Consider your quirks- rediscover yourself!

February must have been the month to reflect on what makes YOU unique. Do you know what it is? Kjoi studios had a quirk LO challenge in February. Which led me to lead a discussion thread at the Scrapbook Playground to ask what everyone's quirks are.

What are your quirks, do you need to ask friends and family? I had coffee with a friend of mine, former room mate, and asked her if she remembers any of my quirks even though we haven't lived together in 20 yrs. Oh yeah...she did not disappoint. Some of her accounts were hilarious, and I couldn't believe I could be so extreme. She told me I was a list maker, and on my wedding day (she and her now husband stood up for us in our wedding) I had detailed a timetable, which included "have breakfast with Tim and Lisa at 8:10 a.m., brush teeth and do hair by 9 a.m.," etc. Ok, would I really forget to brush my teeth on my wedding day? (or any day for that matter) What I would do now to have a copy of that list and scrap it!

At the Playground I realized I shared many of the same quirks as other people..and can now make an entire quirky mini album! Last night I created a 2 page digital layout on lipstick...yes, one of my quirks and I wanted to scrap it for the Kjoi challenge. Who would figure one can do a two page layout on lipstick?!!

I want to seriously encourage you to make a list of your own quirks and scrap them - whether in a single or two page LO, a simple tag album that has one written quirk per tag (no pic needed), or a mini album and include some pics if you can. This would be a great keepsake for your family and leave a legacy of the quirks that make you unique!

I plan to create a mini album of my quirks. Yesterday I made a smiley face in Photoshop and put it up on my computer monitor and took a photo. I talk to my computer all the time - and it is nice to see it smiling back at me - probably laughing that I would talk to it, since it obviously cannot speak my language. Other things I can take pictures of...the roll of toilet paper and how I like it to drape over vs. hang under, the fact that I prefer a box of tissue in every room of the house, the truth that I cannot get to sleep, no matter how tired, if there is ANY noise in the house (makes for taking naps impossible). The list goes on...and I think scrapping these quirks will allow me to take a good look at myself and ponder the unique person that God has made me. So there you go - enjoy your quirks for the journey you are on and marvel at the special person you are!

Hybrid Cards Offer Flexibility

I am very much enjoying digi scrapping, and when I combine it with traditional scrapping the results can be so incredible. I made this "journey" card for my husband to celebrate his new ministry - I knew days ago which photo I would want to use. It was amusing to me that the program cover for the commissioning celebration on Tuesday night used a very similar photo.

This card became hybrid because the color printer actually skewed my cardstock at the very end as it fed through. The bottom of the printed image was crooked. I was just going to trim things and fix it that way, and then I thought - why not find some papers to go with and make it a hybrid instead. So I mustered up some Mustard Moon and found a wonderful scrap of green textured Paper Trunk, tore some edges, cut around my framed photo, and attached my two, torn and inked pieces. I think the colors of the striped paper really add a lot more depth and warmth to this card than it would have otherwise had.

Now, looking at it again I should have printed the verse from 1 Corinthians in an oatmeal colored type vs. brown, but hey, my husband won't notice that. HOWEVER, now that I have this card designed...there is nothing stopping me from changing it up a bit for other occassions. Can you see graduation? I can - and even have a quote in my head to put in place of the scripture, in oatmeal colored type of course!
Does a hybrid card have any less meaning than one made exclusively with glue, hammer, hole punches and lots of fabulous embellishments? I don't think so. I still had to muddle through lots of digi files to find just the right papers, frame and photo anchor. Finding the butterfly by J. Schmitt in my TTS Trevor's Treasure's kit was a bonus. The green paper by DigiDiva was a 12x12 design, but I resized it to 8.5" width and pulled the bottom portion onto my letter sized document. Knowing where my card was to fold, I then cut and pasted the top portion of the patterned paper onto my card - so that the flourished design would meet in the middle, vs. have the top of the card front unadorned. I love Kara Jones cardboard grunge frame and have recently moved it to a folder of favorite embellishments. I finally put that wonderful rustic ribbon loop brad by Amy Teets into a folder of FUD (frequently used digi) - as I seem to always have a hard time finding it when I go in search for use on a page. It goes well with so many of my earthy layouts.

If you like to play with photo editing software why not give hybrid card making a try. I think you might like the results, and use a favorite photo over and over to send a different message for different needs. Now, back to my card project... thanks for stopping by!

Agent of God - Trust in Him

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song." Psalm 28:7
It's been nine days since my last post, and I never figured I would be sharing two layouts in a row of my husband. He is totally worthy of scrapping, but as it is for many of you -the kids take center stage on the pages of our layouts.

Tonight, however, I had to come home and create this layout, for I am very proud of my husband this evening. After five months of training, classes just about every Tuesday and lots of homework during the week, Jesse was commissioned as a Stephen Minister at our church this evening.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 reads: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.
These verses were shared by the guest speaker at this evening's commissioning dinner, and an apt description of the Stephen Ministry itself. Tonight twenty men and women have answered the call and joined the ranks of other Stephen Ministers to be agents of God. They will offer a listening ear to those who are troubled, suffering, and broken in a world of brokeness. They will offer the comfort God gives us, the compassion Christ showed to many, and do it all through the omni-presence of the Holy Spirit.

Jesse is a natural as a Stephen Minister. People have always been drawn to him to share their troubles. He is a listener. He has a skill that many of us have to put effort into. Stephen Ministry is a perfect match for his gift of compassion. I know that God can take the ordinary and make them extraordinary to carry out His will and purpose. The Lord has given my husband the gift of listening, gentleness, and encouragement. I know he is equipped for his new ministry, a room full of friends, pastors, and fellow Stephen Ministers also know that he is ready. There are always anxieties in addition to the excitement of beginning a new ministry. Jesse begins meeting with his care receiver already this coming Thursday afternoon. Please keep him in prayer - that the two men are comfortable with one another, and that Jesse is relaxed and allows the Holy Spirit to take charge over their meeting. I chose Psalm 28:7 for it says that the Lord shall HELP those who trust in Him. Our family will be praying for Jesse on Thursday afternoon, please join us in lifting him up. Thank you!

