Day 11 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Bedknobs and Broomsticks!

Today was a long day filled with serious talk about starting a new business, 75 wedding favors, a wedding rehearsal and a rehearsal dinner. So tonight I'm grateful for my down filled comforter, cotton sheets and my rolling waterbed. Goodnight.....sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite !!! This girl is off to a hot bath and lala land ( a lady needs her beauty sleep when she has to be at a reception hall at 8 am to set up for 138 guest ).

Day 10 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Today God sent an Angel

My heart started going down hill last night. And just when I thought I was doing so good (well ?). I had just submitted to Scrapbook Playground for a guest designer spot and I have been feeling really good lately about my "art" work ( its still hard for me to say that one straight ). Anyway, Marc had gone to pick up my bp pills and when I called to check with him at work he told me the pills had cost nearly $50.00 ( for 31 days of pills )! They usually cost $15.00 so needless to say this was a shock. It occurred to us that now that we are without insurance that this may have been the reason why. I was reminded of my words a month ago about how I would not miss the whacko insurance from Marc's old job ( guess I will be eating those words ). Weeks of trying to stay strong after he had lost his job, and then having him to be blessed to have found a new one ( even with the lost in income , long hours, etc......still trying to remember that at least its a job ) I basically just fell apart. I started asking God....why us ? My emotions became overwhelmed by thoughts of how we would pay for everything ( mortgage, utilities, food, medicine ). For the first time in a year I felt like crawling up in a ball in my bed and just staying there. It had been a year since I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, a year since my migraines had disappeared. No more days and weeks laying in bed holding my head. The fact that I wanted to go back to that place seemed to increase my anger and frustration. So I went to bed early hoping that these feelings would wash away in the morning light. Not so, this morning I woke up crying...not even Marc could console me. I felt guilty for even burdening him with this, so I got up ...washed my face and went to my one spot of refuge (my scraproom). That's when it happened...I read a blog entry from Melody Ross and it not only made me feel ashamed for wasting most of yesterday evening but part of my morning time with Marc on something beyond my control. I will leave you to read the article "Expect Difficulty...Then Expect Miracles" on your own. I can only say what it meant to me. For one it made me stop the pity party I had going on. She didn't say anything new ( or that I didn't already know ), but she reminded me ( granted it required a swift kick in the butt ) that I am a child of the King and he has kept me and my family through worst and that he will bring me through this. Good grief, for the last 9 days I have been talking about gratitude and because of that I have done the best pages in my life. I even checked off one of my goals for the year which was to apply for a DT position. Even if I have to apply to 20 different places before it actually happens just the fact that I did is a miracle in itself. So Melody I was listening. And today I am grateful for an angel named Melody Ross who I have never met, but who I know was the miracle God sent my way this morning. I got up this morning expecting difficulty and instead I received a miracle.....God Bless You.

Note: there will be a picture on my layout but because it is a picture of Melody ( and I don't have her permission to use it ) I will not post it or the layout. But you can see the picture that will be used here: www.melodyross.com/

Day 9 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Sketch Crazy ( you never know what will bring on an attititude of gratitude ) !!!!

Ok, I have said it many times....I love sketches. Last year I splurged on the sketch book from Deluxe Designs. And although I don't have the templates I love pulling this book out when I am working on a layout and get scrappersblock. Anyway, a few weeks ago while blog stalking I found the Deluxe Design blog and bookmarked it. Today was the first chance I had to go back and check them out. Oh my goodness, they had some of their sketches up to share ( yes, I tend to get excited about sketches ). Then I went to Magictrips and someone had posted a site with lots of sketch links. Needless, to say this girl is in sketch heaven and I will be printing out ideas all day to add to my binder ( which is already brimming with Becky Fleck sketches and even some from Heidi Swapp ). I keep my Becky Higgins sketches in a small box filed by number of pictures. And I am leaning towards having her books spiral bound at my local Office Depot. I can honestly say this is my number 1 tip for scrappers who may have lost their mojo. That and scrapbook challenges ( but that's another story for another time). Hey, if you think about it...I can even say I am grateful for all of those people who create sketches to share....you helped a sister out !

