On the Road to Destiny

Do you know my King?

2012-02-22T23:26:00.002-05:00

I need to share something that is very strong on my heart. I don't normally write these kind of posts, but I've really been thinking a lot this week due to some awesome women I have met through Scrapping Everyday Miracles DT call and I need to obey what the Lord has put on my heart.

Each of you have your own beliefs and values, some might be similar to mine and some might be different; just as each of us scrap in different ways and tell our story differently through our art. But I don't want there ever to be a time that you my dear blog friends say - I never knew, why didn't someone tell me the truth?

John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." That is the whole truth - to have your sins forgiven, your past wiped completely away, you must believe that Jesus is God's Son and that He died on the cross for your sins and then ask the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your heart. I don't want to force my beliefs on you, but I needed to tell you so that at anytime you need help you will remember my blog and come searching for this post.

I am so thankful for each and every one of you that comes by my blog and I love getting your comments they mean so much to me. Thank you for allowing me to share my heart with you today.

Have you gotten into the tape frenzy?

2012-02-22T08:02:00.003-05:00

I haven't, love the stuff and use it, but I don't have it on everything. My favorites (or all I have) is a turquoise heart one from Hambly, Tim Holtz definitions, and a new one K&Co smash tape.

This layout uses the K&Co and it was also the featured project at 2Peas on Monday!

Materials Used: Lily Bee, K&Co, Hambly, OA, Twinery

I made sure that I used some of my tapes on this so that I could link it up to the Tape it Up party at Paper Issues. You still have time to join us if you have done some taping!

Time for some Tape!

You know it, you love it, you have rolls and rolls(and rolls) of it!

Whether you are a Washi girl, a Dymo girl, a masker, a taper, a candlestick maker, we want to see what you have made!

Link it up!
New project, old project, 1 project, 5 projects, as long as you used paper, you are in!
We will feature tons of great projects here and on Facebook, so make sure you like us!

Leave some blog love, mingle, make some new friends.

You have until March 3 to link up!

Just had to share this!

2012-02-20T13:44:00.004-05:00

That's my layout as the featured project at 2Peas! You can take a closer look here: http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/gallery/.

Nikki Sivils inspiration

2012-02-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

(Make sure you get to the end of the post- there is some neat stuff down there!)

Today is sketch day at Scrapping Everyday Miracles! This is the sketch we were given to use:

and here is what I created:

I also created these projects with some more of the Nikki goodies I received!

This layout was just published in Scrapbook News and Review.

I created one more layout with my goodies, but you will have to wait until the July 2012 issue of Scrapbook Trends comes out to see that one! :)

So usually my favorite technique that you find on all my layouts is misting, but not in this set! In this group of projects, my second go-to technique is fussy cutting - you will always find me with my Fiskar finger knife cutting away at least once a day, maybe it is a stress reliever???

Make sure you stop by Scrapping Everyday Miracles Facebook page and comment on the Nikki Album for a chance to win some more Nikki goodies! Here's a link so you don't miss the excitement! Scrapping Everyday Miracles Facebook Page

Thanks for stopping by! As a way to thank you my readers I am offering a non-expirable coupon code to another one of my DT's, Paper Issues etsy. The code is sweet and it is good for 20% off at any time! Pretty sweet, huh?

Another week of...

2012-02-16T20:21:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure what? I really couldn't tell you what I accomplished this week! I've stayed busy, but there are quite a few jobs left undone and I don't think I feel like doing them tomorrow either. :(

I did manage to photograph some of the stuff that I completed lately and I have been scrapping just in VERY slow motion.

Here is our wreath I made for us this Christmas:

I made this layout for a challenge at the Scrapbook Nook to use 10 or more words for a title.

Materials Used: Jillibean Soup

I decided to whip up another card with my Lily Bee goodies from Memorable Seasons - I don't know if you can tell, but my cupcake is very dimensional I added some fluff.

Materials Used: Lily Bee, stickles

Thanks so much for stopping by, I really appreciate all of my readers. Make sure you stop back on Monday for some exciting things! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T11:36:00.000-05:00

I hope your are having a wonderful '"lovey" day as we call it here. We are dressed in red, the kids helped me make a dessert, and I let them off the hook with their schoolwork today (really I wanted to have some time to scrap, but that hasn't happened yet). Tonight we are planning to have heart pancakes, dirt and pepperoni bread - sounds delicious doesn't it? :)

So even though my hubby and I aren't doing anything for Valentine's tonight we actually had a very busy weekend. Sunday night we had a Valentine's dinner at our church so that was nice to spend some time with friends. But the big event that really will put Valentine's 2012 on the map is we went to see the Duggars on Saturday! Let me tell you, this was a huge dream come true for me. They were at Liberty University for a marriage conference and since this isn't too far away, we bought tickets found babysitting and headed off without ANY kids! :)

I so enjoyed myself - they are really just the way they seem on TV, very sweet and sincere. Michelle is short and looks very well after having 19 kids (I was wondering on this one b/c I know how my body changed with each of ours). Michelle is extremely sweet and has such a loving voice all the time - this is something that I was really challenged on, to keep my voice quiet and speak lovingly all the time.

They shared some of what their testimony, some which is in their books but some that wasn't. I had really gone to ask one question - Michelle had said on TV or in a book that the first 5 were the hardest. Well I am at that spot right now. I did really well up to this point in our lives, but 5 kids is really HARD. I've really been praying that the Lord would give me wisdom what I could do to make things more peaceful and accomplish more in our days. Well the Lord heard my prayer and that is exactly what she spoke on in depth - how she got passed that point and triumphed in her struggle. You should have seen me in there, I was a mess! But man, both Mike and I came home with some things to try to implement in our lives and the change has already been amazing. I am so grateful that the Lord heard my prayer, touched another person's heart to share what I needed and that I was able to meet someone that I really respect. What a wonderful Valentine's present!

So I will leave you with a picture of us with the Duggars, I am sure you will see a layout eventually about this, but it hasn't happened yet.

And one other dream of mine that came true last night, I got a request from Scrapbook Trends for one of my layouts! :)

Recording our thoughts

2012-02-09T09:30:00.000-05:00

Today is my first official challenge at Memorable Seasons and I chose to issue a Journaling challenge. I always write on my layouts, not because I like my handwriting, but because I think it is important to share what is happening at that moment in our lives so that we can always remember what the Lord has done in our lives - you might call my scrapbooks our "Book of Rememberance" as the Lord mentions.

Here is my challenge if you would like to join us - you have until the end of the month to load your layout in the gallery at Memorable Seasons and you will then be entered into the drawing for a gift certificate to the store. The store is amazing! There are so many pre-orders and they are ALL discounted so you really want this! So I always write something on my layouts - what about you? Well for this challenge I am asking you to REALLY write on your layout. You can handwrite or use the computer, but you must include a lot of journaling - really put your heart into this one.

Here are some of my layouts that I made from my Lily Bee Head Over Heels kit that I received:

Materials Used: Lily Bee, Tattered Angels, KI Memories

Materials Used: Lily Bee, Tattered Angels, KI Memories, Martha Stewart

You've got to check this out!

2012-02-07T22:24:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to share this - my friend Diana has a wonderful little etsy shop with gorgeous goodies and she is having a giveaway, right now! Here is a link to the post and make sure that you check out her shop.

I also have some neat news to share, my dear friend Sherri has nominated me for the Liebster award!

Liebster, is German for 'dearest' or 'beloved' but it can also mean 'favorite'

So what is this award - I wondered the same too! :) The idea of the Liebster award is to bring attention to blogs with fewer than 200 followers. I am so honored as my friend is soooo talented and such a wonderful lady - I hope to one day actually meet up with her! You should really stop on over to Sherri's blog, Growing up: in faith, love & scrappiness, I promise you won't want to leave.

I was also honored by two other wonderful scrappers with this award Julie: http://hisglorygirl.blogspot.com/ and Shellye: http://paperedcottage.blogspot.com/ ; thank you all for your kindness!

One of the conditions in accepting the award is to pass it along to five more blogs (or 6 if you can't narrow it down). So here are some of my favorite blogs that I would love to share some love with - if you have a moment please go visit them and then come back and leave a comment here and I will enter you for a giveaway.

Lilith: http://lilithandscrap.blogspot.com/
Lisa: http://creativejuicefreshsqueezed.blogspot.com/
Carol: http://carolmonson.blogspot.com/
Maureen: http://lovingthislife1.blogspot.com/
Rachel: http://burlapandbuttercups.blogspot.com/
Nicole: http://scrappingeverydaymiracles.blogspot.com/

For those interested, the Rules are:

1. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
2. Reveal your five picks for the award and let them know.
3. Post the award on your blog.
4. Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the blogshare-other bloggers.
5. Finally and the best rule of all..........have fun and spread the love!

Scrapping Everyday Miracles February challenge

2012-02-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today brings a new challenge at Scrapping Everyday Miracles and an exciting twist - we were sent products from Nikki Sivils to work with! You can win some of her collections by joining us in our challenge and linking up before the end of the month.

Here is Challenge #13: Happy Valentine's Day... I know it is bit early but still want to say it!

Everywhere I go I see hearts hearts and more hearts... Red ones, pink ones, white ones, candy, paper and plastic... just hearts hearts hearts. Which got me thinking each of us are passionate about something... each of us have things that we just put our heart into! Col 3:23 says "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord...." Which leads me to this months challenge....

This months challenge is to scrap about something that you are passionate about.... something you are or did work at with all of your heart! It is okay if you dont want to scrap about yourself... it could be about anyone that has put all of their heart into doing something!

The scrap twist is to use a heart in or on your project....

I created my layout, the Art of Expression because ... (journaling reads)
I delight in expressing all the Lord has done for me through writing, playing my violin and scrapping our memories. I am so thankful for the creativity that the Lord has blessed me with.

You can find more of what I created with my goodies here: Nikki Sivils inspiration and the new Scrapbook News & Review has another of my layouts in it using my Nikki goodies.

Bring a friend month

2012-02-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

Another week has passed all too quickly for me. It was so nice and warm here this week that the kids and I ventured out and that just messed up my whole schedule for the week! Now I remember why I stay in my little cocoon. Oh well, lesson learned. Because of our little adventures, I didn't get much scrapping done this week either - I have quite a few projects laid out so hopefully I can get to them today.

February started my official term at Memorable Seasons and I received some lovely goodies in the mail a few weeks ago to work with. Lily Bee's Head Over Heels

Here are the fronts:

Here are the backs of the papers:

I made this card with all the brads and the sticker - just seemed to fit!

Here is a layout I created using my kit, some Tattered Angels, Kaiser Craft pearls, ribbon, and flower from Paper Loves Glue Etsy:

Every Tuesday and Thursday we have a new challenge and they run through the end of the month. So far Tami has challenged us with some color - make sure you stop by because there are a lot of neat things going on this month. This month is also bring a friend month so there are a lot of promotions going on if you come and join in our challenges. Plus, you have GOT to check out the store - everything is on sale! :)

Make sure you stop back by on Monday as Scrapping Everyday Miracles will have a new challenge to issue! See you then, have a great weekend.

Oops!

2012-01-27T11:56:00.000-05:00

I just realized that I posted sketch #20 here on my blog for sketch #10 also! So here was the real sketch #10

and my layout that I made with my Dec Memorable Seasons kit and Prima North Country:

I used Studio Calico's Mr. Huey in white on the background to give the snowy effect, one tip with this is to make sure that you spray it with a sealer or it will continue to rub off! You can complete this sketch also and load it at the Memorable Seasons gallery by Jan 31st.

