room to journal.

Click here to see what the rest of the team did with the sketch, and to get in on your chance at some really great Birthday Month shwag. Pin It

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

Beautiful Babies

A new week, a new sketch up at Let's Get Sketchy.  Fellow DT member Bev Code created a beauty for us to play with this week.  I pulled out all the stops on this one.  It was one of those layouts that just came together quickly once I pulled all the product that I wanted to use, everything just fell into place.

Psalm 127:3-4 "Children are an inheritance from the Lord.  They are a reward from him.  The children born to a man when he is young are like arrow in the hand of a warrior.  Blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them. "

I used a Pink Paislee mask, some paint, a Pink Paislee: Christy Tomlinson stamp, along with some Tim Holtz distress ink, and well as some cut files from my Silhouette Cameo.

Here is Bev's great sketch

Some close ups:

That honeycomb file is a Daniela Dobson creation.  You can find it here.

Some Amy Tangerine, Echo Park, Studio Calico, Chic Tags, and My Minds Eye

Those heart tickets were made using the Silhouette

I just love this photo of my sweet babies.  I can remember taking it, they had all been pretending to sleep on the couch, and made sure they were just loud enough for me to come and have a peek at what was going on.  Gosh, I think I would have to seriously bribe them to be this close together, all on the same couch for a photo these days.  At least I have the proof for the younger two, that there once was a time in their lives where their big sis actually enjoyed hanging out with them.

I hope you feel inspired to go and create today.  Hop over here to see what the rest of the DT did with the sketch, and to link up your own creation. Pin It

Scrapping the Sad Moments

The first challenge of the year is up at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.

This month we were encouraged to scrap a sad moment in our lives.  It was perfect timing in a way.  I discovered a few childhood family photos on my laptop as I was cleaning it up over Christmas.  This photo is so telling of the way I feel about my childhood.  So much sadness still present in my heart over it.  Look at my brother and me, how sad we appear to be.  Chances are we were likely yelled at for one thing or another just before this photo was snapped.  The only person smiling in the photo is my father.  The controlling, and abusive one in the family.

The twist this month was to use a bird, a symbol of freedom on our project.  Mine is tiny, but it's there on the My Mind's Eye brad on the bottom right.

A lot of journaling on this one.  Not hidden this time, but right out in the open, giving God the glory for the woman I've become in spite of the heavy hand under which I was brought up.  Jouranaling reads: "People often have a hard time believing my upbringing was as difficult as it was.  My bubbly, outgoing personality doesn't line up with what should have been the product of the emotional abuse I suffered as a child.  My explanation is always that God had a plan for me.  It was by His grace that both my brother and I turned out to be caring, loving individuals who broke the pattern of generational sins in my father's family.  John 16:33 has been a type of life verse for me. "I have told you these things that you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble but take heart for I have overcome the world."  It's so clear in this photo how unhappy we all are, only my father is smiling.  He was the only one with anything to smile about.  We all lived under his heavy and controlling hand. Thankfully, all my life I had other adults, surrogate parents who loved me, encouraged me, and showed me what the love of Jesus truly looked like.  The Holy Spirit worked through them to grow in me compassion, forgiveness, and a tender heart.  I am who I am because of Jesus.  Amen"

Have you ever scrapped a sad moment in your life?  I found this a little emotionally draining to do, but I'm glad I did it.  It will become part of my scrapbooks.  It's a part of my history, and deserves it's place among the memories of the rest of my story.

If you'd like to see what the rest of the team chose to scrap you may do so here.  If you choose to play along with us, you may link up there also.  You have until January 31st to do so, and be entered for a chance at our Top 3, as well as a $15 gift certificate to Paper Loves Glue (a fabulous little Etsy shop with great crafting product)

Hope your week is off to a great start, thanks for popping by today! Pin It

Happy Friday

A new year, and endless possibilities for Chic Tags inspired layouts.   Here are some sneaks of the layout I have up on the blog today.  Hope you'll pop over to have a look.

Everyday Life ATC, Autumn Days mini tags

A Camping We Will Go Bunting Alphas

25 Days Tabs

I created this layout to document the fact that even though my brother and I did not have the best childhood we managed to become really good friends in spite of it.  I am so proud of my baby brother, and so thankful to have him in my life.

Journaling reads: "I look at these sweet babies and feel such sadness at knowing the life they had in wait for them.  So much drama, and heartache mixed in with the few real moments of joy and carefreeness.  These little ones heard a lot of negativity in their childhood and experienced a lot of disappointment.  But the Lord is good, and they grew up to lead blessed lives surrounded by people who love them.  Praise the Lord for His loving kindness."