Day 8 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Disney

Come on, you knew I would get it in there sooner or later (lol). But seriously, I am grateful for the opportunities I have had over the years to explore this magical place. Walt Disney was a genius! Where else can you go and become a child all over again like you can at Disney ? My childhood was filled with lots of good, but also some bad. So this place has become a refuge for me, a place where I can be a kid in a way I never experienced growing up. For as long as I can remember I have dreamed about going to Disney, being a mouseketeer, and meeting Mickey. That dream would not come true until I was in my mid 30's ( thanks again to that great hubby of mine). By then my children were much older and they ( having been raised on all things Disney ) also fell in love with the place. And surprise, surprise so did Marc. Since that first trip we have been back many times, but for me its never become old or boring. It feels like a second home almost. We know the parks so well that we rarely have to pull out a map. Now in the grand scheme of things Disney is not as important as my relationship with God, or world events, or even day to day living. And I know that there are lots of folks who will never have the opportunity my family has had to go even once. Maybe that is why I am grateful. I know that it has been a privilege and a blessing and perhaps the next time I complain about Marc's job hours, or not having the money that week to buy a sizzix alphabet, or not being able to find a thing to wear among my sea of clothes I will open up one of my 4 Disney albums, bite my tonque and get over myself. So, once again thank you Lord for all that you have given me and my family and for showing us favor.

Layouts

Day 7 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Special Man of God

What do you say about a man who loves to shop ? Not just for himself but for everyone he comes in contact with. Just ask our family and friends ( even his co-workers ). Don't get me wrong he loves his designer suits, shoes, shirts and ties. But, he gets more satisfaction out of giving to others. And how do you not fall in love with a man who is willing to scout out the local scrapbook stores looking for your favorite paper, embellishment or diecuts ? Not to mention setting up a beautiful scrapbook room filled with a few of my favorite things. I could even talk about the surprise trip to Hawaii for two weeks that he planned without any help from me ( the original trip planner )......but that would take all day. Let's just say that he is a very special man, and I am grateful that God placed him in "my" life.

Showers of Blessing Photo(s)

Not sure how I will use the pictures yet. Right now I have it in a collage form, but that may change by the time I do an actual layout. These are a few of my favorites. Of course Nicki was front and center as our Vanna White model . Anytime you say action that girl is ready. Hope you enjoy our crazy quilt of a family.

Pictures for the 31 Day Challenge

I'm thinking I may need to upload my pictures before I start journaling. Blogger has been giving me a fit, but I had no problems adding the pictures when the screen was empty of words ( go figure). Anyway, the bottom picture is the book I read for Day 4, the layout is from Day 3 when Quisha left for Nashville (its missing some elements....I'm actually waiting for the dies from quickutz to use on it). I will post again when its done. The rest of the pictures are for Day 6. I'm going to use all of them on my "Food on the Table" layout. I haven't decided which picture I will use for Day 5 "Showers of Blessings" yet ( my sister sent me more pictures this morning, so I may actually use more then one ). I'm not behind on my journaling just need to step up the layouts part, but hey...its my challenge ( so no deadlines...lol).