Digital layout uses elements from www.kjoistudios.com, www.faithsisters.com and www.treasurestoscrap.com

Celebrating My Love

I know Valentine's Day is past, but it is never too late to create a layout about the most important person in your life, right? I was so busy making Valentine cards for my family members, and special friends going through difficult times right now, that I did not have time to scrap a layout for my sweetheart. This is something I have done annually the past couple of years. The nice thing about being "late" is that I could incorporate a bit of the Valentine my husband gave me on the 14th. The card I was given had scripture from Song of Solomon, chapter 3, verse 4: "...I found the one my heart loves." My husband's card was very moving - I love Dayspring cards. It did not go without notice that both of us thanked one another for being Godly spouses. I love how God moves in our lives.
It just so happened that the discovery challenge at www.faithsisters.com this week also encourages us to create a layout about the special someone in our life. Not surprisingly, it was also the Feb. 14 challenge at the Scrapbook Playground - a part of their montly long February crop event.
Thursday night a valentine poem came into my head. I wrote it on a post it note, in arms reach, and tucked it into my jeans pocket. Friday morning I put a load of wash in before work. Friday afternoon I wanted to start on the layout, and I realized I could not find the poem. I ran to the dryer, found the post it in my jeans pocket, and nothing was legible. Oh well... I started over.

Although some of the lines seem silly - the words ring true. The chocolate line was totally inspired by the chocolate hearts on the "Love Me Tender" quick page (digital) by Penny Lewis at www.kjoistudios.com. I SO LOVE dark chocolate! But the mention of chipboard...this is about my scrapbooking and the time it involves. I know that my passion to create, the creative team deadlines I have, bite into special alone time with my husband, and I need to work on that. Thus, the chipboard line really applies to all my supplies - but I love chipboard LOTS! (LOL) Here is my poem, second time around:
I love you more than chocolate 'cuz your love won't melt away.
I love your more than chipboard 'cuz you aim to please me everyday.
I love you more than a fuzzy sweater 'cuz you always keep me warm.
I love you more than anything 'cuz our love has weathered storms.
I love you - just 'cuz you are my love.

The rest of the digital elements for this page are credited to:
Dragons Lair - notebook paper and stop watch, and Oval Bookplate – Cactus Mango Designs downloaded from www.kjoistudios.com
Trevor's Treasures kit – red chipboard heart
Scroll Stamps - seishido biz.com

As you can tell from my short supply list - I did not add a whole lot to Penny's fabulous quick page filled with layered flowers around a frame and cool scrolls and ric rack. To add in the notebook paper, chipboard heart and bookplate I used layers to my advantage in Photoshop. I reduced the opacity of the newly introduced element, and carefully used the eraser tool to remove the portions that I wanted "tucked under". Once done I returned the opacity to 100%. This is a great trick for adding additional elements to a quick page to personalize it. If you are inclined not to download quick pages because you "want to have complete creative control" (this is how I was) - try this approach. I have learned that I can work with quick pages and still introduce my own personal style (which has to have a circle somewhere!).

Quick pages can often be downloaded as freebies by a designer wanting to introduce you to a new kit they have put together. Don't be afraid - give them a try!

REsponding to God's Call

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

Has God ever put it upon your heart to take action on a matter and you just pushed it back, not wanting to deal with the extra burden that action might put upon you? For the past year or so I have had a Moses attitude. Reluctant to follow through on His calling using a myriad of excuses as to why, or why not. Not enough time, don't know any body, how would I start such a thing?, will look into it closer to fall, etc.... all of these negative replies have been going through my head.

This past weekend I attended a women's REtreat at our newer church - Blackhawk E-Free. Our keynote speaker on Friday night was Sharon Clausen. I am sure her words struck a chord with many in attendance. Her message certainly hit home with me as I could relate to the story of Jonah and Moses and how they responded to God's call. A key point made was this, "delayed obedience is DISOBEDIENCE." How true, and I knew it. I was letting my fear of knowing only a handful of people in our new church squelch a ministry God is asking me to lead.
The signs have been pretty clear - and go back probably 7 years ago, before we adopted our daughter. I was watching a concert on prime time to raise adoption awareness. One break featured a baptist church that had a "One Church, One Child" ministry, in which the church raised the money to allow a family to adopt and give a child a loving home. I was so taken with that concept, and had wished that something like this was available for us as we were contemplating adoption. This was a seed planted.

Years later, after God had already blessed us with a beautiful little girl from Korea, I continued to share our adoption experience, answer questions, and have been privileged to be a part in four families making the decision to adopt. (sprout) Of course we know Whose hand was really at work, bringing families together through adoption.

As I walk through the halls of our new church on Sunday I see so many families brought together by adoption, and have talked to a few. Focus on the Family just happend to send me an email last fall about a new ministry called "Cry for the Orphan", with so many links to help churches get started in orphan care ministry, give families resources, and a wealth of agencies and information to process.(sprout) In November, our church moved to a new, larger building. On that first day Pastor Chris said that the new building was not about the bricks and mortar that make it up, "this building is only a tool for us to use to do God's work." (sprout)

I thought to myself, we have the room here. Room for adopted children to play and grow together, room for adoptive parents to come together and share stories, room for parents of adopted children to mentor those who are considering, or in the process of adoption. Having been through the wait, and not being a patient person, having moral support through the process is so important! There is room to educate and have workshops to help parents with adopted children learn how to deal with issues and feelings their children may have. I pray there is means to raise money, for the church to have a desire to raise a child within its community, to help families adopt and offer love and opportunities for quality life.

