I am on a new Creative Team

Yay!!! I love to create layouts with kits before others get to see it. I really like Cinda's items. She has her own designs, Digital Compilations by Cinda at Faithsisters and at Divine Digital (both are linked in my favs on this blog).

She has a brand new kit out that I just love and will use many times over. It is called Contemporary Christmas and is now available at both shops. Here is a couple of the layouts I have made using this kit:

My Lifetime Story at Faithsisters

To find out more about this challenge, just read below or follow the link From the "My Lifetime story" banner at the top of my blog.

As the year is coming to an end we are busy planning for next year. In 2010 we are going back to the basics of leaving a legacy of faith. This years challenges are all focused on YOU and your lifetime story. When you join us in this challenge you will be creating a mini-autobiography. We are counting down the days till January 6th because we are so stinkin' excited about the My Lifetime Story challenges!!!

Wouldn't you to know what your grandma's favorite toy was as a child, how she felt when she met your grandpa, her favorite scripture and the song that expressed her heart? Your children and grandchildren will have that treasure when you join us in this challenge!

We will start out with your family roots in January and move into your childhood in February. We will continue throughout the year with your teen and adult years as well. The last challenge of the year will be a letter to your future generations or anyone who reads your book.

Each of our stories is important. This is a book that everyone should create about themselves. It will be the most treasured album of your family. As you create this album about your lifetime story you will be leaving YOUR LEGACY OF FAITH. This is an album that can make an impact in your life as you create it, but it will also create a major impact in the lives of your family both now and in future generations. As your children read your story in this scrapbook that YOU created, they will take your stories to heart. Your stories may have more impact on them than even Bible stories, because they are personal and from someone they know and . When friends and neighbors pick up your storybook and look through it you will be witnessing without even saying a word. They will read your lifetime history and discover your of Jesus, and His forgiveness and faithfulness in your life!

The My Lifetime story challenges will begin the first Wednesday in January. A new challenge will be posted each Wednesday all throughout 2010. The last challenge will be posted the last Wednesday of December. Just because the challenge series ends at the end of 2010 doesn't mean your lifetime story album is finished. We will continue to offer periodic challenges to continue your autobiography and keep it current.

Please join us in this year long challenge! Some of these challenges may be layouts you have already completed. That is ok! We need to get these all compiled in your lifetime storybook. Everyone deserves to be the star of their own book, including and most importantly YOU! If you don't put some time aside to create your My Lifetime Story album now, you may never find the time. If something were to happen to you, would your legacy of faith be lost forever? Take action now, join us as we create our lifetime storybooks for the next generation to see the glorious work the Lord can do in the life of a woman that loves God!

Begin thinking about what size album you would like to use for your My Lifetime Story challenge. Michelle started hers in an 8x8 but now has decided that she needs more space so is moving up to a 12x12. Sunny is doing hers 12x12 also because she knew she had a lot she wanted to fit into this album. What size do you prefer? Start gathering your supplies now so you will be ready to start when we kick off the first challenge January 6th!

Next week we will post a Photo List so you can start gathering photos that you will need for this challenge.

Time has flown by

I cannot believe it has been so long since I have posted here. My life has been on the fast track to everywhere for the last month. God is working in so many areas of my life, I cannot keep track of them all. Sure glad God can keep all of this straight and connected.

A few things have come up: for example the largest is my application to Habitat for Humanity was approved. What a huge blessing that I never thought I would get. I still believe that these kind of blessings are for more deserving people than me. I usually do not apply to these things because I do not want to be disappointed. I get tired of rejection after a while...so I just stop trying for my dreams. Well, God has seen it fit to allow me to have one of my dreams and that is to own a house of my own for Jacob to have when he gets older. I want Jacob to have the security of a HOME....a permanent HOME. We have moved 5 times since October of 2002. Jacob just wants a room to call his own that he can paint and decorate the way he wants. Thank You God...You are truly a grace giver and the best dream catcher I have. The picture below is the land that my house will be built on. I love the Habitat sign.

Oh, speaking of moving, we are moving again to a smaller/cheaper apartment (so that makes 6 times since 2002) this next week. I hate moving, but I am getting really good at it. Jacob is excited because he will be close to his best friends grandparents house so he will get to see Marcus when he comes to spend weekends with them.

