Operation Write Home bloghop

You've finished the OWH blog hop!!! 

link up! for now, go back and visit Operation Write Home as your last blog stop!

http://www.owhhomefrontblog.org/

Welcome to my blog! Read to the bottom for a sketch and a chance to win a package of Thickers!

I can tell you that I participated in Cards for Heroes last year and won a totally amazing photography workshop with Karen Russell. I'm in that now - and wow! - so much to learn! 

But it really wasn't about the prize for me. I'm not a card-maker by nature. However, a project like OWH just inspired me to create for someone else. I'm looking to top my number from last year - 22 - and to get them all sent out in a timely matter this time!

Blessings to you, fellow card makers and supportive scrapbookers. I'm glad to see you hopping, hope to see you creating for OWH, too!

I found these awesome tips on the OWH website homepage:

• *No glitter.

  Sparkly messes can make heroes visible at night - so please don't use glitter that flakes off the cards.

• *Themes.

  General are best for flexibility! Thinking of you, birthday, love, miss you, holidays are also loved.

• *Size.

  The best size that allows the most cards into a box is 4.25" x 5.5", fitting into standard A2 envelopes.

• *Handmade.

  Handmade cards are loved by our heroes over storebought, so we only send crafted cards.
• *AnyHero cards.
  Write a short note in one of the cards you send in and encourage a hero far from home!

I'd also like to offer an extra special thank you to all of our American families that have sacrificed for our freedom. I was in Army 'brat' myself, I lived the life for 12 years and I wouldn't have changed a thing. Blessings to my own Dad and thoughts to all of his fellow soldiers lost in fighting. 

This is a scan of something my Dad keeps framed in his house. This is a moment years ago - 1991 -  of my Dad rubbing of his best man's name at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial (Rafael A. Chavez, 1947-1970). If you look in the middle of the photo, you'll see the reflection of American Flag flying high - what an amazing capture. The photo itself is stunning.

Leave me a comment, just to let me know you were here and so I can go out and visit you. It's all about community support, after all.

Yours in Faith,

Here is a quick card sketch to get you rolling. To win a brand new package of Thickers, 
1. Follow me!
2. Comment and I'll randomly choose a winner. 
3. If you post a link to a card using my sketch by midnight your time on Monday (eta: extended! I'll draw sometime next weekend, so get your sketch interpretations in by Friday, June 4th, midnight your time) I'll enter you twice! Happy Scrapping!

Still setting up house...

...and while I am, enjoy a quick post over on the ScrapStreet blog!
http://scrapstreet.blogspot.com/2010/05/symmetry-me.html


Blessings, 
Lindsey

ScrapStreet NSD blog hop challenge - calling all bookworms!

Next blog stop!! Next, please go visit my dear talented friend Bri: http://www.briannenevill.com/

Hey hoppers!! Enjoying yourselves? Well I did, while working with my last Top Shelf kit - I was a little afraid of it at first, robots and all, but I had a blast making some cute little bookmarks.

Now, assuming you're not e-booking these days, don't you need a bookmark, too? Your mission is to create two new bookmarks - one for you and one to give away to a friend - and then move on to the next blog!

Don't forget to link back your bookmarks here in my comments section. If you do, I also have 2 bookmarks to give to friends! My kids chose theirs and I'd love for you to take one home, too. Just leave a comment or a bookmark link!

eta: Just read that the ScrapStreet forum will be filled with challenges and prizes! Seems to be the place to be!! I'll be there in between the busy day's activities!

Happy National Scrapbooking Day - shouldn't every day be NSD?!

                    *waves!*
                       xoxo
           <3 Linds

the business!!
ScrapStreet Blog:
http://scrapstreet.blogspot.com/
ScrapStreet Challenge Forum:
http://scrapstreet.com/MessageBoard/index.php?board=169.0
ScrapStreet Gallery:
http://scrapstreet.com/gallery/index.php
Next blog stop!! Go to my friend Bri:
http://www.briannenevill.com/

Top Shelf Memories

Wait - you mean I forgot to tell you?

New design team! New kit club!

Yes! I'm designing and sketching on the premier team for Top Shelf Memories!