Day 6 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Food on the Table

Thank you Lord......for food on our table. Have you ever taken something for granted ? I don't just mean people, sometimes we take circumstances for granted. This week I know God has been speaking to me about blessing others as they have blessed me. Even right now in the midst of our own crisis he has been telling me that I can still be a blessing to someone. I haven't figured out yet how I am going to do that, I just know the opportunity will come along and that the true test of my faith will be how I handle it. I am also learning how to except blessings in my life with a new respect..... you could say I am seeking an attitude of gratitude (lol). For many years a neighbor of ours would drop off fresh vegetables and bread on our front door. Those of you who know me , know my cooking skills usually do not extend beyond...box, can and take-out (just ask my husband). I am ashamed to say that sometimes some of these items went to waste, mostly because of my own laziness. After reading "Julia's Hope" this weekend I came home to a bushel of corn, and a bag of fresh tomatoes in my fridge from a week ago. In the story Julia fed her family off of the land, and each day she would tell her children that God would provide. They had way less food then my own have ever experienced. Yes, we have had lean moments...when the cupboards seemed bare. But, just like in the story...God provided. The problem was that I didn't see it. He provided each day that we had water, bread, milk ( not fresh from a cow, but down the street in a store fridge waiting ice cold ). He also provided through our neighbor Mrs. V, who left a gift on our steps every few months. I don't even want to think about how many times I did not use this special gift. Even if I had not wanted it, I know plenty who could use it. I have promised myself ( and God ) that this will not happen again. This morning Quisha called me ( while still at the airport ) to tell me that one of the young ladies she had met at the conference this weekend was sending me her tote bag from the conference. Quisha had tried to get me one at the vendor booth the night before leaving but had been unable to get close to the tables because of the crowd. She ended up getting me a t-shirt instead. Even if I never get the bag, the fact that she offered will stay in my mind for a long time to come. This reminded me of the flowers I received earlier that day from my cousin ( the one who we did the shower for ). While we were still decorating the house for the party she stopped by with flowers for my mom, the grandmothers, greatgrandmothers, and aunts and godmother. There were even flowers for me ! It was a thank you for helping out with the shower. Needless to say several of us were in tears at that moment. As I type now I think about all of the "food" God has provided. Not just the kind to nourish my body, but food that nourishes my soul. Thank you Lord....this weekend you supplied food for my table.

Day 5 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Showers of Blessings

Yesterday was a great time to get together with family and friends. It was especially wonderful because we came together to celebrate a very special occasion. In a few months one of my "little cousins" ( if you saw how tall he was you would laugh) and his wife will celebrate the arrival of their first child, my "big cousins" first grandchild and the first great grandchild of my great aunt. If it is a girl ( as has been predicted ) it will be the 4th generation in my Aunt Julia's family. I enjoyed setting up for Virginia's baby shower, picking out games and prizes, decorating and mostly just happy to be there to help my cousins during this special time. At the end of the shower after most of the guest had left my mom called me into my cousin Pat's family room to introduce me to a young lady who was a guest at the shower. She is expecting her first child in a few months also and is a friend of my younger cousins. The young lady had confided in my mom and cousins that she would be planning her own baby shower. She didn't have close family and she had friends who in their young state of existence ( 20 - somethings ) have not really got to that place in life that they fully understand the importance of true friendship or dedication to a sister ( even if she is a sorority sister...I won't go into details just suffice it to say, they have a lot of growing up to do ). The blessing that day was not the baby shower...although it was a blessing and my newest little cousin will be a spoiled little one, it was in the way my family took in this young girl. On the spot my mom informed her she would be her adopted grandma, my big cousins her aunts, my sister and I her big sisters, and my girls and my cousin Trice became her cousins. We have vowed that she will not go through this pregnancy alone, nor will she be planning her own shower..at least not without help from her new "family". Last night I could not have been prouder of my family then I was at that very moment. I thanked God that evening for giving me such a loving and caring family. Don't get me wrong we sometimes have our issues....but if ever one needed the other we would be right there. Last night I told God I was grateful for the fact that he had placed little old me amiss such a Shower of Blessings!
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Day 4 ( 31 Day Challenge )