I have some new layouts as well I want to share, but it is late and I need to go to bed. I pray for each of you that read this that you are truly blessed by God today. I know he can bless you if He can reach down and just touch one dream in my life and change my world. Love to all of you.

new layouts--just for fun

This is my favorite photo from my toddler room:Using:Stickers, buttons, little ribbons, and papers:Eva Lindqvist/Baby stickers Boy & Girl kits (due out soon) Butterflies, string flowers, blue ribbon, lace: Belinda Scraps Designs/Colors of Day kitGreen ribbon and glitter: Chelly designs/Happiness kit Title font: Dr. Suess
I love these 2 pictures of my sister and I. Using: silver hearts:Eva Lindqvist Bed/Breakfast add-on. pink circles:Karma Spring Begins mini kit Everything else from Live Laugh Love FS colab kit

Using Unabridged kit by Crystal Longbrake Designs
Using ---- Of course the Adorable kit from Chelly Designs. The letter A is from Camie Designs: a Splash of Color AlphaThe flower is from: Eva Lindqvist's: Apple mini Kit

I just love this picture of my son watching baseball. He is so intense sometimes when we go to a game. Using: Paper/Eva Lindvquist--B & B Yellow and Green acre kit Baseball elements from Dielle/Pinch Hitter

Using: Eva Lindvquist's Apples Mini Kit and the swirls from her Bed and Breakfast kits

QP sale at FaithSisters

This is a great sale over at Faith Sisters. There are a lot to look at. Just follow the link: http://faithsisters.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=16

$1.00 Alpha Sale

You have to stock up on some Alpha. Everyone needs Alpha. Even the word Alpha needs alpha LOL

http://faithsisters.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=12

Birthday Bash Calender

Here is the Calender for Faithsisters Birthday Bash celebration in about 20 days. WOOHOO!!

http://faithsisters.com/forum/index.php?board=394.0

Faithsisters is 2 years old

I have so much fun at Faithsisters when we have a celebration. Come join the fun. Just follow this link and get signed up. http://www.faithsisters.com/birthdaybash.php

new layouts

Here are a few of my newer layouts. Can you tell who the focus of my summer layouts are? :)I just love stars. Jacob is the brightest star in my life. When I saw this star kit from Eva, I just had to use it for Jacob. Using: Eva Lindqvist's: Star Charms Kit, B & B Add on Kit, and Guard Your Soul Kit

Using a scraplift from Livybug (

http://www.faithsisters.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/38849) with items from RJF melody alpha, Dielle/ Musical Recital, Krystal Hartley/Piano Room

We had so much fun this day. Mom got to see Jacob play baseball for the first time. He did great. We all watched the city fireworks after in our own driveway--can't get much better than that.Using Michelle Batton's Freedom Kit and July 9 template from TMA (Lynn) found Here

52 weeks of blessings

Good morning/afternoon/evening, Days are going so fast now, I cannot keep up with them. I have not been keeping up with my blessings every week like I should, so I thought I would share the blessings of the summer thus far.

Let's start with family:

My oldest brother: I have enjoyed the blessing of reconnecting with Ken. Personality wise he and I are similar in the fact that we let things roll of our back and continue on with life. He is now dating a really nice Christian girl. I have spent some time with them together. They are so sweet. I enjoy talking Bible with my brother now. I laugh because his girlfriend and I will talk about the characters in the Bible and he just sits there saying "how do you know all of this?" heehee. Jacob really loves Uncle Ken. I need to get them together more often. In fact Jacob could tell Ken a lot about the Bible as well. Now that would be a blessing to watch my son teaching my older brother about the Bible.

How about my mom: She has said things to me lately making me think that God is talking to her a lot. We have had some good conversations about our dreams and what we actually have. I am a pretty optimistic person, my mom is pretty pessimistic so our conversations tend to be extremes of each other. I think we are learning to listen to each other better. What a blessing that is.

Jacob: well, he is always a blessing. He is growing up so fast in so many ways. Some areas he should not have to be growing in, but due to his dad, he is. He is 11 now and talks like he is 30 sometimes. He is great at reasoning things out in his head. He has come to realize this summer that some friends are worth keeping and some are just worth playing with. He has decided a couple of his friends are not doing nice things and has chosen not to play with them. This gives me hope for his teen years. He loves his baseball and was able to pitch and loved it. You could not wipe the smile off of his face for days when he struck out 4 players. (that is better than some of the Indians pitchers can do).

