Sunday, February 27, 2011

Lasting Memories Sketch

Good morning! There's a new sketch over at Lasting Memories :
Here's my take:

You can see I flipped the positioning on the pics just a bit to better work with the photos I had. That's the best part of a sketch, flip it, rotate it, do what you need to do to make it work for you! Be sure to pop on over to Lasting Memories and see what the rest of the Design Team came up with, and then link up your take on the sketch by March 5th! =) T

March- a New Scrap That Poetry Challenge

Anew month brings a new poem at Scrap That Poetry , a lovely poem called "March" by Lucy Larcom:

"March! March! March! They are coming
In troops to the tune of the wind.
Redheaded woodpeckers drumming,
Gold - crested thrushes behind;
Sparrows in brown jackets, hopping
Past every gateway and door;
Finches, with crimson caps, stopping
Just where they stopped before.
March! March! March! They are slipping
Into their places at last. . .
Literature white lily buds, dripping
Under the showers that fall fast;
Buttercups, violets, roses;
Snowdrop and bluebell and pink,
Throng upon throng of sweet posies
Bending the dewdrops to drink.

March! March! March! They will hurry
Forth at the wild bugle sound,
Blossoms and birds in a flurry,
Fluttering all over the ground.
Shake out your flags, birch and willow!
Shake out your red tassels, larch!
Grass blades, up from your earth - pillow.
Hear who is calling you. . . March.

So pretty, and just the thing to get me thinking about Spring on this snowy snowy day! Here's what I came up with:


I chose to use just a few lines from the poem, "Literature white lily buds, dripping, Under the showers that fall fast; Buttercups, violets, roses; Snowdrop and bluebell and pink, Throng upon throng of sweet posies; Bending the dewdrops to drink". Printed directly on my pattern paper, along with my Etsy Inspired Title. I also added some glossy effects to the title, just to make it stand out a little. Used another flower from Precocious Paper,  I just LOVE her handmade flowers! Handstitched X's for a quick accent, stapled ribbon on the photo for handmade photo corners, and there ya have it! =) T


"Anna" qualifies for the following challenges:
-Scrap That Poetry poem
-Scrap Whispers color scheme
-Etsy Inspired Challenge title
-Scrapbookers Anonymous use X's
-All Sorts handmade flowers
-Page Maps sketch

Saturday, February 26, 2011

It's a Teddy Bear Picnic at 2 Sisters!

Good Saturday morning bloggers, this week's challenge at 2 Sisters is a Teddy Bear Picnic. We want to see your cute and cuddly teddy bear projects! Here's what I came up with using an adorable image from Stamp Fairy:
This week's challenge come with 2 prizes, so be sure to link up your Teddy Bear Picnic project by Friday March 4th for your chance to win great goodies from Stamp Fairy and Inky Impressions! =) T

"Happy Birthday" card qualifies for the following challenges:
-2 Sisters teddy bear picnic
-Papertake sketch
-Timeless Tuesday birthday
-Delightful Challenges scraps

Friday, February 25, 2011

You Still Have a Few More Days...

There are some great challenges going on right now that I'm lucky enough to be part of as a DT member. Just wanted to give a friendly little reminder that you still have a few days to post those projects for your chance to win some great RAKs!

You can win this beautiful package of goodies over at Punky Scraps, be sure to link by Feb 28

And what about a $25 voucher from Scrapbookit for the winner at Scrap That Poetry, post by Feb 27th

Oooh- the monthly drawing at Sketches in Thyme is a great glimmer mist set!

And you have until Feb 26th to post your project at lasting Memories for a chance to win a prize from

Lots and lots of great goodies to be had, and some fantastic challenges to get you crafting! =) T

Hold your Horses & Birthday Girls!

Having fun with a few challenges today, 1st up:

Pictures of our horseback riding adventures were not great, the batteries died before the kiddos even got on the horse!!! These 3 pics on the layout are the best I could do; thankfully I was surprised with a new camera for my bday, hopefully this won't happen again soon! Didn't even get a chance to snap pics of the 3 other cousins that were there with us that day- have I mentioned how excited I am that I got a new camera? This layout SOOOO very quick and easy thanks to the great inspiration out in blog world. First I started with this sketch from Crafty Sketches, and then used this color scheme from Creative Prompts. Olive, greys and whites would never have crossed my mind, but I love how they work together, and the lines on their photo insiration really went well with the sketch. I decided to do a bit of embossing in silver, as suggested by Fussy and Fancy. You can see it on the border across the top of the photos, in my title, and the flourish in the bottom left corner.