The verse from James is key for me. I have been given a vision for what this ministry can do:
• To come together as a support group for families in the process of adoption, or who have adopted.
• To learn from one another by sharing of experiences and backgrounds.
• To foster and encourage adoption.
• To help make a difference, one child, one family at a time.

In a cast of a thousands I feel so insignificant, so unremarkable - I have no idea how someone such as myself can begin to cast such a vision. Our keynote speaker mentioned God being sufficient for our needs, which made me smile. Earlier in the week I had just studied the word grace, and came upon the verse from 2 Corinthians, "My grace is sufficent for you, my power made perfect in your weakness." This vision for adoption ministry is not about me - it is about God and the great things He can do. I came home Friday night, typed up the vision that had been swimming in my head for the past two years, and sent it to the person who receives such ideas at our church. The wheel has been put into motion, and I have taken a step towards obedience.

I also met another adoptive mother on Saturday, and we plan to discuss the vision further. If you have such a mission in your church, please do share with me what your church is doing for adoption - whether it is mental and spiritual support, financial support, successful fundraisers...whatever. I don't know what I am doing yet, but am willing to listen and see all that God puts in my path as I strive to be more like Mary, and say, "I am the Lord's servant."

I cannot fail to mention that the photos used in the layout above were taken by my best friend's son, David, as they served on a mission trip to Liberia in November. David's photography really spoke to me and touched my heart. I created the layout as part of a challenge at the Scrapbook Playground's huge February crop event. It is powerful in its simplicity and speaks to my heart. The digital elements used in the layout were downloaded from FaithSisters.com, the papers and border by Krytal Hartley.

If you are interested in adoption or about starting a ministry in your own church please visit the link for Cry of the Orphan and others I have listed in my sidebar. I ask that you keep this vision for an adoption ministry in your prayers, as I wait upon the Lord to see what great things He has in store. Thank you.

Purity of Heart

"He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false... will receive a blessing from the Lord." - Psalm 24:4-5a

Purity of heart - this is the topic for FaithSisters.com Faith Discovery challenge this week. The Christian based site for scrapbookers has encouraged me to add another study to my week, and although I do no always get a challenge layout finished, I am growing from the verses the topic will take me to and open my heart to what God has for me to learn. The layout I am sharing today was made with a freebie download - Pure of Heart Collaboration Kit put together by the talented designers at FaithSisters. The kit is available as a freebie for one week, and will then be available in the store. Click on the link above to get yours today, and check back often for future collaboration kits.

In today's world this is so very difficult, yet God wants us to keep our hearts pure and remain focused on Him. I have always loved this photo of our daughter taken when she was two, simply playing with water that bubbles out of a rock at our neighbor's home. The clear water washing over her hand reminds me of the cleansing of our sins when we ask Jesus into our heart.

I see our son growing in faith, making good choices, and he is pretty well grounded and unaffected by things that can garner the attention of ten year old boys. He is happy with his Playstation 2 and has never expressed interest in the new Wii that was the hot ticket item for boys his age this past Christmas. He could care less what brand his blue jeans are, and to my dismay, even if they are getting a little short. When I express concern about wearing "high waters", as we called them when I was young, he really does not seem to care and says kids don't notice. It is obvious that he doesn't - he really has no sense of vanity.

This is perhaps, where a line is drawn between male and female. I notice those things. Our daughter is still young and pretty oblivious to what is popular. She is focused on two pair of shoes, and has no desire to wear something cute - like flip flops or sandals. I am the one who felt she needed a pair of jeans with applique's and sparkles, so she would have something similar to that of her friends. Her friends mention Barbie, High School Musical or Hanna Montanna and Abby is clueless. Her world revolves around Knex and deploying her Webkins as troops... the things she sees her big brother doing.

As you can see, it is I who have concerns for our children's popularity - they are not affected by such things. It probably stems back to my own childhood, and the desire to be popular. When I was in 4th grade I recall being picked on because I was not allowed to wear jeans to school, and glasses did not help my appearance. Today children are actually taught to accept differences in the classroom, and that is a good thing. I hope our daughter will always remain unaffected by trends, but being a girl, I feel avoiding the desire to be popular is going to be more difficult for her.

This is where God comes in. Our children are learning early about the importance of having Christ in their lives. If we, as parents set an example, and remain focused on God, and are careful not to raise up false idols before Him - I pray our children will do well when choosing between popularity and faith.

The Psalm shared today reminds me how to live. I am aware that when it comes to feeding my brain, garbage in - garbage out. I avoid many shows that are popular. "Desperate Housewives" is a good example, a show that cuts down the sanctity of marriage and is prime for moral degradation. Television offers very little this day and age for the Christian who's desire is to fill their minds only with wholesome thoughts, as God instructs us to do. What about a show that uplifts marriage and righteous living? I can visualize a show about wives, and husbands, whose spouses serve in the military, and how they carry on as single parents while their mate fights for freedom. I can see drama, heart, and unity as a block of "dedicated army wives" stand together and help each other out through tough times. These women would be loyal to their husbands, strong in keeping their familiy together - I could applaud such a show, but with our world in moral decline, it woudl be hard pressed for ratings.

Television is one just one vice that a person needs to be aware of in striving to live a pure life for God. Fashion, recreational choices, the friends you choose, and even participating in talk around the work place can make a heart unpure. Look around you and try to view your life through God's eyes. Would He be pleased with your choices? Is popularity getting in the way of faithfulness? If so, consider a change, ask God for cleansing, and let your heart purification begin.

Additional digital elements:
Grunge Frame by Kara Jones, staples by Majula Designs, stitching by Dawn Inskip - all downloaded from www.KjoiStudios.com
Pearl buttons by Michelle Coleman

A GOOD weekend

What a busy, productive and FUN weekend! My weekend began a day early as I took a day off to visit my parents. My mother had knee surgery on Thursday and I wanted to check up on her, take a meal, and start going through photos for a DVD production for their upcoming 50th wedding celebration. Please keep her in prayer for healing.