There are some fabulous new Valentine's Day goodies in the shop.  It won't be long before we're caught up on our Christmas photos and ready to move onto all things pink, red, and white.  You can see it all right here.

On another note I am happy to be able to finally let the cat out of the bag and let you all know about a fabulous new opportunity that I've been offered.

This month I will begin a six month DT term with Siobhan, Heather, and their fabulous team of designers from all over the world.  I love what this team is all about.  The second and fourth Tuesday of every month there is a new challenge.  The challenges vary from colour challenges, to product specific and everything in between.  The most important part of each challenge, however is to use your hoarded stash.  We are all guilty of buying goodies, that we forget about, or flat out hoard, and keep around so long that it becomes harder and harder to use.  This challenge blog is a great place to find the inspiration to use it all up.  The announcement, and my first project will be up on the blog next week.

That's it for today.   Thank you so much for popping in.  I'll be back on Monday with a new Challenge for Scrapping Everyday Miracles.

Have a safe, and fun-filled week end friends.

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I Am Thirty-Nine

Even to say it, it doesn't sound true.

I celebrated my birthday on Monday.  It was a very understated affair.  No big party, a couple of small gifts, and dinner at home, made by yours truly.  Some may have been disappointed with such a simple evening, but I for one could not have felt more blessed.  It seems that the older I get the less it takes to make me feel loved.  I am strong, and healthy.  I live in a country where I am a free black woman, able to do pretty much anything I set my mind to.  I have 3 beautiful girls, and a husband who is a wonderful father to them, and a sensitive, and caring partner to me.  We have a lovely home, in a beautiful neighbourhood, a dog who adores each of us, and more 'toys' than we need.  Life is full.
Life is good.
I am blessed.
Life won't ever be perfect, but I am acutely aware of how unnecessary perfection is.  I'm learning to be comfortable in my own skin.
I'm learning that life is short, and I need to make the most of my 24 hours everyday.
I'm learning to stop comparing my life to others'.
I'm learning that I am unique, and have talents and abilities that are worth sharing with the world around me.
Every year I discover more of who I am, and who I was created to be.

The title reads "feeling awesome at 39"

I added a little more bling than usual trying to capture a girlie feel

Thank you to all of my friends, and family who contribute to this life of mine.  I wouldn't be the same without you.  And you dear reader are a part of the blessing.  Thank you for being here.  For your encouragement, and for allowing me to share with you, and in return for sharing with me.

Here's to another year of learning, and growing, and playing, and discovering more about this life I've been given.  I welcome thrity-nine with open arms.  Bring it on!

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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.

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My Mind's Eye Altered Canvas

Would you believe I've had this canvas to share with you since June?

I have a girlfriend named Tish, who I met through The Scrapbook Cottage where I work.  She is an artist.  A very talented one too.  She makes the most vibrant, and beautiful art journals.  She knows how to rock Gesso, and paint, and black pens, like no one else I know.  Tish graciously took some time out of her schedule to share a little bit of her knowledge with me.

I wanted to create a canvas.  I had never done one before, but read a scripture verse that I really wanted to hang somewhere.  Shortly after finding the verse, I received a card kit in the mail, that I blogged about here.  In the kit was this fabulous wood veneer bird.  I knew I wanted that bird on a canvas.  Then along came a Scrapbook Nook kit full of the newest My Mind's Eye Indie Chic Collection.  Suddenly I had all the primary ingredients, now all I needed was the teacher.  That's where she comes in.

Why the short girl is taking the photo I'm not sure :)

I drove out to Tish's place in the country, and spent a wonderful afternoon learning from her.  Here is the vision she helped me to get on canvas.

I used a few different patterned papers, some gesso, a little paint, Studio Calico butterflies some stamps, and little trim, painted that gorgeous bird, and printed, and distressed the verse, and voila a beautiful canvas was born.

It now sits in my living room.  Thank you Tish for helping me to make my vision a reality.  I have a feeling, this won't be the only canvas I create.

♥ S. Pin It

I'm Julie's Guest

Welcome to something NEW today.

A few weeks ago my bloggy friend, Julie asked me if I would consider guesting on her blog for a series she's doing this month called I Spy Jesus. The series will run every Wednesday for the duration of September, and by the sounds of it there are some great women contributing, I am honoured to have been asked to join them.