Find your Top Shelf Memories
on Facebook
on the web

And my first layouts are in!

this one is my sketch:

"a is for apple"

"blue-eyed beauty"

"the simple life"

"wild things"

"gift box"

...and life goes on.

Nothing new to report, here. Daily chores and activities are piling up on moving in, but we're managing renovations and baseball, soccer and work, work, work as well as we can!

I've got lots to post: Nikki Sivils sneak peaks. House renovations. Karen Russell's Photographer's Workshop practice shots. Upcoming ScrapStreet free digi kit sneak peaks. Even a pic with the Easter Bunny. :)

Delighted to be on the returning staff of ScrapStreet, of course. BLOG (They'd have to fish hook me and drag me off of that stage.) Looking forward to the changes in my writing duties. And don't forget to drool welcome the rest of the staff, returning and new alike! Are you catching ScrapStreet on Twitter?

Stay tuned!

time for a lift

Just looked at my own blog and my oh my, must I apologize!! I'm in need terrible of a lift! My blog as much as myself. Will be working on a new header, background and design in the next few weeks - hang tight.

some friends of mine...

Street gals are in a card contest. Would love your help as they need votes! You vote by typing something like you have to actually type--this is my first vote, my second vote, third vote in the comments section. Would appreciate your vote, but why wouldn't you vote for this cutie anyway? http://www.thegreetingfarm.com/galleria/showphoto.php?photo=13084



Thanks for your help!

of house and home

Yes, I'm still super busy making our new house our home. At the same time, daily activities and chores have caught up with us. So lately, I've been trying to balance the old with the new. Successful, just busy!

Meanwhile, on the scrap table, I have two adorable lines just waiting for my new house. That's My Little Shoebox on the left and Nikki Sivils on the right, and then there is a little Jillibean Soup mixed in with some adorable farmhouses. We've moved near many horse farms, so I can wait to get good pics for Chicken Noodle!

But alas, work comes first. It's work I love - more Nikki and my first kit from Top Shelf Memories which is all about Basic Grey and Crate!! Off to "work" I go!

Studio Step 1

There may be quite a few steps to the studio building, lol, but bear with me. Got my staple supplies up in the room. Even scrapped a page, almost done and another, started. (Can you scram Nikki Sivils?!) Next step is to fix the lighting. Just not a scrappable area at night, my best work time.

On another note, I'll start posting about some house renovations we've been getting done. Aaaah, right now? The sound of wallpaper being ripped off of walls. It's like jingling bells in the spring.

Design Team Call!

First ever design team call for ScrapStreet.com! Don't worry, the STAR contest is still scheduled, but to be magazine crew, you have to apply as follows -- good luck!!

We are looking for a couple of new team members who LOVE to create and to write. We are looking for people who are active in scrapbooking--blogging, gallery uploads, trying new things. People who tackle scrapping with enthusiasm!



Details: ScrapStreet.com Magazine Team Call
Date: April 10, 2010
Note: ScrapStreet.com Magazine is looking for fun and creative designers who love to scrapbook to add to our team. Traditional, hybrid, digital, layout, card, and altered artists are all encouraged to apply.

The Job:
Our team publishes a monthly ezine with thousands of subscribers and a 5 year history. We love finding and showcasing talented scrappers and beautiful products. If you are selected for our team, you will write a monthly article which will include selecting and requesting the work of designers, combining the work into an interesting article, and meeting your deadline.

You will also receive products at least 6 times a year from a variety of manufacturers and will scrap several items to showcase their lines. It is an excellent opportunity to increase your visibility in the scrapping community while having fun.

To Apply:
Send the following to designteam@scrapstreet.com
contact information
a short statement of why you are interested in joining us.
3 of your favorite creations showcasing your style.
a link to your blog.
a link to your gallery.

link: www.scrapstreet.com

blank slate

Looks so sad. Feels so good.

How's this for finding mojo? Seriously. White has never inspired me like this. I'm sure you all think I'm crazy, but I can't wait to work in my new studio! I've always had a scrap space, just never a clean one. :) And I'm pretty sure it'll never be this clean ever again!

I'm imagining this entire wall as boxes and cubbies and shelves, neatly packed and organized. I can find anything. Everything is within a stretch and a reach. No mess, no fuss.