Cyndi's Hope

I am reading a book called Julia's Hope. I picked the book up this weekend while at my mom's. I have a tendecy to read a whole book in a day. My husband thinks this is a gift. In a way it is. I love turning the pages of a crisp new book and exploring the life of someone else. When Marc lost his job a few weeks ago ( actually its been nearly a month ). For once I did not panic or even worry a lot. Somehow I knew God would provide. I was reminded of this again when I picked up "Julia's Hope". It is a story about a lady and her family that lose everything. They literally go from having it all to being vagabonds on the street. But the wife despite this continues to see things through a bright life. Mostly because of her faith. She becomes the guide for her family when her husband is at his most vulnerable. We all know that (most) men take pride in taking care of their family. When they lose the security of a job they have two options.... 1) to sit down and admit defeat, or 2) pull themselves up, dust themselves off and start all over again. I am still reading the book, so I don't know the ending yet. But if you think about it, we don't know what is around the corner for our own life. It is like a story in a book sometimes. There are good days and bad days. And at times life's living seems impossible. But, just when we seem to be falling God is there to pick us up. Maybe if we spent less time trying to do his part and more time working on our own part we each could get a lot more done. So what does this have to do with gratitude you ask ? In a nutshell ...I realized last night while lying in bed reading this book and comparing it to that of my own life that sometimes I will have to carry the load for Marc, and at times he will carry it for me. But that if we both remain faithful and do our part together.. then God will bless us beyond what we can even imagine. He has provide for us thus far...and for that I am grateful.

Day 3 (31 Day Challenge)

Have Bag Will Travel!

Today my DD departs for Nashville. She is attending a conference for young Christian women sponsored by my all time favorite gospel singer…..CeCe Winan ! If I had the money I would be right there with her. But I am grateful for all of the people who stepped up to the plate to help my daughter accomplish her dream. Last month Quisha noticed an ad on Cece’s site about a young women’s conference hosted by CeCe and asked me about whether she should try to go (keep in mine the conference was only a month away). Her plan was to ask friends and family members to sponsor her on her journey (it had been only a week before that Marc had lost his job, and we were not in a position to help). She was hoping to scout out the conference for a possible future trip for the young women of our church. I told her go for it (not really sure what the outcome would be). She reminded me….”you have not, because you ask not”. We have both been amazed by the response. I can only think of two people who said they could not help, and because of the generosity of others Quisha met her goal of $500! It paid for her plane ticket, conference registration, food, concert ticket to hear CeCe, and hotel accommodations. She was even blessed by a church member who had family and friends in the area who have offered to take her under their wing while she is there. Words alone cannot express the gratitude we feel for Quisha’s band of angels. I call them angels because I know only God could have heard a young girl’s prayer for a seemingly impossible request and answer it. But the thing I am grateful for the most is the fact that my daughter would even have the desire to seek out Christian women and girls to spend time with in the first place.

Day 2 ( 31 Day Challenge )

" Thirst for Knowledge "

Its funny what we take for granted. Sitting in the comfortable air-conditioning of my home, and car I sometimes forget that not everyone is blessed to have this comfort in life. Look at how many people have died this past month because of the heat. Today Nicki and I went shopping with my cousin Pat and my mom for baby shower gifts and decorations for my cousins shower on Saturday. Each time we got out of the car we were hit by a wave of heat so intense that it took your breadth away...literally. We complained as we made our way to each store, and we complained as we got back in the car and our bodies touched the heat from the leather seats in my cousins Cadillac. After we left Walmart we each gulped down a cold bottle of Green Tea. Most of the time I am the last person to finish my bottle drink, usually it last me a couple of days. Today it did not even make it back to my house. It was not until I was back at home ( once again in my comfortable air-conditioned scraproom ) that it dawned on me what I would journal about today on my 2nd day of adopting an attitude of gratitude. At first I was grateful for the cold beverage , then I saw the news and I was grateful for my air-conditioning . Now that I have had all day to think, I am grateful for the workers who toil each day out in the rain, the sleet, the snow, and yes even 100 degree heat. That includes the mailman, the gas man, the electricity man, the cable man, and the men ( and women ) like my cousin John ( and my hubby ) who work for the telephone companies who refuse to put air-condiotioning in their workers truck because they might take too long a break ( give me a break ). So if I have to sweat a little from the car to the store ..then so be it. The next time I complain about the heat I will remember this day and just shut my mouth and be grateful. And just think, all of this started with an empty green tea bottle !