Sketch #20 at Memorable Seasons

2012-01-27T11:50:00.000-05:00

Today is the last day of the Memorable Seasons Sketch-a-Thon, you do have until the 31st to complete any sketches and load them in the gallery. Here is the sketch I created for today:

and here is the layout I made using my December Memorable Seasons kit - Echo Park

If you get a chance make sure you stop by - it will really inspire you this weekend I promise! Next week will bring the sneak peaks of our February kits and then February 2nd starts the new challenges and they are super fun.

January Burlap & Buttercups creations

2012-01-25T11:53:00.001-05:00

I received a very full box a few weeks ago from Burlap & Buttercups - it was full of sooooo many wonderful goodies. I just now finally was able to begin to dig in and create and hopefully will get back to my box before anymore goodies arrive! :) I'm a little stacked up right now as I am working on some projects that have deadlines, but I'm sure I will catch up soon.

Today I have 2 layouts to share, one fits the criteria of the challenge to use banners I also used the challenge at the CK blog to be inspired by a TV show/movie. I don't watch TV or movies, but I LOVE the Duggars and have watched since their first debut and read their books AND... I get to go see them in February which is totally a dream come true! :) So here is my layout that I created about family and how the size should never be looked down upon - it really irritates me anymore when people comment about our family size. I don't get irritated often so this really has been weighing on me - we have been blessed by God and remember that America believes in tolerance - so use it with us too!

Materials Used: Jan Burlap & Buttercups kit - MME, American Crafts, OA, Maya Rd, Jenni Bowlin

My next layout was for the sketch challenge with a little distressing thrown in - I had these pictures from the 4th of July on my phone. They weren't very good b/c the camera on my phone was horrible, but they worked with the smaller size I think.

Materials Used: Jan Burlap & Buttercups kit and sketch - MME, Jenni Bowlin, Maya Rd

Thanks for stopping by and listening to my soap box! :) I will be back on Friday with my next sketch for Memorable Seasons Sketch-a-Thon.

Sketch #15 is live

2012-01-20T15:29:00.001-05:00

Again it is Friday and I can definitely say, TGF!!! It wasn't a hard week, just long, cold and gloomy. We aren't having a cold winter here, but the sun seems to have forgotten how to shine which I think is even worse than being snowed in!

Today was my turn at Memorable Seasons to issue the sketch. Here is the sketch I made,

And then the layout I created with my Dec Memorable Seasons kit.

Materials used: Prima, Echo Park, Little Yellow Bicycle, gesso, twine

Also, here is a link to the announcement, I have been asked to join Memorable Seasons for a full DT term! So excited as I already love being at the forum and now I get some goodies each month to play with. I'm already working on February's stuff and it is WONDERFUL!

More Christmas layouts

2012-01-17T10:54:00.001-05:00

I've been so inspired by Memorable Seasons Sketch-a-Thon that I finally completed scrapping Christmas 2010! I had purchased Crate Paper's Peppermint line which I totally love and used it to create all these layouts. It made it so easy just to have one box on hand with all of my supplies! :)

This was created with sketch #1 and Crate Paper and Echo Park chipboard stickers.

This next layout uses sketch #13 and Crate Paper with some Doodlebug letters.

This last one was for a challenge at the Nook - we were given a recipe of sorts and then set loose. I created this with my Dec Burlap & Buttercups kit.

Materials Used: Lily Bee, Simple Stories, Melissa Frances, Tattered Angels, Heidi Swapp, Stickles, American Crafts

Sketch-a-Thon

2012-01-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

It's my turn again today at Memorable Seasons for another sketch; I again created my own sketch (resolution - learn a computer program to help).

This was a really simple one, but I love how crisp and clean it turned out.

Hope you all have a great weekend! I'm definitely ready for some time off the schedule - we did well this week keeping on track, but it wears me down!!!

Some exciting news!!!

2012-01-11T07:19:00.001-05:00

Just found this today, my layout about 2011 was posted here! :)
http://clubcreatingkeepsakes.com/blogs/ck_community/archive/2012/01/09/scrapbooking-inspiration-january-9-2012.aspx

I have been asked to join the Design Team at Memorable Seasons!

I have another publication with SNR that starts Sunday!

Yay!!!

Now, on to some New Year's type things - organization! Yep, I love to organize and get totally frustrated when I can't keep things in order. Now you know that might be a problem with all of our kiddos running around. For the most part they do a good job cleaning up, but there is still clutter. Now my scrap room is barricaded from the little guys so it is only my mess in there (yep, it is a mess right now). Here are some of my answers to the organization challenges that scrapbooking can bring...

I sort my embellishments by color in sterlite containers - love this method b/c I can just go to the color that I am looking for and there is everything I need.

Here is my Cricut area - My hubby made this for me so there is an opening for the paper to roll down the wall and not get stuck. I store theme papers in the rolling sterlite containers underneath.

And my sewing area! Love having my sewing machine ready for use at any time. Again, the counter doesn't go all the way back to the wall so there is room for extra. Under this counter I store my favorite brands in the rolling carts, sewing supplies, and my Stampington magazines.

This is probably my best trick - I bought these containers from Target for my Thickers. It holds tons and fits them perfectly. Course I have managed to stuff 2 of these containers so I am thinking I might need to do a giveaway soon! :)

Sketching Fun at Memorable Seasons

2012-01-09T07:58:00.001-05:00

So now that we are into January I can share a fun secret ... no I am not pregnant! but I am a Guesting at Memorable Seasons this month!!! You should really check it out, the forum is the nicest one I have ever been involved in. This month they are offering sketches everyday Monday- Friday for some mojo busting fun. My day is Friday and so here is what I posted:

My sketch

and my layout

Materials Used: Dec Memorable Seasons kit - Bazzill, Echo Park, Little Yellow Bicycle

We haven't had any laying snow yet this year so I had to go back in the archives for this one, but it just fit so perfectly. Here's to no snow this year, except maybe for one day for picture purposes! :)

Thoughts...

2012-01-07T22:07:00.002-05:00

I've done a lot of thinking in the past 2 weeks, trying to get a game plan for 2012. Trying to figure out what I want to see happen this year and what I can let go of to make this season of my life simpler. I've thought alot about what I want for me and who I am at this time.

One of the things I really have felt led to do was to keep some sort of book documenting our weeks - I don't want to miss anything that happens in 2012 and with all that goes on in our household I would miss things! :) Last month I posted a mini book I had made Remembering 2011, but I even as I finished it I realized I had missed documenting things that were so very important. So... with the help of a challenge site called Bird is the Word I started off 2012 with the word Promise and what the word has meant to me this week. I chose to do an Art Journal this week because I've never done one and I really want to learn to just let go and enjoy and I did! It was a thrilling adventure documenting my thoughts with some alcohol inks, blending solution and my favorite sharpie pen.

Materials Used: Brave Girls daily e-mail, stamp, K&Co, Hambly, Glitz, Adriondock, gesso

I also participated in a challenge at Club CK - it was a 1 hour challenge that I actually finished in 30 minutes which is totally impressive for me (another goal). I documented my decision to use a planner with 3 things for the day listed - to both keep me on track and to be an encouragement that I was accomplishing things. See when you have 7 in your home there is always laundry to be done, there is always clutter, and someone is always eating so it is nice to realize that these things were finished at one point in the day.

I've also realized that I really like messy in my art, but I also like clean and simple. It is hard when everyone is scrapping beautiful pages or in pages, or whatever the trend might be to stay true to oneself, but for myself I am a scrapbooker without a style but with a mission - my mission is to use whatever method works to tell the story of my family and I. So when I write my post at the end of the year and choose my top 10, it will be the layouts that document us as a family the best.

Happy New Year's!

2012-01-04T11:17:00.002-05:00

I hope your 2012 has begun well - ours is finally on track, I think! Our little boys are starting to feel better and we are easing back into our schedule. I even wrote our Christmas letter finally (this year it will be called a New Year's letter). I have some things to post, but we are supposedly cleaning right now and as you can tell I'm not getting much done! :)

Make sure that you come on by Scrapping Everyday Miracles for our January challenge - dreams! Here's what the challenge is about: New year -- God has blessed us with yet another year to realize our dreams, our hopes, our aspirations. My bucket list changes every year. Some dreams I've already realized, some are still a work in progress, some I'm still praying for.

"And the LORD answered me, and said,
Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables,
that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time,
but at the end it shall speak, and not lie:
though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
Habakkuk 2:2-3

So the challenge is to scrap about a dream. It can be one you've already realized like finally traveling to that one place you've always dreamed about going. It can be a work in progress like maybe saving up for a new house or a dream vacation. Or it can be one you're still waiting for. Whatever it may be we encourage you this month to ponder upon it and scrap it!

Scrap twist: Use the word "dream" on your project. You can use it on the title or the background but it has to be visible on your project ;)
There is an amazing prize from a wonderful etsy store: This month's sponsor, Monika, is offering one lucky winner a $20 gift certificate to her Etsy shop ILOVEITALL.

Make sure you check out her shop I'm sure you will have fun shopping there! In fact, use the coupon code ILOVEITALL for a 15% discount on your purchases from Monika's shop.

I created this layout for the challenge:

Some Burlap & Buttercups inspiration

2011-12-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

This is my third kit with Burlap & Buttercups and I have to say I love these kits! Each one is so stuffed with goodies it isn't funny! You can find 4 challenges a month posted on their blog which always have some yummy goodies attached also.

One of the challenges this month was to make an ornament or home decor project using a tutorial and share the link. So, here is one that I had bookmarked
http://www.practicalscrappers.com/2011/11/paper-pinecone-ornament.html

and here is mine turned out - I used a full 12x12 sheet of paper and a 1" heart punch; I found it worked great to fold the heart like a bird (mountain, valley, mountain).

Materials used: Jillibean Soup, Martha Stewart, Stickles, Michael's craft supply

This is my entry for the sketch challenge that they offer:

Materials used: Dec Burlap & Buttercups kit - Simple Stories, Prima, American Crafts

And this was a layout I created to remember 2011 and all that it included.

Materials used: Nov & Dec Burlap & Buttercups kit - MME, Simple Stories, KI Memories, American Crafts, Girls Paperie

Projects from 2011

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

Not only do I have some favorite layouts from 2011, but I have been very crafty and I love some of the results!

Here are 2 wreaths I made for presents - note to self: take a picture before giving it away!

Here are some of my favorite projects from the year...

Looking back

2011-12-27T10:08:00.001-05:00

So have you had time to rest up from Christmas? I had planned a quiet week with nothing, but my kids decided to bring home some germs and now we have drippy noses and grumpy kids! Yuck! I was so worn down that I also managed to catch some of the lovely Christmas joy...

So I was looking back through my layouts from 2011 and thought I'd post a few of my favorites...

Are you ready?

2011-12-20T16:02:00.002-05:00

So Christmas is just 5 days away as my kids have announced 5 times today already! I have been busy making up cookie dough today to make up some tins before we go to church tomorrow. I have another present out on my scrap table waiting for a few minutes to work on it. But other than those few things I think I might actually be already. More than anything though I would love a chance to just sleep so that I would actually be refreshed for Christmas - I think that is what Mommy wants most this Christmas! (Course that would mean 2 little boys would need to sleep through the night and that would be a miracle!)

So here is my dream/wish/hope for 2012...

Materials Used: Nov Burlap & Buttercups kit - MME, 7Gypsies, Pink Paislee, Prima, Maya Rd, EK Success, Tim Holtz, Jenni Bowlin, American Crafts, Authentique, Basic Grey, MM

Now, I think I am tired this year, but if I close my eyes (and don't fall asleep) I will remember this just one year ago...

Materials Used: Crate Paper, Martha Stewart, Basic Grey, Daisy D, KaiserKraft, Stickles, Memorable Seasons sketch

Materials Used: Crate Paper, Basic Grey, Maya Rd, Daisy D, STickles, Precocious flowers, Memorable Seasons sketch

Yep, I was very pregnant last year and Vinny had just been diagnosed with diabetes 3 months before! So I think that I need to be grateful that all of my children are healthy and with me - even through the night!

