Use Your Words - Tough

Hi!

I hope you're having a great holiday weekend, so far!  I'm excited to have a day off, and be able to sleep in for three days straight.  Sometimes it's the little things, right? lol  We don't have much planned for this weekend.  I was hoping to take a road trip, but I couldn't make my budget work.  I'm blessed to have a wonderful daughter, who doesn't complain or get upset when things don't work out as planned.  She really is an amazing person.  So, we're going to cook lots of good food, and watch tons of movies together.  That's pretty cool, in my opinion.  I'm thankful that at almost 17, she still enjoys doing things with me.  Gosh, I love my girl!

Anyway,  it's the start of a new month (can you believe it's September already?!) and we have a new challenge posted over at the Use Your Words blog.  For all of the details, click HERE.

The challenge word this time, is TOUGH.  I knew I wanted to include a picture of my daughter.  I wanted to document how far we've come over the last year, and how tough she is to overcome everything she's endured over the last few years.  But, she's very private and doesn't speak to anyone but my mother and I about things she's struggling with, which makes it difficult to journal sometimes.  I didn't want to expose her in any way.  I decided that I would just include my feelings on the journey we've been on, and how she's maintained her composure, and strength, no matter what has happened.  I really like how this turned out, but I did have a bit of a time trying to get a good picture.  I love this photo of her, doing what she loves...swimming.  I took this picture of her while we were in Denver.  In my opinion, you can see the calm strength in her eyes.  I am thankful my new Studio Calico kit arrived shortly before I created this.  It had lots of great elements in it.  I used THIS sketch, although the challenge is now closed.  I tried not to overdo anything, as I wanted to focus on the photo and the meaning behind the layout.  She loved it, so I'm good. :-)   

I was able to combine the following challenges in my layout today.

Crafts Too Challenge You #2 - Sumer Days (Twist: Beach Colors)
Inspire Me Fridays #118 - Anything Goes
Happy Campers Challenge #21 - Use A Stamp
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Little Red Wagon # 200 - Pretty Polka Dots

I do hope you'll head over to see what my friends have created over at the Use Your Words blog.  As always, they're absolutely gorgeous!

Have a safe and happy rest of your holiday weekend!
Hugs!   

Use Your Words - Moment

Hi everyone!

How's your week been?  Mine has been pretty good, considering I was on vacation for three days.  Luckily, I was able to work ahead, which made it nice and easy for me when I returned and there was nothing major going on. 

I'm excited to bring you the next prompt for Use Your Words.  Our word for this challenge is: Moment.  For all of the details, click HERE.

For my layout, I broke out some old photos of my mother and I at the beach, from when I was about 4 years old.  We lived in South Texas, and the beach was about 20 minutes from our house.  I loved going there with my parents.  How I wish I were young, and carefree again.  Thank goodness I received my Studio Calico scrapbook kit, as these papers worked perfectly.  I tried to portray the sun with the yellow scalloped circle border and the waves with the blue chevron paper.  It looks a bit plain, but I dig it.

I just found out that I had been chosen as a Favorite Peep, over at The Hybrid Chick, for THIS card.  So excited!

I do hope you'll head over to the Use Your Words blog to see the other amazing layouts posted.  They're gorgeous!

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs!

Use Your Words - Story

Hello!

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a good weekend, and are having a decent start to your week.  I'm excited to bring you my first post as a new DT member for Use Your Words.  Seeing as how I have TONS of photos and hoarded supplies, this is going to be a great push for me to use them.  In case you haven't heard of them, here is a bit of information about them.

Our challenges will be posted on the 1st and  15th of each month.  You will have until the 29th of the month to complete the challenge.  On the 1st and 15th you will be given  a challenge inspiration word. This word can be used as your title or in your journaling.  We MUST see the word somewhere on your project.

Our challenge this week is the word Story.  For all of the details, click HERE.  Here is my interpretation...

