Sketch-a-thon

I have felt a desire to scrapbook and haven't felt this way in quite some time.  I know I won't get a page done daily but welcome the challenge and sketches.  Won't you join me?

Another week in the word

Isn't that the struggle we will always face?   Battling with our human flesh?  Thinking we fall under the Law?   We must receive the grace and the love that God has for us.  None of us deserve anything that HE has to give.  What a blessing to read Galatians with She Reads Truth this past week again.  Knowing Paul's history and how he has turned his life around and shares with others the true, loving God.  There is still so much for me to learn from the Word.

I am also doing the Unglued Bible Study being hosted by Melissa Taylor online.  As I read this I feel about to become Unglued by the perils of raising a tweenager.  Just in the first two chapters I have learned it is okay to have emotion but don't let it control you.  If you place positive thoughts in place of those feelings of anger that over time it will become more natural to respond without an outburst of yelling.  I have always thought that was the only time I could get my daughter was to yell.  I have always used the Three Strikes rule.  First I ask nicely, then I ask, then I ask and tell you the ramifications of not being obedient.  I would like to sit here and tell you that it only took three times.   My goal is me asking once with instant obedience but we are far from there.  I am giving this problem to God.   I am asking that he touch her heart and those of her friends.  I am asking that God give me patience and ability to listen to his still, small voice when I think all hope is lost.  I can do ALL things through Christ!

She Reads Truth

Yes I have been digging deep in His word.  It is amazing what spiritual discernment you can attain when you stay connected to your Father.  I have just completed Proverbs study via She Reads Truth but had gotten behind and had to play catch up.  A few days ago we started Galatians.  I love that Paul attempts to bring the churches back to reality.  How easy it is to change your mindset and think that certain things around you are hunky dory for lack of a better word.   Or here is a even better one..... to think that if you just ignore a problem it will go away.  God has really been pressing on my heart a family matter.  Something I know I need to deal with but I continually try to sweep it under the rug.   But I am learning that my "Ignorance is not bliss."    I HEAR YOU GOD!  

Galatians 1: 6-7 "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel- which is really no gospel at all.  Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ."

People who I have always looked up to spiritually are not handling matters as God commands us.   It is not for me to judge them.  It is disappointing but we all fall short of God's glory.   I pray that God will give them a restorative heart, a forgiving heart, a loving heart.  I know they are good people.   They just need to tune in and hear the voice of God.

I have really enjoyed the She Reads Truth bible studies.   The wisdom that these ladies have and share blow me away at times.  I am so thankful that they can give me a fresh take on his Word.  I love that God is using them to draw me even closer to him.

As an aside I just got back a couple days ago from Hatteras Island in North Carolina.  So much of the destruction that I witnessed last year has vanished.  I cherished the time with my parents, aunts, and uncles and leave you with a couple of pictures.

These "snapping turtles" were in the little pond in front of our house.    There were several of them and they swam towards the walkway when they heard people on them.  The seemed to look up at you which was kind of neat.

 Emma and I were just walking and decided to walk to the beach.   She didn't even have a bathing suit on but I let her jump in the water nonetheless.   She had a blast.

 We drove to Nags Head to shop at Tanger Outlets while the men fished at Jennette's Pier.  We met them at the pier as we finished up shopping.  The pier has really changed over the years.   It was beautiful!

 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was beautiful on Wednesday.  The cloudiness of the day made a beautiful backdrop for photographing the lighthouse.

 Emma and I after climbing to the top of the lighthouse.  It was more rigorous than I anticipated.  And yes I have made an appointment with Clairol.  :(

 Love the dynamics of this picture of the interior of the lighthouse.

 My favorite thing to do while in Hatteras is fish.  Although I love surf fishing, particularly at The Point fishing on the bridge near Oregon Inlet has always been more successful for me.  Such a relaxing time. There were several dolphin swimming in the area.   The magnitude of God's creativity never ceases to amaze me.

"You alone are the Lord.  You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them.  You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.  "  Nehemiah 9:6 (NIV)

Nook Advent Blog Day 4 Winner!

