Confessions

Layout done for a scrap-therapy challenge going on at Scrapbook Graphics about the reasons a person is amazing or special. This is my take:Me, a special or amazing woman? I hardly think so. I am a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother and child of God. I struggle every day with my flaws. I could stand improvements in all facets of my life. I am highly critical of myself, more so than anyone else could be. I strive to excel in everything that I do, but am easily hurt when I fail miserably. As a child I struggled because of my shyness and insecurities, which carried through adulthood. If you look at me, you might think me unapproachable; however, if you talk to me, you will find me to be a likeable person and a loyal friend. If someone were to ask me what is amazing about me, I would answer: 1) My marriage; I have been married since age 15, 24 years and going strong. 2) My 20 years of struggle with infertility and miscarriages. 3) The beginning of my journey to motherhood through adoption. 4) The birth of my most unexpected son, Liam. I AM special because I KNOW that I make a difference in my children’s lives. I might also add that I am a work in progress as I try to evolve into the very best person I can be. I hope that my children always know that they are the very best part of me and that I feel most blessed for having a special place in their lives. November 15, 2006 Every Day Wonder page set, by Doris Castle, Scrapbook-Graphicshttp://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17055&cat=0&page=1Template by Jennifer Woodbury. Thanks Jen!!!

Comfort and Joy

During stressful times, I visit the lake to clear my mind. The beautiful scenery is inspiring and makes me thankful to be alive. The familiar path that I have walked countless times offers comfort and grounds me. My journey in life is sometimes daunting but having my children with me gives me solace and a constant source of unbridled joy. Nov. 6/7, 2006-Gathering Heart collaboration kit, by Doris Castle, et. als., at ScrapArtist.-Layered sketch, Simply Sketches-set2, by Gina Miller, GinaMillerDesigns.-Font: Txt Annesia, Txt Menu Item-Captivate Alpha by Rachel Dickson, at Scrapdish.

Picking the Perfect Pumpkin

Even though Daddy had already bough the kids their pumpkin, I took the kids to a roadside farm in Mansfield where they had quite a few varieties for sale. They each picked a small pumpkin and a jar of honey. They were so thrilled they even posed for pictures willingly. 10-16-2006.Credits: Even though Daddy had already bough the kids their pumpkin, I took the kids to a roadside farm in Mansfield where they had quite a few varieties for sale. They each picked a small pumpkin and a jar of honey. They were so thrilled they even posed for pictures willingly. 10-16-2006.Fabulous Fall page set, by Debbie Pearson, Scrapbookgraphics/Classique Designshttp://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17050&cat=0&page=1-Sepia action on photo from Roberta’s Favorite Photo Fx, by Roberta DAchille, Rendered Memorieshttp://renderedmemories.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=164Note: I ran the sepia action and the did selective coloring to just keep the pumpkins in color.-Font: Due Date and Typical Writer-Inked edges on the elements done with an action by Atomic Cupcake-Inked edge around the page by Nancie Rowe Janitz, ScrapArtist-Layered sketch by Becky Troxel. -Journaling strips by Katie Pertiet, DesignerDigitals

First Day of Pre-Kinder

-Old School page set, by Ronna Penner, Scrapbook-Graphics: http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16758&cat=0&page=2circle, checkmark and crayon paintstroke: Elementary My Dear: The Crayon Box, by Julie Mead, E-scapeandscrap.http://www.e-scapeandscrap.net/boutique/index.php?main_page=product_info&manufacturers_id=1&products_id=296Date stamp underneath photo: -Digital Date Stamps Vol. 5, Katie Pertiet, DesignerDigitalshttp://www.designerdigitals.com/ecom/product_info.php?products_id=994-Staple by Terry Maruca.-Layered sketch by Jennifer Woodbury, from the November DST subscriber newsltr. (Thanks Jennifer!!!)-Font: AL Chalk, Century Gothic, LD Delightful