Materials used: Dec Burlap & Buttercups kit - Simple Stories, Maya Rd, American Crafts, Memorable Seasons sketch

Thanks for stopping by - have a wonderful, blessed Christmas!

Nikki Sivils Inspiration

2011-12-14T15:15:00.001-05:00

I had heard about Nikki Sivils products, but I never had the pleasure of working with them, until now. Because of my role in Scrapping Everyday Miracles I have been secretly working with some of these products, that reveal will be fully shown very soon!
Today I have a few projects that I created out of my extras - I have made 1 project and 5 layouts so far and I can still keep going!

First up, some Christmas inspiration using the Gingerbread collection and some stickles.

is a trip to Disney World with all of our kids! This picture was taken in Dec 2007.

I have never really had much luck scrapping Christmas pictures, but this collection was wonderful to work with and I had to go back and scrap this picture from 2009 - another of my favorites!

I then made a wall hanging to help us countdown the days until Christmas (I know I am a little late here, but it is ready for next year.) I used a canvas that I had found at Michael's, some stickles, Heidi Swapp journaling circles, and Martha Stewart snow flakes. When the numbers are all removed it leaves a tag with wishes for a Merry Christmas!

Then comes probably my most favorite of all - this layout of Vinny. I have been holding these pictures out to find just the right papers to really work and the Monster collection from Nikki Sivils was perfect - it was love at first sight!

I finally discovered that you can purchase Nikki Sivils products at Scrapbook.com - I am eyeing up the School is Cool collection next! If you also have developed a fondness of Nikki Sivils products you might be interested in the DT call going on right now.

Remembering 2011

2011-12-06T15:58:00.001-05:00

Well things are finally calming down here and I am finally beginning to feel alive again! The laundry is caught up, most of the dishes (especially those big pans) from the party are cleaned and put away, the kids schoolwork is up and going again - I think we actually are back on schedule!

One of the things that I've been trying to get to and just couldn't seem to do it was my project for December's challenge at Scrapping Everyday Miracles. I really loved the challenge, and knew exactly how I wanted to document it, but my brain was totally fried in all the stress that had been going on the past 2 weeks. But yesterday and today I finally got down my thoughts...

The challenge was: to spend time thinking about the blessings in my life and all those little miracles that God did in my life in the last year. I am sure that many are coming to your mind as you read this... Maybe something that didn't go the way you hoped, but later on turned out to be a huge blessing. Or maybe you just have been too busy to realize that something you've wanted for so long just occurred? Or maybe you are reminded of a true Christmas miracle that happened last year. What ever your blessings and miracles are in your life it is truly the season to remember them.

The scrap twist was: to include a treasure.

My treasures that I included were some of the notices we had received earlier this year, acceptance letters, and then I journaled on some of the cards inside of the envelopes.

"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you." Deut 8:10

More Christmas goodies!

2011-12-05T19:00:00.000-05:00

My hubby and I hosted our worship team's Christmas party again this year - one of the activites that we do is hold a gift exchange. Again, it was tons of fun - so much so that there are actually facebook movies and youtube movies of some of the presents being exchanged! See even church people can have tons of fun! :) LOL

So I sent my hubby to get a guy gift and I made mine for a girl - needless to say his was a gag gift, but mine turned out really well (or I think so)!

Of course I did forget to take a picture of it before it left the house so I had to ask the family who took it home to take a picture of it for me, thanks!

I was so pleased with it that I headed out to Michael's the next day and found the colors I wanted to use for our house - now to finish washing all those party dishes so I can go create!

Don't forget that Scrapping Everyday Miracles is issuing a new challenge today and you have until December 10th to link up your inspiration to win a wonderful prize!

A few more ornaments and a WINNER!

2011-12-04T22:00:00.000-05:00

Well, I had planned on getting back here a few days ago, but things spun out of control here. Nothing bad, just so busy that I couldn't keep up with everything. The nice thing is that we are done all the big events that we were in charge of so now it is time to sit back, create, eat a ton of cookies and enjoy Christmas!

Before I show you a peak at the rest of my ornaments I wanted to announce the winner of

the 12 Ornaments of Christmas mini workshop!

Thank you for all of your comments - it is so fun to read everything!

The winner is...

Samantha said...: What a wonderful project! :); December 3, 2011 1:53 AM

Now, for a few more ornaments!

Supplies:
Glass Ball ornaments
Mist product
paint
Queen & Co felt (or other sticker products)
rub-ons
Hot glue gun

Steps to create my ornaments:
1. Take off the tops and trim any sharp pieces.

2. For most of my balls I painted them before altering them. You want to squirt a little paint into the ball and then spray some type of mist, now put your finger over the opening and shake! Keep going until the ball is covered in color - you don’t want to put in too much paint, but you can always add more. (I used FolkArt - Metallic Peridot and Black Cherry; DecoArt - Oyster Pearl Metallics and my favorite that didn’t need any mist added Rich Espresso Elegant Finish Metallic Paint; and Iridescent gold glimmer mist)

3. Now, for these balls I adhered Queen & Co felt onto the exterior of the ball. Keep your scissors nearby b/c you will need to nip the felt in certain places to make it fit around your ball.

4. These ornaments are decorated with stickers (you could also use rub-ons, but I was out of Christmas type ones). You could use your hot glue gun if you want; my white ones stayed without any trouble, but the snowflakes needed some extra help.

And finally, my favorites!
5. Grab your hot glue gun and anything you want and glue it onto your ornament!

Hope you try these - they are really so easy and gorgeous!

Day 5 and a Nook Advent celebration!

2011-12-02T04:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome
to the
Greatest Gift of the Season blog hop
&
The Scrapbook Nook Advent event!

Welcome everyone! I'm so glad that you could stop by today.

I'm so excited to share with you the Advent Calendar at My Scrapbook Nook. Myself and 24 other Nook friends are hosting a giveaway during the count down to Christmas. Every day untill Christmas one Nook girl will host a giveaway, so make sure you stop by and check out the Nook blog daily to see who is hosting a giveaway. And today is my day!

This is also day 5 of our inspiration week at Scrapping Everyday Miracles; make sure that you stop there first to get all the details on our hop (if you'd like to participate) and the prizes you can win. Every day this week I have been showcasing different ornaments I made (some good and some that you don't want to try). Today I am going to show you how to make something to put your oranaments on (if it was a lot bigger, Lol) a crepe paper tree!

* If you are here for the Scrapping Everyday Miracles blog hop Click here for my giveaway and the secret word!

Step 1 - Gather some crepe paper, paper mache cone and a glue gun. You will need to either sew and gather your crepe paper or be lucky enough to buy some already done.

Step 2 - Begin at the bottom and hot glue your crepe paper onto the cone.

Step 3 - I ran out of crepe paper, but no big deal you can just pick up wherever!

Step 4 - The finished tree.

Step 5 - I sprayed my tree with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Patina (my favorite color).

Step 6 - I purchased these styropoam balls at Michael's and then sprayed them with more Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist.

Step 7 - Here are all my pieces before I began to assemble them. I just glued the balls with my hot glue gun and added some other embellishments - all from my local Michael's.

Here is another picture of the final project...

And of course any hop has prizes, but how about this for a prize... If you become a follower of my blog (or already are) and leave a comment you will be entered into a random drawing to win a place at this awesome online event hosted by one of my favorites (yes, again) Christy Tomlinson. You do have to leave your e-mail because I will pick a winner on Sunday, December 4th and class starts Monday the 5th. You can enter once on this post and once if you follow the link above to the Scrapping Everyday Miracles hop.

the 12 Ornaments of Christmas mini workshop!

I have invited 11 of my favorite artsy friends to join me in this workshop!

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Donna Downey, Margie Romney-Aslett, Jeanne Oliver, Alisa Burke, Shea Fragoso and Debbie Murry (of the Gilded Life), Kaari Meng (of French General), Danielle Donaldson, Kelly Barton. Chrissy Gardner and Junelle Jacobson!

********************************

This is a five day workshop that start Dec 5th. The first 4 days of the workshop we will post 3 new ornaments from 3 of the wonderful teachers! plus little fun extras too! Then on day five.. a few fun bonus project and home decor projects will be posted as well as some fun exclusive downloads! This is a great way to get into the holidays spirit and make creative gifts for your friends, family or for your tree and home!

Class starts December 5th!

See you all tomorrow for one last look at some oranaments!

Make sure you hop on over to Leah Killian's blog and get entered for the grand prize sometime between now and Christmas Morning. You could win a free subscription to the always inspiring Nook kits!

Day 4 of Christmas week

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Greatest Gift of the Season blog hop!

December - how did we ever get back here again? This year has just flown by - I still have a list a mile long of things that I wanted to do in 2011, either I had better hurry up or rethink my plan!

This is day 4 of our inspiration week at Scrapping Everyday Miracles; make sure that you stop there first to get all the details on our hop and the prizes you can win. Every day this week I am showcasing different ornaments I made (some good and some that you don't want to try) and I will be showing you how to recreate them, here is just a snapshot of a few.

Click here for my giveaway and the secret word!

I used some sheet music and collaged my ornament - I would have loved to have some Christmas music, but you really can't tell. I ripped a lot of papers up first and poured out some matte medium and then brushed the ball with the medium and began covering it with paper. It was really pretty easy and the result was well worth the stick!

I had some leftover glitter on my area (from my icicle ornaments back on Day 1) and so I rolled the wet oranament in it. I totally loved the ones I rolled in the fine white glitter!

And then I glue gunned some extras to dress the ornaments up even more!

Here's a little cheat I did - Tim Holtz tape and voila - perfect ornament!

The hop details:

1. Come back and visit us each day this week to be inspired. Hop to the Design Team member’s personal blog and collect your secret word. At the end of the week e-mail us at scrappingeverydaymiracles@yahoo.com with the secret phrase and you will be entered into the drawing for this awesome prize from Burlap & Buttercups, one of my personal favorite kit clubs.

2. Create something or many things based on our inspiration and link it to the Mr. Linky by December 10^th for a chance to win a December kit from Scrapbook Circle, yes this is also a favorite of mine!

3. Every day that you come back to visit you will also find a new discount code to give you some help in your shopping; some codes are good just for the day and others are for a week so make sure you get them quick!

4. Have a ton of fun and don’t forget to join us on Monday, December 5^th for our December challenge and another awesome prize package!

Day 3 and some kit loving

2011-11-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Greatest Gift of the Season blog hop!

Welcome back! This is day 3 of our inspiration week at Scrapping Everyday Miracles; make sure that you stop there first to get all the details on our hop and the prizes you can win. Every day this week I am showcasing different ornaments I made (some good and some that you don't want to try) and I will be showing you how to recreate them, here is just a snapshot of a few.

Click here for my giveaway and the secret word!

Next up is an ornament that I probably wouldn't bother with again... Alcohol ink! It goes in so nicely and one turned out great, the second took a little effort but the end result was good, and the last one just didn't work! I have seen this accomplished before so good luck if you decide to try!

This was the good one! :)

I just pulled out the handy dandy glue gun and made then into something much better!

I also received my November kit from Burlap & Buttercups (one of our sponsors for the hop) and have been creating whenever I got tired of being so messy from my ornaments. I would have to say these turned out much better than my alcohol ink balls!

This was made for their sketch challenge - using 2 border punches as required.

Materials used: Nov Burlap & Buttercups kit - American Crafts thickers, MME, Cosmo Cricket, EK Success punch, Fiskar punch, Basic Grey, 7 Gypsies, Perfect Pearls, October AFternoon, Tattered Angels, sketch provided

This was made for the scraplift challenge - I scraplifted a DT member from the Nook - I love how she creates simple layouts, yet stunning! Lilith's Scrapbooking Venture

Materials used: Nov Burap & Buttercups kit - MMe, Prima, Basic Grey, American Crafts, Tattered Angels, Tuskineo

This was for the color challenge of grey and yellow.