KellyG Congratulations you are the winner of the Advent Blog post from Day 4. Please message me your address so I get your prize out to you pronto!

Card Sharks Week 3 Challenge 3

So I completed my card before the deadline and took a picture of it before I ran off to work so I could upload it there. Do you think that the camera made it out the door with me? Of course not! Anyhow I am going to post it anyhow! I am in last place so far anyhow. :( I think my total points are off so hopefully they will correct that. But minimally it is only off by 1 point. However since I am late with this card that will probably seal my fate. Nonetheless I have enjoyed completed the cards.

This challenge was for the Hearts card game and was to make a Love/Valentines card. This is the card I made using an old Life Preservers kit and some Shimmerz Mist.

Not my usual style and I have never been big fan of Heartsy stuff but I do love the misted heart. I hope you like it. Thanks for stopping by.

Advent Calendar Day 4

My Scrapbook Nook is hosting an Advent Calendar this month. 24 of its members are posting a giveaway on their blog each day leading up to Christmas Day. Here is a list of the days:

1	Hilde	http://www.scoobieslilleblog.blogspot.com/
2	Antenucci	http://antenucci.blogspot.com/
3	Danielle	http://picsandcheesecake.blogspot.com/
4	Lisa J	http://cutcreateandcare.blogspot.com/
5	Pam	http://happytobecreating.blogspot.com/
6	Meg Aaron	http://thoughtsoftraveling.blogspot.com/
7	Mag	http://magandscrap.blogspot.com/
8	Monique	http://moniquesscrapbook.blogspot.com/
9	Sherri	http://faithandscraphappiness.blogspot.com/
10	Kate Vickers	http://www.scrapsation.com/
11	Lilith Eeckels	http://lilithandscrap.blogspot.com/
12	~jan	http://jantatomir.blogspot.com/
13	Carol	http://carolmonson.blogspot.com/
14	Arty Carty	http://blog.artycarty.com/
15	Tanya	http://little-scrapper.blogspot.com/
16	Annelie Maddoc	http://swewi.wordpress.com/
17	Nenne	http://www.creativenenne.blogspot.com/
18	Nicole	http://justnicks.blogspot.com/
19	Andrea Amu	http://imlivinonscraps.blogspot.com/
20	Marinette	http://www.scraptherapie.com/
21	Pysselpetra	http://mittkreativakaos.blogspot.com/

22 Samantha http://samawright.blogspot.com/
23 Anna Sigga http://annasigga.typepad.com/scrappalicious/
24 Jennie http://pappersverk.blogspot.com/
25 Leah http://www.leahkillian.com/

So today is my day to host the Advent Calendar. There is so much going on with My Scrapbook Nook right now. The December kits are being delivered to homes as we speak. It is as delicious as the paper line in it suggests "Peppermint". The Design Team posts several challenges each month. As a matter of fact there is a Card Shark challenge going on now. In addition to that there was a November card kit that is inspiring many of us to get our Christmas cards completed. To say those cards are gorgeous is an understatement.

Well my gift for you today is the following:

Items you can use to make a Christmas gift and/or a banner or whatever your heart desires. To win this please leave a comment on this blog and someone's name will be drawn randomly.

Also do not forget to get your name in the drawing for Christmas Day. To do that please visit Leah Killian's blog. What a grand prize. Even if you don't win that prize they have an amazing deal on new subscriptions.

My creativity has been focused the past couple of weeks on decorating the house. This is the earliest I have had ALL my Christmas decorations up. Here are a few photos:

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog!

Card Shark Challenge Week 2

I have really enjoyed participating in My Scrapbook Nook Card Shark challenges. This is week 2 which presents with 3 new challenges. The first one represents the game BRIDGE. For this card we had to make a card with a nature theme and incorporate wood or nails. The idea being to use things one would use to build a bridge. Here is what I have come up with this challenge.

I used the wood colored alphas, a big floral embellie, and recycled a Prima packaging.

Items Used:

Jillibean Patterned Paper

Sassafras Diecut flowers

Prima floral centers

Heidi Swapp tape

Cosmo Cricket alphas

American Crafts pen

The second challenge was representing the game "Kings in the corner". We had to make a card fit for royalty. I tried to think outside of the box for this one. I figured since my DH thinks he is king of his castle that I would make a card for him.