Pig Tails

I have always loved Kaylie’s curly hair. Ever since she was born, it has been super curly. I remember my mom making the cutest pig tails on my sister’s hair so I couldn’t wait for a girl of my own to make them. Unfortunately, Kaylie’s pig tails become a huge fluffy mass of curly hair that resemble clouds. But that doesn’t deter me from the task. I so admire her brown-golden curls...maybe because my hair is so straight. July 15, 2002 Credits: Vintage Holiday, by Terry Maruca, Scrapbook-ElementsTerry’s Vintage Holiday (available Sun, Nov. 12 at SBE)Note: The Swirl flower and torn edges are part of the template, which I customized with background papers from the kit.Layered sketch by emnewberry1964 - Liz Newberry. (Thanks Liz!)Pig text path and curly tail by me; done with a shape I downloaded from the internet.Font: Scrap Calligraphy, Arial Narrow

Smile

Liam was having a great time playing in the new playground at Smith’s Woods. He had a huge smile on his face.smile / A noun / 1 smile, smiling, grin, grinningA facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement •Vintage Holiday, by Terry Maruca, Scrapbook-ElementsTerry’s Vintage Holiday (available Sun, Nov. 12 at SBE)Layered sketch by Nikki Beaudreau, at TheDigiChick (Thanks Nikki!)Sepia action on photo done with an action from Roberta D’Achille’s Favorite Photo FX actions, at Rendered Memorieshttp://renderedmemories.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=164Note: I ran a sepia action and then used a clipping mask for selective coloring.Ribbon done with a Designer Photoshop Action – Ribbon Maker, by Roberta D’Achille, Rendered Memories.http://renderedmemories.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=125Font: Arial, Century Gothic

Autumn Is In The Air

This is layout done for studio challenge 16, a “scraplift” of Debbie Pearson’s layout entitled, “Enjoying Life,” which can be seen at Scrapbook-graphics: http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1683&cat=558A walk to Smithville Lake today yielded this beautiful sight. The sky was a dark blue and the clouds resembled a cotton field across the sky. The sun was shining against the red-orange brick facade of this old building casting a glow upon the water. Its beauty thrilled and captivated me. Venice page set, by Debbie Pearson, SBGhttp://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16846&cat=0&page=3Floral border (which I customized and recolored) is from Ornamental – No. 2 by Sausan at SBG.http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=17021&cat=0&page=1Wood Textured Brush by Nancie Rowe Janitz at ScrapartistFont: Arial, Serifa BTCurved ribbon corner from Kay Eflin’s Frienship Meadows kit at E-scapeandscrap.

Christmas Haute Couture

Kaylie and I were taking out the decorations from the garage to decorate the house. She found the garland, which she immediately wrapped around her neck She had a lot of fun pretending that the garland was a feather boa. I think she looks fabulous! 11-30-2005*Kit: Share In The Season, by Sara Carling, Scrapbook-Graphics.Share in the Season isn't just a kit. It's an opportunity to adopt a deserving family this holiday season. Steph & Scott's son Asher was diagnosed with with a brain tumor in May of this year. Since then their lives have been turned upside down as they help their son fight the cancer. Asher has been amazingly strong & resilient through all of this, and their story is one that can inspire us all. Asher also has two adorable younger sisters; Alexa who is 2; and Aubree who is 6 months old. All proceeds from this kit will go directly to Asher & his family to help them have a brighter holiday season. You can read more about Asher's story here.http://www.asherbenjamin.net/* Brush and Style – Garland -Photoshop, by Terry Maruca, Scrapbook-Byteshttp://scrapbookbytes.com/store/product.php?productid=20106&cat=0&page=2Note: The garland looks dull on this preview, but it is sparkly and shiny on the original version.*Designer Photoshop Action – Button Maker – Roberta D’Achilles, Rendered Memorieshttp://renderedmemories.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=126Font: TXT Menu Item and Embossing Tape (Title)Sketch by Becky Fleck.

Posted 10 Layouts!