Materials used: Nov Burlap & Buttercups kit - MME, Prima, Tattered Angels, Martha Stewart, Recollections, Authentique

This is just a taste of the great kits that are available - I haven't even begun to make a dent in my box of goodies!

The hop details:

4. Have a ton of fun and don’t forget to join us on Monday, December 5^th for our December challenge and another awesome prize package!

Day 2 of Christmas week

2011-11-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Greatest Gift of the Season blog hop!

Welcome to Day 2 of our inspiration week thanks for joining me today! If you are just dropping by make sure that you start at Scrapping Everyday Miracles to get all the details on our hop. Make sure that you stop by every day this week because I have created a ton of ornaments (some good and some that you don't want to try) and I will be showing you how to recreate them, here is just a snapshot of a few.

Click here for my giveaway and the secret word!

Today I am going to show you how to make a more rustic ornament and personally my favorite! My husband was a little uncertain when he saw the first step - he thought I really lost it this time, but he changed his tone when he saw the finished product.

I used Crafter's Pick glue and applied it to the jute and then wrapped - it is a little messy, but not too bad. The glue does dry clear so even though it looks messy as you are going it dries beautifully.

I found that it works better to start right where the metal part ends - I tried one starting at the top and it was so much more difficult and really didn't add anything to the project. I found this jute at Home Depot.

The hop details:

4. Have a ton of fun and don’t forget to join us on Monday, December 5^th for our December challenge and another awesome prize package!

Welcome to the Greatest Gift of the Season blog hop!

2011-11-28T09:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Greatest Gift of the Season blog hop!

Welcome to Day 1 of our inspiration week thanks for joining me today! If you are just dropping by make sure that you start at Scrapping Everyday Miracles to get all the details on our hop. Make sure that you stop by every day this week because I have created a ton of ornaments (some good and some that you don't want to try) and I will be showing you how to recreate them, here is just a snapshot of a few.

Today I am going to show you how to make icicles on your ornaments. You will need glitter (the finer ones work best) and some runny glue that dries clear.

I ended up using glue by Art Glitter - this glue ran everywhere and then I sprinkled glitter on the glue. Just make sure that you have thought out where you are going to let this dry - I sure didn't! :) I finally found a stand and put my ornament on a hanger and then let it drip onto a paper towel.

Here's a shot with some decorations on them.

The secret word(s) for today are: Do you

the 12 Ornaments of Christmas mini workshop!

I have invited 11 of my favorite artsy friends to join me in this workshop!

************************************

********************************

Class starts December 5th!

The hop details:

4. Have a ton of fun and don’t forget to join us on Monday, December 5^th for our December challenge and another awesome prize package!

Loving Imaginisce!

2011-11-18T16:40:00.001-05:00

So the inspiration began when I saw this sketch for November from Imaginisce!

and I created this by turning the sketch! This was a picture of 2 of the boys when we went to see Thomas the train - I think they were more excited to be together than seeing the trains, go figure!

Materials Used: Imaginisce, Heidi Swapp stars, Ranger alcohol inks, Fiskar border punch, American Crafts remarks

But the inspiration didn't stop... I had these pictures of Vinny and his "Bop" coming into the train station. The whole time we were in PA Vinny held onto his "Bop" - I think "Bop" probably took a nice long nap when we finally went home!

Materials Used: Imaginisce, Girls Paperie alpha, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Recollections beads, Tim Holtz gears, Li'l Davis rub-ons, Higgins India ink

I also had some of Imaginisce's Christmas paper; the sticker fit Tracy's facial expressions perfectly so I just had to scrap some Christmas love.

Materials Used: Imaginisce, Stickles, and lace from stash

Here's the last for now, a Christmas card.

Materials used: Imaginisce, Stickles, twine

I created a few more projects for this, Imaginisce 2012 Design Team Call, but I will show those a little later on. Go take a look - the call is open for a few more days!

Lots of fun things to share!

2011-11-16T16:14:00.001-05:00

So it has been awhile since I posted - I've been in one of those modes to crank out some projects, its a good thing with Christmas just a few weeks away! :) Some I can't share with you yet, but soon, I promise!

What I can share is ... my first time being published! Here's the link: Scrapbook News & Review Vol 4. Issue 11/12; I have 4 different layouts in it.

Secondly, a truly amazing blog hop is coming very soon! Check out all the details and be prepared to be amazed! If you post this on your blog (or other) please come leave a link here at Scrapping Everyday Miracles .

And last for today, a great sketch from Diana at Sketchy Thursday and an awesome kit from Scrapbook Circle. Here's the sketch...

And here is what I was inspired to create...

Materials used: Nov Scrapbook Circle kit - Fancy Pants, Magic Mesh, Maya Rd, Jillibean Soup, Bella Blvd, and Studio Calico

Thanks for stopping by!

Remembering our first earthquake

2011-11-07T08:52:00.001-05:00

Today is the first Monday of November and a new challenge at Scrapping Everyday Miracles. Our challenge this month was perfect for me to document the earthquake that occurred in this area.

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

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

Materials used: Studio Calico, American Crafts, Tim Holtz, ink

My re-purposing was the newspaper articles that I had clipped and enclosed in the pocket.

My journaling reads: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practics is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it DID NOT FALL, because it had its foundation on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25 I was on the phone with my friend from DE, our first time ever - as we were talking about homes her house began shaking! We didn't experience anything yet our neighbors did. We built the Lord's house as He commanded and it stood the test!

We have a wonderful prize from our sponsor Designs by Diana so come join us, we'd love to have you!

Want to do a little hopping?

2011-11-02T18:36:00.001-04:00

This is a great blog hop that is going on right now - even better than all the inspiration is the prize of a 3 month subscription! That would be nice - so come hopping!

Having some fun!

2011-11-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

Published in SNR
Materials Used: American Crafts, Tattered Angels, Jillibean Soup

Yep, I scrapped our new truck! LOL - believe me after a winter in a vehicle without heat and then squishing 7 of us in a mini van (4 car seats) it is time to spread out once again! When I saw this paper from American Crafts with the people I KNEW this was perfect to scrap "Big Blue" and why we needed it! Thanks AC for a great line!

An awesome kit!

2011-10-31T09:59:00.001-04:00

So I was so inspired by one of my scraps left on my table from the October Burlap & Buttercups kit that I just had to create! This creation started with the paper - then I remembered some daisy stickers I had then some burlap and a vase showed up - then a little bit of crackle. My creation is the perfect size for a card which was to be its description, but then I liked it so much and I had this little frame from Michael's ... Let's just say it is hanging in my scraproom even now!

Materials used: Crate Paper, K&Co, Michael's finds

This is what I created first that gave me the scraps for the above project - I lifted a wonderful card at Memorable Seasons for my inspiration.

Materials used: Crate Paper, Petaloo, Martha Stewart, Prima, Recollections, Maya Rd, and stash

How about a sketch?

2011-10-24T14:56:00.002-04:00

So I've been wanting to start getting up early again, but with Gino still waking up during the night it has been impossible. But today was different and boy am I thrilled with the results. I decided to stay up when he awoke at 6am (man is it dark out) - so I got ready and headed downstairs into my little sanctuary and created!

It helped that I had a sketch laying right there just begging to be worked on! So here is the sketch from Imaginisce that inspired me...

And here is what I created...

Materials used: Imaginisce, Tattered Angels glimmer mist, Crafter's Workshop honeycomb, Sizzlet die, American Crafts rub-on, Jillibean Soup corrugated shape

I love this picture of the boys and was waiting for the perfect paper - you know that outdoorsy, John Deere one - well this was the perfect fit! I loved the circles in the sketch - kinda like the bond of brotherhood!

Don't forget, voting is open until Friday for my card which is in the next post down! Thanks

Another chance to vote!

2011-10-22T23:12:00.000-04:00

I made the top 10 cards at Practical Scrappers!!! So totally excited and again, thank you everyone!

So, this week was chevrons and stitching. Let's just say this one almost threw me for a loop and I created and created and created, even turned one in and then Thursday night while I was supposedly sleeping it finally hit me! So here is what I created...

I thought of baby blankets and the pattern, the soft fuzzy edges and so I distressed all my edges of the chevrons, the hand sewing so I created a flower and stitched on each pink chevron piece, of course you must have a duck and some lace too.

To vote for me and my card just click on this link, http://www.practicalscrappers.com/2011/10/card-contest-finalists-round-four.html, and click on my name - only one vote this round. Again, thank you all for all of your help!

In case you were curious here are my other chevron cards...

Loving this kit!

2011-10-20T15:39:00.003-04:00

Well this month I decided to shake things up a bit and try a kit from Burlap & Buttercups - I've been eyeing them up for awhile, but finally went for it. I am so very pleased with the kit - the October kit and some lovely Jillibean Soup, Bella Blvd, Crate Paper, and American Crafts - totally my faves! Everything to follow was all from the kit.

So I created today, yep all today, not sure what hit???

These were created using inspiration from cardabilities #39 sketch

This was created using a sketch by danni at Scrapbook Nook

This was created using one of the sketches included in the kit

Another round of voting!

2011-10-15T21:52:00.001-04:00

I am so thrilled, my card made it into the next round at Practical Scrappers. Even more than the excitement of my card being in the running for this contest; I am so grateful to each and everyone who has taken the time to vote for me, that means so much to me!

This week the challenge was to make a card using flag(s) or banner(s) and the word happy, here is mine

Materials used: Webster's Pages

Here is the link to go vote for me, click here. You are allowed to vote once a day for one card. You just need to leave a comment with my name, but please remember you cannot leave an anonymous vote. Again, thank you for taking the time to vote for me, it means so much!

Loving cards!

2011-10-14T11:53:00.001-04:00

Yep, I wrote that, hard to believe, huh? I have made maybe 5 cards until this month, now it has become my favorite thing to do.

Here are three that I've made using this sketch from September Page Map and a Flying Unicorn kit.

Other materials: Webster's Pages, Melissa Frances, 7 gypsies

Other materials: 7gypsies, Melissa Frances

Other materials: K&Co.

It is pastor appreciation this week so these are heading right back out the door - hopefully I remember!

Hope your day is going well - I appreciate that you stopped by here today! :)

Celebrating us!

2011-10-09T22:41:00.000-04:00

Today we celebrated 12 years of marriage! Wow, who would have ever thought that a relationship that was really shaky at first could develop into the most wonderful thing I've ever known. We've been through so much over the years and yet I am so excited to see what lies ahead. I never knew you could love someone so much - that you could become so much apart of each other - that you could be so proud of anyone; and yet that is exactly what has developed over the years. The Lord has blessed me beyond anything I would have ever imagined!

We were blessed by some friends on Saturday who watched ALL the kids while we took a very cold kayak trip - yes, this is me sitting in my very own kayak that I paddled around for about an hour, proud of me? :) Later we were able to get a babysitter and go out to dinner and a little shopping. Today after church we watched a movie called FireProof (2008) - what an awesome movie - and we don't do movies, normally. Here is a link to the site, click here - it is really worth the time to check this out!

Course, all good things have to end sometime, right? So Mike is off for another few days (I'm trying to be thankful for the work, but it isn't easy today) on a job and I am getting all geared up for another week here at the homefront. But, I do have some really gorgeous pictures to scrap now!

Another round of voting

2011-10-08T13:30:00.001-04:00

has begun and guess what? My card made it to round 2!!!!! :) Thank you all for your votes it means so much to me.

So this week I created this card based on the requirements of fall and twine...