And here's the 2nd layout I have to show you:

No special stories or techniques with this one! Used a fun and funky star paper on the bottom, and then cut out 3 of the stars to use as accents at the top- quick and cheap way to embellish your page and it's SURE to match!! I added a little safety pin to each star as a little added embellie, and then did some faux stitching around the top edge and scallop. I probably would have preferred pulling out the sewing machine for ACTUAL stitching on the layout, but my bobbin needs to be threaded, and I am clueless on this. Need mom to come over for this one, so for now, faux stitching it is!! =) T

"Hold Your Horses" qualifies for the following challenges:
-Creative Prompts color scheme
-Crafty Sketches sketch
-Fussy and Fancy embossing

"Birthday Girls" qualifies for the following challenges:
-Frosted Designs metal
-Paper Variety stitching
-Twisted Sketches sketch+pins

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Open Challenge at Sketches in Thyme

Yup, it's "open challenge" time at Sketches In Thyme. And what is an "open challenge" you ask? Well...you can upload any project you'd like, just use any sketch of your choice along with it! I used this fun sketch from Twisted Sketches:

and here's my layout:


The "twist" with this sketch was to use the word comfort somehow...so I used a pic of my daughter in her cozy comfy owl PJs, and wrote about comfort in my journaling.  The little felt owl I made myself, but to be honest, I am not all that crazy about it. Maybe it needs to be bigger? Or different colors? or cuter? It needs something...I shall have to prectice my felt owl technique! The DT at Sketches In Thyme has some great examples for you this week, so be sure to head on over and check them out! Don't forget to link up your "open challenge" for a chance to win this lovely glimmer mist set! =) T

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Inspiration is Everywhere- and Birthday Girl Winner!!!

Trying out a few challenges today, and just LOVE how my layout came out. This was a photo I've had of husband and dog...love the photo but just wasn't sure what direction to take when I scrapped it. So- off to the blogs for some creative inpiration and this is what we have:


It all started with this cloud border that I absolutely loved! So I made my own version by "drawing" clouds on MS Word and printing on 8 1/2 x11 CS. I cut out around the clouds making a funky little frame for my photo and placed over my background that was sprayed with smootch (my latest fav!). I dressed up my border with a few goodies- a strip of scrap fabric, a decorative paper clip from the office supply store, and a gorgeous corrugated star from Precocious Paper, don't ya just love that star? For my title, I used this prompt and cut the main word out of a corrugated sleeve from my latest coffee drive-through trip- how's that for Going Green?

And finally...after a month of little Birthday Girl Challenges, we have a winner of my yummy little RAK of Bday goodies.....Momma Said! Send me an email at frogscrapgirl@yahoo.com with your snail mail info, and I'll get these goodies out to you! =) T

"Inspiration is Everywhere" qualifies for the following challenges:
-Creative Prompts inspiration is everywhere
-XOXO scraplifted Michelle
-Scrap Whispers go green 

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Happy Birthday to Me!

Ok, today's the day! Was gifted with lovely little handmade cards and trinkets from the kiddos this morning- how sweet! I always thought my parents were being corny as a kid when they'd say, "the best gifts are the drawings you give me"...but they really are! Not sure what the rest of the day will hold, but since it's school vacation and I have 3 xtra children running around here today, I have a feeling it will be less about pampering the birthday girl, and more about making grilled cheese sandwiches and cleaning up around them!

Anyway, today is the FINAL DAY of my "Birthday Girl Challenge". One lucky winner will be selected at random to receive this little batch of goodies:

If you're a follower and have commented at all this month, you are in! (one entry for each comment) If you've taken part in any of my challenges this month, and let me know about it, you are in! (one entry for each) If you've posted about my Bday Girl Challenge on your blog, you've scored another entry! And today you'll be entered when you comment to this blog post letting me know about your favorite birthday memory! So have a fabulous day and bring on the memories...=) T 

Monday, February 21, 2011

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- and a Blog Candy Winner!!

