Strong

My daughter, whom I think is quite clever, wrote this really moving poem. I wanted to preserve it some way that would have meaning for her later in life.  As soon as I read the poem I knew exactly which picture to use.

I love this picture.  It was one of those random shots.  Not planned and in reality a really poor photo...the lighting was off and the picture is a little blurry, but I still loved it.  You see, my daughter is always singing and making up songs and twirling and dancing.  She jumped up on this rock and started doing her family concert at the same time I snapped a photo.  I loved how her arms are open, waiting for any possibility.  I also loved how it is almost a silhouette of her against the cloudy sky.  I see her up there and I think of all the grand adventures that she will have in her life time.  

When I read her poem I was shocked at what a mature little lady she is.  She is 10, in the 5th grade and I think back to myself at that age and I don't think I could have written a poem so profound, with such depth and emotion.  I was amazed. 

Her poem is titled Strong.  And I think she is a strong young lady.  She is also confident and sweet, happy and giggly and klutzy and kind.  

Here is her poem:

Strong

I look around
I can't see
The bright colors blind me
There's more and more each day
They don't understand me
They take one look and mark me as something I'm not
As they leave the stains of tears trickling down my cheek fade
the loneliness flees
And the joy of LOVE takes its place
My foundation is not shaking

In honor of my daughters lovely poem I made this page

I hope it conveys the love and admiration I have for her.  

Peace,

T.

Pinewood Derby

A quick and easy page.  All the information for this event is on this page.  I have used one of the 'ribbons' at the top to journals the details, including the date.   To the left of the pictures I added a few more details regarding the troop # and the location.  On the embellishment cluster I was able to add a couple of more details such as the fact that the Marines were present to judge the race and pass out the awards and that one of the pictures shows the final 3 cars in the race. 

I will often use my embellishments to communicate information here the 3 signifies Evan's car #3 and that he finished in 3rd place.

I like to do collage photos for my layouts.  This allows me to fit a lot of supporting photos onto a page without it looking cluttered or busy.  I also like to cluster my embellishments - together they make more of an impact then if i scattered them all over the page. 

On another note, Close To My Heart has come up with a great way to help out Japan.  This information is taken directly from Jennette Lynton's blog.   I wanted to share this with you. 

"We've all been reeling with the images of tragedy and devastation in Japan. If you're looking for an easy, real, practical way to help relief efforts, then I invite you to contact your Close To My Heart Consultant!

Typically, our A-size sets retail for $7.95/$8.75 CAN, but the "Hope for Japan" set will be available through April 30 for just $5--and Close To My Heart will be donating 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross to benefit relief efforts in Japan.

If we all do a little, together we can do a lot. Let's show our support and together, provide real HOPE for Japan!"

Thanks for stopping by, and remember that comments are always welcome. 

Have a good one, 

T. 

Orange and Green

On Sunday night my kiddos and I were watching a movie together.  Just as the previews ended my youngest son, we call him Little Man, turned to me and said "Mom, my colors are orange and green.  Orange because of my hair and green because of my happiness."  Well you know I had to scrap that.  And the fact is he's right.

1.2.3. ....blink

I have some kiddos that no matter if the sky is overcast once they catch of glimpse of a glare of light they blink.  Getting photos of them with their eyes opened and not looking like they are being tortured is a real challenge.  This picture is an example of countless pictures I have on file...someone is blinking.  Lucky this picture has only one blinker in it.  Generally it is at least 3.  We have trained the kiddos to keep their eyes closed until we say smile then they open their eyes and we snap a quick pic.  It doesn't always work though.  As you can see. 

These are the papers that came in my Work In Progress kit, which arrived last week.  I LOVE them. Such happy colors.  The felt circles are from Melody Ross Homespun collection.  I layered them on a floral sticker.  

The red rickrack is from my ribbon jar.  I used my Close To My Heart Pivot Point Stapler and some black staples to attach the rickrack to the page. 

Thanks for dropping by. 

T. 

Did you know.....

that you can change the color of your embellishment to coordinate with your page.

On my layout I needed some chipboard letters that would bring out the orangey-red of the patterned paper at the bottom of the page.  I did not have the exact color to match, so I colored them using my Copic marker.  If I had the right color ink I could have inked them or painted them.  The choices are endless.  For me on this project I pulled out my Copic marker R08 Vermilion and colored my letters.

I also used my Copic marker to color my buttons.  I had a bunch of buttons in many different colors and wanted to give them a more unified look.

After I went back and looked at the LO I decided that I did not like the B & H in the tan so I took my chocolate CTMH marker and colored the B & H to better match the rest of the letters in Beach.  Again, a simple fix.  

By using my markers, Copics, inks and paint I can stretch my embellishment dollar by repurposing the items I already have on hand.  

Artist Printers Tray Wall Hanging

My middle sister recently became a mommy.  I am so happy for her.  She has wanted to be a mommy for many years and in God's perfect timing she has been mightily blessed by a darling baby girl.  I haven't had a chance to hold my niece - yet, because we live so far away.  But I think of her often and love her immensely.  I had purchased the Aritist Printer Tray Wall Hanging kit from The Button Farm last July and I knew that this would make a great gift for my sister.  

This is the finished project.  I LOVE it because it is so sweet and girly.  I think this is a treasure that my sis will hang in my niece's room. 

This little tin opens and inside is a mini-scrapbook.  You can add additional photos or write down all of her firsts, or even stash lock of hair. 

Sweetness. 

If you would like to check out the kits available from The Button Farm you can visit their site at www.thebuttonfarm.com.   I have met Angela and she is a doll, so friendly and very creative.   She does go to many of the scrapbooking conventions throughout the year.   I know that she has been at the Creating Keepsakes Conventions along the East Coast, and she has been a regular at the Great American Scrapbooking Convention at Dulles, VA.  

Technique Tuesday Kit

Kits - I don't know your thoughts on them, but I know that I  like to work with a project kit from time to time.  The summer of 2010 I picked up this kit at the Great American Scrapbooking Convention at the Expo in Dulles, VA.  I purchased it from the Technique Tuesday booth.  I like their kits because they do a great job incorporating stamping with scrapbooking.  I also like kits like these because they get me to think outside the box.  Like using large dimensional elements on a scrapbook page and stamping on the dimensional element.  And my favorite, stamping on twill tape. 

Here is the LO I made using the Technique Tuesday This is true Love kit.  Everything I needed was in the one kit.  I like that.  I also like kits - on occasion - that give me step by step instructions.  It allows me to feel creative while letting my mind wander or rest. 

Of course, I have a tendency to change things up a bit.  That just makes it my own.  Here the title was to be under the little heart.  I liked it better over the heart.  

Here is a close up of stamping on twill.  It adds a little more personality to the project.  Can you imagine what you can do with this?