Materials used: American Crafts, Martha Stewart baker's twine, Fiskar border punch, and some finds from my local Michael's

If you don't mind taking a moment and following this link, click here you can vote for this new card. The rules are that you may vote once a day (until Friday) by leaving a comment with my name - you won't see the comment later b/c Practical Scrappers is collecting the names and then deleting them, just make sure that you don't leave an anonymous comment. Thanks so much!

Stopping in to share...

2011-10-07T14:30:00.000-04:00

Some things I've been working on this week! We've had some running around to do this week so time creating has been at a minimal. (Hmmm, wonder why I have so many things sitting on the desk finished then? Guess that's why the laundry was piled high!)

I am sharing some of the things I've created with my lovely Echo Park stash - newly acquired too!

This first one is a picture that my sister's photographer took after the wedding and I just loved it and had to scrap it!

Materials used: Echo Park pps and stickers, Martha Stewart punch, Fiskar border punch, Me and My Big Ideas bling, Want 2 Scrap bling, Plaid bling, Recollections flowers, tulle, Blue Moon beads

Next is one about my Marcky-doo, a lot simpler than my normal but the picture just seemed to fit the paper so well - it didn't seem like it needed anything else.

Materials used: Echo Park and toothpicks

And this layout was made for Memorable Seasons using a sketch. I've had this picture sitting with this orange scrap for so long and just saving it, then I saw the sketch and I decided I had to take time to finish it.

Materials used: Echo Park

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend - my hubby and I are celebrating 12 years on Sunday (actually Saturday for convience sake) - we started dating October 6th 1993! I was 16 and he was 21 and it was love at first sight, but then I had to get older and go to school and all that stuff! Now look, we've been married 12 years and we have 5 kids and more in love today than I ever could have imagined!

Time to announce my winner!

2011-10-03T14:37:00.001-04:00

I have a winner from the Scrapping Everyday Miracles blog hop to announce...

clmk523 said...
Cute cards!
Thanks for the chance to win. I'm a follower now.
September 30, 2011 10:12 PM

Please contact me at antenucci@juno.com so I can get your gift certificate to you!

Grandparents

2011-10-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

Published in SNR
Materials Used: MM, GCD, Prima, assorted stash

Today's challenge at Scrapping Everyday Miracles was to think about our grandparents and how God has blessed us through them. I chose to feature my Grandmother on my Father's side not so much because we are the closest, but because I have always wanted to be like her.

The journaling reads: My Grammy, Is who I've always wanted to be. So beautiful, full of energy, so calm. She was the one to teach me to cook, clean, and how to make laundry smell good. When I was young we often did crafts together and later on we would each work on our sewing - her quilts and my crosstitch. Her house has a wonderful smell to it - it says Grammy. One thing she has taught me recently, you don't have to win.
I also want to share another layout I did of my Grandmother on my Mother's side, one that also passed on her creativity to me and was apart of my everyday.

Materials used: American Crafts thickers, Queen and Co, October Afternoon, Basic Grey rub-ons, Maya Road chipboard, Prima, and other assorted things

Don't you just love the silvery paper? When I saw that paper I knew I had to scrap my grammy b/c that is exactly how her dining room walls looked and the purple - well that was the color of the carpet in her house. The yellow script paper reminded me of her handwriting.

The journaling reads: Memories of Grammy Brown, She...
Loved Jesus, didn't get up early and ate breakfast @ 12:00, decorated cakes, was an artist, wore hats, liked birds, grew many flowers, liked purple, wrote very small, took a long time to get things done, was exact down to the penny, burnt everything, had "tin foil" for wallpaper, loved me!

Would you help me?

2011-10-01T09:05:00.001-04:00

[Scrapping Everyday Miracles hop is below]

There was a contest at Practical Scrappers asking you to create a card with pink in it. This is the card I created and guess what? I made it into the first round, but now I need your help to keep me going! Everyday you are allowed to vote for 3 cards - there are 4 groups of cards and you just have to leave a comment. Here is the link, click here, would you go vote for me?

Materials used: Crate Paper and sticker, American Crafts paper, Recollection flower, Prima flower, stick pins from stash, ribbon from Paper Loves Glue, bling from Want 2 Scrap

I also have a card featured on Scrapbook & Cards Today, go check it out! :) click here

2011-09-30T09:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome hoppers to the Friendship blog hop with Everyday Miracles and 2Cute Stamps. You should have hopped here from Scrapping Everyday Miracles, if not make sure you go back to catch the whole line-up!

Here are the cards I made with the awesome stamps we were given from 2Cute Stamps - aren't they just that cute! :)

Materials Used: Webster's Pages alpha, 7 Gypsies pp, 2Cute Stamp, Paper Loves Glue ribbon , chalk

Materials Used: Echo Park, 2Cute Stamp, watercolor pencils

Make sure that you leave me a comment and become a follower for a chance to win a gift certificate from Paper Loves Glue.

You are hopping to Jeannine's blog next, have fun and thanks for stopping by!

Come visit!

2011-09-28T14:29:00.001-04:00

Make sure you check this out - Saturday, October 1st; here is a link Scrapbook and Cards Today; I know I will be there! :) (hint, hint)

Beautiful flowers...

2011-09-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

Materials used: Imaginisce pps, Doodlebug stickers, Precocious flowers

I loved the sketch at Imaginisce for the month of September - a grid design and it was the perfect solution for this card! I'm finding that I really have begun to enjoy making cards, this is totally new for me! Make sure you stop by later this week for a fun hop at Scrapping Everyday Miracles and some really cute cards (or at least I think so).

Time for a winner

2011-09-20T10:29:00.003-04:00

It is time to announce the winner for the Paper Issues blog hop...

Kim H said...

Cute pic and frame, thaks for sharing.

September 18, 2011 11:54 PM

Kim if you can send me an e-mail (antenucci@juno.com) I will get your gift certificate to you.

Thank you all for your comments and taking the time to read my blog!

The Gift of Sight - journaling included

2011-09-19T16:19:00.001-04:00

Materials used: October Afternoon, Tattered Angels glimmer mist, MM rub-ons, Maya Rd chipboard, Hambly washi tape and overlay, lace from stash

I issued the challenge at Scrapping Everyday Miracles today. My challenge is for you to first off, consider yourself a miracle - perfectly crafted by the Creator. Then I would like you to create a layout/project that celebrates YOU!

Scrapping twist: You must use a picture of yourself (it can be the whole you or just a part) and make sure to include some handwritten journaling to celebrate that gift also!

I was hoping to share my journaling, but I left my layout elsewhere and I can't read it here online! LOL So, I will hopefully be back to share with you, but if you would like to join in and have a chance at an awesome prize come on over to Scrapping Everyday Miracles.

Journaling reads: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Ps 139:14

I have needed glasses since I was 9 and I've always disliked that fact. I did finally get used to my eye sight or maybe I should say I learned to ignore it. And then my eyes began causing me such pain. I finally went to the eye dr and am now stuck in glasses for 2 months all because I didn't value the gift the Lord gave me - my eyes. I didn't take time to visit the dr, I didn't change my contacts as often as I should, and I refused to give my eyes a rest. I forgot that my eyes work very hard each day and that the Lord expects us to be good stewards over what He has given us, I had forgotten to be grateful, to give thanks in everything!

I hopefully have now learned my lesson to take care of what the Lord gives me and to be thankful for each part of my body because I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

The Paper Issues blog hop is done and my prize winner will be announced shortly.

Remembering...

2011-09-17T09:02:00.002-04:00

Paper Issues blop hop post is down below! Thanks

Today marks one year.

Published in SNR
Materials Used: Studio Calico, American Crafts, Martha Stewart

Journaling: You are a miracle. One year ago today life changed for you and for us. One year ago today your very life hung in the balance. One year ago today my world began to unravel with a few words; your son has Type I Diabetes. I remember holding my son as he struggled to draw breath and hearing the doctor’s words. I remember thinking, “Oh thank the Lord, he doesn’t have to have surgery. What in the heck is diabetes? Where did that come from?” Within a few minutes my son was hooked up to all sorts of machines and we were in an ambulance heading for the Pediatric ICU in another hospital where we would spend the next week.

I have given more than 1460 shots this past year – surprising because I used to get queasy at the sight of a shot and blood. I have learned to calculate his carbs and blood sugars to figure out how much medicine to give him. I have learned to watch him like a hawk to see how he is responding to his medicine.

I have spent many moments crying at the frustration of this disease. I have spent countless nights fearful that he might not wake up in the morning because I gave him too much medicine. I’ve worried over where the money would come from to pay for his medicines.

And yet, I hold a miracle in my hands each and every day when I hold my son because he is healthy and lives a full life. He has survived the year and we will continue to push on and learn to deal with each new discovery about this disease. Even more than these things I will continue to believe for his complete healing – yes, complete. So many people laugh at this statement, but you see I serve the Creator of heaven and earth, the Lord God Almighty and He promises in His word that we are healed. So even though the year has been hard and so full of emotion I stand on the promises of my God that my son is healed. One day all will rejoice as I document my son’s miraculous healing!

Paper Issues blog hop

2011-09-16T08:50:00.000-04:00

Welcome, I hope you are enjoying the hop so far and have gotten tons of inspiration. You should have hopped here from Cassie's blog.

Here is my project using some October Afternoon and Maya Road goodies with a little paint, ink and crackle paint thrown in.

If you'd like to be eligible for my RAK, a gift certificate to Diana Fisher's etsy shop, just become a follower of mine and let me know in the comment section. Now you are hopping onto Christina's blog next and just in case you missed someone here is the link to the Paper Issues blog and Paper Issues etsy. Here is a code, HOP25, for 25% off through Sunday at the Paper Issues etsy. Thanks for stopping by!

Vacationing in another world

2011-09-14T16:09:00.004-04:00

Materials used: July and August Scrapbook Circle kits - Basic Grey pp, Elle's Studio tags, Studio Calico butterflies, Crate paper chipboard, Maya Rd flowers, Jillibean Soup corrugated shapes, canvas tags, MME alpha; Making Memories alpha, Tim Holtz paper tape, items from Upcycled Goodies from 42Things Etsy

We went to a flea market earlier this month - everyone talked about it and we heard it had such wonderful food so we thought what fun it would be, so we headed off. These pictures are what we saw as we drove there, you might think it was another world - yes those signs do say guns and ammo! Needless to say we weren't really sure what we had gotten ourselves into. We spent 2 hours attempting to walk around in all the chaos with the double stroller and all the kids of course we didn't have any sunscreen or hats either. Needless to say that was quite an adventure - one I'm not sure we will repeat, but it definitely made memories!

Some neat things...

2011-09-12T19:24:00.004-04:00

My favoirte kit club, Scrapbook Circle is having a design team call - you can bet I will be sending in my info! Here is a link if you'd like to check it out Scrapbook Circle DT call .

So many things are new in our house today!!! One of them is a desktop computer that actually is current enough to use the internet - now that is some good news! :) We bought a Gateway (first time with this brand) which had all the specs we were hoping for (and a lot more) with the price tag to match. Once I finish getting everything up and running I hope to clean off the other computers and maybe they will work again.

We also bought a fancy phone this weekend - we went into the mall on Saturday to support our church as they handed out flyers and such telling about the church Victory Restoration Center . Well I've been looking for a nice phone with a much better camera then what I had so when we found out the youth pastor worked at Verizon we headed over - and now I am the proud owner of some fancy phone. Course, I did bring a list of questions to church on Sunday b/c I cannot quite get the hang of this thing! :S

Here is a frame I made for the Doodlebug DT call - I am totally loving making frames, now I need to find some more people to give them to!

Materials used: Doodlebug, quickutz die, sizzix die, paint, colorbox ink, Echo Park pp

Challenge Time!