Work: let's just say that I have a job and leave the blessing at that. I have had some issues with the Asst. teacher I have, but I am trying to work them out.

Church: Going well. Our church is having some growing pains, but friendships are strong as well as our faith so we will rise above our issues and soar on the Eagle's wings.

Online: I am totally loving the time I spend on line now days at Faith Sisters. I will never meet most of these women her on Earth, but I love the time I spend getting to know them on line. If you have not been there, you really need to visit.

I pray you are all having a wonderful and very blessed summer.

Eva Lindqvist give away

Eva is having a give away for a great kit over at DST: Here is the link: http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=200065

Here is the layout I created with this great kit.

Time Flies

Wow, I cannot believe it has been so long since I have posted here. I guess Summer is keeping me busier than I thought.

Jacob finished his school year on the honor roll with straight As and Bs all year. I am so proud of my little man. He is full "SWING" into baseball this summer on the major league team here in town. He was so excited when they asked him to pitch several times. They seem to be encouraging him to pitch. Jacob's dream is to be a Major League Baseball pitcher. I have done a couple layouts from his games this year and last year:

Dielle designs--Pinch Hitter--found in the FS store/The clips and the star are from Claudi designs Personality Kit--also found at the FS store. Thanks for the great kits ladies

I used Dielle's Pinch Hitter Also used template created by Karla for Template Challenge

I have spent a lot of time with my mom this year as well. I think God is working on our relationship before it is too late. I have also been spending some time with my brother. Jacob just adores Uncle Ken.

Using Sweet Tomato's Humpty Dumpty templateAE designs: All Who Wander Kit

Blue papers, buttons, brads From ALS Forever family Basics/Tag is from AE designs Spring Has Sprung Kit/Ribbons and strings is from Eva Linqvuist Designs Favorite colors Kit/The Beautiful Gold paper is from Claudi's Remember Kit. All are found at FS shop

I used Kreative Karma's Graffiti Grunge (found in the shop at FS)

I pray you all have a blessed Fourth. Thank you to all who have served so wee can live in this great country.

You and Me

I love pictures of Jacob and I together. I took these pics of Jacob and me outside of our house. The photo on the right was taken while the wind was blowing while i was using the timer. We had to follow the camera around....we laughed so hard. All of the layout papers and embellies are from Eva Lindqvist Designs at the FS store. I also used a template that she made for us to use.

http://faithsisters.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=28&zenid=85f7ffdb4eae5db16cc4c8cef90e2e87

Jacob sings

More layouts using Eva's kits

I have to say I am really enjoying being on Eva's Creative Team. She is so sweet and patient with everyone. Anyway, if you have not visited Faithsisters and seen some of the creations that others have created using Eva's and so many other's designers kits, you really should visit soon. There are a ton of great sales on now and some fun events coming up.

Here are some new layouts:

Template: Simply Susan template challengeEve: Mother word art Summer Forest Kit Loved Eva's mother word art, so I took a picture just to use it. Thanks Eva

OK, when you are done laughing at the perm my mom had me get, then you can read that the kits used in this are:Template by: Barb (Albums to remember) Template ChallengeKits used: papers by Eva Summer Sweet Smoothies Paperpack and elements by Eva Favorite Colors KitOK, you can stop laughing now. I am making my DS a book of his school pics along side of mine in the same grade. Very fun.

My granparents taught me so much. I pray I can leave such a legacy of kindness, Gentleness and patience. Kit used: Scrap Warrior's Fruits of the Spirit kit.

Journaling:These isires belonged to my grandmother. I dug them up from her garden. She has since passed on, but I have a part of her with me as long as they bloom. These have been in our family for at least 60 years. My grandma loved the gold and the pink irises. I used The April Showers Bring May Flowers Colab. Kit

These are my Grandparents. THey are all gone now, but I will see them all with Jesus one day.Border Cluster by ClaudiKit by Claudi: A Mother's Love

My Cat stared at my water bottle for the longest time and then layed down next to it. HeeHeeI used Emma Moore/Exquisite Notionalso used Ribbon from Paula P./A Mother's loving Touch.

NSD Weekend at FS

Here are some of the rules for the NSD weekend crop. Please note that we may add more as questions come up and details need to be clarified. If you have any questions please post them in the FAQ thread. Thanks.Various challenges will be posted throughout the weekend. For each challenge you complete & post in the gallery by Sunday at midnight CST you will receive one ticket for the draw (excluding the speed scrap, you must complete that in the given time frame).All paper and digital scrapbookers are welcome to participate. We welcome newcomers.