* Blogger is acting stupid as usual. So if you would like to see the layout you can check out www.loveisinthedetails.com in the gallery section under CyndiAKADisneyqueen. Look for "Thirst for Knowledge".

Day 1 ( 31 Day Challenge )

"Seeking an Attitude of Gratitude"

Today I attended a funeral for a man whom I have never met. But I am also grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of his home going celebration. You may ask why? The answer is fairly simple. Today I was reminded that each day that God allows me to get up in the morning is another day I am given the opportunity to share my mission with someone. I also have the chance to reinvent myself into a better person, a happier mom, a cheerful wife, a supportive friend, and a caring Christian. For this I am grateful.

My 31 Day Challenge

I have decided to document 31 days of gratitude through journaling and pictures. Each day I will post a picture and my gratitude statement for that day. I will then create a layout from it to add the next day. I will do this for 31 days. I came up with this idea after seeing this post from Adrienne's blog. I decided that even if my idea is not chosen I would still do the album. I'm excited about this because I think it will be one of the first classes I will try to teach ( it fits in with my motto of passion equals purpose equals opportunity ). Not sure what type of album I will use yet, I have been scouting out American Craft albums and AMM albums ( especially the Uptown Albums ). I love the look of both of them, just not sure what direction to take. Anyway hope you enjoy the journey.

5 Things I am grateful for :

1) My husband, children and many family and friends. I am a blessed woman.

2) My found passion for scrapbooking and creating a legacy of memories to pass down to my children, and my children's children.

3) Our home, which is a haven for me, even when its a chaotic mess of children's papers, hubby's shoes, and my scrapbook supplies.

4) My on-line community of friends. They have made me into a communicator, and have given me the courage to explore feelings, moods, places, and things that I never thought about or even imagined would be a part of my daily living.

5) Mostly I am grateful for my relationship with Christ and the fact that I am not ashamed to declare it, even out in cyber space. It is what makes me special.

I think I know what one of my first classes will be about. I dragged out this old book I have had for years. I started working on it, but at the time I really didn't think I understood who "Cyndi" really was. So I put the book away after only doing one page. I pulled it out for the first time today and it was as if a lightbulb came on inside this old head. The name of the book is 'the Illustrated Discovery Journal.....Creating a Visual Autobiography of Your Authentic Self". It's written by Sarah Ban Breathnach... the author of Simple Gratitude ( another book I have had just sitting and collecting dust ). So much has changed since then , including my passion for album making/scrapbooking. I feel that I am now at a point where I can do this album and the journaling justice. So, time will tell if I have the guts to step outside my box and pull it all together. I started this weekend by handing out some of my new business cards, and my girlfriend Cass has me working on her Disney album from our trip last May. So if I believe what I have been saying this month, then I need to just step out on faith and trust in God.

Godparents......... layout. I finally got this picture up ! Blogger was giving me a fit. If you click on the picture you can even see the journaling which explains the layout very well.

This past weekend I started taking apart a bunch of flowers. At first I was not sure what I would store them in. Then I remembered the tins from the dollar spot at Target I brought a few months ago. So now I have a good little supply of flowers for my layouts ( still need some pink flowers ). Right now they are stored in my cabinet drawer. Hopefully I will have them on a shelf in the near future.

Newest Layouts........yes, I actually hit the scraproom today. This picture is my girlfriends daughter who won Miss. Cotillian-2006 ( she also recieved an acadamic award). We recieved the picture in the mail as a thank you for supporting her. She graduated this past June and will soon be off to college to study Fashion Design. I used a frame , ribbon, and brads from a kit I brought at the dollar store, along with flowers from the flower section of a local discount store ( I had a ball collecting all of the parts from the flowers...way cheaper then the prima ones....that I still want, but just can't afford right now). I think it turned out pretty good considering I used a lot of low cost products. The one expensive item on the page ( besides the picture is the MM sticker which I chalked with my pebbles inc kit ).