Saturday morning the kids and I went to Panera to meet my girlfriends. My husband was gone to the No Regrets conference - an annual, awesome Christian men's event held in nearby Brookfield. Next weekend it is my turn to attend a women's conference, so I wanted to get together with my girlfriends and catch up.

Once we got home we started getting lots of snow, unexpected. I thought that was all reserved for Sunday night. I spent Saturday doing some major cleaning and packing things for charity. The kids and I also found time to play some games and sled. I was totally wore out by early evening. At least the snow stopped - as I had a benefit concert to go to, fortunately a 1/2 mile or so away. $3000+ was raised to help build an orphanage, McKallie's Home of Future and Hope, in Malawi, Africa. I was very proud of our ten year old. As I was writing a check for the benefit he contributed $10 of his own money, money he was saving to buy a set of Indiana Jones books at the school book fair tomorrow. His gesture really warmed my heart!

Just before I left for the concert UPS must have made a late afternoon delivery. Two boxes - one from Brandon at Piggy Tales. He had sent me a hard to get a hold of barn doors board book and some paper as an appreciation gift for a project that was published using Piggy Tales product. Coincidentally, in the 2nd box was the very Paper Crafts issue that contained my Piggy Tales project! I was happy to see it received a full page on page 40 of the PaperCrafts special photography issue. The box also contained a surprising amount of scrapbook products, including a fabulous kit and paper pack by Paper Loft, products by Imaginisce, Love Elsie and more! After working so hard on Saturday it just made my day!

The concert was well attended despite the snow. There was music for everyone, from a young Christian rock band, a group of talendted musicians called Soul Purpose, who have a folk/country style program, and the talented Madison Community Gospel Choir. It was a super event and I was happy to see the place pretty full!

This past month I decided to start submitting some of my digital work to e-zines. I have a layout coming out in the Feburary issue of the new Scrapbook News and Review, and just had a layout picked up last night for the March issue of ScrapStreet. I also had a card picked up recently by Papercrafts. I was also asked, this past week, to be a member of the Creative Team for FaithSisters.com I look forward to growing in my faith as I scrap with the beautiful digi products by the Faith Sisters design team.

The Scrapbook Playground is having a month long crop event. Come check it out by clicking on the link at your right. There is a lot going on this month! Come back soon to see what I have been up to!

A Generous Spirit

Happy cold and blustery Tuesday! The Lord dumped 8" plus of beautiful snow on us last night, and although I am tired of snow - I have to admit it blankets the world with amazing beauty! It also makes me slow down while driving and drink in the gorgeous details of nature.

Our bible study group has been discussing generous living lately, and I thought it was a good topic to bring to light On My Journey. The layout above was created with the wonderful Winter Survival Kit from Homegrown Scrapbooks. My friend, Meri, and her son recently returned from a mission trip in Liberia. She has gone on a number of trips, and both her children have joined her at different times. My sister, her husband and daughter arrived back home last week after a mission trip to Haiti. These people are making an investment in God's kingdom - using their resources and time to obey the command of the Great Commission. By serving the poor and oppressed they can bring the light of Christ and His love to the poorest countries on earth.

Supporting these missionaries for the gospel in prayer and financial has been such a blessing. It allows me to participate in missions when I cannot physically go myself. I love to hear the stories, and how lives are changed.

My friend Meri is also passionate about an orphanage in Malawi, Africa - McKallie's Home of Future and Hope. You can find the link at the lower right corner of my blog to learn more, or make a direct donation. On Feb. 2 several music groups will gather and ofter their talents to God to raise money for Africa and the children. If you live near Cross Plains, WI please stop in to St. Martin's Lutheran Church for an evening of praise, thanksgiving, laughter and a soul lifting experience! Admission is simply a giving from your heart and all goes towards the orphanage.

Speaking of giving...I realized what a giving heart my uncle (who lives next door) has as he swept into our driveway with his bobcat this morning and cleared the snow. He has been doing this for so many years now. With my bad back, and my husband having very early morning work hours, and our driveway being very steep - his generosity to our family is such a blessing. I snapped a few pictures, and realize I need to scrap a page to preserve the memory of all he has done for us.

Is there someone in your life that continually shows an act of kindness? Sometimes we take these acts for granted, but perhaps they are overlooked on our scrapbook pages. I challenge you to scrap a page about an act or person who is making a difference in your life - the unsung hero, so to speak. Please share your creations with me afterwards!

Beauty and the Beast

Today was just one of those days where the beauty of nature made your jaw drop. Any time spent outdoors today just made me realize what an awesome artist God is. The plant life, from smallest weed to tallest tree, glistened with a fresh dusting of snow and warming temperatures that produced ice crystals. This morning all I really wanted to do on the way to work was to stop the car and snap photos. I did have my camera, but forgot my boots. Believe me, with all the snow we have had this year, boots are imperative to get to the places I wanted to go, and still show up resepctively dry for work.

I kept an eye on the skies today - no sun would mean the pristine beauty would remain for the day. I got home, and did something I have been meaning to do for some time. I painted a piece of cardboard black. I needed to wait a few for the bus to bring my helper home from his school day. When Kyle arrived my boots and coat were on, and he reluctantly agreed to be my assistant as we headed up the hill to take photos. We did not need to go as far as I thought we might before God gave us plantlife worthy of photographing in it's winter dressed splendor.

Can you see why I wanted a piece of black cardboard? The one thing I did learn was that I need something larger than 12x12. (LOL)
Even the scrawniest, lowest of plant life - weeds, can become a canvas for the Master Artist to wow us with His creation.


I took so many photos today. Some, although composition was very cool, were a bit blurry - and I pray that tomorrow the beauty will still be around for me. This time I shall trek out of doors with my tripod.