2011-09-10T09:14:00.000-04:00

Today is challenge day at Citrus Tree Studio and my challenge is to mist. I know not much of a surprise seeing I adore my mists! I love Tattered Angels mists and have the most of these - I love the glimmer that is in each bottle. I just was able to get some of the October Afternoon mists - they aren't glimmery which is something I miss. Maya Road mists are really nice - love the color and the control of these, but again the glimmery is missing. Now my favorite of all is my Sunflower Perfect Pearls mist by Ranger - but I only have one of those.

The biggest things that I have found in misting are
1. Roll your bottle between your hands (like you were starting a fire with sticks) this doesn't give you the air bubbles that shaking does.
2. A pizza box type works great for misting because it helps to keep the mist in a controlled area.
3. If you hold the bottle still you get a concentrated area, but if you move as you spritz you get a finer mist.
4. If you push the sprayer in just a little you will get more droplets.
5. Just go for it - it is fun, but definitely not perfect!

Here are some steps that I took in making my layout.

This last picture is the critical step - find something magnetic and tack down your paper for awhile (overnight) this will straighten your paper very nicely.

Here is my layout that I created...

Materials used: September Citrus Tree Studio kit, Tattered Angels mist

September Citrus Tree projects

2011-09-05T20:14:00.000-04:00

So hard to believe it is September already! We've actually had a very nice 2 weekends with our trip to NC last weekend and this weekend a flea market and some shopping. Can't wait to scrap some more of the pictures and memories.

We've been shopping for a computer this weekend - a new desktop has been on my list for quite sometime b/c I really don't like using the laptop. Well our laptop is getting old and now doesn't always work very well which is a huge problem in my world! I thought we had the choices narrowed down, but now I'm not sure. Any tips or suggestions in the world of desktops????

The Citrus Tree Studio September kits are up and it was really a great kit to work with - loved the flowers included and the papers were such great colors - definitely made me think fall time! Here some of the things I created with this...

Materials used: CTS Sept kit, dies, Glitz stamp, cheesecloth, Tattered Angels mist

Materials used: September CTS kit, stickles, cutting die

Materials used: September CTS kit

Inspired!

2011-09-02T09:29:00.000-04:00

Today was my first day posting on Scrapping Everyday Miracles blog! I created this layout for my post and from all the incredible inspiration at the Nook.

Materials used: Echo Park pp, Sassafrass pp and stickers, Simple Stories pp, Prima alphas, Tattered Angels glimmer mist, Colorbox ink, Jenni Bowlin buttons, burlap, Basic Grey pp, Hambly washi tape, MME transparency

Here is my post as seen on the Scrapping Everyday Miracles blog and the story behind this layout.

Through it all... Have you ever had a bad day? Or what about days? Or how about when those days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months and then a year? Have you ever wondered when will I ever breakthrough? I have and guess what, through it all He is still God!

Hi, my name is Wendy and I have been invited to join the ladies here at Scrapping Everyday Miracles; here is some of my story and why I am thrilled to be here!

My family and I have lived a good life, there were ups and downs, but still overall it was blessed. We loved one another, we had healthy children, we had a good home. Life was good. March 2010 launched us into a season that didn't seem like it would ever end, we were hit left and right with hard things. We wondered if it would ever end. We wondered would we survive or would we lose everything? Our finances were completely shot and my husband didn't have a job and we were trying to finish up building our house because we had to move in. Then the really hard things began.

Our daughter got an industrial nail in her kneww while at Field Day. After a scary experience at the ER and some follow-up visits the drs said there was no permanent damage. The dr was amazed that there was no problems and said the nail went right in-between 2 vital parts, the Lord was gracious. Then our son became very sick and the drs couldn't figure out what was wrong, for 6 weeks we struggled and then he was diagnosed with Lyme's disease. Again, the Lord was gracious and after some antibiotics he has had no problems since. Then a day came that I will never forget, September 17th, our 16 month old boy was rushed to the Pediatric ICU with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. And even though our son now takes shots after every meal, he is alive and you would never know that he went through this harrowing time because of the Lord's grace. Someday I will also document a miracle of his complete healing! January came and our child that I was carrying developed an irregular heartbeat. Instantly, I was in the hospital wondering what had happened. After many tests the drs found that his heart was okay but he had an arithma. When I returned to my dr the next week for a checkup she listened to the heartbeat, it was completely restored! She had never heard of such an irregular heartbeat coming back into rhythm - my only answer was we prayed.

Through all of these things we had the constant threat of foreclosure hanging over our heads, and yet God was still God. I was told once by a very dear friend, that every cake has a timer set and it will go off - that cake will be done. But when would we ever be done?

And just as suddenly as everything began, there was quiet because guess what, the timer went off and our cake was done! There wasn't a specific moment that I can pinpoint that our troubles ended, but they did! Our bills (yes they do still exist) are all caught up and we've been able to begin paying things off. Work has been pouring in for my husband's construction business. All the kids are healthy and whole. Through it all, the Lord has kept us in the palm of His hand and delivered us. That is why I can praise the Lord because He is good, all the time, His mercies are new everyday!

Through it all... You are still God! Praise the Lord!

Really Honored!

2011-08-30T22:35:00.000-04:00

To have been chosen as one of the 40 finalists at Scrapbook Nook ! They had 110 entries and cut it down to 40, I don't know how they will cut it the rest of the way down the talent is amazing over there!

Another good thing is I got my glasses with my new prescription today and I can see! I really wondered what they looked like b/c I didn't have my contacts in when I picked them, but they look pretty good (or at least in my book). Now if only my eyes would heal up so I can wear contacts again, that would be awesome.

Over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles the challenge this time was to scrap a friendship - so I thought about my friends that I have fun with and all the great pictures I had. But, I really wanted to talk about my friend that believes in me and encourages me to persevere through everything.

Materials used: Prima, Tattered Angels glimmer mist, stickles

My journaling is written on the packaging from one of my Prima blings and tucked behind the picture. It reads, Because of you... I have an amazing relationship with my God. I have embarked on an amazing journey. I have become a woman of destiny. I am able to believe that signs and wonders will follow me because I do believe. I believe I can persevere. Thank you! Love you dear friend!

Summer Fun - it's the little things!

2011-08-29T19:14:00.000-04:00

Last week we went away overnight - not a big thing, but still extremely nice! We headed to a hotel in NC that we had stayed previously and loved. Our big adventure included a dip in their pool, shopping at the BIG mall, dinner out and then I got to shop the next day at CKC.

Here is a few of our pictures of the pool part - this is the first time we've gone away with 7 of us and even more so, in the pool! You can see Mike and I were a little loaded down trying to keep everyone's head above water! Gino loved the water, but not so much the splashing. Vinny is totally into anything. Marc wasn't good with the swimming thing (his little body was shaking so much from cold) until he realized that he fit in the baby float and then he was king of the pool.

Materials used: Martha Stewart & EK Success border punch, Imaginesce pp, Doodlebug sugar coated cardstock and stickers, Echo park stickers, Tattered Angels glimmer mist

Most would look at this as a non-vacation, but for us it was an answer to many prayers to be able to go away and enjoy the moment. I love this quote from Crafty Secrets that I stamped on my layout, "Our memories like the ocean will linger on long after our footprints in the sand are gone." We made waves and we made memories and that is what matters!

Challenge Time

2011-08-26T10:02:00.001-04:00

Are you looking for a little inspiration for the rainy weekend that is supposed to be hitting? Come on over to Memorable Seasons to get your crop on! I have a challenge based on this ad that I found...

I loved the squares, the different words and the overall simplicity of the design. So, I created ...

Materials used: American Crafts

Hope to see you at Memorable Seasons - challenges are already loaded and ready for you! For those that participate in my challenge, come on back here when you are done and leave a link to your creation in the comments for a chance at a giveaway. Thanks for playing!

I've been busy...

2011-08-21T18:15:00.000-04:00

trying to take care of my eyes! Last Sunday something blew into my eyes and managed to scratch my contacts and eyes. Of course I haven't been really good at taking care of my eyes anyway so that aggravated some problems I've had before. And, landed me with a dr's orders to wear my glasses for 2 months! You have got to be kidding me!!! Needless to say, I have not been functioning really well since that point. My glasses haven't been updated in quite some time so they only allow me to see shapes and not much more. I should have new glasses in another week or so and my eyes don't hurt as badly so I managed to wear my contacts today, sh, don't tell!

Since I can see right now, here are some projects that I have been working on (slowly) with the remains of my August Citrus Tree Studio kit.

And one other thing, I have been invited to join the DT at Scrapping Everyday Miracles, a wonderful challenge site that I have been playing at for the past few months.

Feautured

2011-08-12T11:48:00.000-04:00

I am featured on the Melissa Frances blog today! Here's a link: http://melissafrances.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/08/five-babies.html

Updated: I've also got a layout here Aussie Scrap Source

Ad inspiration

2011-08-10T10:15:00.000-04:00

Today was challenge day at Citrus Tree Studio and my challenge had to do with an ad inspiration. I've been searching for the perfect inspiration and wasn't getting inspired then... It hit! Don't you love when that happens!

So, using this ad

and a stop by the American Crafts blog and seeing Jenni Hufford's work, I created this

Materials used: American Crafts and Tattered Angels glimmer mist

If you would like to join in my challenge for you is to create something inspired by my ad, whether an altered project, layout or card - and tell us what caught your eye. Here are the details, August Ad Challenge .

The contest is still open at American Crafts Facebook page so if you can help me the details are below. Thanks!

If you have a moment...

2011-08-09T19:04:00.000-04:00

American Crafts issued a challenge to use 5 or more pictures in a layout and seeing that Tracy's dance pictures matched the teen line papers I had it was perfect to get me scrappin. Here's the layout I created for this years dance recital...

Materials used: Perfect Pearls Mist;American Craft pp, Thickers, chipboard, ribbon, and journaling spot

If you have a moment to follow this link and like this on American Crafts Facebook I would appreciate your help in the voting. (You have to click on the image of my layout and then like it to vote.) My entry

Funny Miracles?

2011-08-08T15:05:00.000-04:00

So over at Scrapping Everyday Miracles the prompt asked us to scrap something funny that made us laugh and recycle. Instantly, I had my subject... You see in February (I believe) I created this layout about how we needed a bigger truck. So I began praying for a vehicle that had heat (ours was broken), could fit the double stroller, something that would allow me to get out and get groceries and fit another little one.

Materials used: cardstock, masking tape, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Tim Holtz mask, wire screen, ink, fontwerks stamp, Chatterbox stickers

This was the answer the Lord gave us and my layout for this challenge! Mini! My journaling reads: So I thought we needed a bigger truck, but then mini was dropped in our laps. We all fit in (somewhat) and I can even take the double stroller, but really? This definitely was NOT what I had in mind when I asked for a vehicle that fit me, the double stroller and had heat! Yet mini fits the criteria; I guess next time I will be more specific! I think I hear God laughing at this one.

My thought bubble says, "Meep, Meep" This came from mini in the movie Cars, but Vinny changed in into Roadrunner's saying!

Materials used: cardstock, Tattered Angels glimmer mist, Tim Holtz mask, drywall mesh, masking tape, Chatterbox alpha stickers, American Crafts pp, Jenni Bowlin stickers, ink, Fontwerks stamp

Some Imaginesce and the winner of my giveaway

2011-08-07T15:54:00.000-04:00

Imaginesce has a wonderful sketch on their blog for the month of August - after running to my Michael's to find a few pieces of paper this is what I created...

Materials used: Imaginesce pp, cordination cardstock, EK Success border punch, and American Craft Thickers.

I love these pictures of Gino even though it took every trick in the book to get them! He won't smile when he sees the camera so I had to make sure my face was showing to get a smile, this made for some interestingly framed pictures! Thanks to April Foster for the tutorial on the confetti look which I used for bubbles, Studio Calico 7/27 entry .