I updated with my 2nd page of the day ( the one on top ). This is my neice, isn't she beautiful ? This was after her piano recital. I used my favorite paper ( DCWV ), buttons, flowers and for the first time I actually doodled on a page !

Scrapbook GOALS FOR 2007

I figure if I say them out loud they may actually happen.

1) Attend a Scrapbook Industry event ( these are my choices depending on cost and where they will be ).

CKU ( I want to take Ali's class, Cathy Z class, and a Heidi Swapp class if she is there next year ).

Scrap Etc ( heard it was great last year, and I would be able to hang out with my bestfriend Cass ).

* Note to self : found a blog with some great pictures from this event ( now I am wondering if this is where I need to be next year ). Ash you don't know me , but you have inspired me to make my dream come true...somehow!

Scrapshare Retreat ( I went to one two years ago, it was my first crop and it was a blast ).

CKU Convention ( if I can't go to CKU ).

Get Croppin Event ( so that I can meet Ali Edwards )

or GASC ( I really need more info on this one ).

Personal Scrapbook Goals:

1) To have Treasured Creations up and running.

2) To have a business blog or website.

3) Have a scrapbook resume on-line ( or at least have submitted some of my pages on Scrap Submit ).

4) Have a Cafepress Shop

5) Sign up with Memory Works

6) Become a Design Team member ( wherever someone will take me ).

7) Take a couple of scrapbook classes ( how can I teach others if I don't understand how most instructors conduct a class ).

Well, there you go...I said it out LOUD AND CLEAR ! Now let's see what life brings about.

* Bonus: One Day I will go to CHA ( now that really would be a wish come true, since its not open to the public ). And these pictures have convinced me I need to be there. Thanks Miss. Tiffany, something else for me to dream about!

A couple more things to drool over before I hit the sack. This will make for a great Christmas Wish List:

Memory Dock Planner that was on Cathy Z's website.

Wall Text from Making Memories.

I saw this colander a few months ago and I wanted it for my kitchen, but can't afford it right now. This week I saw a set of three at Sam's Club for $15.00. The set is smaller but will still work for my kitchen.

The new Heidi Swapp bling and stickers are cute also.

And I can't forget the Prima Flowers !

One last Sam's club find : This Spicerack was on twopeas. I saw it a few days ago myself and its at the top of my list along with the colandar.

Why are they torturing me with all of these great products from CHA ? I have a wish list as long as my childrens christmas list use to be. Ali Edwards posted about a computer bag that I just have to have now! And Monique on Scrapetc has been posting some great stuff also. Not to mention the pictures from Lifetimemoments and Scraptalk . I either need to get a job, hold a huge garage sale or start creating some custom albums to sell.

For Future Reference ................You never know where you will get inspiration from. I spent the afternoon checking out and reading lots of scrapbook blogs. I have a whole list of favorites on my Disney site. Anyway, I came across this really neat project by Katherine Brooks, and I am keeping it for future reference. I have tons of coasters waiting to be altered but I can't seem to bring myself to start. So my goal this week is to scraplift the coasters Katherine did ( with a little modification to reflect me ). So lets see how well I do. I will post pictures of the finished project by Friday. Otherwise I really need to stop buying stuff to alter if I can't seem to follow through !

Today brought back fond memories of my wedding coordinating days. Hand me some tulle, flowers and some ribbon and I can go to town. I helped my cousin set up for a wedding shower. My contribution to the event was decorating her home for the party. We decided to do a traditional setting using the brides wedding colors. We crowned her "princess for the day" and gave her a garter "corsage. We played games, ate lots of good food, handed out a few gifts, opened some presents and ate cake before toasting the bride to be and sending her on her way. They asked me to help with the decorations at the reception the day of the wedding. I will post more pictures then. Well its been a long day ( one part I don't miss about doing weddings ) and this girl plans to hit the bed. Hoping blogger will cooperate and let me post my pictures. Goodnight, I have church in the morning.