Well, it's a nice dream, isn't it?!

Alright, since my last box was moved off the counter top here, I'm ready to go find my tools an dive into my new Nikki Sivils. Next time you see me, I'll be happily among scrap clutter!

Happy 4

to my dear little McKenna. I can't believe she is 4! She is my baby, and a bit of a miracle baby at that. She had a really rough [2nd half] pregnancy and first year. But here she is, apparently LM-free, bouncing around on those once-braced hips. We had a school party together Thursday. We had family and close friends over to the new house Saturday night and Sunday she had her gymnastics-Toy Story party. She was so exhausted, she slept in till 8:30 this morning!! (and that after the time change!!)

So here's happy fourth birthday to my bouncy, snuggly little girl. She keeps us on her toes (and probably will through teenage-hood) but her hugs make every tear and tantrum well worth it. :)

Happy Birthday, McKenna Michelle!

we're moving! / Project Raina

quite literally! no play on words this time!

we're in the process of moving into our new house - it's coming along nicely but man, do we have a lot of stuff! So much that I'm having trouble figuring out how we fit all our crap in our old house which was 1/2 the size of this one!! It'll be a long process to move in, but I'm up to it. I can't stand packing and moving out, but moving in is right up my alley! Yep. Anytime that I get to open boxes, organize, put stuff away, organize, throw stuff out, organize some more, and then reorganize? Oh yeah baby.

I don't have any inside/after pics yet, but there is plenty 'befores' on my Facebook. And more to come, for both sides! Looking forward to my brown/light teal living room, the kids' jungle bathroom, and figuring out where we're going to out the brown/light teal bathroom. :) Options are totally open!

So, I'm going MIA for about a week and I'll be back, I'm sure with plenty to post!
xoxo
-------------------------------------------------------------
Hey, while I'm gone, I've got a project, if you're up for it.

A dear friend has a niece who is in Westchester Hospital after a near-fatal sledding accident. She was sledding last week and ran into a tree. She broke ribs which completely collapsed one lung and partially collapsed another, along with a few other complications.

She can't eat or talk yet, but she's doing well, finally off the ventilator and is expected to continue to recover. Anyhow, she loves getting cards, so my friend posted. I thought it would be nice that if you're making cards and would like to send one my way, I can get it to her. Was just thinking of brightening a little girl's day.

If you'd like to contribute, please pm me for my address - remember I have a NEW address!!!! - I'd so appreciate it. I'm about to make one card with a ScrapStreet Showroom kit and another, hybrid, out of an upcoming free digi kit. Thanks, friends!!

for my friend, Bri

A friend I've never met, can you believe? But I can tell you from first-hand experience that she is one of the strongest women I've ever met. I can't remember the first time I encountered Bri, but I remember that I was easily a fan of Bri the woman, wife and mom before I was a fan of my friend Bri, the scrapbooker. I continued on her scrapbooking quest the best I could before I could call her fellow crew at ScrapStreet.
-
Besides being uber-talented (did you see those ADORABLE little dolls in the the March mag?!), she's a devoted military wife, a loving mom who I see continuously working on her mothering skills, and is one of the funniest friends (twins!!) I've ever had.
-
I hate to make this a post about what I meant to do, my intentions, but a few weeks ago she mentioned that her husband was coming home for good after nearly two military years away. She said he'd be home in 40 days. Well, it was my intention to make a paper chain with my kids for Brianne and her son, something to create a little hope in her house for my crazy and beautiful friend. Needless to say, for various reasons, I never got to my paper chain with 40 links and her husband's arrival is just days away.
-
But I wanted her and her family to know that my thoughts and prayers have been, are, and will continue to be with you. I don't know how you do it, Twin, but you are indeed a hero of mine. I hope you look upon that Love Canvas everyday and remember that you're loved by so many and we're all just as happy that your love will soon be home.
-
Love you girl. xoxo

Sorry, we're CLOSED!

