Creative Thursday ~ Tooth Fairy {2012 page 1}

It's a fact that our son lost his tooth just last year, just before he turned 7. This little one always has to outdo - she lost during Fall Kindergarten - in an apple! She will no longer eat a whole apple and doesn't want to wiggle the other lost tooth.

The tooth fairy came (even though she forgot to put her tooth under her pillow, good thing Mom remembered!). McK got a $2 bill, like her brother did, 5 more $1 bills, and a picture of a little tooth fairy. It's what her brother got, too. Oh and the GLITTER!! Everywhere!! That fairy tracked glitter in the front door, up the stairs, in the hallway and ALL OVER McK. She was thrilled!

p.s. that's all the journaling I forgot to add before snapping the pic. (:

So this was designed with a sketch from My Sketch World ~ I knew I wanted pink, but finding mint green (not bright or any other shade) was difficult!

Tooth Fairy by Lindsey Krauss
Supplies: Paper: My Mind's Eye, Letters: Making Memories, Rhinestones: Kaiser Scrapbook, Bows: Offray, Sticker date: K&Company, Buttons: Bazzill Basics Paper, Other: paper flower, mesh.

Wacky Wednesday ~ secrets

Wanna know a scrapbooking secret?
* I haven't bought any new supplies in over 6 months, other than 1 razor knife and a few letters on sale from Hobby Lobby. I've been using stash all year long and actually don't miss having the "latest and greatest" as much as I thought... at least, for the moment.

Wanna know a hygiene secret?
* I usually only wash my hair every other day. I rarely wash my face at night. I rarely use moisturizer on my face or self. I love to brush my teeth. I brush in counts of 8, like dancing or music.

Wanna know a spiritual secret?
* I always knew I was different. I just didn't realize it was the power of God that made me so until a few years ago. I always thought it was because I grew up with my parents telling me I was special. I bet that helped, though. :)

Wanna know a genetic secret?
* I have to eat m&ms two by two, same color. One for each side of my mouth. If I have a third, I have to bite it in half so I'm still eating symmetrically.
* I often bite the inside of my mouth. I found out my aunt does the same thing, as does my dad and several of his cousins. Genetic or community thing?

Hahaa. I told you Wednesdays meant anything goes. :)

Musical Mondays ~ It's okay not to be okay.

I absolutely love how our pastor, Pastor Jarrod Jones, begins his services almost every single weekend
(paraphrasing, but it's close):
1. If you're a guest here, welcome. We prayed you here.
2. It's okay not to be okay. <-- this is my greatest favorite.
3. We love you enough to tell you the truth.

Oh, and you'll get it over here. From the Bible to his mouth to our ears.

So I felt compelled to share one of my favorite songs, kind of an oldie but a goodie - I've heard ladies older than me singing it, I've heard elementary kids singing it. I guess it's one for the ages. Oh, and I'm totally going to try to duplicate her pashmina look for MOPs on Tuesday...

Enjoy!
Francesca Battistelli singing 'Free to be Me'
(I don't know why she looks to forlorn in this preview, this song uplifts me!)

I have a blog... {and Scripture Sundays}

...I guess I might as well use it.

I'm not much of a resolution girl, but I suppose there is no time better to get posting than January 1st. I guess I'm doing alright life-wise because I am doing everything I've resoluted prior to today and I have no new life resolutions. Could always do a little more of that, a little less of that, but for now I miss my scrapbooking and I miss my blog. I never post regularly because I wonder who my audience is and why I should blog. No more worries. My audience can just be me. And one day, if they wish, my kids can get to know me through my own silly words. Though I usually have nothing too profound to say, each day I'll share a little about me.

My plan, if I stick to it, is a little of this and a little of that (because, after all, this blog was originally called "Lindsey's Scraps: of the book and of life").
*Musical Mondays - music moves me, all kinds. I'll share my favs, new and old.
*Tuesdays I usually spend in prayer. Unplugged. MOPs in the morning, friends in the afternoon. No blog these days.
*Wacky Wednesdays - anything goes. Sometimes I just have these random thoughts that I write down on a post-it note that gets lost or recycled. Never know what you're going to get on Wednesdays.
*Creative Thursdays - my only scrapbooking resolution is one layout per week. Hoping to post these on Thursdays.
*Photo Fridays. I am not a photographer. I like to take pictures. I'll share these on PHridays.
*Saturdays - family days. No blogs these days.
*Scripture Sundays - I have several albums filled with favorite scripture on index cards, post-its and double-spaced notebook lines where I heard, was moved by or read and how verses move me. Sunday seemed like a good day to share these.