This week's challenge at Lasting Memories is right up my alley, "Reduse, Reuse, Recycle". I LOVE to reuse my scraps, turn packaging into something scrap-worthy, and dig through the recycle bin for crafty surprises. As an added bonus, the DT was able to use images from Heart Song Designs, they're our sponsor this week!


I chose a lovely Cherry Blossom image, and printed it, along with my title, right on my pattern paper. I colored just  the blossoms with watercolor pencils for a splash of color. Did you find my reclycled item? It's the journaling tag, it's actually the packaging from a set of Karen Foster License Plates. Such a nic big tag with a great grommet- I couldn't stand to put it in the trash, so it's been living in my "recycled scraps" bin for a few years now! I used acrylic paint to dress it up, and then wrote my journaling on there once it was dry.

Ready to get recycling? Post your project over at Lasting Memories by Feb 26th for your chance to win this week's prize from Heart Song Designs. Oh...and remember I mentioned a Blog Candy winner? Here's the candy:

And the winner is............Sandi! Please email me at frogscrapgirl@yahoo.com with all your snail mail info, and I'll get your winnings sent out!! Congrats, and thanks for playing along!!!

And speaking of playing along, there is one more day for my Birthday Girl Challenge- tomorrow's the big day and I'll be choosing a winner on Wed morning, so be sure to do any (or all) of these for your chance to win an RAK of Bday goodies! 1) Become a follower if you're not already 2) Leave a comment 3) Post about my Bday Girl Blog Candy on your blog! Here's what you could win:


Friday, February 18, 2011

Imagine the Embossibilities!

The challenge at 2 Sisters is embossing. I am a big fan of heat embossing (using ink and embossing powder over a stamped image) and so I used that technique twice on the card I created for the challenge:

 
Our sponsor this week is Robin's Fetish, and us DT gals were able to use one of her fun images on our creations. Aren't these little kittens just so cute? I created my sentiment in a word doc using 2 different fonts, and printed that along with the image. Colored the kitties with my favorite coloring tool- watercolor pencils. I hope you'll stop on by the 2 Sisters challenge blog to check out all the fabulous inspiration from the DT, and then hopefully join in the challenge yourself- I'd love to see what kinds of embossing tricks you have up your sleeve! Oh- and don't forget there are TWO MORE DAYS left for my Bday Girl Challenge, read below for more info on how you can be the big winner!! =) T

My Bday is coming up on February 22, and to celebrate I'll be giving away an RAK of delicious little birthday goodies- paper, stickers, ribbon and other fun embellies. I will select one winner at random on 2/22/11 (the BIG day!!!), here's 3 different ways you can enter:

1-Become a follower, or comment letting me know you're already a follower.
2-Post a link to your interpretation of any-or all-of my Bday Girl Challenges (no limit on entries) in the comments section of appropriate blog post.
3-Blog about my month-long Bday Girl Challenge on your blog, and be sure to post the link here!

"Together" card qualifies for the following challenges:
-2 Sisters embossing
-Pile it On plaid
-Corrosive Challenge buttons
-Mojo Monday sketch
-Color Dare color scheme
-Cupcake Crafts hearts

A Journaling Challenge at Punky Scraps

This weeks challenge at Punky Scraps is journaling-themed, and Nat has given us this piece of prose to use as our jumping-off point:

Quite a good bit of advice don't ya think? I've been in quite a rut lately, and this sort of hit me hard- but I guess maybe in a good way. It got me off my butt and into the studio for some theraputic time with paint and paper, here's what I came up with:


This layout was LOTS of fun to make, and very quick and easy too! I started with a piece of white CS, squirted a bit of pink, grey and balck craft paint,and then smeared in one fell swoop with a toungue depressor. I did the same thing to a strip of white CS I had printed the journiling on, but just in pink; and layered to the background. For my grey circle, I scribbled a circle a few times with my handy-dandy sharpie and then hand-cut so it wasn't too perfect. My photo was adhered to the grey, and then tacked down with black electrical tape for quick and not-so-pretty photo corners. Smeared a small amount of paint on my title before edging with my spiral notebook punch and then tucked behind my photo. And....there ys have it!

