2013 One Little Word - "Connect"

After a lot of introspection, I finally felt my 2013 one little word should be "CONNECT".

I struggle with a disability that makes it easy for me to isolate myself.  So this year I have decided that this too needs to change, one stepping stone at a time. I've heard it said many times "that a man cannot be an island unto himself" and I find that quote to be so true. We do need each other, to love, live, laugh and so much more.

For starters I've met a lovely bunch of gals that love to scrapbook and we've decided that our SB Group name should be called "CIA" (Crafters In Action). Because I'm such a mystery nut. . . this title is perfect and adds a hint of mystery. . .

Scrapbooking has been a real passion of mine. It allows me to work with my hands and I am always amazed as my imagination wanders and the creativity begins and new projects are formed. There are so many amazing colours, designs and textures of  paper that are totally irresistible and just fuel the imagination.

I also want to connect more with GOD and strengthen my relationship with HIM - I know He is always there waiting for me with open arms and that there is absolutely nothing that can every separate me from His love. . . but I find myself wanting more!

Part of that is learning to connect with myself and my needs, learning to value who I am as a creation of GOD. This too needs to be a real priority in my life so I can spend the rest of my days in fullness, joy and peace!

Well this is just the beginning of a New Year; who said you couldn't start in March? and I am looking forward to new beginnings, fullness, joy, peace and restoration.

Blessings to you all and I hope your 2013 is all that you expected and more!

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Busy as a Bee. . .

Am so busy doing reno's and landscaping will be back in the fall. . .

Hope you all have a summer filled with love, peace, relaxation and sunshine!

So Shelli - "A Banner Creative Challenge"

A Banner Challenge. . . oh how divine! I love banners too and am always thinking of different ways to incorporate them into a layout, card or decor.  They add such a whimsical feel and remind me of fun, fun, fun; whether at a holiday celebration, party, family picnic or bbq.
Well someone saw my banner and suggested I enter "So Shelli's Banner Creative Challenge". Oh what fun!
So here is the first banner I created for a swap, where you take one letter out of a chosen word; in this case the word was "CREATE". I had the letter "A". So I created 6, sent off 5 to the Swap Coordinator and kept 1 to complete my banner.

and the Second Banner I created was for my niece's Birthday Party. The complete banner spells out "Happy Birthday" and we hung it over the fireplace. . . I chose the music paper for the banner background for a purpose, my niece plays piano and guitar and has such a passion for music. She absolutely loved it!

MAS CREATE Banner Swap

Another swap, this time a banner with the word "CREATE". I had the letter "A". Our guidelines were this: colours were to be: black, white and pink and had to be 6" x 6". You make 6 banners the same and mail 5 off to the Swap Meister. . . LOL!
Here's my banner:

. . . now I just have to sit back and wait for my banners to come in to complete the word "CREATE" and I will string them together and hang in my craft room. . .

2012 my one little word. . .

Happy New Years for 2012. . . Resolutions, not me - I've given up on New Year's resolutions years ago and for good reason. . . who really follows them anyways. Talk about setting yourself up for failure and so, I've opted to go with the "one little word" from Ali Edward's blog site. In 2011, my one little word was "advance". 2011 definitely held plenty of "advancement", and so now that I've seen my share of  advancement for one year . . i need some time to grow some roots, increase nourishment, freedom to pursue new ideas, create some balance and most of all, grow to love myself. 

So in 2012 i will: 

  

File Folder Mini Album

I happened upon this tutorial/video from Splitcoaststampers, it was a "File Folder Notebook, by Jenn Diercks"

The idea of using a file folder definitely got my attention, I've been wanting to make a mini out of one of these for quite awhile now. Well here is my take on this tutorial. 

I chose to use papers from Prima's Printery Collection along with their diecuts and embellishments and made it into a mini album with plenty of pockets and tags. I used one of Tim Holtz's swivel clasps and a locket from Melissa Francis for the closure.

Hope you like it. . .

 

 

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS. . .

"HOW MANY KINGS"  by Downhere

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe after all we’ve projected
A child in a manger

Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliness hero, wrapped in his mothers shawl
Just a child
Is this who we’ve waited for?

Cause how many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn savior
All that we have whether costly or meek
Because we believe
Gold for his honor and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he’ll suffer
Do you believe, is this who we’ve waited for?
It’s who we’ve waited for

How many kings, stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me

All for me 

All for you

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas filled with the Revelation of God's Great Love!

MAS 2012 Flip Calendar

Mini Album Scraps had a Flip Calendar Swap for 2012 and I chose the months April and September. . . This challenge was a little tougher as we were only allowed to use the colours: black, cream, & kraft cardstock and one other colour for each month.
Here are my pages for April and September:

MAS Recipe Card Swap

So here is my take on the Mini Album Scraps Recipe Card Swap. . .  We make six recipe cards exactly the same, keep one and ship off the other five to the Swap Coordinator, where she in turn sends us recipe cards from five other participants. I can hardly wait to get my recipes in the mail.

I absolutely love the vintage look and so I chose Graphic 45 papers for this recipe card. The graphics are from the Graphics Fairy; one of my most favourite places to hunt down amazing vintage graphics.
I created a pocket on the opposite side of the card so I could tuck in the recipe for the Cream Cheese icing, along with an extra tag for any alterations they may want to make to the recipe.
I sure hope my swap team enjoys their recipe and card!