Julie is a woman who is full of faith, and hope, and writes with such humility.  Her love for Jesus permeates almost every post, weather she's talking about the dress she wore for her wedding, her children, and the challenges of homeschooling, or her scrapping passion.  You can read her first post in the series here, it will help you get to know her a little better.  I have no doubt you'll be touched by how she shares her heart, just as I have been.

This post was not an easy one to write as you'll discover if you pop over to Julie's blog to read it in it's entirety.  To give you a bit of a clue, however, let me just say that as much as I know there are seasons in our lives where we feel God presence more than others, it always leaves me feeling like a failure whenever I find myself in a dry season.  So being asked to share where I see Jesus working in my life, when I feel like I'm simply on the hamster wheel of life, not really making a whole lot of difference in the world around me is extremely humbling.  But God is always pursuing us, illuminating the path in which we should travel, calling us to something new, and that's what I want to share with you over at Julie's.  I hope you'll pop by and have a peek.  For further enticement here is a sneak of the layout I created for this post. 

You can see the rest of the post, including the layout on Julie's blog.

I hope you'll pop over and say hello.

Happy Tuesday friends,

♥ S.

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Let's Hear It For The Boy

For Challenge #20, Einat has brought us a new kind of challenge this month at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  The challenge is to focus on a special male in our life.  She reminds us about the covenant that God made with Abraham the day a lamb was sent to be sacrificed in place of Abraham's son Issac.

When I read her challenge I immediately thought of my nephew Jayden.  My brother and his wife have the cutest brown boy I've ever seen.  The kid is such a character.  He loves to tease, and play around, and climb all over my hubby.  He's quite the dancer, loves anything Spiderman, and is a little jokester to boot.  He's one of the most loving little boys I know.  When he leaves his day care, he cannot walk out the door without personally saying goodbye and delivering a hug to each child there.

Then men in my family have not done much to leave a stellar legacy for future generations.  Ephesians 6:4 reads "Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master."  Whether it was because they, themselves have always had poor role models, or because they just had no idea how and where to start, or simply because they just didn't care, I do not know.  All I know is that Ephesians 6:4 did not ring true within the walls of my home.  My brother and I were subjected to awful rants by my father, often accompanied by a swift and rough hand to the behind.

It is only by the grace of God, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, that my brother and I are the people we are today.  My brother especially.  He grew into a kind, loving, gentle man, who leads his son with a kind, loving, and gentle hand.  He is raising Jayden in a way that affirms this little boy's value in Christ.  Jayden will have a hard time questioning his worth as a person, a chosen, and wonderfully created child of God, gifted to his parents.  With that kind of knowledge this young man will have the power to break this generational curse of ours.  He will have the strength and the wisdom, and the humility to rise up and re-write the pages of the Wesley book for future generations.  

Written on this hidden journaling card is Malachi 4:6 "He (Elijah) will convince parents to look after their children and children to look up to their parents."

I am honoured to be his Aunt.  I cherish the gift that I have, to come alongside him, and his parents as a reminder of what a gift he is to all of us, and of God's great and amazing, all encompassing, never failing love for all mankind.  A love that He demonstrated so boldly in giving up His son Jesus to die for each one of us.  Rather than a life doomed to eternal loss, we have been giving the opportunity to live in eternity with our Heavenly Father.  There is no denying the presence of God for me.  No denying the power of the Holy Spirit when I look at myself in the mirror, or when I look at my brother, and especially when I consider the possibility of restoration that Jayden could bring to the Wesley name for future generations.

To see what men the rest of the DT chose to lift up please pop over to Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  There, you will also see the scrap twist for the month, as well as get the details on our gracious sponsor and the prize up for grabs.

Have a wonderful Monday friends,

♥ S.

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With All My Heart

Happy Monday!

Today I have a layout to share with you that was published in last month's issue of ScrapStreet Magazine.  I was asked to create a layout that documented my musings, thoughts/wishes/dreams for my future.  This is what I came up with.

Using Echo Park Graceful collection

It's unusual for me to have this much personal reflection visible on my layout. It is usually hidden in a pocket. The purpose of this layout however, was to record my musings/indulge in some self-reflection. I wanted the story to be visible, and available, especially for my children. I think it's important for them to be able to see me as more than just their mom. I want them to know that even though there are days where it may be difficult to tell, I am so very grateful for the life that I have, and they are very much a part of that.