And now onto the winner of the giveaway is...

Sherri said...

My favorite color is purple. Thank goodness I have a new grandbaby and can use the color now. Previously I had two boys to scrap.
August 3, 2011 1:21 PM
Please e-mail me (antenucci@juno.com) your address and I will get your goodies out to you!

Thanks all for checking out my blog - I love getting comments!

So who is who???

2011-08-06T14:41:00.000-04:00

So can you tell which one is which? I thought Gino and Vinny looked so much alike until I put them side by side in their photo shoot pictures and nope they aren't! I'm thinking maybe Gino looks like Marc, I will have to go check them out together. Either way, I love how this layout came together with a little nudge from Scrapbook Circle to use circles (ink drops, buttons, circle rub-on title, dot paper) - it almost came together as easily as Vinny and Gino have. I was so worried when I was pregnant how they would do, or I should say what Vinny would do to the new baby, but I guess I had nothing to worry about (or maybe I can chalk this up to answered prayers)! 2 sweet boys and they love each other so much, it makes my heart happy! Love you boys!

Materials used: October Afternoon pp, rub-ons, buttons, American Craft thickers, Hambly washi tape, buttons from stash, Maya Rd stick pins.

Picnic in the Park - August kit

2011-08-05T09:15:00.000-04:00

It's that time, kit day at Citrus Tree Studio! The new kit is called Picnic in the Park and it is gorgeous and full of wonderful goodies. Here are some of the things I've created (and finished) so far...

August kit with Mr. Huey mist, ribbon rose, border punch added

August kit with Maya Rd mist added

August kit with Shimmerz mist and Quickutz die added

Make sure you go check out the new kits, they will go fast!

Don't forget my giveaway is still open below until Sunday.

August sneak peeks and a giveaway!

2011-08-02T15:17:00.000-04:00

I am finding it very hard to believe that it is already August; where in the world did the summer go? Now, I am not a big fan of the heat so I really don't totally mind, but we haven't even made it to the beach yet! :( We did get a chance to go to the river this past weekend with our good friends from DE. We pretended to fish some, we splashed a lot and we kayaked - yes, even me! I actually discovered that I love being out in the kayak - it was so quiet and peaceful. We are hoping to find someone to babysit (everyone) so that hubby and I can go take a trip down the river before it is winter again.

So another perk of summertime is the beautiful colors that come included in kits and Citrus Tree Studio's August kit is totally that! Here are some of my sneak peeks...

This kit will be available for purchase on Friday, August 5th at http://www.citrustreestudio.com/currentkits.html - Girl's Paperie "Jubilee" and Echo Park's "Country Drive" patterned papers mixed with a bit of Cosmo Cricket, Imaginisce and more.

I have a package of goodies that needs to find a new home so if you are interested (and live in the USA) leave me a comment and tell me what your favorite color is and I will pick someone this Sunday.

One more for the road

2011-07-31T16:58:00.000-04:00

Forgot to post this one - I used a sketch from Scrapbook Circle and criteria from Memorable Seasons to stamp, distress/sand, sew, handwritten journaling, and a picture of me. I used some of my leftover Scrapbook Circle kits that I really loved to document me.

The Joy of Music

2011-07-31T16:29:00.000-04:00

Materials used: cardstock, Tattered Angels glimmer mist, colorbox ink, fabric, Jolee flowers, Prima jewels, Tim Holtz tape, lace from michael's craft store, tag, and picture from photobucket (not sure who, but thank you for a lovely picture).

I have always loved this poem (sung by Wayne Watson) about the Touch of the Master's Hand and when I was thinking about the prompt at Scrapping Everyday Miracles it hit that this was a wonderful time to document what this means to me. We were challenged to tell about how music/a song effects us and to use fabric. As I thought about this these words poured out of my pen... I don't acutally know the words to any songs. I've played so long that I don't listen with my ears, but with my heart. It is the most awesome thing when the music begins to flow - I completely lose myself. It's as if the cloud of glory - the Shekinah glory descends and I ascend. These are the moments that I search for with a hunger that can't be quenched. To be in the prescence of God Almighty is my all consuming passion, to be touched by the Master's Hand.

For those of you who don't know me personally, I have played the violin since I was 5. I have played on church worship teams since my first time on Easter Sunday when I was in 6th grade. I have developed from a classically trained violinist into a Holy Spirit filled violinist and it has been the most rewarding journey of my life. Yes, I can play weddings and teach, been there done that! But, my passion is playing for my Master and that is the way I choose to use my talent that the Lord has blessed me with.

Christmas in July - ornaments

2011-07-24T16:30:00.000-04:00

Here is another one of my challenges that I gave over at Citrus Tree Studio's Christmas in July crop, altering plain ornaments.

3. Now, for these balls I adhered Queen & Co felt onto the exterior of the ball. Keep your scissors nearby b/c you will need to nip the felt in certain places to make it fit around your ball.

And finally, my favorites!
5. Grab your hot glue gun and anything you want and glue it onto your ornament!

Hope you try these - they are really so easy and gorgeous! I'm thinking Christmas presents this year! :)

Christmas in July has begun!

2011-07-23T09:16:00.000-04:00

There is still time to head on over to Citrus Tree Studio to join in our Christmas in July crop.

Here is my first challenge I offered up, thought I'd share it here too.

Supplies:
Canvas (8x10)
Gesso
Mist product
Rub-ons (white)
Matte Medium (Liquitex or other)
Buttons (red & green)

Steps to create my canvas:
1. I used Ranger’s Perfect Pearls Mists in Sunflower Sparkle - spray this on your canvas - we are using the flip side to create a shadow box type project.

2. Now Gesso the bare wood on the sides and any other parts that you don’t want showing.

3. Next, I applied rub-ons randomly to my background - I wanted to keep the background low key so I used white ones by Basic Grey - you can use any color ones that work for your project. I also splashed some Gesso on the background to give a little more texture to it.

4. Now, apply buttons to form your shape. I tried a hot glue gun and I had strings everywhere so I went back to my trusty wet glue.

5. You can be done or… Grab that glue gun and all the Christmassy findings you have (Michaels had some neat K&Co ones with their Christmas things that are already out) and stick them on! This is the part I love!

Thinking Christmas!

2011-07-21T14:13:00.000-04:00

Citrus Tree Studio is having Christmas this weekend and I am totally into starting now. I love Christmas - and all the possible projects there are. My hot glue gun is already smoking with all the projects I tested before deciding on my challenges. Here are some sneaks:

A button tree canvas and some ornaments.

I hope you can join us, I will post the finished projects and a step by step sometime this weekend too.

So anyway, since I was looking at ALL my beautiful Christmas paper some by Imaginisce caught my eye, 2 whole pieces in all my whole paper stash - pretty low and time to refill. So while I was on their blog I saw this great sketch and so I decided to use up my stash totally and create this

I added in a few Prima flowers and some cork (my new favorite), some colorbox ink, my EK border punch, star sizzlet die and my very old but trusty Quickutz alpha dies. I'm totall loving making flowers anymore (2 are in this layout). And I'm so happy that I've unearthed my die cut machine - so many fun things I am learning to do with it!

I've got to run, kids are napping so I am supposed to be working on my to do list right now. I've got to finish up getting our homeschool paperwork ready and check into another book for Tracy. I think I might see if I can find a decent art program too, that is definitely her thing! "Train up a child in the way she should go." So I guess art and dancing is that way - the joys of a creative child!!!

Misting goodness!

2011-07-20T19:56:00.000-04:00

http://shimmerzpaintsed.blogspot.com/2011/07/shimmerz-enamelz-are-here.html You've got to go check out these new products by shimmerz, I've just now tried my first mist by shimmerz and I LOVE them! I can't show you my layout yet using these but it reminds me of buzzy bees!

Here is a layout I made using some Glimmer Mist and my new punches that I found REALLY on sale at JoAnn's last week.

This was for another challenge at Memorable Seasons - we were supposed to use different color mediums and texture. I used my mists and ink for color and for texture I used drywall tape, masking tape, cardboard, and cork. My July kit from Scrapbook Circle included cork embellishments (which I used already) so I thought I would try it out with my dies, totally in love!

Christmas time!

2011-07-17T14:36:00.000-04:00

Christmas in July! Come visit http://www.citrustreestudio.com/ from July 22-25 for some great fun, wonderful projects, and prizes! http://www.citrustreestudio.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=5644 You can see the materials list and some sneaks if you follow the link - I promise you won't be disappointed. Hope you all are having a restful Sunday, I've got to go take care of my little ones, they are calling!

Today

2011-07-15T16:25:00.000-04:00

Today is a new day, aren't you glad? I know I am! This week has been trying for some reason, couldn't really tell you why, just it has left me very weary. But, each day is a new start and for that I am very thankful. Even though yesterday(s) were rough, I don't have to base my today on them. Now even though I have these brilliant revelations (thank you Holy Spirit), it doesn't mean that I totally get it or practice it. As I sit here eating the caramel popcorn that I just made and drinking my Dr. Pepper! Yes, I am the same person that was trying to lose that baby fat and actually lost some a few weeks ago. Remember tomorrow is a new day! :)

Here is a layout I created for Scrapping Everyday Miracles - they challenged us to scrap a new day. I had just printed this picture out that I had taken from my early morning time and it was the perfect fit. I had tried this background out in my art journal a little while ago and as I was paging through I saw it and it screamed for this picture. I made the background by coating my paper with gesso and then using my Faber-Castell gelatos on it (mustardy color, yellow, orange, and red), a little water and I had a sunset. I sprayed my Ranger sunflower mist over it to add a sparkle.

Journaling reads: I love to rise early in the morning while everyone sleeps. I love to hear the quiet hum of my babies breathing and the birds chirping. I love to watch the dawn of a brand new day. I love that nothing is left from the previous day - everything is washed clean, no clutter or chaos, the possibilities are endless! And then the sun rises with the promise that, "His mercies are new every morning," and my spirit soars as a bird let out of its cage. I am free to once again follow my hearts call, Today.

Materials used: Faber-Castell gelatos, Ranger mist, gesso, Webster's Pages alphabet, Prima bling and flowers, Glitz stamps, Unity stamp, Tattered Angels stamp, Staz-on.

Red, white and blue

2011-07-08T14:58:00.000-04:00

Materials used: Glitz stamp, Li'l Davis rub-ons, Magic Mesh, Cosmo Cricket pp, Doodlebug alphabet, American Crafts chipboard, Tsukineko ink, Liquitex ink, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Jolee sticker, paint

I created this layout using a sketch by Audrey Yeager over at Memorable Seasons - totally love it! These are the pictures my daughter took while at the monster truck show this past Saturday. No, I'm not really that caught up, the pictures just screamed all American. Paper Issues is looking for your red, white, and blue paper projects if you have any, here's the link http://paperissues.blogspot.com/2011/06/red-white-and-blue.html . We had a wonderful 4th of July, we met up with our church in the Walmart parking lot where they were selling fireworks for the youth group - go figure! But, it was tons of fun hanging out with everyone.

July Citrus Tree Studio kit

2011-07-06T09:22:00.001-04:00

Here are the things I created with my July Citrus Tree Studio kit, you can find it here "Memoirs of Longwood" http://www.citrustreestudio.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=5546 . The kit included a mixture of Webster's Pages in a 6x6 pack, buttons with twine, alphabet stickers, and other stickers. Also included in the kit were some Maya Road flowers and some great trims.

July "Memoirs of Longwood" kit with the addition of a Webster's sparkler.

July "Memoirs of Longwood" kit with the addition of a Maya Road transparent doily

and Webster's alphabet from a previous release.