Items Used:

Sassafras Alphas

Studio Calico patterned paper, rub-on, and die cut

K & Company frames

Making Memories metal embellishment

Bazzill cardstock

And the final challenge of this week was for the game BINGO. Although it isn't a card game per say one has to use cards to play bingo. For this challenge we had to have a grid on our card.

I loved the grid pattern of this background paper. Most of this stuff was from the December 2010 Nook kit. I cut the chipboard embellishment apart for the words Merry and Christmas as I did not like the big chipboard piece by itself.

Items used:

My Minds Eye paper, chipboard

Tim Holtz Distress Inks

EK Success border punch

I love how this is pushing me and helping me get some Christmas Cards too. Thanks for the inspiration and challenge.

Card Shark Challenge

I am participating in the Card Shark Challenges over on the Scrapbook Nook site. The first (aka ZERO) challenge was to implement a stamp, hidden sentiment, black, and ribbon. Here is my take on that challenge using my Edward Stamp.

I used some of my Copics. I have not taken any classes but I think I did fairly well.

Supplies:

Copics

Maya Road envelopes

Greeting Farm Stamp

Making Memories paper and alphas

Pink Paislee brads

Prima flowers

Bazzill

Challenge 1 was using Phase 10 card game as a sample Your first phase was to use one paper background, block of paper or card stock, one strip of paper or trim, and one decorative edge then take a picture. For phase two you embellish that card base. Here is Phase One:

And here is Phase 2:

I believe this was the December 2010 Nook kit and I just added some Red card stock and Cat's Eye ink.

Challenge Two was Solitaire challenge to create a card to cheer up someone lonely!

I love how this card turned out. I decided to keep the kettle its natural wood tone. This is a Nook kit from Summer 2010. I think it was June but please don't hold me to that.

Supplies:

Websters and LilyBee patterned paper

Kaiser Craft wood embellishment

Websters alphabet and doily

EK Success border punch

And the last challenge (Challenge 3) for this week is the Uno Challenge. For this challenge your card has to have the number 1 displayed on it. As you can see my ribbon has ones all over it.

This is also the December 2010 Nook kit.

I have really enjoyed these challenges thus far. I was worried that while I was on vacation that I would not have ample supplies to do this but I have. These cards are also helping me get my Christmas cards done. I have done 45 thus far but have about that many more to do. Thanks for letting me participate in the Card Shark challenge. I hope you enjoyed the cards.

Lemonade & Layouts Crop

Please join us at Absolutely Alter It July 8-10th for a weekend of Lemonade and Layouts! Be refreshed by some challenges, make-n-takes, and games! Hope to see you there!

Such a time as this......

This has been a hard day. My grandmother went home to be with the Lord this morning. It appears that she passed in her sleep. I am so thankful to God that this is the case. It seems cliche to say this but I have never met another woman like my grandmother. She made EVERYONE feel special. She had several children and not once did she make one feel more important than the other. I remember as a child her and my grandfather. She was the submissive wife. One I strive to be. She would always have one of the grandchildren take grandfather his plate after she made it. More times than not it included a tomato biscuit. She taught me what a true mother and grandmother is. She is the most unselfish person I know. She was a hard worker. Up to her final days she would do all she could to help others. She could not sit while someone else made dinner. She insisted and would not take no for an answer. And don't even think you could visit her house and not eat. She could whip up a delicious, massive meal so fast. I think she had a magic wand. And her faith. It was her foundation. She didn't tell others what they should do. She led by example. I have always been raised and taught biblically that no human is perfect. Only Jesus is perfect. But my grandmother is as close to perfect as any human can be.

I sit here now missing her, wishing I had visited her more. Easy for me to say that now. Don't take your loved ones for granted. It is hard to make everyone happy but do your best. Give your all. Treat others as you want to be treated. I wish I could give her one more hug. One more kiss. Every time I saw her recently she was so fragile and confused I just wanted to lie next to her and just hold her. I wanted to be in her mind. Be where she thought she was. All I can think of now is that she is with papa. I just see her face light up when she sees Gods face then papas. And her childrens. I know she is happy! She has earned her wings. She always had wings but God made them visible to her now.