But why be sorry? It's our new house!! Yay! Today is finally the day! After a three-year house-selling journey, a five-month "homeless" stint, and a bunch of closing delays (hello, Mother Nature and her three feet of snow?!), we finally have a house again!! We just can't wait to get in this house. It's all the space and security we've ever wanted. We call it our "forever" house - we had a starter house, moved away from the neighborhood, and figure we'll stay in this one until we retire upstate. The sellers are actually good friends of ours and to make the story more interesting, Doug's dad's name was on the original deed when he and the seller first bought it 17 years ago. How cool is that?!

Now, even though I can't physically be there for the handshake, I can't wait to see the actual evidence that we own our dream home! Plans are to let the seller close on his new place later this week, keep moving stuff in every day, be in by this weekend. Then... the restoration begins! Doug's already done the bonus room - eventually an adult room, but for now the kids' place. I can't wait to see how the few things we've bought so far make this house our home. Can't wait to show you the area rug we bought at Home Goods, of all places! in the fireplace room.

Kudos to dh for sending me some pics from the table. :) Sooooo excited, but all of the sudden, I'm a bit overwhelmed by all that's going to need to be done...

Karen Russell was on my doorstep!!

Okay, so Karen's Photography Workshop was! Yippee!! I can't wait to get started. I'm wondering how much better these photographs will look in a few weeks. lol. I hope!!

What type of camera are you ging to be working with?
My Christmas present was a brand-new Nikon D5000. I absolutely love it, but I feel like I have a lot more to learn about it.

What do you typically take pictures of?
Well, my first answer would be my kids (duh). But my real response is more like everyday moments and stories. I take pictures with the intent to keep memories and scrapbook them.

What are you hoping to gain from this workshop?
I'm looking for suggestions for everything from basic to expert.

What is one thing you really want to learn more about?
Well, I really need to learn more about lighting. Effects or not, I need to know how to adjust in an instant to make sure not to miss that moment. There is only so much PhotoShop can do for me, you know. :)

So?! Let's play!!

that's not funny

Well, to start, my month-plus long stint with the kidney stone is finally {almost} over. I had surgery last Wednesday and all went well, according to plan. I still don't know the exact term for what they did but basically, in Lindsey terms, they put me out, went internally and "blasted" the stone with a laser, I think. I wasn't passing it and ultrasound wasn't an option for young women, according to my doc. (Young women = :-D )

Soooo, I succumbed to surgery on what would have been one of the busiest day of the year, as we were in the middle of a week-long snow storm, had vet appointments, teacher's conferences and so much more in regular busy life. I'll have to show ya those pictures later. Pictures not taken by me, incidentally, as I haven't been able to enjoy one inch of these three feet of snow we got!! And if ya know me, you know how much I love snow.

So what I didn't know, post-op, is what a stent really is. I linked ya up with Wikipedia to spare you details. Kinda turns my stomach and I'm living with it! Anyhow, this stupid thing (and I've been waiting days and days and days to use the word stupid - all I can think about from stone to surgery to stent) is keeping me from sitting upright at all. Been laying around since Wednesday with no where to go. Pain and discomfort are decreasing, but I haven't gained the full ability to sit yet. And for some reason, I still get very tired after being on my feet for more than 15 minutes.

Alas, relief is on the way. All Ihave to do is hold out till Thursday when the thing is removed in office and I can't wait. Meanwhile, we had Chinese last night and look what word I learned to say in Chinese! Really, that wasn't nice. >:-(

Kaiser sneak peak!

It's a little busy around here. Besides working for 2 pregnant women and half the gymnastics team in Florida, last weekend we had 1 birthday party and another this weekend. Did ya know I've been working on kidney stones the last 3 weeks as well? If I don't see them by tomorrow, it's surgery on Wednesday. That's after a meeting with Matthew's teacher and after I take Mia to the vet in the morning, of course. (Won't it take my mind off of not eating that day? Surgery is a 2!!) That all happens just in time for the closing on our new house Thursday! This coming weekend, we're moving into the new house and have 2 more birthday parties at the same time. At least I will be home as I send my littlest ones upstate to their State competition with three other coaches. My husband is taking 4 weeks off, too - will be nice to set up house together!



Wow. Probably more information than you wanted to know, so I'll post some prettys to leave you with. :) Sneak peak of April ScrapStreet's Showroom!