July "Memoirs of Longwood" kit with the addition of a birdhouse from Michaels $1 spot

and some cheesecloth sprayed with Glimmer Mist.

July kit "Memoirs of Longwood" with the addition of cheesecloth and stickles. July kit "Memoirs of Longwood"

There is also another kit available "Summertime Fun" with some great colors. http://www.citrustreestudio.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=5545

KaiserCraft page stand tutorial

2011-07-05T14:43:00.000-04:00

So today is reveal day at Citrus Tree Studio for the July kit and it is awesome, but you will have to wait until tomorrow to see why... Today I thought I'd show you how I decided to alter my Kaiser Craft page stand that came in my DT kit using my July kit. Here is what my finished product looked like. This is the product that I received, hmmm... Well, first I started using it to house my layouts when I would photograph them and I fell in love b/c the arms don't cover any of your layout, yea! But, what in the world do I do with this thing... Then the ah-ha moment came (yes, of course in the middle of the night). I pulled out my trusty gesso and painted my stand with a base coat - figured I couldn't go wrong there. Next, I had the inspiration to pull some tissue paper out of my stash and spray it with my absolute favorite item, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist in Patina. (Did you know that you are supposed to roll it in your hands - kinda like you would with 2 sticks trying to start a fire - I didn't, but it works wonders!) After I let the tissue paper dry, I next applied a coat of gel medium to my stand (just one section at a time).

I wanted a water look so I made sure to leave some wrinkles in the tissue paper - believe me that wasn't hard! :)

Next, I ripped off the excess - carefully. I'm sure you could wait for it to dry, but I was impatient and on a roll so I ripped wet.

And now I had a wonderfully covered page stand with some beautiful texture and color (which I forgot to take a picture of!). Thanks to my daughter for taking pictures of my project - she thought I was nuts I do believe!

Here are some more shots of the finished product which I finished altering with the July Citrus Tree Studio kit - Webster's Pages, cheesecloth sprayed with Wheatfield Glimmer Mist, and some Distress Stickles in antique linen and frayed burlap for a touch of sand.

New Year's Resolution - accomplished x2!!

2011-07-01T13:37:00.000-04:00

http://paperissues.blogspot.com/2011/07/lets-celebrate.html I am apart of the new creative team at Paper Issues!! Quite excited about that - now if everything else that I wanted to accomplish this year would just get started we would all be good!

Here is a layout I created for the Last Scrapper Standing contest at Memorable Seasons. The challenge was to use a non square/rectangle shape for the background, small pictures, and homemade flowers. I had just taken these pictures of Gino and b/c they were nicely framed I knew that this would be the perfect time to scrap them in little style. Totally LOVE how this turned out!

Materials used: Sassafrass pp and flower, Prima flowers, Crate Paper chipboard, Magic Mesh, Queen & Co. flower, Hambly overlay, assorted buttons, flowers, and trim from stash, colorbox ink, HS chipboard for a background that I used inks on - I think I might attach it to the heart b/c I do love the colors!

This is the last day of the "break" I gave the kids - Mommy wanted time to scrap and rest up, but next week we are back on school and our schedule. Gotta run!

Everyday Blessings!

2011-06-30T16:13:00.000-04:00

How blessings brighten as they take their flight. This was the quote we were asked to use at Scrapping Everyday Miracles this time. As I thought about what I wanted to document I realized that everyday I thank the Lord that I am able to be home with my babies and that I get to teach them. Yes, sometimes it is very hard to be a SAHM and homeschooler with 5 - so hard that I'd like to scream! But I can't imagine not having them with me each and every moment. I can't imagine someone else having the priviledge to shape these little lives - lives that God gave to me for safe keeping. Now I know homeschooling isn't for everyone and that is fine, but it is for me. Plus, what else do I do with my math education degree? :) So here is my layout, taking flight.

Materials used: pp - Echo Park, Basic Grey, Studio Calico, MME, Girls Paperie, House of 3; paint products - Stampin up ink, Tattered Angels mist and glaze, Golden molding paste; Hambly washi tape, K&Co daisy, American Craft Thickers, chipboard, and vinyl, MME stickers, My Sentiments Exactly stamps, buttons, flowers, twine and lace from my stash.

Journaling reads: What a blessing it is to spend each day with you. Yes, homeschooling is a challenge at times, but every morning I wake knowing you are safe. I love teaching you so that one day you will be prepared to take flight.

Winner!

2011-06-30T12:26:00.000-04:00

http://www.scrapbookcircle.com/2011/06/challenge-10-winner/ My layout from my last post just won! :) Thanks so much Scrapbook Circle - you are the best!

Getting Fit

2011-06-28T16:15:00.000-04:00

So last week I lost 5 pounds and just needed a few more to fit into the next size down - so exciting. Unfortunately, due to a very busy weekend and birthday cake now I will need a few more pounds before those other capris fit, but I will get there! ScrapFIT issued workout #46 and seeing that I wasn't being fit lately physically, I thought I would take the challenge in the art world and exercise some paper tricks! Scrapbook Circle also issued a challenge to create a scene with paper - I chose to combine the two and make this layout documenting Anthony's nursery and preschool years (about time as we are half way done 2nd grade now).

Materials used: June Scrapbook Circle kit, American Craft thickers, Hambly sticker, assorted stash

Sneak Peeks

2011-06-27T16:32:00.000-04:00

It's that time again, sneak peek day at Citrus Tree Studio http://www.citrustreestudio.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=5506 . Go take a look they are wonderful! I've had so much fun playing with my kit the past few weeks and I still have so much I'd like to do with it. Here are some of my peeks:

Seek and you will find

2011-06-23T16:27:00.000-04:00

This is a layout I made for a challenge at Memorable Seasons - we were supposed to be green and that got me thinking. Then I remembered the stuff I had just pulled out of my washer that my son had filled his pockets with, ahah! Instead of just making a neat layout though I also wanted to encourage my son to not only seek his (junk) treasure, but to also seek after the Lord. It really reminded me that we might think we are actively following the Lord, but have you really sought the Lord as a little boy seeks treasures? I know that I haven't been lately, I have gotten so tired with all the things that are going on that I've taken a here I am approach. How desperate are you for the Lord? What promises are you waiting on? The promises haven't changed at all, the call hasn't changed, but maybe just maybe you have grown weary. I know it is hard when you are tired physically and spiritually, but begin to thank the Lord for all He has done for you. As you meditate on His goodness, faith will begin to rise up in you and empower you to go on again. I promise, if you seek you will FIND!

How strong are you?

2011-06-16T22:08:00.000-04:00

Lately I'm not very strong. Getting through a day sometimes can be a hard thing. So often I go to bed completely drained and thinking I can't go on, and yet I wake up ready to try again. I found this quote on Pinterest (ya I dabble there too), "You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice." So true, you see I have to keep going on the Road to Destiny because it is what the Lord has called me to do at the end is a great reward if I can perservere. I take great comfort in the fact that the Lord promises to never give us more than we can handle. (I think the Lord thinks too highly of me though b/c I think I can't handle this!) So even though I am SO ready to put this day to a rest, I will get up tomorrow praising the Lord b/c His mercies are new EVERY morning! Who knows tomorrow might be the day that our promises come true! I don't have any projects to share right now b/c they are top secret until sneak peak day on the 24th, but I promise you, you don't want to miss this kit from Citrus Tree Studio it is beautiful!

Everyday Miracles

2011-06-14T08:38:00.000-04:00

I created this layout for the first challenge at Scrapping Everyday Miracles using Webster's Pages and some of my stash. Here are some close-ups of the details (I think they were pretty cool!).

I've been reminded lately that sometimes things don't look the way we want but it doesn't mean that the Lord isn't taking care of us. I really don't want to be like the Israelites and miss entering my Promised Land because I couldn't trust the Lord. The Israelites had enough to eat and drink and yet they complained that they would have been better off in Egypt where they had meat to eat. When the scouts returned from checking out the Promised Land they again forgot the Lord's goodness because it sounded hard/scary yet the Lord had promised. Instead of remembering all the miracles in Egypt, the Red Sea, their daily provision they complained that it would be better to have stayed in Egypt or even the Wilderness. God wasn't doing things the way the Israelites thought He should and so they spent 40 more years in the desert. Can I look outside of the box that I want the Lord to perform in to allow Him to be GOD and do as He knows is best even if it doesn't look like what I wanted?

I'm so excited!

2011-06-10T15:26:00.000-04:00

I made a card and I think it looks really good! This week has been a hard one so I haven't had time/mojo to scrap with, but yesterday I decided to take a few minutes and try making a card. http://www.scrapbookcircle.com/2011/06/challenge-9-card-sketch/ I used this sketch and my new June kit from scrapbook circle to create this card. I'm thinking I might even go make another one now.

I've been playing with my camera a lot lately trying to learn how to do things out of auto mode. This picture was another one of my attempts at setting my white balance and using ISO 400, I then edited it with Gimp - which I am loving! If you need some help with photos I've been reading this blog and it is so helpful, http://sideoatsandscribbles.wumple.com/ .

I just got back from taking Marc and Vinny for their birthday pictures. They looked to be pretty good this year and I didn't even have to resort to bribery - well I did give Vinny a penny to hold while he got his pictures done.

It's kit day!

2011-06-05T17:29:00.000-04:00

Today is kit day at Citrus Tree Studio, check out the kit I worked with:

I created with this kit the following projects.

Here is a link to purchase this kit or another one that is being offered, http://www.citrustreestudio.com/currentkits.html .

Taking inventory

2011-06-03T17:04:00.000-04:00

I made this layout based on a challenge at Scrapbook Circle to use this inventory paper by Crate Paper - so I took an inventory of our everyday life. Here is a look at our everyday and all that we do. Thanks SC! http://www.scrapbookcircle.com/2011/06/winner-of-challenge-8/

Dream Big

2011-05-31T19:54:00.001-04:00

I made this canvas when I was challenged by Scarlet Lime to create something based on my mother. I thought a lot about this, I looked through my photos (I had none of my mother and myself alone) and I pondered what lessons I had been taught by my mother. Then I realized that the biggest reason I am on the road to destiny is because of my mother. She instilled in me from a very early age the need to Dream Big. If it wasn't for my mom I wouldn't believe that anything is possible and that I can accomplish the impossible because I know where my strength comes from. My mom taught me that my strength comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and by the age of 3 I had taken her lessons to heart and made the Lord mine and then I began to dream. Each year my dreams get bigger and bigger and I believe more and more in the impossible. And you know, it is totally worth it. Things have been hard lately and there are moments when I would like to turn of this Road to Destiny, but I can't. I can't give up on the biggest lesson my mom taught me ... to DREAM BIG.

Check this out!

2011-05-30T18:29:00.000-04:00

http://www.scrapbookcircle.com/2011/05/lifting-you-wendy-2/ I was featured at Scrapbook Circle today - come check it out. Thanks SC.

Finishing up loose ends

2011-05-30T15:58:00.001-04:00

So today I figured I would tie up all the loose ends that were dangling in my scrapbook room along with our normal Monday laundry. So far I only have 2 more to put finishing touches on and then I'm done until after our visitors.

Here is one I made for a challenge at Scrapbook Circle to use this paper by Crate and since they mentioned schedule instantly I thought of documenting a day in our life.

The next layout I completed was for a challenge at Scarlet Lime to document Mother's Day - so I did a layout on lessons I learned from my mom. I had planned on using pictures of my mother, but I didn't have any of just us so I instead made it a layout to my daughter with everything that I have gathered over the years from my mom.

34 Today

2011-05-29T07:52:00.000-04:00

Today I am 34! I had to figure out how old I was before I could type this, but anyway that's just part of growing older. :) It's hard to believe that I have this is my life now, who would have ever guessed, but I wouldn't trade it for anything! I'm looking forward to my day - we are off to church now.