I hope our family can come together. Be united like I remember as a young child. I love EVERY one of my aunts and uncles. Do I always agree with what they say or do? NO! But they are family and I love them. I want us to be cohesive as granny would want us to be. Please pray for us.

Goodness Everywhere

I can't believe it has been months since I have posted on here! So much has been going on in my life since May 28th. I will spare you all the details but do want to thank those that know what has been going on for your prayers.

Now on Life Preservers we are having a crop to Harvest Your Memories that goes on through tomorrow and you have until Wednesday for most of the challenges. Please join us over there. The Early Bird sketch was provided by one of Life Preservers own members Chris (1CC). Here is her sketch and my rendition of it.

Also Pencil Lines is starting their birthday celebration of 4 years. Lots of fun starting right here.

July GDT Challenge for Sketchy Thursdays

I love sketches as most of you already know. Sketchy Thursdays are one of my favorite sketch sites. Here is a page I have completed for the July Guest Design Team Challenge. I used Life Preservers April mini kit. Thanks for looking!

Life Preservers Blog Hop

Life Preservers held its first annual blog hop May 1st on National Scrapbook Day. Unfortunately at that time I was unable to post my challenge on this blog as some Nigerian figured he needed access to my google account more than myself. If you want to see my challenge go to the LP blog. The sad thing is law enforcement says there is nothing they can do! But on to a better note the winner of my challenge for the Life Preservers blog hop is none other than Gabrielle herself! Congratulations Gabrielle and thank you participants. Your creations were stunning.

Cookin Up Creations

If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend head over to Cookin Up Creations where they are having a Card Crop this weekend. What a wonderful opportunity to build your stash of cards. I plan to tear in to some of my Life Preserver card kits. Hope to see you there.

Lots of good news to share!

I was really blessed a couple of weeks ago to be posted on the My Little Sketch Blook blog. Here is the page that I did based on that weeks sketch. I used March Life Preservers main kit and Stamps.

I used a Studio Calico kit for the below page and this was also a My Little Sketch Blook sketch.

I have wonderful news! Life Preservers now has a store. So it is easier to get those past kits and other yummy goodies. Check it out here. Also Von posted yesterday the sneaks of the June kits. I am so excited. There is everything from Scribble Scrabble to Graphic 45 to Kaisercraft. You can see ALL of the sneaks here. So much more than I can list here.

My Little Sketch Blook Toot

I have been chosen to design a couple times this year with My Little Sketch Blook sketches.   I am so excited as I love her sketches.  Here is a page I created using one of Liz's sketches.  

This uses Pink Paislee products and American Crafts Thickers.  The flower shape was from an Accucut machine at the Memories Galore.  The photo is of a dear friend who graduated from nursing school last May.  

American Crafts Green Challenge

So sorry for the hiatus.  I have been without my laptop since March 10th.  My DD dropped my laptop and did a number on it so the Geek Squad has been repairing it.  I got it back last night and am playing catch up now.   A dear friend Jessica let me know about the American Crafts Green challenge this past weekend at the Scrap Clinic.  You had to use a minimum of 2 green American crafts products.   I love the Junior collection and instantly knew it would be a perfect fit for the photos I have of DD in her cheerleading uniform.  I also used some of the Thickers for my title.  You know I love a Thicker.... sigh!!!!!!   

Scrap Clinic was held at Memories Galore this past weekend.  Sharon hosted the crop.  Jessica, Angela, Von, and I attended and boy did we have a blast.  Sharon did a fabulous job setting up the crop.   She was very generous with prizes.  Von brought our March kits.  What more could a girl want?   Seriously.  So right away I worked on my Design Team projects followed by my Valentine ATC's for the swap.  Here are my creations:

I used the Main Kit.  I have to be honest.  I was a little apprehensive about using these papers.  But once I opened the kit and started cutting I could not stop.  They are very user friendly.  And the way they are designed honestly help get the creative juices flowing.  And I love, love, love the Riff Raff chipboard title.  I adored the natural tone with the paper so I kept it just as it was.  I used some American Crafts markers to color in the bow and flower on the paper and a Martha Stewart loopy punch.  The sepia tone was perfect for this paper collection.  