As you can see, there are no photos on my layout.  I wanted to do something that was close to my heart and had been an idea in the back of my mind for a while.  This is a VERY personal situation for me.  I was baptized as a baby in a Catholic church, but I chose to become a Christian on December 3, 2011.  I'm still considered a "baby Christian" by many friends who have been Christians for a lot longer, but I am just as dedicated to living the same, faithful life as they are.  I wanted to make sure that my daughter was being guided in the right direction as well, and am thankful that He has shown her the way too.   

On this layout, I used some new goodies from the Studio Calico Roundabout kit.  It's travel based, but I really thought the papers would go well with my theme.  I also combined them with one of my favorite Verve stamps (Philippians 4:13 plain jane), and some items I got in my Simon Says Stamp June card kit.  The stamp in the bottom right was a perfect fit for this.  A bit of Mister Hueys mist, some washi tape, and some stitching and I was done. 

To be honest, I was a LOT nervous about this first layout, as it's the first I've created in over two years.  I wasn't sure I was going to be able to make anything that was even close to the amazing projects that my fellow DT friends have created for you today.  I decided to keep it simple, and do what made me happy, and am satisfied with how it turned out. 

I do hope you'll head over to see the gorgeous projects posted on the Use Your Words challenge blog.  They're gorgeous!

Back soon with another crafty post!
Hugs!

FYI Challenge #17

Hiya!

I can't believe we're already into November.  I'm still in shock at how fast the year has gone by.  It's the start of a new month of challenges at FYI, which means we have a new sponsor.  This month's sponsor is the fabulous, Paper Pretties.  Here is a bit about them.

Paper Pretties – Where YOUR Creativity Comes To Life! 

Paper Pretties is an online stamp boutique, and home to Zac, Lily, Sophia and Cooper – the cutest kid stamps around! (At least we think so).   We have many exclusive stamp lines, from elegant to whimsical, sweet to clever; there is something for every stamper in our Prettie Boutique! In addition to our high quality clear stamps we also have a wide variety of digital images.  In case you haven't heard yet, Paper Pretties has a NEW owner, Heather Lee-Reppen.  Now located in Madison, WI, we are pleased to offer you amazing customer service and faster/cheaper shipping.  All orders are shipped within 24 hours.  You should check them out.  They're offering 5 free digi's to one lucky participant.  They were also very generous in letting my Lovely Lotuses work with some of their images.  Super sweet Heather is. :) 

And here is this weeks inspiration photo.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

I'm not sure what it is about this photo that is so striking to me, but I love it!  The contrast between light and dark are phenomenal, and the reflection and the architecture are stunning.  I would totally live in a house like this. lol  Below is the layout I created, based on the photo.  And yes, I said layout.

Yep, it's been a while since I've created anything other than a card.  I'm slowly, and I mean S L O W L Y, still working on updating all of my sisters wedding layouts.  This is the next one in the book.  I think the colors are neutral enough that the photo stands out, like I wanted it to.  I love this revised layout, and I'm sure she will as well.  I've also combined the following challenges into my layout:

Speedy The Cat's Friends Challenge #79 - Use Scraps (everything but the black polka dot paper was a scrap of some sort)

Corrosive Challenge #136 - Flourishes

Sweet & Sassy #132 - Sketch (blast from the past, originally sketch #77)

I do hope you'll head over to see what my Lovely Lotuses have created for you today.  They're fantastic, as usual! 

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs!

US#97 - Mikey

Good day to all!

Are you having a good weekend, so far?  I'm packing this weekend, so I'm hoping to get a lot accomplished with that.  I have another Unscripted Sketches project for you today though.  This weeks sketch is another great one, and I had fun putting this layout together.  For this weeks sketch challenge, click HERE.

Even though I don't see this lil guy anymore, I had one final picture of him to put on a layout.  I will probably give it to Stephen so that he can put it in the book with the rest of the layouts I gave him when we parted ways.  I love Mikey's goofy smile in this photo, and how you can tell he's got a cute, cheesy personality. lol  On the right hand side, I wanted to use patterned paper, but couldn't find one that I really liked (in all my stash, I know, impossible to imagine), so I used a strip of transparency that I've had for ages.  I like the subtle pattern, and how it breaks up the page.  Since it's neutral with black and gray, it went well with the striped strip of patterned paper I added.  A border punched strip, some faux stitching, and the title were added and I was done.  I like how this turned out. 