Oh My Goodness, I can't believe how neglected my blog is. Can you believe I just posted 10 layouts/cards? And I still have 12 more to upload. Time seems to get away from me. I will come back later, if not tomorrow, and finish uploading them.

Dear Son, I Will Miss You When You Are Grown

I just did a Dear Daughter, I Will Miss You When You Are Grown, so I couldn't not do one of my son, too. See layout, store links and information here: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=38991&cat=500&ppuser=389

Dear Daughter, I Will Miss You When You Grow Up

I just love this picture of dd. She looks totally adorable. See layout, links and details here: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=38990&cat=500&ppuser=389

Pumpkin Lover

Liam can be so quirky at times. We bought these small pumpkins, which he absolutely loved. He was playing with them on the couch, while watching tv. I noticed that he hid them under his blanket. When I asked him why they were there he told me that he was cold and didn’t want the pumpkins getting cold, too. What can I say, I can’t fight his logic and besides, he loves those pumpkins! 10-17-2006. See layout, links and product information here: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=38039&cat=500&ppuser=389

Picture Perfect Love

Liam and Great Grandma Sabina were sitting on the couch watching cartoons. Great-grandma is 92 years old and rueing the day that she had to leave. She will miss the kids immensely. See layout, product information and links here: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=38000&cat=500&ppuser=389

Imagination - Creative

I did a challenge at ScrapbookGraphics where we were supposed to do a layout, but weren't supposed to use a picture. Boy, was I challenged on this one. See layout information and link to products I used here: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=36738&cat=500&ppuser=389

Happy Birthday Ramona!

Happy Birthday Ramona! Wishing you lots of happiness on your birthday. I used the Cornfed Collection by Jessica Bolton. The colors are simply gorgeous. See layout, credits and link to the store here: http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=35918&cat=500&ppuser=389

g Hunting - It's a Guy Thing

This is a super cute and very manly kit. For credits and link to the store see here" [URL=http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=35625&cat=500&ppuser=389]Bug Hunting - It's A Guy Thing[/URL]

Happy Birthday Becky!

Happy Birthday Becky! I iwish many happy returns of the day! I used the Collaborative kit by the Studio girls.http://tinyurl.com/ybmk64Brads are from Maya's Dumpster Diving element pak: http://tinyurl.com/ydtzcnHand Stamped Antique stamps by Meredith Fenwick.http://tinyurl.com/ygfbot

The Beauty of Fall at Smithville Lake

My beloved Smithville Lake, in its full splendorous, Autumn glory.Autumn Time page set, by Mindy Terasawa. Designer Photoshop Action – Fancy Brad Creator, by Roberta D’Achille at Rendered Memorieshttp://renderedmemories.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=128Fonts: Benguiat Bk BT, CK Vegas

B is for Beautiful Butterfly

This summer Kaylie and I discovered our love for insects, namely: butterflies. Everywhere we went, whether the playground, the lake or grandma’s house, we looked for them. Imagine our delight to be able to watch this beautiful specimen. Monarch butterflies rock our world. Cornfed page set, by Jessica Bolton, Scrapbook-Graphics http://tinyurl.com/txuarCornfed Alpha: http://tinyurl.com/y3wh83 Cornfed Elements: http://tinyurl.com/y3sst7Action: Coloring Book for Photoshop, by Terry Maruca, Scrapbook-Bytes: http://tinyurl.com/y3lj5fFont: TK Doodle font, Taran Conyers, SBG: http://tinyurl.com/qy5d6Typodermic, Amazing RulerInked edge around page and alpha done with an action by Atomic Cupcake.Launchpad (sketch) by Bree Clarkson, DSD.Note: You can see the actual photo I took, then the coloring page after I ran the action, and the final result printed on 8 1/2 by 11 paper with the end user coloring it in. This action is so much fun...mom had fun customizing the coloring page on the computer, the kids had fun coloring it and best of all, I can print this page as many times as I want and keeps them busy. Worth every penny spent on it.