No, I did not forget

I did not forget that I have a blog. Sometimes I just feel that things I have to post are inferior; like, who would want to read that? Especially compared to other things and people out there.

So I'm turning my blog-for-others into a blog-for-me. Random thoughts in Lindsey's head. Going to get this blog thing moving again. Think I can do it?

Scrapbook Trends' GENEROSITY

I'm cookin' up a little something in my head to jump start my scrapbooks again, but for now, visit this!

Scrapbook Trends Blog - Scrapbooking from the Inside Out


Scrapbooking from the Inside Out has launched their November kit Generosity, perfect for this time of year. This kit is so graceful and stylish – full of rich, deep color and elegant design, with coins, copper accents, shimmery self-adhesive mosaic tiles, and pretty Prima.

This month they’ll help you explore how you give of your time and money, inspiring a generous spirit in yourself and your family, positive self care vs. selfishness, and the big and small gestures that create connection in your life.

Here are two GENEROSITY-themed LOs from SFTIO’s DT Coordinator, Nancy Doren, that were created using the kit:
Scrapbook Trends Blog - Scrapbooking from the Inside Out

Scrapbooking from the Inside Out’s industry-exclusive content will help you explore your inner world with a music playlist, journaling prompts, moving photos, inspiring quotes, and meaningful monthly challenges.

making a comeback...

or at the very least, just trying to come back at all! I looked today and my last paper page I completed was in August! After some disappointment in the scrap world, life took over and we finally sold our house. This year has picked up in great Godly amounts since last year's problems. For that, we're truly thankful. When it seemed we were finally moving, I packed boxes after boxes after boxes out of that scrap room - some to keep, some to donate, some to recycle. I kept a small amount in our temporary residence and it looks so fine and pretty, I'm kinda getting antsy to touch some of it. :) I'm going to find a good sketch (that always jump starts my blocks) and see what comes of it. Maybe this month I can do more than just talk and write about scrapbooking. Maybe I can actually put some paper where my mouth is! More to come...

I really needed the good news.

It's been one very long year of mostly downs, as most of y'all know. But today I woke up to am email to none other than Karen Russel, herself! It seems I won a spot in one of her photography classes just by doing Cards for Heroes at ScrapStreet! To say I'm excited is saying the least, but I'm silly and nervous, too! Hoping this is the start of a GREAT year...

reward yourself

Since I'm treating myself to some long overdue paper/photo/supply time today, I wanted to let you know I'm creating cards this weekend. Why?

It's the 2nd annual card drive, a collaborative effort between ScrapStreet and Cards for Heroes (CardsforHeroes.org). Come have some fun, be rewarded by service, and get some cards done in the meantime.

Cards for Heroes

I'm not a celebrity, but I'm getting out of here!

...and I need H*E*L*P!!!

Here's the deal. I need to downsize from full-on scraproom to a very small space - very small indeed - like small as a scrap TABLETOP for the next not-sure-how-many months.

To all my sisters in scrap, help me pack! What should I bring, what should I keep, how should I organize? What do I pack? How do I pack it? I've got a good, clean, safe and dry place for it to go, just not sure what to do before it gets there.

There is no contest. No lottery. No drawing. No prize. Just one sis asking for some serious packing and moving scrap help. Drawing on any favors there might be out there! Favors and experiences!

Please leave your comments giving me any and all packing tips! tabletop tips! tools to take tips! Whateva you got!

Help? Please?

honey, I've shrunk my scrapping!

lol. so I hated the movie, but loved its title.
-but-
there is something wrong with me. Even though the original title of this blog was 'Lindsey's Little Scrapbook Blog' and all the links were 'My Little this' and My Little that', I always scrapped big. Big photos, big shapes, huge monograms (one of my all-time favorite scrapbook trends!) - if it was big, it was on my plate.

Now? I'm craving little.
Yep.
Little. Tiny. Small. Minuscule. Isty bitsy teeny weeny.
My last two layouts, although the photos haven't really shrunk (I still like my staple 5"x7") I've used tiny titles. Remember Making Memories Alphababies? I still have them stashed and pulled out some sunny yellows for some spring layouts.
(Hey, AC? Can you make me some Thickers tinies? Please?)