Would love to have you pop on over to Punky Scraps and see what the rest of the DT has come up with. Hopefully you'll play along with our challenge too! When you do, be sure to come on back here and let me know, you'll be entered in my Bday Girl Challenge- I'm giving one lucky follower a lovely little package of bday-themed goodies on 2/22/11 (my Bday!!) =) T

"Minute of Happiness" qualifies for the following challenges:
-Punky Scraps journaling prompt
-Nerdy Victorious Scrappers color scheme
-Frosted Designs no pattern paper
-Scrapbookers Paradise distressing

ooh- free goodies!!

wow- Stuff 2 Scrap is giving away an amazing prize- 2 packages of new goodies, along with some old favs too! i just love scrapping with chipboard so I'm crossing my fingers and chanting, "Pick Me! Pick Me!". But, maybe you'd like a chance too? Just go here to enter!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

It's Time to Scrap That Poetry!

Time for a bit of poetic inspiration from Scrap That Poetry. The latest poem to challenge and inspire you is so lovely, "Children" by
Khalil Gibran:

And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, 'Speak to us of Children.'
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
 
So simple and beautiful, isn't it? Us DT girls enjoyed finding inspiration in this week's poem. I hope you will come play along with us and use any word, line or the poem in it's entirety to create your layout, card, 3D item, etc. Here's what I came up with, looking forward to seeing your creation! =) T

Monday, February 14, 2011

Will You Be My Valentine?

Here's a little Valentine gift from me to you! A free download of my "Valentine" Ready...Set...Titles. Print them on cardstock and use as titles on pages or sentiments in your greeting cards. Don't forget to send me examples of how you use them, I love to see them "in action"! Enjoy =) T





Sunday, February 13, 2011

Lasting Memories Challenge & Blog Candy!!

It's a Red/White/Pink Challenge this week at Lasting Memories and we have some yumminess to share with you! First off, the wonderful and talented Stef of Glitterbabes is sponsoring this challenge, and she'll be awarding the winner 4 of her lovely digi images! But wait...there's more!

As you check out the  Lasting Memories DT blogs for inspiration, you're going to find some yummy blog candy along the way (scroll down this post and you might find some here...)!! You just never know what you'll find, so be sure to visit each DT member, leave a comment, then come back and play along with us! You have to join us in order to be eligible to win. It's as easy as that!! Enter as many times as you like. Winners will be announced next Sunday with our challenge! Remember, to be eligible to win any of the prizes, you just have to link your entry below by Saturday, Feb 19 @ 9pm EST! =) T

Here's my layout....




and here's the CANDY!!!

"Eliza Loves Pink" layout qualifies for the following challenges:
-Lasting Memories Red/Pink/White
-Frosted Designs "Love"
-Shimell's Blog Sketch
-Show Us Your Stuff "Love"


Valentine Bear

The challenge at 2 Sisters this week is to create a card with hearts, and the DT has come up with some really great examples as inspiration, here's mine:
Isn't that little teddy just the sweetest? The Valentine Bear is an image from Patties Creations, who is one of our generous sponsors this week. I colored the teddy with watercolor pencils, and then added stickles to the heart for a little bling (although I must have gone overboard on the stickles as it made the heart a little lumpy!). Want to get in on the heart action? Go on over to 2 Sisters and add your creation to the Linky by Feb 18th! Don't forget to tell me all about your project here in the comments section, and you'll be entered in my month-long Birthday Girl Challenge! (read more about that one below). =) T

My Bday is coming up on February 22, and to celebrate I'll be giving away an RAK of delicious little birthday goodies- paper, stickers, ribbon and other fun embellies. I will select one winner at random on 2/22/11 (the BIG day!!!), here's 3 different ways you can enter:

1-Become a follower, or comment letting me know you're already a follower.

2-Post a link to your interpretation of any-or all-of my Bday Girl Challenges (no limit on entries) in the comments section of appropriate blog post.

3-Blog about my month-long Bday Girl Challenge on your blog, and be sure to post the link here!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Time to Get Punky!