The journaling reads:
"Sometimes it's hard not to be overcome with emotion when I think about the great wealth of blessings I have been given in my lifetime. Never in a million years would I have dreamed I would be living the life I have. Here I am; at 38. A wife and a mother. Surrounded by the people I love, and who love me in return. I am blessed. I have a husband who has promised to love me despite my shortcoming, is gracious with me, and is my biggest cheerleader, regardless of the task I've decided to take on. My three girls fill my heart to overflowing. They are beautiful, intelligent, funny, compassionate, and kind. They have the ability to make me want to scream and laugh all within the same sixty seconds. I pray all the time that I will not fail them as a parent. I am so grateful that they are forgiving and patient with me, as I continue to find my way as their mother. Together, we are living a dream, so much greater than I ever could have imagined for us. With all my heart, I give thanks for the honor of living this life!"

I really love this layout.  Not because I love looking at photos of myself, but because it will be nice to look back and remember this time in my life.  As much as I always think I'll remember certain details or events of my life I know that it's impossible to remember all of it.  I also look at it as a very tangible and open prayer of thanksgiving to the One who has blessed me with all of it.  None of it would matter without Jesus.

On another note, if you're local, this is a reminder of the layouts I'll be teaching this week at The Scrapbook Cottage.  They all about layers, and mist.  The class is on Thursday, August 23 at 6 pm.  There is still room, simply call the store to register 257-2771.

Using Amy Tangerine Sketch book collection

Using Simple Stories Summer Fresh Collection

Hope your week is off to a great start friends!

♥ S. Pin It

Created Beauty

Challenge #18 is live over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  This month I wanted to have us focus on the beauty we see all around us that point us back to God proclaiming His creativity and genius. We have the privilege of being in relationship with an amazing inventor, and artist, the creator of all things. He could have chosen for us to live in an bland, uninteresting world, of black and white, but He didn't. Scripture says that He created all things, seen and unseen, and that He delights in His children. Psalm 8 reads “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place... You put everything under our feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.” There is nowhere we can turn where creation doesn't point back to its creator. From a brilliant rainbow after the rain, to the beauty of a new born baby, to intricate spider webs, to fragrant rose bushes, to a deep and meaningful friendship, to tiny red ladybugs. There is beauty all around us just begging for us to stop and take it in.  Let's choose to stop with intention, and look with our hearts at all the ways our world is being colored by creation.

I was on my way to pick up the girls from school one day when I was forced to stop and wait while a family of geese made their way from one side to the other, where lush grasses and a man made lake awaited.  I was struck by how cute they all looked as they waddled their way across.  What also spoke to my heart was how they intuitively knew to stay together hedged in by mom and dad on either side.  I was reminded once again of the Lord's deep, deep love for each of us.  It's a love that goes far beyond the way he cares for every need of every creature.  It's deep, intense, passionate, and never ending.  How lucky we are to have such an amazing Father in Heaven.

Here's the layout I created.

My Mind's Eye Indie Chic Collection

I hope you'll join us by capturing the beauty you see around you.  This month we have another fabulous scrappy sponsor!  You can see who it is, check out the scrap twist, and get all the deets here.  If scrapping is not your thing, however, may you be blessed by all the beauty you see around you today.  Maybe take a moment to add a touch of your own beauty to the world around you.

Be blessed, and have a fabulous day friends!

♥ S.


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Sweet Baby

Hello friends,

Sorry I've been MIA for a bit.  We have spent the past 4 weeks or so participating in 2 big Dance competitions.  All our hard work, and hours of practice have all paid off.  If you come back tomorrow I have several photos to share with you that will give you some insight into the wold of Dance Competition as I know it. 

Today, I have a layout to share.

I found this photo in some random folder on my laptop a few weeks ago, and knew that I just had to scrap it.  It is baby photo of me, at a few months old.  My father actually use to be a photographer (or at least he knew how to take decent photos of us).  When I look at this picture there is so much I wish I could say to that sweet baby.  So much pain, and heartache I wish I could save her from.  There is so much she had yet to discover about the world around her.  The words of John 16:33 are what came to mind when I set out creating this layout.  They say "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart for I have overcome the world".  It is one of my favorite verses, and perhaps the most powerful, must hopeful, most full of promise phrase that this sweet little girl could have heard so many years ago. 

Click to enlarge photo

As much as I wasn't thrilled with the Dear Lizzy Neapolitan collection.  I've managed to create a few things from the line.  This sheet of paper with all the random number squares on it sat in my stash for some time, until last week when I had the idea to cut it apart and use it to frame this photo. The soft colours work so well with the photo I think.  Once again I created a pinwheel to accent my page.  I really like embellishments, and always manage to find a way to make it work when a line doesn't include many, or when, as was the case here, I just don't have any more left.  If you're interested, or just missed it the first time around you can learn how to make your own pinwheel embellishment right here.  And the flower is a new Martha Stewart punch I ordered from Studio Calico here.  The verse is hard to see on the bottom of the layout because it's written in pink ink, but if you enlarge the photo you'll have no trouble reading it.