I love my HP Photosmart 945 camera , but I am still learning all the ends and outs of it. So please excuse the blurry photos. The mini album and tin is from the kit I won during National Scrapbook Day at LoveisIntheDetails. My friend "V" made up the kit as part of a crop that she was teaching. She is also a design team member at Love is In the Details. You have to check out her work. Its one of a kind and the girls layouts rock !

Target/Dollar Store Finds

It may not be something to jump up and down about but I got to go bargain shopping again. This time I only spent $8.00 ( Marc got a job, so I can celebrate ). I saw on twopeas that someone had found mini lunch boxes at Target along with document boxes ( I love these for MM Foam stamps ) so Marc and I hit the road this evening just to see what was out there. I found the lunch box and some MM stickers, and some primary colored paper clips ( these will look great on my 4th of July pages ). My total came to less then $3.00. When we got to the Dollar Store I was suppose to be buying nails and hooks to hang up my other great find ....... a magnetic board that Marc had laying around that is suppose to go on the side of a shelf, but is now on my wall for magnets and hopefully some of those round magnetic boxes for little stuff...like left over ribbon pieces, clips , etc. They has some in Target but they were the wrong color. Anyway, after getting the nail kit I found some flash cards which reminded me of the play cards I had seen people do from a Heidi Swapp class recently. Then I went over to the scrapbook aisle ( once I found it...The Dollar store in our area was a mess and they have changed their aisles around ) and found some cool epoxy travel stickers and jewel stickers. So into the cart they went . Needless to say $8.00 later I am as happy as a pig in mud. I'll be back at the scrapbook drawing board tomorrow planning another layout to add to my resume. Now, I just need to figure out how to add a slide show presentation to my blog and upload some of my layouts. Well, enough blogging for today. I think I have "blooged" on two of my websites today and even updated our church website. Time for this gal to call it a night.

Has anyone seen this pillow ? I need 1 more for my bedroom make-over. It was purchased at Fred's in Alabama. My friend has been looking but know such luck. I'm kicking myself for not getting two. Lesson learned...go with your gut feeling and buy two or more when you see something.............especially while on vacation !

Hide and Seek

The pictures are from the 4th of July. The person trying to hide from the camera is my aunt. I snapped pictures of her anyway. Gotcha Auntie !!

Mini Projects....This is a mini album I did after I went to my first overnight scrap retreat. I met up with some great scrapshare gals last year. Had a blast ( just didn't get much scrapping done ). Anyway I used lots of scraps from my stash and a mini album from walmart a friend gave me. It's the cutest thing if I do say so myself. Sorry about the picture, there was too much light coming through the window at the time. I'm still learning all of the settings on my HP camera.

Well, the scraproom is starting to feel like a real scraproom. Of course now I am dreaming about paint, curtains and lamps. I must say I am pleased with it so far. Now if I could just keep the rest of the family out ! I can't wait to finish up the re-vamping of the diningroom ( My poor room is filled with boxes of stuff from the livingroom ) and my bedroom. Then I can even invite a friend or two over to do some scrapbooking !

My little sister on 4th of July. We surprised her the day after her birthday when the family got together for the 4th. Happy Birthday Sis.

I found a scripture today that speaks volumes........."Where your treasure is, your heart will be also. Mathew 6:21

I also found this great article on scrapjazz that talks about faithbooking. In many ways I think this is what I am trying to get across in my albums. Whether it is by sharing my daily life or sharing my faith. Even if you are not a religious person I hope that in some small way I have shown you that I am a real person, with real feelings who lives a real life just as you have. I have good days and bad days. I spend most of my time caring for my family and friends ( and they for me ). The internet has introduced me to many people and many things. My scrapbooks ( and especially my love of Disney ) has bonded me with ladies all around the world. I now call women and men my friend from as far as Canada to California ( maybe not that far away geographically, but still amazing to me the bond we have formed ). If nothing else I hope I have touched someone in a lasting way, who may not have ever thought to become friends with the crazy disney-fanatic, scrap-aholic ministers wife from the internet. I also hope that in some small way by me scrapbooking ( and blogging ) about my faith I have honored God and shown what my true treasure in life is.