Happy Friday everyone! There's a new challenge up at Punky Scraps, and this time it's a sketch! Check out this fabulous sketch you have to work with:
and here's my take on it:
I know Valentines Day is approaching, but I just didn't have any "love" pics to scrap...I do however have a TON of xmas pics that I've been avoiding for several years now. So, I took this sketch and used it as a tribute to our love of Xmas morning. Used a jumbo scalloped circle as my journaling block- it just so happened to be in the lovely shade of green to match my DD's PJs in the pic; with red flourishes that matched my DS' shirt- couldn't have worked better if I planned it!

Be sure to pop on over to Punky Scraps and see what all of the talented DT members have come up with, and don't forget to link up your project for a chance to win goodies from Scrap Rat! =) T

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Thursday Takes #35

It's Thursday, which means there's a new challenge up at Sketches in Thyme! The sketch this week is a good one- spots for 3 photos and lots of fun layers of goodies!

The DT has some great layouts up for inspiration, including this little beauty from yours truly:


I started with a white CS background, inked it up to make it messy- OF COURSE! Added a couple scraps of PP from the scrap bin, and even upcycled the packaging from the Hershey Bars, you can make it out over on the right- has the recipe for S'mores right on it! Used a butterfly punch as a mask on my background, inked over the little butterflies, and then used those inked up butterflies as little embellies on the LO. Some chocolate brown brads and chocolate chipboard ABCs finished out the layout.

Ready to give the sketch a try? Link up your layout at Sketches in Thyme for your chance to win a lovely set of Glimmer Mist! Oh and don't forget to read below on how you can enter my month-long Bday Girl Challenge! =) T

My Bday is coming up on February 22, and to celebrate I'll be giving away an RAK of delicious little birthday goodies- paper, stickers, ribbon and other fun embellies. I will select one winner at random on 2/22/11 (the BIG day!!!), here's 3 different ways you can enter:

1-Become a follower, or comment letting me know you're already a follower.

2-Post a link to your interpretation of any-or all-of my Bday Girl Challenges (no limit on entries) in the comments section of appropriate blog post.

3-Blog about my month-long Bday Girl Challenge on your blog, and be sure to post the link here!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

New Shoes!

Hello snow day! The song challenge for this week at Scrapping the Music is New Shoes by Paolo Nutini. I had the perfect page to work on for this! A few years back I returned to college to finish my degree that had been put on hold because of "Mommy Duty". Kids were now in school all day, and it was time for me to finish up. Now besides insanely expensive books and a few new notebooks, what else does a girl need for Back To School? New shoes of course! A few fun B&W pattern papers along with a fun skull & crossbones iron-on I found in the sewing notions was just what I needed to make this simple layout showcasing my fun new back-to-school sneaks!! =)T

Monday, February 7, 2011

Lasting Memories Cricut Challenge & Bday Girl Challenge # 7

Are you crazy for your Cricut? If so, then you must hop on over to Lasting Memories and check out this week's challenge.  Get inspired with all the creations of the talented DT members, and then head off to your craft space to start scrapping! Show off your new cartidge you just picked up, or dig out some old die-cuts; here's what I came up with:
Now here's the up-close and personal look at my title, can you see my trick?
I LOVE making a flat title stand out by using dimensional ABC stickers, foam, chipboard, etc...but sometimes just don't have the right font/color needed for the layout. Cricut to the rescue! To make a "faux" chipboard title like I did using your Cricut, simply cut out each letter 5-7 times, run through your xyron and then layer them to give that added dimesion!

Ready to give your Cricut a try? Link up your die-cutting creation over at Lasting Memories by Saturday, February 12th-you could be chosen as one of the Top 3!! Oh and don't forget about my month-long Birthday Girl Challenge- one lucky winner will be receiving a RAK of birthday goodies; I'm drawing the winner on February 22, my birthday! You can enter to win 2 different ways today: 1-leave a comment for me letting me know you've taken part in the challenge at  Lasting Memories  2- BONUS 3 ENTRIES when you try MY CHALLENGE of creating a "faux" chipboard title!!

Can't wait to see what you come up with, happy Cricutting! =) T

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Checking off Those Challenges!