COME AND JOIN THE FUN WITH ME AT

http://faith-sisters.blogspot.com/

52 blessings Weeks 13-16

Yes, I know...I have been behind on my blessings posts. It is not that I am not appreciating my blessings...it is more because my life is so busy I have not been able to get this done. I have to get this blessing though. It seems very cliche for a Christian to say they are blessed because of Christ's death and resurrection, but this year, I really am. I really enjoyed the celebration this year because my life has been so busy I sometimes forget the obvious. I loved focusing on the cross.

Well, here is the layout I did to go with my blessing. I love the 3 crosses we have set up in our church. They are at the top of the layout. There is also a cross we had for this Sunday with the purple material draped across. We laid pink carnations in remembrance and celebration of the loved ones who have gone before us. I look forward to seeing my Grandparents and my father again someday.

God bless everyone who reads this. Don't ever take your salvation for granted: Jesus paid a lot for you.

new layouts

A couple of new layouts this week:

I got this in an email and just had to scrap it. It did not have an author. It made me laugh, I hope it brings a smile to your face.I used 4 shades of Blue EasterthingsTiki Mama designs/Spring Showers

When I returned home from my Dad’s funeral, I looked through some pictures of the day. When I saw this photo, I cried. It was at this time it really hit me that my dad was gone. When I saw this my first thought was it was missing someone...the photo was....Missing Dad...so was I

Template by Camie DesignsKits used: Claudi's Remember KitButterflies by TMD, Cre8tvlyYrs Designz, and Glayce Cavalcante

Lucky 7 (Tagged)

I have been tagged by 2 people from Faithsisters:

Theresa (http://the-simpleblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/tagged.html )

and Livy (http://livybugtheladybug.blogspot.com/ )

So here is my 7th photo find......looking......Oh goodness a very rare photo in our family. My mother, sister, and myself all together at my dad's in 2003/in case you cannot see it from the date on my 35 mm camera(the last time we had Christmas at my dad's house before he died 3/03/05). I look thrilled. We had a good time though. We do look alike in a lot of ways.

The tag how-to...
Go to the photos folder on your computer.
Go to the seventh folder of photos.
Go to the seventh photo.
Put the seventh photo on your blog along with a description.
Invite seven friends to join.

I am tagging

Cinda: http://blog.digitalcompilations.com/

Eva: http://everything-eva.blogspot.com/

LouAnne: http://louannt.blogspot.com/

Kristi: http://feelsliketurtles.blogspot.com/

Kris: http://www.scrapwarrior.com/

Monique: http://moniquedrost.blogspot.com/

Kim: http://redheadscrapper.blogspot.com/

Since I have no friends on the internet outside of FS, you can reply with your finished link here or on my PM in FS. Have fun.

Oreo

I just wanted to post this layout. I am really liking this type of digi page where you use a shape to place a photo in. This is a photo of Jacob's little bunny Oreo. We saw her in a pet store and no one wanted her because she had a backwards foot. I guess they did not think she would be too lucky. LOL Anyway, we fell in love with her. She only lived a little over a year.

Using Eva Lindqvist's Funny Bunnyland Kit

My Heart Belongs to Jacob

Eva Lindqvist made a new kit and had wordart that i just love so I wanted to use it. Here is what I created with it:

Template From: DigiscrapaliciousPapers from: Eva Lindqvist Cursory Cardstock & Touch of Cocoa KitWord Art by Eva Family PackSmall Hearts by Eva Faith, Hope and Love Kit & Rememories KitWhite Flourish by Eva Flourish stickersPink ribbon buttons:Claudi designs and Princess Sophie A Mother's Loving Touch

I love my boy. We have gone through a lot together and have a bond that I pray will last. He loves the Lord at 10 years old and my blessing for this week is that my son has the Lord in his heart and will be a family in Heaven forever. Maybe I will be able to chase his baseballs better in Heaven. LOL.

Here are a few other layouts I have recently done.

We hold to the hope that our children and grandchildren will not have to go through what we have endured. We pray that we will break any chains of abuse and disfunction from our parents or their parents before them. We no longer live in Earthly bondage, we hold to the hope that God is greater than the best we can do as parents.