Did I mention I got stuck? I almost lost my boot, and it was actually pretty comical! To get the red berries I climbed down a ditch into some pretty deep snow. Because the snow was so mushy my boots sunk in almost knee high, and the snow and ice just packed in around my feet. I was pretty stuck. I couldn't really brace myself with my arms for leverage, as they would just sink down into the 18" or so of snow on the bank. I did figure, that since I was stuck, I may as well sit down and get a vantage point of the branch from underneath. Oh, was I cold and wet when I was done taking my 10 or so pictures to get that one gorgeous shot!

When I was "finally done" (Kyle's words, not mine) my strong, young men helped give me some leverage and balance so I could work my feet into breaking free from their icey stronghold.

We took a path less travelled home, because of course I wanted new photo opportunities. We met a curious friend along the way.

Now you know the Beast. (LOL)
SO hey, have snow? Here is a photo challenge for you... Watch for those pristine winter moments, take a stiff, black backdrop of some sort with you - and head outdoors with your camera and take some "blackdrop" nature photography. Sure, a nice blue sky background is always nice, but the black... I have to say - it seems rather stunning. I set my camera on different modes - automatic, portrait, and as it became dusk, the night sky setting as well.
No snow? No problem! I have done this with flowers as well. I used to use Bazzill cardstock, but I would rather lose a piece of cardboard to the elements, or what have you. I would love for you to shout out and show me your captured blackdrop photo with a link or an email. Take a little helper along with you - and instill in them a love for nature's beauty, and photography. My son may grumble a bit when he would rather be playing a computer game, but as I see him playing with the camera - I see the budding photographer in him, and it just makes me smile.

Praise God for Creativity!

What a day! Well, actually what a week and I am coming down with a good sinus cold as well. This is one of the most stressful times of the year at work, right on the tail end of Christmas, which is the another stressful time for church staff. It is end of year report time. Annual meeting is coming up and I have lots to do to get ready for it, but much of what I need to do is dependent upon others. Let's just say deadlines are made to be broken, which means I "enjoy" high stress trying to pump something out last minute. I keep thinking it will get better every year...always hopeful I guess. But thank God for the gift of creativity - what a great stress releiver it is!

Above is a layout I created from

Homegrown

's Winter Survival Kit. I have always loved that photo, taken a couple of years ago and in one of Abby's almost complete albums. The complete instructions, plus a sketch will be posted at Homegrown on the 13th. I think getting how to instructions from the kit designers to make available for readers/subscribers is very cool. Be sure to check it out in another week or so for directions on this layout and lots more.

I finished my third layout for week one of WSK. Today I came home to work on a home decor holiday project for which I had a eureka moment about a week ago. It is coming along just splendid and I am having fun. It involves Scenic Route, bling and Super T stamps - what a great combo! I hope to have this done soon and will be sharing it right here. The project itself was inspired by my ten year old and his desire to leave healthy snacks for Santa every Christmas eve. (LOL)

A little something to toot about

Adding on to my Sunday post, because having a layout picked up for publication is always exciting.

I have two toots from the past 48 hours, which is nice after hearing some calls went out for an issue I was hoping to get something picked up for. Stampington and Co. has requested In Daddy's Arms to appear in Life's Images. Just this morning Scrapbook Dimensions contacted me about a layout, Eyes, for their upcoming February issue! I have no idea how a magazine can whip out a magazine so quickly, but I sent off my hi-res file immediately.

An editor from Memory Makers tipped me off about an on line file sharing service caleld You Send It. It is invaluable in sending 300 dpi layout files off to editors for publication, as my computer seems to balk at those huge files. We also learned that zipping a jpeg file has very little effect on it's overall size. Keep this in mind should you ever need to send out a large file!

To celebrate these toots my family is taking care of dinner tonight. Our son offered to scramble eggs for us, but we opted to order in Chinese. By the way, my family totally questions where we scrappers came up with the phrase "toot". If you are a pre-schooler, toot has a whole 'nother meaning than what we are referring to! (LOL) I explained that it is in reference to "tooting your own horn", still - they think it is odd we are proud to "toot", when around here it usually is followed by an "excuse me" and a giggle.

Also, this week please keep my sister Teresa and her husband Dale in prayer. They flew out Friday for what is becoming an annual trip to Haiti for missionary work. They always hope to see the children they sponsor and see how they are faring. Please pray for safety, health and joy in doing God's work.

Make Time for Friends

Relationships are important. God made us to be in relationship with Him and with others. We are created for community. This layout, created for the 3Bugs in a Rug design team sponsorship at the Scrapbook Playground this month, celebrates a relationship I have with two special ladies.

I know there are things I need to do in my life, and one of them is making time for friendships. Before I got so busy scrapbooking - I remember afternoons hanging out at the neighbors and just visiting a bit. Sure, our children are growing and we are all running around more - everyone has become more busy. We don't see our friends and neighbors near as much as we used to.

With the change of church homes in 2007 one of my great concerns is losing touch with friends we have made. I am fortunate that I am able to meet with two of those special friends every 2nd Saturday morning of the month. I love these women with all my heart and am honored to be a part of their lives. Together we share what is going on. There is some venting, sometimes tears, excitement and dreams shared. We are there for one another, and I cherish our mornings over coffee.

Another friendship I value is that of my "old" room mate (she is actually a baby compared to me). (LOL) Lisa and her husband stood up for us in our wedding. With the birth of two children each, and they with a special needs child - there has been no time to maintain our friendship. I miss those days of being young, relatively worry free and oh how we would laugh! My friend has the best laugh, and has a great sense of humor despite all she goes through. This past fall I suggested we get together once a month at the coffee shop in town. She began working at home, and I have an hour or so window between work and my having to pick up our daughter. Our hour together just flies by - but it is good to get together and laugh again. I need to scrap about our relationship, too.