So, enjoy my journey. Glad to have ya.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Starting off Scripture Sundays was super easy. Here is how I live - always have, always will. I first heard this in a Bible study and that day was the day I realized this was my life's mantra. Dad's the same way, so I don't wonder where I got it from. Thanks, Dad. xo

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phillippians 4:6-7

New Month, New Year, New challenges!

Happy New Year! Here's to a healthy, happy 2012!

I challenged the Lipstick Chicks to the idea of ONE  while designing their next layout. They took it to the limits and we were all inspired in different ways!

Take a look and don't forget to design and show us how we inspired you.

True XoXo Scrapbooking Blog

True XoXo

another month, another fun challenge!

Take a look! The girls had a blast with this one - it inspired us all in different ways, and that's what I love about the xoxo girls!

Here is my idea - pretty literal, are you shocked? =)

Be inspired, create, enter for a chance to win a gdt spot with the True XoXo Scrapbooking  Blog !

the ...

Facebook post heard 'round the world:

**we've got snow!**

I love it. Our entire family loves it. The first snowfall is a day of celebration around here!


Not enough to get pics yet, but the puppy is barking like mad at the flakes! So silly!

Take a tour!

...of my brand-newly finished scraproom. (= This post has been a long-time coming. With the subtraction of the desk that came with the house and the addition of a large table desk and upright bookshelves, the room is complete ~ clean and organized, too!

Here we go!
((lots of pics here; bear with me if you're slow-loading))
Almost no one rings my doorbell, so please, just a quick knock, walk in the front door and turn left.
Go down the hallway, passed the coat closet and here is the view:

Now I'll take you from behind the door, on the left and clockwise around the room.

the rest of the left wall.

facing wall, left side:

facing wall, right side - workspace!

right wall,

my favorite storage find ~ bought @ Michael's, each with coupon:

inside wall; ahhh, the unexpected happy desk setup.

Today might have been one of the 100 most happiest days of my life; my husband called this, the "office", the scraproom. Can you believe it?! Well, he might have called it the *crap*room, but it was close enough!! lol!

Thanks for visiting! I'm hoping this room will inspire LOTS of craftiness to come... and maybe even a few unprompted blog posts!

Friday Freebie!

at Webster's Pages.

Look at this amazing giveaway!
Are you kidding me?

Feather flowers, I can't say it enough... drool!!










click:
http://websterspages.typepad.com/webstershome/2011/10/wanna-win-websters-staff-favorites.html

My scraproom is completed, clean and organized. Now I could surely use some new stuff to stock it...

True XoXo's 1st ever Blog Hop!

Hey Lipstick Chicks & fans! How is the journey? The team is just uber-talented and I am so proud to be a part of it.

If you're here today, you are XoXo blog-hoppin' and you should have come from Marie's blog. Marie won a guest design team spot last month and was invited to stay on for an extra month just to hop with us! If you just happened to stop by here today, please join us at the beginning at True XoXo's Scrapbooking Blog here! You could win your own gdt spot and lots of other prizes along the way. See the XoXo blog for details!

I was challenged by Marie to create my own embellishments or alter embellishments I have, with one handmade fabric flower! Had an MM Idol flashback there...

So I started a red and pink layout and finished with a little cd album for my McKenna. She wanted something to bring into school to show how she did her Pasta Pumpkin Project and the idea came to light when I was trying to think of a protected way to send the project - enter the cd case!

Hope this did Marie's challenge even a bit of justice! McKenna loves it!

xxxx

Thanks for stopping by! I'm going to send you off to Lisa Watson's blog now - or, if you like to copy & paste:
http://mypictures2pages.blogspot.com/2011/10/xoxo-blog-hop-authentique-and-rak.html
California roll, anyone? My mouth waters every time I read her post!