Thanks for stopping by.  I have a lot of projects photographed and ready to go, and even more on the way.  Most are for upcoming opportunities, but some are just for fun, and those I can share with you right away.  Oh and that secret I was going to let you in on...will have to wait until June 1st, sorry.  I thought it would be sooner, but no luck.  Hope you'll bear with me until then.

See you tomorrow!

♥ S. Pin It

About my mother

It's the first Monday of the month, which means it's time for a new challenge over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles.  With this being the month we celebrate Mother's Day in North America, the challenge is focused around mothers.

Some of you may know that growing up, I was not particularly close with my mother.  All that hurt was re-ignited when I saw what the theme of the challenge was going to be this month.  I put off creating the layout for several weeks, in fact, not sure where I would begin.  When I finally sat down to create something this is what I came up with.  This photo of my 1st birthday is one of the very few I have of myself and my mother together, I chose it because it's one where she looks happiest.

Using the new Fancy Pants Be You collection

I wasn't really thrilled with how the layout turned out.  I like the papers, and the design is fine, but somehow it just felt 'not me', sterile.  I had to really think and pray about what was not sitting well with me over this layout.  What I came to realize, is that my childhood is not something I speak of often.  It's almost as though it's a untouchable part of my history.  I really felt the Lord saying to me that I had some healing to do, and that He wanted me to press into my feelings, so that He could bring about restoration.  As I allowed Him to move me, and speak to my heart I realized that denying the 'good' of my upbringing, and not acknowledging the many ways my mother did show her love for me was wrong, it was denying all the ways God had shown His love to me.  A friend recently reminded me of Romans 8:28 "and we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."   That is the truth of my childhood, and I need to give Him the glory, and give my mother praise for her part in it.  She tried her best to be a good mom to us, I have no doubt, but I didn't really see that until my firstborn came into the world.  Seeing her as a grandmother, expanded my view of her.  The way she loved my daughter, and gently held her, they way she was so supportive of me, and my parenting.  I began to see that she likely had the same amount of love and compassion for me and my brother when we were growing up.  I think that perhaps being married to my father forced her to, unknowingly keep part of herself hidden.  Living under a controlling, selfish, and irritable man changed a bit of who she really was.  Going through this process of scrapping about my mother has helped me to see, and believe that she did the best she knew how to love us, and protect us from the same upbringing she endured (broken home, infidelity, and a home where love and respect was always conditional)  I don't think she realized that the pattern was never really broken, but I believe now, that she tried her best.

Here is the same photo redone on a new, more meaningful, more 'me' layout.

Sorry that the quality looks poor, but the colours really are that muted and soft (Crate Paper)

This layout was created after processing everything.  I really sensed the Lord working through me on this one, allowing me to see my mother in a new light, His light.

I've written out the feelings I was able to articulate through this healing process on a couple of tags hidden behind the photo.

I hope that if you have a similar story of hurt and disappointment regarding your childhood and/or relationship with your mother that you have found some solace here today.  I pray that you may know the love of your Father, and hear the calling He has on you to come to Him, allowing Him into the dark places to bring healing and restoration.  You just never know the depth of peace that awaits you on the other side.

You can see what the rest of the design team did with this challenge, and get all the details on this month's gracious sponsor over here.

As schedules would have it, I am also up over at Let's Capture Our Memories today. 

 I have a fun Pink Paislee layout to share with you.  Tomorrow I'll teach you how to re-create it.

Have a blessed day friends. Pin It

Praise Post

Happy Monday friends,

This past Friday my girls had Tri-Conferences at their school.  Not sure if you're familiar with the new concept of what use to be known as the parent teacher interview.  Rather than the child being excluded from the conversation between the parent/guardian and the teacher, the child is central to the interaction.  We had the opportunity to not just hear about their progress from their teachers, we also got to see first hand what they have been working on over the past several months, and experience a little of what they're learning, as they walked us through experiments, power point presentations and art work that they've created.  Hearing from their teachers that my girls are kind, and respectful, considerate, and intelligent is so encouraging, and heartwarming.  Seeing some of the things they're learning, and how they are learning them make me excited for how much further along they will be academically by the end of elementary school than I was at their age.  Have you seen the way Math is taught these days?  If only we had learned it that way.  Horizontally makes so much more sense than going down columns.  Their ability to put together their very own movies using Power Point, and the social awareness they develop through a variety of tools through Social Studies is far and wide beyond what and how we learned in school 10, 15, and 20 plus years ago.