I want to spend more time with the neighbor ladies this year as well. We have a unique neighborhood - we watch out for one another, help in need, our kids are growing up together. I am not sure this happens much any longer in suburban America. Last night neighbors invited us over for an impromptu dinner and to play games - what a treat! We have not been diligent in keeping our schedule, but I also suggested us ladies meet at the coffee shop once a month (how convenient to have a shop in town now to sit and chat over a cup of whatever!). For 2008 I want to make sure we keep that hour get together - I value these ladies friendships and want to know what is going on in their life. AND I need to scrap about these memorable friendships as well! I will share them as I get them done.

We are all on a journey together, and I hope that you find time to share your journey with those important to you in 2008. Consider how you might work a special visit in to your scheudle with someone you miss.

Resolutions

Peace...it is what we all seek just a little bit of in this hectic world. I resolve to find time for PEACE in my day in 2008. True peace only comes through having relationship with the Lord, and we find this state of being when we enter into His presence, through prayer and in His word. This layout is dedicated to this new year's resolution. I love it so much I just want to hang it on my wall!

I have to give a shout out to Mique Walcutt, a newer designer at K-joi Studios.com. Her products are fantastic - there is so much texture and dimension offered, which is not always prevalent in digital layout products. Mique has a quick page offering for only $2 0- for those of you who are hesitant to try digital scrapbooking, all you have to do is pop a photo(s) into the frames on the quick pages.
You can find these templates here, and check out Mique's other great product offerings.
Winter Flannel by Mique Walcutt
Peace was created using her new Winter Flannel collection - I fell in love with this kit as soon as I saw it. I love blues for winter layouts, and I loved all the fabric, stitching and elements to go with.

This month I have a LOAD of design team projects to do, and I am checking them off by order of due date. I created Peace and another (check out the gallery), Moody BLues for my January creative team assignments at Kjoi Studios. I am almost done with my start of year scrap space reorganizing, and have only one layout left for the 3Bugs sponsorship at Scrapbook Playground. Keep an eye on the SBPG gallery to see what the design team will be uploading on Sunday, the 5th!

Then it is on to playing with all my Homegrown products - three layouts due by January 12 - but I can do it! I have everything organized and created an Excel spreadsheet with my layout titles and ideas for the entire Winter Survival Kit DT Schedule. Now, off to create, or do some laundry perhaps...it is Saturday.

Homegrown Survival Boggles!!!

Today I stopped at Michael's to use my 50% coupon - always up for organization products. Shortly thereafter I arrive home to find a heavy box in my mailbox - from Homegrown! What timing! I had been asked a few months ago if I would be interested in being a guest designer for the Winter Survival Kit - how could I resist!? I have been drooling over Homegrown kits since I learned about them from my new 2007 friends - Steph and Melissa. I am so honored to be asked, and to be in the company of the talented Kim Moreno (also a WSK guest designer), and all the gifted designers who create monthly for Homegrown.

I dropped my afternoon plans and proceeded to organize everything and split it into craft keepers by theme, colors and layout ideas swimming inside my head. There was a little drooling going on in between organizing. I am so excited I just have to share with you, some not so hot photos of what I got - but you will get the idea. I just cleared 3 slots in my vertical organizer unit so I can keep all the Homegrown craft keepers together.

The first picture is a grouping of winter theme papers by Heidi Grace Designs, BoBunny and a die-cut snowflake by Rhonna Farrer. Aren't these lovely? (trust me, IRL these iridescent beautieis take your breath away!) I have been eyeing the Heidi Grace papers at the store, but flocked, glittered and embossed paper prices are not in my budget to splurge on - so I am so HAPPY to have received these.


I have never worked with Collage Press products before. These two sided sheets of cardstock weight papers really impressed me. Wonderful weight and instant inspiration. I have a couple of LO ideas and am already on the trail of some photos.



And nothing goes POP like KI Pop Culture!! Check out these fantastic kit papers! I thought I would only be able to afford to drool over these in the store, and now I get to play with them!


Creative Imaginations, Reminisce, Bazzil Cardstock and Hambly round out my 12x12 sheets. Have I mentioned how much I love the red, black and white or cream color combo? Mojo is churning for these papers as well!


To round out the Winter Survival Kit was a generous portion of embellishments. Wanna see?



Notice anything in particular? Well, first thing I did was pick up the grunge board by Tim Holtz and feel it. Then I took a deep breath and inhaled - it smells so good too! I cannot wait to play with all the rub-ons, grungeboard, brads, buttons, ribbon (missed a baggie full of ribbon and such in there), flowers, red Stickles, letter stickers - overwhelmingly HAPPY I am! (LOL)

Be sure to check out Homegrown to see what myself and the other designers create. If memory serves, we will begin to upload our Winter Survival layouts on January 23. There will also be instructions - so you can recreate. How is that for survival service? Come see us at Homegrown soon, and tell Steph Rita sent ya.

January Inspiration Challenge

Did you know that every month I post an "inspiration challenge" at kjoistudios.com?

Well I do!! I would love to see you participate. Even if you are not a digi scrapper maybe this challenge will give you some ideas. Please do share them in the Kjoi gallery or send me a link to see what you have done! Note - Kjoi has a wonderful challenge prize vault and the person who does the most challenges receives some great product!

In honor of the NEW year, I thought this month's inspiration challenge could be one that makes us reflect on the New Year. There are a couple of "catches" to the challenge, however. One is that BLUE has to be the predominant color in the layout. (just because it blue and new rhyme - forgive my reasoning!)

Secondly, I would like to see you incorporate ONE of these many new year quotes that I found. Easy as pie, right?

Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to. ~Bill Vaughn

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan

Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits. ~Author Unknown

A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. ~Author Unknown

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

No one ever regarded the First of January with indifference. It is that from which all date their time, and count upon what is left. It is the nativity of our common Adam. ~Charles Lamb

New Year's Day is every man's birthday. ~Charles Lamb

Never tell your resolution beforehand, or it's twice as onerous a duty. ~John Selden

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. ~Hal Borland

I have a couple of ideas milling around in my head and hope to show you my layout real soon. Originally I had antoher layout I wanted to share with you, but I have decided to keep it under wraps. Yesterday I said I was not going to try out for Creating Keepsakes Hall of Fame contest. 6 weeks to go - I need to start but NO time. Well, then I remembered I have been holding a couple back, and digital scrapbooking makes this more possible to accomplish in little time. After showing some friends my late night creation with a photo I took last night - it is going into the HOF contention pile...just in case I can pull this off by first part of February.

Holiday Invasion

Do you feel it? I sure do about now. I am so ready to reclaim our living room... take down the tree and Christmas village that adorns my grandmother's buffet. It might even be put away by now, but that our son is having a friend over and he wanted to sleep "under" the tree in sleeping bags. So that is what two ten year olds are doing now as I type this. (or, at least they better be sleeping!)

Our home is small and the living room gets a wee bit crowded. I bought a HUGE artificial tree about ten years ago. Back then, it was wonderful. Back then we had a love seat, small television cabinet, and little else for furniture. Nowadays, our living room sports a full size couch in lieu of the loveseat, my grandmother's old buffet, and a friends upright piano. Even without the tree it is a tight fit. We had hoped to purchase a new slimline tree at some after-Christmas day sale, but with our work schedules and the kids on Christmas break there has been no time to shop.

I had a hard time getting motivated to decorate this year. The over commercialism of Christmas just made me groan and frown at the entire holiday season. Seems hardly anyone remembers the real reason for the season. However, we do have younger children, and I was reminded by their enthusiasm that Christmas is really all about children...from the very first Christmas when God sent a little baby to carry the weight of the world, to the two beaming faces lit with excitement as they helped decorate the tree, and open gifts on Christmas morn.

At our son's request, I had set up the Christmas village. Little did I realize that it would soon be overrun by a platoon of dinasaurs, medieval battle equipment, and green and tan toy army soldiers. A few years ago I would have been annoyed to a certain degree, wanting MY Christmas village to look perfect. This year, when tampered with, I just took it in stride and began to shoot pictures. It seemed I may as well capture our son's tendency to take over the village on a scrapbook page. "Little Green Men" is a digital layout created with Susan Blanton's Christmas Cheer kit downloaded from Kjoistudions.com

Something happened when I saw close ups of the Christmas village and its little soldier men. With the nativity in the background it made me think of Israel. It made me think of unrest and war torn villages. I think of our troops and all the loved ones separated by war this Christmas season. I think of all these things, pray for them, and find I am so very blessed, so very grateful to be living where I am.

Today I just want to bring a smile to your face by sharing "Little Green Men". Playing war games is all a part of growing up for little boys. If you have one, you may know what I mean. Enjoy the rest of your Christmas vacation, work less, and play more with your children. You will be glad you did.

Joy

Joy is what the Christmas season should be all about. Children are full of joy as they anticipate Christmas. Watching them, as I did my daughter as she danced in the hall after worsihp one Sunday, filled my heart with joy. As pastor had said that day, "each time we experience joy we have placed one foot into heaven."

Often, the Christmas season it is filled with stress – I know it has been for me these past several weeks. Working for a church can be especially difficult during this time of the year. My plate is extra full with holiday worship services, end of year reports, and the ever forthcoming monthly newsletter to do, which adds up to working more hours. I have the family “Christmas” to accomplish - ya know… purchase the gifts, wrap them, MAKE them, wrap them, send out the cards, maybe MAKE them – but I put up the white flag in this regard earlier in the week and made a digi card and sent it via email to many. The weeks before Christmas I am focused on making sure that my family and loved ones experience “joy” on Christmas, and I am so glad when Christmas arrives.

Praise God for His words in the bible. Through all of the Christmas hustle and bustle only He can offer a calming presence. Joy – the feeling God most wants us to experience. The joy He has planned for us is indescribable. It goes beyond the few moments of joy one has while opening a special gift. It goes beyond the feeling a parent has as they hold their newborn child for the first time.
We’ve been getting a descriptive of this joy recently as we are led to bible verses on Monday nights through the season of Advent.

Isaiah 35:1-2, for the Joy of the Redeemed, reads: “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.”


Psalm 98 verse 4 paints a wonderful metaphor of the earth filled with joy when we experience God’s salvation: “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music…”

1 Peter 1:8 "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,"


The photo of my daughter dancing at church brings to mind this verse from 3 John 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." Also the promise revealed to John in Rev. 21:5 "He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Oh what a glorious day that will be! Like the Monarchs we raise in the summer, transforming from caterpillar to glorious butterfly, we will be made NEW in heaven!

On Sunday our family traveled south for about an hour drive to the gathering on my side of the family. Roads were not good, and we considered turning back about half way there…but since we had made it that far we kept going. I did not want to miss Christmas with my family. As it turns out, we had an unplanned spending of the night as ice covered roads and there were white out conditions. For the first time in a couple of decades I slept under the same roof with 5 of my 6 siblings. The only difference was many of us had families with us. My sister’s home had to come up with sleeping arrangements for nineteen people! It was not a great night’s sleep for sure, but what was great was staying up late with my family for the first time in more than a decade, playing games, laughing, and talking. Despite the weather, we were all joyful.

As you gather with family, watch children open gifts, see the joy on their faces - may you experience the true joy of Christmas, which is the feeling God wants us to feel most of all. Not just at Christmas, but always. True joy can only come from having the love of Jesus in your heart. I pray that you know, or are able to find that joy as you seek Him, the Christ child, on Christmas morn. Merry Christmas!

Dear Santa...