Thanks for coming. Don't forget about the ongoing monthly challenge also going on now. Check the True XoXo scrapbooking blog for more information!

p.s. xoxo

Lots of stuff going on!!

...especially at True XoXo!!

Only 3 days left to enter our random drawing to be October's guest designer!
Check it out here!

• Your next challenge starts right now! 'Like' our True XoXo Scrapbooking Blog page on Facebook for an opportunity to be our first guest designer - our designer for October. Winner will be randomly chosen (this month only) and will be announced Sept. 15th! Then she'll have two weeks to create a page along with our design team.
• If you've already 'liked' the page, you just gotta tell us here.
• Like there and comment here to be eligible to win!
• 
  

Then there is November's guest designer challenge - use any design team's layout as inspiration, link us up! 

Check that out here!

New look, new layouts, new challenges - check it out!!

http://truexoxogirls.blogspot.com

We will never forget.

Shortly after 9/11/01, I was blessed to be part of a production of Godspell, where I was introduced to this song. Every year on 9/11, I share its lyrics. 

BEAUTIFUL CITY by Stephen Schwartz

( sung by Jesus )

Out of the ruins and rubble
Out of the smoke
Out of our night of struggle
Can we see a ray of hope?
One pale thin ray reaching for the day

We can build a beautiful city
Yes, we can; Yes, we can
We can build a beautiful city
Not a city of angels
But we can build a city of man

We may not reach the ending
But we can start
Slowly but truly mending
Brick by brick, heart by heart
Now, maybe now
We start learning how

We can build a beautiful city
Yes, we can; Yes, we can
We can build a beautiful city
Not a city of angels
But we can build a city of man

When your trust is all but shattered
When your faith is all but killed
You can give up, bitter and battered
Or you can slowly start to build

A beautiful city
Yes, we can; Yes, we can
We can build a beautiful city
Not a city of angels
But finally a city of man.

The Lipstick Chicks are back!

I mean, I have several updates - even some layouts! But take this for now and I'll be back after the kids are off to school next week. Have fun, tally ho!

http://truexoxogirls.blogspot.com/2011/09/challenge-21-were-back.html

New look, new layouts, new fun!! And we're off!

Don't forget about our current 'like' and comment challenge going on now! You have to Sept. 15th to 'like' our True XoXo Scrapbooking Blog page AND comment on the Aug. 31st post ( http://truexoxogirls.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-true-xoxo.html ) 
to be eligible to become a gdt member for October.

This month our team was inspired by the colors of their own or a favorite blog. Now it's your turn! How will you be inspired?
go to:

http://truexoxogirls.blogspot.com/2011/09/challenge-21-were-back.html

((Fine print:

The idea is to find inspiration, or scraplift, any of these layouts. Color, design, subject or wording - you may find inspiration in any or all of these. Enter as many times as you like.

• Show your layout on your blog, and link its specific post in the comments section. -or-
• Put your layout in your favorite gallery if you don't have a blog, post in comments. -or-
• or Mister Linky is working below - yay!!

We'd love to know what inspired you, if you have time to write a little about that.

Layouts are due Sept. 30th, midnight your time.
The team will vote on their favorite and the winner will be announced September 5th.
Winner will be our November guest design team member; she will be invited to hang with us in our super secret True XoXo design team Facebook group during October, find out how XoXo designers get their inspiration and will have a layout posted for November blog entry.))

Goodbye, ScrapRoom...

See ya in a week or so.


In case you're wondering what happens around here this time of year... we're gearing up for our free vbs, which we call SummerQuest - I have the delightful opportunity to co-lead a week again this year. We've been prepping and planning for months, but it's always the last week that brings so much work, leaving little time for anything else at all. 


This year, I did learn to leave evenings and a weekend day with family - Tuesday evening we caught fireflies. Thursday we saw Cars 2 with friends. Friday/last night, we had our 2nd annual 4th-of-July party at Pop's shop with neighbors, family and friends. And today, the official day off, we're on our way to my mom's neighbors' house for some Fourth fun the Latin way: loud music, clowns, free ice cream truch, swimming, bouncing, volleyball, a live band, dancing, red, white, blue and LOTS of good food. Later tonight is more fireworks (I can't get enough) on the boat with my parents. 