Kits used: Kreative Karma Holding onto HopeAurda's Little Scraps Holding onto HopeEva Lindqvist White Dozen Paperpack

Kit used: Simply Susan Find her designs Here

This template is from JZ designs template challangeI used the Love My Pet Colab Kit Part 1 [url=http://faithsisters.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=29&products_id=2170[Part 2[/url]We love our cats. They make themselves at home whether it is watching NASCAR, sleeping with Jacob's stuffed animals, and of course sitting in the window.

52 Weeks of Blessings--Week 6

Well, it is Sunday....I have had 2 very busy weeks. This week looks to be no different. I have finished a couple layouts that I am very proud of. They are both digi. The first one started out to be for week 6 of my 52 blessings challenge.

I am so blessed to have my 3 kitties, especially Lucy Lu. She just loves to be with me. She waits at the door for me and jumps on my shoulders where she stays most of the evening. Every once in a while she will pick her head up and give me a little kiss. I do not know if it was God's original plan for the cat, but He has sure blessed me with a great little kitty. I also used this layout for Eva Lindqvist's monthly challenge found here: http://faithsisters.com/forum/index.php?topic=7955.msg84445#msg84445 You can get the kit I used in the other layout I have posted after this one.

I used 2 collab kits for this:Love My Pet part one Love My Pet part 2 Cuddle Up part 1 These can be found at http://www.faithsisters.com/shop/ Also used Kreative Karma Font

This next layout is for the 12 x 12 challenge at faithsisters here: http://faithsisters.com/forum/index.php?board=306.0 If you have not joined this great challenge, Please come and sign in at FS and be a part of a great group of ladies.

My 12th day of February, 2009 for the 12 X 12 challange.12 X 12 Challenge using Eva Lindqvist's"Touch of Cocoa"and Peach Melba kitAlso used JZ Designs Clipped Paper Templates Again, these can all be found in the FS link from the links above or the ones on the right side of my blog. Have a beautiful day in the Lord.

52 Weeks of Blessings--Week 4 & 5

I think laughter is one of God's greatest attributes that He has given to each of us to use as we wish. My son has a great laugh. His laughter each week is my blessing.

Template: DigiScrapalicious designsPapers http://faithsisters.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=106_147&products_id=1745 elements by Amie B designs

52 Weeks of Blessings--Week 3

My blessing for week 3 would have to be my son Jacob. He is praying and loving God at age 10. We enjoy our drives together. This day was no different. I even took the long way to our destination so we could talk longer. He seems to be wise beyond his years. I pray he continues to walk with God through out his life.

JOURNALING:

Jacob, you and I had a day together after a little snow (8 inches) canceled school. We took a drive to Sandusky to watch a movie and on the way we talked about many things going on in your life, from your dad, school, church, and God. You are such an amazing young christian man. I am s proud to be your mom.BTW, you took the winter photo above out of the car window.

52 weeks of Blessings--Week 2

We have had some snow over the past 2 weeks and I took this picture near my house. It reminded me of some of my favorite verses.

Psalm 72:19--Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.

Isaiah 6:3--And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

Isaiah 55:12--You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

I saw this tree and thought that I should be rejoicing as much as this tree is. It's beauty just points to God. No one else could make ice look that beautiful. What a blessing from God to remind us in the dead/cold/dark winter that all of His creation still praises Him. How can we do any less.

Made using QP by Tina Williams-Make a Joyful Noise

I have the great thrill of being on Eva Lindqvist's Creative Team. She is designing for FaithSisters and haas made a beautiful new kit that is found at the current moment in her first grab bag at the FS shop ( http://faithsisters.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=97 ) This layout is done with the Celtic Wine kit:

52 weeks of Blessings--Week 1

(see this challenge here: http://faithsisters.com/forum/index.php?topic=7313.msg79131#msg79131 )
Psalm 107:31 says: Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.

When I was growing up in our church we had one Sunday night a month that we could sing whatever Hymn (back when all we sang was hymns) I always chose page 200--"Count Your Blessings". Little did I know, that song would impact my life more than any one song ever could. During times in my life when I could not see God (and wanted to) I would pull back and start counting blessings no matter how little they were. I would even have times when just the fact that I was standing was a blessing. I knew that if I could find any blessing in my life, then God was still there. I have this song memorized still (30+ years later).

I thought I should start out this 52 week challenge with one of the best blessings I have carried with me all of my life---this song.

Layout made using Willro&Co Designs/Melody line kit found here: http://faithsisters.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=106_128&products_id=1980