Anyhow. I happened upon Lucy Chesna's new website (My Sketch World, blog gone site) and designed a fun little spring layout (with off colors) with her current contest sketch and, again, used a small title.

Luckily, small letters leave room for EXTRA LONG titles (still big!). Maybe next time...

T-Bitz Giveaway!

Cool giveaway on the TWIDDLEYBITZ DT blog!

Check it out! One person will win a whole box of goodies (and you DON't want to miss the chance at these goodies!!!) and ten (yes, 10!) runners up will win one product each!

Go to the Twiddleybitz DT blog for your chance to win!

I'm out.

Whoops! Was so excited about just having an idea for the week's STAR contest challenge, that I didn't read the directions. :( However - it did get me to complete a layout, and layout that I really love!

Listen, there is still a bunch of great work, so get over there and VOTE!

Hey, I've put the Sexy Soccer Mom thing on the bench for a while. Now I'm officially a T-Ball Team Mom! Will eventually bring orange slices (coach's wife duty?); but today, in windy, 40 degree, rainy weather, it would have been better to bring blankets and hot chocolate! However, Matthew did complete his first 3-inning game and man, was it a lot of laughs!

Spring/April/Sunshine

Since the scrapping table has been pretty abandoned lately, I guess I'll have to share some of my favorite unedited photographs as of late.

Here is McKenna and her Poppa playing out one Spring day - this is the photograph I'm working on right now, couldn't resist!

Here is McKenna with her Uncle Brad. I swear Matthew was with us all along, but with his cousin visiting from Atlanta, they kind of keep themselves busy off doing secret boy stuff. :)

Here are my parents, my brother's entire family and our family.

Just us. :)

We had all gathered last weekend for the renewal of my parent's 40th anniversary vow renewal. They requested jeans and pizza and that's what they got!

You may kiss the bride - again!

Who put blue on the cake?
Our family's new obsession: Guitar Hero World Tour. It's generally me on guitar or bass, Doug on drums and the kids on the other guitar or mic. Totally fun noise.

And here's our adorable little pup. And her latest trick.

Just a fun little lettuce muncher!

So that's what we've been up to lately! ScrapStreet's in the middle of its STAR contest - been punching holes for almost a week now! TTT is still busting out some of the best kits around, it's so hard to choose just one (next reveal in 6 days!) Twiddleybitz has a new dt challenge blog, in case you've missed it. We just finished up with the first contest, look for the winner soon!

As for me, it's family and spring. That means the end of competition season and lots of outside time. While it's raining, I've managed to find the bottom of the piles on the scrap table and am hoping to actually use the table again, soon. My husband's back at work tonight after an injury since January; so while I'm missing him, I'm hoping to turn it into creative time. Look for the STAR contest vote soon!

lots to do, lots to do...

But first things first! Next week holds all of the following: McKenna's 3rd birthday, Friday the 13th and just as fun, TTT's next cyber crop! March Madness is in the air and it's sure to be a fun time. For an added incentive, I'm RAK'ing one poster that posts the blinkie on their blog or other website and links it back to the board. It could be you! Then check back in the 13th-15th to come have some super fun with us cropping in style!

Blinkie credits: All scrapbooking elements from First Day of Spring by Gingerscraps (ScrapStreet.com March freebie), Basketballs from Google.com (origin unknown), Font: 2Peas.

March Mag

This March Mag is a whirlwind, to say the least! Folks, I'm not even though it all the way, yet and I found a fav. Gotta love everything about this one by Tonya Dirk. Everything! I love the colors, I love the arrangement, I love the photo and darnit, I love that she found a very clever way to use all those Kiaser pearls at once!! Take a looksee... love it!

Even I've gotten to scrap a little, thanks to ScrapStreet.com's MAFIA contest - oh what fun! We started at 3, exploded to a mafia of 8 or 9 and will soon see if we are the winning mafia or not!

Speaking of contests, ScrapStreet's STAR starts this month! Not sure if I'll play or just be a cheerleader, but for sure I can't wait to see what challenges are up sleeves. :)

i forget to blog

till someone reminds me I have one.

My resolutions are actually going well, although my scrapping time has diminished tremendously. Changing that this week with all the pages I have to do! Ooops - maybe I should say that my resolutions are going well except for the one about scrapping more for myself. It's only Feb. I can change that.