My heart was swollen with pride as we left the school, walking as a family to our vehicle.  I was very aware of how blessed my girls are, how blessed we are as a family to have the freedom and ability to send our children to school.  They will never know the reality of some, who don't have that privilege.  They will never have to leave their studies to help support their family financially. They will never have to wonder whether or not they'll have the opportunity to graduate with a High School diploma.  They have teachers who genuinely care about their academic, social, and emotional well being.  And most importantly they have parents who are ready and willing to partner with the school to help ensure the best possible foundation for learning in these formative years.  I consider it such a blessing to be able to be at home during this time.  I consider it a blessing that my husband is able to take time away from work to have been there will me as our girls, with pride in their eyes showed us how much they are learning.  This chapter in our lives is one that carries with it many emotional ups and down, many mornings of frayed nerves, and many evenings of wondering if we are getting it right.  But, it is one I wouldn't trade for anything.  It is A LOT of work, there is A LOT I hadn't really considered when they were teeny tiny, and so dependent on me for everything.  But through them I learn so much more about the way my Father loves, and cares for me.  Through them, I experience the love of my creator as I stop to consider that I am His child, and in me, He delights.  Through them I get a glimpse of Heaven on earth.  When we are in our rhythm, and love and friendship, and kindness, and sharing, and all those good things are flowing I begin to comprehend that although God is in the midst of our lives here on earth, rejoicing with us as we live in the middle of His daily blessings, there is so very much more in store for those who call him Father.  I praise God for His daily portion in my life, and the many blessings he has chosen to pour out on me.  I praise Him even more for all that is yet to come in eternity.  Proverbs 22:6 says "Train a child up in the way he should go, and even when he they are old they will not turn away from it."  I praise God that He is the source of our wisdom, and strength as we do our best to see this truth lived out in our girls.

Is there an everyday miracle you recognize in your own life today?  Have you praised Him for it yet?  He gives generously (James 1:5), and he delights in YOU today (Psalm 149:4).

PRAISE the Lord, all you nations! 

Praise Him, all you people!

For His mercy and loving-kindness are great toward us,

and the truth and faithfulness of the Lord

endure forever.

Praise the Lord   

Psalm 117

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He Is Risen

I wonder, do yo know my King?

I believe because there is no other logical explanation for how it is that I am the person I am today, other than by the grace of God.  

Today I celebrate that Christ is risen.  

He is risen indeed.

Happy Easter to you my friends.  

May you know the real and freeing love of The Father today!

♥ S.

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Spring Break

It is finally here!

I know I've been somewhat delinquent around here this past week, and it looks like this week may see a little more of the same.  I promise you that I am working on some projects however, and will have some new stuff to show you soon.  I'm really hoping that I get at least a couple of days in to create this week while I have the break from running the kids back and forth to school and dance.

I'm up today over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles with a Praise Post.  If you're at all interested in learning a little bit of my spiritual journey I invite you to pop over and have a peek.  It's a very quick read.

In scrappy news I have two things to share with you today. One is that My Scrapbook Nook is having  another Design Team Call.  This place, is hands down, my favorite crafty inspired address on the web.  The women are incredibly talented, many of whom design for big name manufacturers.  The DT manager is one of the sweetest women I know, and also the one responsible for me really falling in love with this hobby, as she shared her designs, ideas, and a lot of her heart through both her personal blog, and The Nook blog.  The Forum is uplifting, and encouraging.  The classes/challengers are free, and run every month, and the gallery is always, always over-flowing with inspiration, and jaw-dropping creations.  I love this place, and have met many like-minded women from, literally all over the wold, who quickly become friends .  If you'd like to try out with me, you can find more details here.

News item number two is this email I received last week...

"Hello! We would like to publish your submission in the August 2012 issue of 

Scrapbook Trends..."  

Talk about through the roof excitement.  I literally couldn't stop smiling when I read the email.  I will actually have a layout published in a real live printed magazine read by thousands each moth.  I am still on the moon excited about it.  I realize it's a long way off, but I can not wait to see how they photograph it. You can be sure I'll show you once I can.

I'll leave you with a sneak of one of the projects I've been working on for a Guest Designer spot next month

Do you recognize that paper line?

Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope your week is off to a great start!

♥ S. 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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