Have been a busy busy scrapper the last few days, inspiration abundent in this Challenge Blog world, and I am loving every minute of it! Today I have a simple layout I created following 2 great challenges.

The first was for the Trifecta Challenge at Design Dollies (with a name like "Trifecta Challenge", you just HAVE to try it right??). I based my layout on their sketch, used their kraft, Red, Sky and White color scheme, added doodling around my photo mat wrote my "3rd grade" title. The second challenge this layout qualifies for is the Alphabet Challenge Blog, this week N is for Numbers! Check out my #3s I used from my leftover rubons! Ok, I'm off to the craft room again, have a lovely Saturday! =) T


What's Cooking?

Good morning blog world! Today I have a card to show you, my latest DT assignment for the 2 Sisters Challenge Blog.
The theme this week is "The World Is Your Oyster"...and we are challenging you use pearls on your creation- and there is an option to make yours a valentine as well. I chose to use pearl dinmensional paint, and added 3 dots along the chef's buttons, as well as dots on the scallops along the bottom. Be sure to pop on by the 2 Sisters Challenge Blog to see all the fabulous Design Team creations! This week we are sponsored by Stitchy Bear Stamps and Pizzazz Aplenty. get your entry liked up over at 2 Sisters Challenge Blog by February 11th for your chance to win goodies from our 2 generous sponsors! =) T

Friday, February 4, 2011

Inspired by a Photo (and Bday Girl Challenge #6!!)

There's an adorable pic up at Punky Scraps that is part of this week's challenge. Use this photo as inspiration in your project:

I chose to go with the color scheme of pink, black and grey in creating my layout about a visit to the Boston Childrens Museum:


It's a very quick and easy layout. Had this great black paper with glittered ABCs all over it, placed that over some pink CS, added a shimmery grey CS circle as the backdrop for my title, which I made with glittered pink ABC stickers. I guess something about the photo was making me feel sparkly!

Now it's your turn to get inspired. Create something based on the photo and post it on Punky Scraps by February 28th for your chance to win a lovely package of goodies from the Scrap Rat! Don't forget to tell me all about your project here in the comments section, and you'll be entered in my month-long Birthday Girl Challenge! (read more about that one below). =) T

My Bday is coming up on February 22, and to celebrate I'll be giving away an RAK of delicious little birthday goodies- paper, stickers, ribbon and other fun embellies. I will select one winner at random on 2/22/11 (the BIG day!!!), here's 3 different ways you can enter:

1-Become a follower, or comment letting me know you're already a follower.
2-Post a link to your interpretation of any-or all-of my Bday Girl Challenges (no limit on entries) in the comments section of appropriate blog post.
3-Blog about my month-long Bday Girl Challenge on your blog, and be sure to post the link here!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

And While I'm at It....

Have the whole house to myself today- one kiddo is with a friend and the other is with DH on the slopes, so I'm making the most of the quiet and trying out a few challenges! There's one over at Scrap Outside the Box....asking you to use posicle sticks on a layout. Weird, but right up my scrapping alley! Here's what I've come up with:

I used my handy dandy Sharpie to write the title on the popsicle stick (it was in the kids craft supplies, think it might actually be a tongue depresser...) and then used my crop-o-dile to attach 2 jumbo eyelets. One problem though, the wood split a bit as the crop-o-dile was in action, but I'm just going to let that be part of the artistic charm! =) T

Nuts About this Sketch!

As a previous DT member and a fan of all things sketchy, I love the Nuts About Sketches challenge blog. This week Shawn has a fabulous sketch up, and the DT has done a great job. I decided to get in on the action, so here's the sketch:

and here's my take on the sketch:


She's a beauty isn't she? You can see I changed things up a teensy-weensy bit, did 2 photos instead of 3, moved my title along the side of the circle, and placed my journaling inside the circle. =) T

Scrap That Poetry Challenge & Bday Girl #6

There's a new poem at Scrap That Poetry:

May You Always Feel Loved
by Sandra Sturtz Hauss

May you find serenity and tranquility in a world
You may not always understand.
May the pain you have known and conflict you have experienced
Give you the strength to walk through life
Facing each new situation with courage and optimism.
Always know that there are those whose love and understanding
Will always be there, even when you feel most alone.
May you discover enough goodness in others
To believe in a world of peace.
May a kind word, a reassuring touch, a warm smile be yours
Every day of your life,
And may you give these gifts as well as receive them.
Remember the sunshine when the storm seems unending.
Teach love to those who know hate,
And let that love embrace you as you go into the world.
May the teaching of those you admire become part of you,
So that you may call upon them.
Remember, those whose lives you have touched
And who have touched yours are always a part of you,
Even if the encounters were less than you would have wished.
It is the content of the encounter that is more important than it's form.
May you not become too concerned with material matters,
But instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart.
Find time in each day to see the beauty and love in the world around you.
Realize that each person has limitless abilities,
But each of us is different in our own way.
What you may feel you lack in one regard
May be more than compensated for in another.
What you feel you lack in the present
May become one of your strengths in the future.
May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility.
Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.
May you find enough inner strength to determine your own worth by yourself,
And not be dependent on another's judgement of your accomplishments.
May you always feel loved.

Such a lovely poem, and so many different directions to take your inspiration! I always try to create a little Valentine crafty something each year as tribute to my little family, and this poem was just what I needed to get started! Here's what I came up with:


I roughly painted a 12x12 canvas with shades of blue and grey (sorry the lighting was bad when I took the pic) and then decoupauged my pattern paper and photo on top. My title is written with paint pen on a scrap of transparency film, and then attached on 3 sides with kraft photo corners. My little cluster of elements has a scrap of fabric, a common pin, a February calendar (the 14th highlighted with a painted heart), a piece of meauring tape ribbon showing the #3 (for my 3 fav people!) and a little journal spot where I wrote "beyond measure". The whole thing took under 30 minutes, but I think it's a nice piece of art to display!

So does this poem get you inspired to create something lovely? You have until February 14th at 10am to add your creation to Mr Linky over at Scrap That Poetry. You'll be entered for a chance to win a $25 voucher to Scrapbookit and to be Guest Designer for the March 1st challenge! Don't forget to post a comment here letting me know you've entered and you'll also be entered in my month-long Birthday Girl Challenge! (more info on that below) =)T

My Bday is coming up on February 22, and to celebrate I'll be giving away an RAK of delicious little birthday goodies- paper, stickers, ribbon and other fun embellies. I will select one winner at random on 2/22/11 (the BIG day!!!). There are no limits on number of times you can enter, here's 3 different ways:

1-Become a follower, or comment letting me know you're a follower.

2-Post a link to your interpretation of any-or all-of my Bday Girl Challenges (no limit on entries) in the comments section of appropriate blog post.

3-Blog about my month-long Bday Girl Challenge on your blog, and be sure to post the link here!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Toot! Toot! I'm a New Design Team Member at Lasting Memories!!

So excited to announce I've mede in onto another design team, Lasting Memories!!! This is a really great layout Challenges Blog; Karen posts a new challenge every Sunday, and then you have till Saturday at 9pm to link up your entry for a chance to be chosen as Top 3! And every once in a while she may be sneaking in some fun Blog Candy too! Here's the challenge for this week, a fabulous sketch to get you scrapping:
and here's my take on the sketch:

You can see I flipped the sketch and took out one of the photos. It absolutely OK to take "artistic license" when using a sketch, that's whats part of making the layout more of your own!

Now it's your turn! Give this sketch a try and link it up over at Lasting Memories by Saturday. Then, don't forget to post a comment here letting me know you've tried the sketch & you'll be entered in my month-long Birthday Girl Challenge! (more info on that below) =)T

My Bday is coming up on February 22, and to celebrate I'll be giving away an RAK of delicious little birthday goodies- paper, stickers, ribbon and other fun embellies. I will select one winner at random on 2/22/11 (the BIG day!!!), here's 3 different ways you can enter:

1-Become a follower, or comment letting me know you're a follower.

2-Post a link to your interpretation of any-or all-of my Bday Girl Challenges (no limit on entries) in the comments section of appropriate blog post.

3-Blog about my month-long Bday Girl Challenge on your blog, and be sure to post the link here!