I am hosting the Scrapbooking Your Journey on Life Preservers and this is the page I created for the first lesson.  We had to choose a word that resonates within us.  That we thought people would see when they see us.  I chose the word "faith".  I also used the March 2010 Life Preservers stamp as well.  I hand cut the diecut under the title.  I added a Prima that Angela was kind enough to give me.  
I loved Jessica's Martha Stewart loopy punch.  I am on the look out for one of my own now.   I used that punch on the card below as well as my Stampin Up circle scalloped punch.  
The only additions to this card are the Making Memories glitter frame that I actually won at the Scrapclinic crop and some Stickles in the largest flower.  For my greeting I cut the saying out of the bottom of the paper.  The butterfly is from the March Life Preservers stamp.  I also added some BG bling to the butterfly.  
And my Valentine ATC Swap.  I used a CM corner rounder, March 2010 stamp set, Stickles, Diamond Glaze, Stampin Up stamp, and February 2010 Main Kit.  

Here is the ScrapClinic Life Preserver girls.  It is a horrible photo of me but what do you do?  There was one of my snorting from laughing so hard.  I deleted that bad boy with the quickness.  From back row left to right is Sharon, Angela, Jessica, me, and Von.  

Here is Sharon hard at work.  She is such a beautiful person.   
Jessica here cutting her favorite patterned paper.  
And Jessica offering Von some advice on future kits.   BWAHWAHWAH!!
And Miss Angela photographing me photographing her.  
Sorry this post was picture heavy but I had lots to catch up on.   I still have to post more pics but that will come later on.   

Dirty FITgirl's Blog Hop & Winter ATC's

ScrapFIT, Dirty Scraps, and Sassy Lil' Sketches have teamed up this weekend for a blog hop. Each site presented a challenge to do on a page. Here is what I made using the February Life Preservers Alternate kit and stamp.

Also just finished swapping out the Winter ATC swap that I hostessed over at Life Preservers. Here are the ATC cards that I made.

I used some older American Crafts paper and foam embellies. My Stampin Up scalloped circle punch and Winter Wonderland cricut cartridge. Thanks for looking!

Life Preservers February Crop Creations

I hadn't shared my creations from the Life Preservers crop yet so here they are:

This is probably my most favorite page I have done in awhile. SEI patterned paper, Basic Gray overlay and alphas, 7 gypsies, Glimmer mist, Prima flower, Making Memories metal clip, Rosa Moka alphas. This was for the Let the Latte Inspire You challenge.

This page is from a summer Life Preservers kit and it was for the Early Bird Sketch Challenge that Sandra posted. Some photos of me and Emma at Camp Oak Hill.
This page was for Jodi's 1 hour sketch challenge on day 1 of the crop. I believe this was a January 2009 LP kit.

One of the make n takes that I posted was to make a hot cocoa holder. Here is the sample I made. Winter Wonderland cricut cartridge, Basic Gray, Rusty Pickle, and Prima.
I will be honest with you in that I do not care for this page at all. But the message on it is more powerful than the art. This was for the "Love is...." challenge. This was a LP mini album kit.
This was for Laura Lee's An Eye for Love challenge. I have had this chest radiograph for awhile and have been wanting to use it and it finally happened. You had to use your eye color (mine is blue) with a Valentine color. A perfect opportunity for me to scrap a work related page. I wanted it simple so it would not take away from the x-ray. The first picture is held up to the light so you can appreciate the background.

For Jodi's second 1 hour sketch challenge I killed the rest of this LP mini kit. Also added some woven MM alphas that I have had for a long, long time.
This was a challenge from Sharon Those Old Winter Blues where you had to do a monochromatic page. It is so monochromatic I can't even see the title. I love these pictures of Emma at the beach a couple of years ago.

Well thanks for perusing my creations! The crop was a blast as always. I have a couple more things to share soon! Toodles!