I hope you'll head over to the US blog to see what fabulous projects were created for ya today.  Always so inspiring!

Also, don't forget, you still have until Wednesday to join in on the first FYI challenge.  It's a fabulous inspiration photo. :) 

Big hugs!

US #95 - I {heart} You!

Hi everyone!

I hope your weekend finds you in good health and spirits.  This is going to be a quick post because I'm headed out to see a friend who's in town.

For this weeks Unscripted Sketches challenge, click HERE.

This is my loose interpretation of this weeks sketch.  I love the purple/green color combo and how it all came together quite nicely.  And, I love the Pink Paislee die cut paper!  This is another of my favorite photos of Sydney from her photo shoot back in November.  The idea to get her in reflection was genius, if you ask me.  And, I love that they caught the word flirt behind her on the door.  I have a feeling she's definitely headed that direction.  My charming little girl.  *sigh*  They grow so fast.

I hope you'll head over to the US blog to see what everyone has created for you today.  As always, they're all pretty fantastic.

Hugs!!

US #94 - Sydney

Greetings ya'll!

How is your weekend going, so far?  What are your plans for today?  Hopefully, you're doing something fun and exciting, unlike me. lol  I'm back to trying to clean up the garage a bit.  I hate to clean. :(

Anyway, Saturday brings us to another Unscripted Sketches project.  There is a piggyback challenge for this week.  The piggyback is to use fabric.  For this weeks sketch challenge, click HERE.

Again, you can see this was created back when we had snow. lol  Hey, I'm happy I got the chance to sit home for a couple days during the work week and do nothing but craft away. :)  I was very productive. lol  I don't have any fabric, so I used felt for the butterfly.  I may have to think about purchasing some fabric pieces, just to keep on hand.  This layout was created in a 6X6 size for Sydney.  She said she wanted something for her to put in her room.  I asked her to choose a few of her favorite photos, and then put everything together for her using this weeks sketch.  I'm glad she loved it.  She's very much a girly girl.  I'm glad, as I'm not really like that. lol 

I hope you'll head over to see what my friends have created for you today.  There are some great, outside of the box, ideas posted.  Can't wait for you to see them!

Have a good day!
Hugs!

US #90 - So Grown Up

Hi ya'll!

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend, so far!  It's a nice, quiet day here and I'm hoping to get caught up on quite a bit of stuff.  I hope you get to do lots of whatever it is you're wanting to do today too!

I have another Unscripted Sketches project for you.  For this weeks sketch, click HERE.

I just love this picture of Sydney and wanted to use it as quickly as I could!  I think Taj did such an amazing job at capturing her personality, and her demeanor.  She's so calm, and strong, and knows who she is already, at 14.  I'm so happy to be her mother, and I love that she's mine.  These papers were girly, but not too girly.  Make sense? lol  I loved the simplicity of the sketch so that my photo would be the focal point.  I think I'll use this sketch and create a framed layout for her dad for Father's Day. 

I hope you'll head over to the US blog to see what everyone has created for you today.  They're all pretty amazing, but then, they usually are. :)

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs!

US #85 - My Angel

Hi everyone!

How is your weekend so far?  Good I hope!  I'm so excited to share another Unscripted Sketches project with you today.  I recently had some photos of my daughter taken, and couldn't wait to play with them.  For this weeks sketch challenge, click HERE.

I'm a less is more kind of gal when it comes to my scrapbooking.  I want my photos to be the main focus of the page, and this beautiful Bo Bunny paper allowed me to do just that.  This is one of my favorite photos of Sydney.  You can't really tell, but everything is black and white except for her blue eyes, blue earrings, and the blue streaks in her hair.  I really like how this turned out and can't wait to use more of the photos I had taken of her.

Please head over to the US blog to see what my friends have created for you.  They're all gorgeous, as usual!

Have a great weekend!
Hugs!
Steph