BIG NEWS!

I guess I can officially tell you that I've made the manufacturer design team for the Aussie Twiddleybitz! Twiddleybitz has some super cute chipboard -n- stuff - definately worth a look!

K, off to get some scrappy stuff done. If only I could survive cold and flu season in only my scraproom!

ummm...

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Birthday! lol - I'm not even gonna catch up. If you know me, you've been playing with me on Facebook. :)

Just getting back to scrappy, y'all. Not a fan of New Year's resolutions, but since I just finished my first page of 2009 *gasp* yes - 16 days it took me! - I'm making a few. That and the gal I interviewed for Feb's Discovery Drive. THAT's my style. I have it in me. THAT's what I wanna do. and THAT's what I just finished.

So here ARE my resolutions:

I resolve to:
1. USE my supplies.
2. EMBRACE the torn, dirty, random, distressed. on every page, I tell ya.
3. USE my own handwriting. See, usually I scan in my unjournaled layout, add journaling via font for online use, and then journal on the actual paper page using the fonted online journaling as a guide. Anal, I know. No more. You're gonna meet me and my handwriting, whether you like it or not. :)

Let's see how I've done on my first page; this page is for the mag, so I can't show ya yet.
1. supplies: check! (even buttons, which I never remember to use.)
2. torn, dirty, random, distressed? check! (torn, glimmer-misted, random, inked.)
3. my own handwriting? check, I'm on it.

I'm embracing shabby chic. I can do it.
By the way, stand by. I think I have some cool manufacturer news coming up... I can't say much now, but I'll keep ya posted! <3 ya. Facebook me.

Creative News!

I'm so pleased and excited to let y'all know I made a design team!! This place is my go-to place when mo and jo are down and out... ya know why? Sketches galore! You know me and sketches, I flock to them! Anyhoo, link to the fun, friendly sketch place I love:

Creative Scrappers blog turned forum plus gallery... sketch fun!

Gonna put the sketch blogs on hold for a while, just so I can devote my sketchy time to Creative-Scrappers, and I'm so excited to do so!

you missed it?

That's okay, so did I! "That" would be the Sketchfest at Creative-Scrappers this week! I finished one for day 1 and two for the last day... But if you're a creator-from-sketch, go check out the site, it's chock-filled with sketches. I've said it before, but it's the place I go when blocked for a sure-fire way to find an open creative door! The three you see are the three pages I did this week with Sketchfest sketches. Enjoy!

Life, not scrapbooking

That's what it's been for a few weeks!! Although I'm always thinking in terms of oh, say the Facebook Scrapbooking app (lol!) I haven't gotten to actually do much scrapping. That's okay. Lots and lots and lots of lovely life things happening, so the sport of scrapping is in the back seat. Not in the trunk, just in the back seat.

What things, you ask? Well, for one, I've been invited to sing with our church's Worship team. This totally brightened my day and warmed my heart. I've practiced with them for two weeks and am hoping I'm ready in His eyes to sing. With it being Christmas and all, no better time to start. This time last year I knowingly and willingly accepted Jesus into my heart and what better birthday present for both of us to sing for Him?

I was also just asked - I mean, 45 minutes ago - to be part of the Christmas Eve service, to read a letter as part of the message that day. Scary, haven't done that in a while, but fun, too.

Got a back-to-work countdown for dh. 16 days is is go-back date. It's also the day he runs out of sick time. Please pray that he's ready and is protected.

Let's see, for scrapping, my articles are in - early for the first time on ScrapStreet EVER. Showroom/sponsor stuff done and in. Got some Christmas stuff in my cam waiting for me.

Oh, and duh! Time to reveal the guest designer for Creative-Scrappers! This is a very fun and exciting place... for the sketch-lover! See me! BTW, this is one of TTT's December kits :) but it's sold out. :(

Off we go - we have a Christmas tree to decorate, cookies to be made, pictures to take. Shopping is offically done! (thanks to dh being home, it was easy to budget, start early and finish this year!) Christmas card to make, Secret Santa stuff to wrap up. 338 photos on the cam. It's a good day. Thank God for it.