Just to prove how serious I am about this thing....I am back at my desk scrapping away. Here are a few new layouts ( from my disney album of course ) to share. Plus, Donna Downey had these really cool mini albums on her blog that she picked up from Michaels $1. spot. And since its been such a bad couple of days ......... Did I mention I broke my glasses yesterday and had to get new ones ? Of course our insurance was no help at all ( plus the vision portion expires on Friday ). I can truly say that is the one thing I will not miss from Marc's old job. Needless to say with my prescription they were not cheap ! But I am blind as a bat without them. Thankfully my mom came to the rescue ( Thanks Mom! ) After we left Lens Crafters Marc said I could splurge at Michaels and buy a few of the mini albums . I spent $3.00 whole dollars !!! When it comes to scrapbook stuff it doesn't take much to make this old girl happy. Can't wait to put them to use. They are the cutest things . The good news today was that Marc had his first job interview, and a few more leads are in the works. So here's hoping he will be back in the saddle real soon.

For Such a Time as This.......It seems as if I have been preparing for this day like forever. For many years now I have had people ask me about doing albums for them, or to teach a class. I have even had people tell me to submit my work to magazines for publication . I just have not had the confidence to step out there and give it a try. But now there are circumstances beyond my control that are urging me to move forward with a few goals. It may take me a while, and I may not succeed. But I keep recalling how many times I have told my children that if at first you don't succeed to just try and try again. So here I am Lord, stepping out in faith believing ( and speaking it out loud ) that you do have a plan and purpose for my life. I am also believing that you have a plan and purpose for Marc's life now that he has lost his job. Many months ago you placed on my heart to share my testimony with others through my scrapbooks. At first I thought that meant just share my scrapbooks and show others how to do it for themselves. From that emerged the desire to learn more about this love of mine. Which had become more of a obsession ( even more so at times then my love for Disney ). From this emerged "Treasured Creations" ( which happened to be a name that was placed in my heart a while ago....as far back as my beginning days as a CMC). Then once I started TC I started thinking of ways to apply the principles I believed in ( spiritually ) as it related to scrapping. I know first hand how important it is to create a visual image of my family's life. The problem I found is that a large number of African American women especially dismiss this craft in part because they think of it as only something our Caucasian sisters "dabble" in. Thankfully that is one thing I see changing in this industry called scrapbooking. There are many women of color who are embracing this special art and it is starting to show in the magazines. Secondly I think we tend to forget the importance of our family legacy in the midst of our daily hustle and bustle. I am just now starting to realize how important it is to know about your ancestors and to pass that legacy on to your children. So many of my relatives have passed on and we missed the opportunity to hear their stories. Scrapbooks offer a way to document the everyday extra ordinary events in your life so that they can be passed down through the generations. Thirdly if I am to believe that God placed me here on earth for a purpose then I must also believe that if I keep my mind stayed on him and what His true purpose for my life is then when I step out on that faith ...even in the world of scrapbooks, that he will provide what I need , when I need it in the way that I need it. So having said all of this...I am stepping out and my goal is to share my love of scrapping with those around me through teaching ( classes ), sharing ( by submitting my work ), and making ( handcrafted albums for hire ). So remember this saying :

Passion= Purpose=Opportunity !

I can't say what it will mean to you , but for me it means my Passion for Christ=a Purpose for my life=an Opportunity to share my testimony. And who knows, maybe one day you might be sitting in my class and hear it ( or see it on a t-shirt ). That's just how much faith I have in God !