Tomorrow marks the start to SummerQuest, 75 or so volunteers show up to learn, run thru and setup for this week's - Backstage with the Bible by the Go Fish Guys. After using one of their songs to lead Sunday large group this year, I stumbled upon and fell in love with their music and vbs's. 


Monday morning, 225 little ones show up on GraceOC's campus to live, learn and love Jesus. Prayers welcome! 


So I gladly say goodbye to the scraproom for a full week, can't say I'll miss ya. 


Oh! that's a LSS sneak peek. (= Full post on Sunday over there. 

Little Shop of Sketches - winner!

Didja see? Didja?

Take me to Little Shop of Sketches!

June: A pic a day with my friend Bri - PAUSE!

Well, it turns out that if I put my camera in the shop for some cleaning and repair, it's a bit like cutting off my right arm. {Well, it is two days short of a MONTH, I guess I'm entitled to be a bit fidgety.} All mojo, all vision, all inspiration seems like it's on hold. I guess I'll either try again in July (or 1/2 July, 2nd 1/2 August) or pick this up in September. Look at me, planning!


In the meantime, I would love to spend my time scrapbooking the pictures I actually do have. In between year-end festivities and planning our church's vbs, I wish there was more time!


If you have the time, hop on over to xoxo - there is a new lift up for June and still time to enter!


This month's prize is a subscription to Scrapbooks Etc., magazine...courtesy of our diva donor, Charvonna Stackhouse!


p.s. I miss my camera. 
xoxo

June: A pic a day with my friend Bri ~ day 1 & 2

June 1

Posting a self-portrait. a late-in-the-day pic of me with no makeup, late in the day is kinda scary. Sorry about that, lol!

June 2My favorite shoes? $10 at Target, about 2 years ago. Not too crazy stylish or extraordinary, but the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned!
(Will install pic in a few...)

June: A pic a day with my friend Bri

My friend Bri (who has long surpassed me in talent and popularity, haha!) is doing a fun 30-day Photo Fun project and I thought this was perfect for me to do alongside her in June. June is so so so busy I honestly don't have time to stop and smell the roses.Well, this way maybe I can at least take pictures of them. Wanna play?


I'll post my pics the day after, so stay tuned!!


xoxo

A blog a day in May ~ Camera Woes

Well, it wasn't quite a blog a day in May, but it was close and more than I've ever done I think! Happy June, everyone!

Dear Camera:


I miss you. Please come back safely. You're scheduled to return tomorrow, but I haven't heard anything to back that up. I feel a bit depressed without you here. If I could pray for a camera, I would. Please come back to me soon, delivered like new (or new) by the Geek Squad - thank goodness for Premium Insurance!


xoxo
Yours in clicking,
Lindsey

A blog a day in May ~ Hate?

Okay, I have to do it. I'm sorry, but if this is my journal, I have to write it down to get it off my shoulders.


**pulls over soap box, steps up**


Why hate? What good does it do?


I watched part of an afternoon talk show (which I so rarely ever do) and was kind of appalled. Now, the content was horrible. The situation worse. I understand this. However, Talk Show Host decided, instead of even fathoming forgiveness, to harbor the hatred. To fuel the fight of the haters. To provide details in accusation of the admitted felon, challenging with direct eye contact. The look in the hateful guests' eyes said it all. Decades later, there was no forgiveness, no healing. 


Yes, I understand how horrific it must have been. I understand that some people just aren't capable of forgiving, or so they think. (I can't empathize or appreciate, but I can understand.) But why should the hate be sensationalized? Is this what people want to watch? 


Disgusted, I came to a conclusion that I can live with. 


Hate doesn't heal. Hate won't ever heal. Hate only harbors hate. That hate may lay within a heart for a lifetime. Forgiveness, however difficult it may be, forgiveness opens doors to healing. So why waste time hating?


**shoves soap box back into the corner**


Thanks. TTYL.

But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you
Luke 6:27