Ah...the final days. Working for a church, I am so relieved the Christmas worship bulletins are "put to bed". I am way behind on all the end of the year stuff, and newsletter, etc. - but I am not going to think about it and have it ruin my Christmas. I am going to enjoy my four days off with family, and finish getting ready for Christmas.
I've been scrapping like crazy making gifts. Shopping is done, but nothing has been wrapped, but for the teacher's gifts which had to go out the door this morning. I've been up into the wee hours for weeks, so tomorrow morning - I am sleeping in - YEAH!
Last night our son wrote this letter for Santa - said it did not need to be mailed, but wanted to leave it by the tree. I thought it was pretty cute. Can you read through his mis spellings? Don't ya just love that last line - ah yes, the truth!!


I admit - we are not traditional when it comes to leaving Santa Xmas cookies and milk. Kyle has always had Santa's health in mind and figures all those cookies are not good for him. In reality, I think he is more concerned that the reindeer are treated as well. We have always left baby carrots and a water bottle near the tree for Santa. The way Kyle sees it, the reindeer like the carrots too, and the Vit. A will help Santa see in the dark so he doesn't trip over things. I love the way kids think!

Want to see some samples of what has been keeping me up these past few nights? I decided to make some bookmarks for co-workers, which blossomed into bookmarkers for teachers, child care providers, etc. For such small things - they are time consuming. Mostly because I really have to fiddle with the kerning, etc. on the Scriptina font to get it just so, and coordinating products and attemping to use scraps of PP or cardstock when possible...well, the minutes tick by! Even my husband commented on how much he likes these...so of course I need to make him one as well. I am sure he doesn't read my blog so it is safe to say that.(LOL)

Maybe this little project will inspire you to get out your nature photos and create some inspirational bookmarkers for the readers on your giving list. In these last few days I wish you, and myself, as little stress possible as we juggle all on our to do list. 'Tis the season!

A winner and childhood memories

This comment posted on the first day:
>> dstandard said...
Beautiful ornament Rita!<<

Congratulations! Thank you everyone for your comments. I am still creating for Christmas and will be sharing on my blog as I accomplish things. The ornament shared today is for our daughter. An ABC ornament, of which I had to be sure to include pink, her favorite color. The 1/5" square block is from Michael's which I painted white. I cut patterned papers from KI Memories and Scenic Route, glued them on and distressed the edges with a dry brush. Sparkle mod podge adds some glitter, and used chipboard letters by Heidi Swapp. Snowflake rub ons were added here adn there.



Right now I have about half a dozen more ideas in my head for creating ornaments, but I seriously need to back away...it can become addicting ! Focus. I have yet to write the annual holiday letter and I need to get that done and mailed out asap. I also have a few cards to make for neighbors and family. I cut back on my Christmas card making about two years ago and opted for a letter instead.

I should have posted the container in which I had placed all the names for drawing. (I printed all the comments, cut them out and our 5 year did the honors). A few years ago my mother sent me the platic nativity set pieces I had grown up with. I wanted something not breakable that the kids could replay the Christmas story with. She sent them in an old King Edward cigar box. My father used to smoke these when I was little. I was pretty excited over an old cigar box. It holds memories of cherry scented tobacco and my dad sitting in his old recliner reading and smoking a cigar. I am glad he stopped smoking years ago, and he has asthma now, unfortunately. BUT what would you do with that cigar box?
It is not exactly a show piece. I thought about covering it with PP, but then I would lose the memory the image of that box conjures up. My only thought is to make a mini album with pictures of my dad, and use that cigar box as the container to hold it in. Any other ideas? My mind is a churning with this thought. Hmmm....maybe some Tim Holtz distress ink....
I would love to hear what you have done with old items from your childhood! Please offer a link if you have one to a project that brings back childhood memories.

NOW - off to get ready - I am taking THE photographer at my friend's wedding today and a might bit nervous! (LOL)

Flakey Friday!

You know the drill by now. Paint your chipboard shape white, use mod podge as adhesive and coat that baby with sparkle glitter! Today I will just show some other options and ideas for finishing off the centers of your chipboard shapes.

Rudolph with your nose so bright! Bright red gems really capture the glow of the Christmas tree lights and adorn the tips of this snowflake. A silver medallion snowflake (my Target find) takes center stage and is secured with a Making Memories red gem brad.



Brilliant Blues! The turquoise Stickles combined with deep blue gems make this ornament stand out. It is simple, but the colors pack quite a punch of brilliance. The guys in my family are really lovin' this one.



Pink Splash! Get our your snowflake punches (we all have those, don't we? I have snowflake punches and stamps and whatever else - I have always loved snowflakes!) I used iridescent pink paper from The Paper Company to take center stage on this flake, making it a wonderful gift for the pink lover on your gift giving list.



Purple Passion. Do you have it? I am surprised by the number of friends I have that love purple, and this snowflake is for the purple lover on your list. The faux flake covered circle chipboard shape really creates an impact as a backdrop for the snowflake shape. Purple gems and highlights are sure to delight!


Today at the Scrapbook Playground you can find instructions on how to recyle old cards and textured paint chips to make this ornament. I call this ornament "Love Came Down". Not only does God send down snowflakes to delight us on the tips of our tongues and turn the world into a blanket of white beauty, but He sent His only Son down to earth on that very first Christmas. A babe born of humble beginnings, who was sent to save us all from sin and offer Himself as a love sacrifice. The next time you feel a snowflake fall gently on your face, think of it as a kiss from God, and a reminder of how much He loves you, that He sent His love down in the form of Jesus, the Christ child.


Thanks for all your comments this week. A name will be drawn over the weekend (in between Christmas goings on and a wedding on Saturday of which I am the key photographer - YIKES!) - and I will post the winner here by midnight Sunday. Your ornament will be a surprise. It may be one you have seen, or something brand new.