So Sketchy Fun

Happy Monday Everyone!!!

I trust you had a wonderful day, (even if it was Monday!!)

My day was very good indeed!!!  Nothing special happened, but then, nothing bad happened either.  It was a good day to rejoice and be thankful for all that I have!!!

I hope you found yourself rejoicing today as well!!!

As promised, I have a So Sketchy layout to share!!

The So SketchyBlog is an excellent source of inspiration as well as amazing examples from the talented Design Team!  Here is the sketch that I used for this week:

A very basic sketch that I thought would be great fun to use some Pink Paislee papers with!!

You gotta love Pink Paislee and these papers are so rich and beautiful-perfect for a dramatic layout!!  I found this quote:

 A child's eyes, those clear, wells of undefiled thought - what on earth can be more beautiful? Full of hope, love and curiosity, they meet your own. In prayer, how earnest; in joy, how sparkling; in sympathy, how tender! The man who never tried the companionship of a little child has carelessly passed by one of the great pleasures of life, as onepassses a rare flower withoutplucking it or knowing its value - Caroline Norton

and I knew I had a picture of my sweet Bethany Marie that highlighted her big beautiful eyes that would work perfectly with this quote.  The papers have a big beautiful red rose on them that I thought would be fun to cover with glass beads

 to add dimension.  Here is the result:

You can see the dimension the beads add to the flower, what the picture doesn't show is the depth the beads create!  It was a fun project!!!

Well, I gotta work on cleaning out my scraproom!!! It is a mess!  

Have a great night,

Kristii

Lot's of Goodies to Share!!

I can't believe it is Monday again already.  This week went by like a flash!!  

Saturday was a gorgeous day and we headed out to Billings to watch the boys play soccer.  They had a marvelous day winning 9-1 against Miles City and 7-1 against Great Falls.  I spent more time watching the game that I did taking pictures...shame on me!!  

Next week we play at home.  Benny also is singing in the State Music Festival in Billings, so depending upon when he sings, he may not be playing any soccer.  I hope it will work out that he will be able to do both!!

The song for this week at Scrapping the Music is The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson.  It is a great song to scrap and I hope you will join in the fun!!!  I had to use a picture of my sweetie and me.  The journaling and title state:  I am so happy you love me just the way I am.  I am so lucky to have the sweet husband that I have.  He truly accepts me just the way I am!!!

Lots of Sassafrass Lass, Cosmo Cricket and Prima in this one!!

Next Saturday is National Scrapbooking Day and my friends Susan Beth and Peggy and I  are holding a NSD crop!!! I am sooo excited about this.  We are each offering a class and we plan on scrapping until Midnight.  Of course, if Benny is playing soccer, I will head over to the games, but the weekend will be filled with scrapping and fun!! 

The class I am offering is a Spring Card Collection made with these bright and beautiful Prima Papers and some fun little Prima florals.

I hope to see you there!!!  If you aren't able to make it to the class, I would love to kit one up for you or host another class on another date.  Just let me know!!

Tomorrow I will be posting my new So Sketchy layout!!

Stay tuned....

Kristii

Spring is finally here!!!

We actually saw the sun a bit on Saturday!! It was glorious!!!! The grass is quite green and I am seeing little buds on my China Rose bush!!  For the next three days we have should have  temperatures in the 70's, that is, if the weatherman is accurate in his forecast!!  I love this time of year!  It is a time of renewing, restoration, revitalization and it gives me hope for tomorrow!  I need to hold on that outlook in these difficult economic times.  My husband's pay was cut by 10% last week, but I am so very thankful that we still have jobs.  We just have to hold on.  Hopefully things will begin to look up soon!!  We still have room to cut back and so we will do what has to be done with a thankful and gratful heart!!  It is time to renew my thankful list!!

I am thankful for: 

1.  My Lord and Savior in whom I put my trust!!

2.  My husband-who works so very hard!!!  You will be rewarded for all your hard work-I just know it!!

3.  My children-who are healthy and amazing!!!

4.  Our jobs, though they may not be paying as much, we are still gainfully employed!!

5.  Spring!! The warm sun is good for the soul!!

6.  My home- our sanctuary in these trying times!!

7.  DVD's - our replacement for cable!!

8.  Memories - my  mom has been on my mind a lot lately!!

9.  My co-worker, -I am blessed to work with a wonderful woman who gives Godly counsel and encouragement daily!!

10. Scrappy friends  It is fun to share this passion with all of you!!

We went to Helena on Saturday for the District Music festival and had a great time.  The day was full of amazing musical talent!!  I am so pleased to say that the Chanson Choir will be going to State in two weeks!!!  Benny had a great time, but he was completely worn out by the end of the day.  We had to leave early so he could go to work Saturday night, but he was able to sing with both of his groups!!  

I have a layout to share with you from the Scrapping the Music Challenge!!!  This week's challenge is based on Toby Mac's song Made To Love.  Such awesome lyrics!  
The journaling states:

Whatever happened to a passion I could live for?
What became of the flame that made me feel more?
And when did i forget that...

Chorus
I was made to love You
I was made to find You
I was made just for You
Made to adore You
I was made to love
And be loved by You
You were here before me
You were waiting on me
And you said you'd keep me
Never would you leave me
I was made to love
and be loved by You

 

I decided to use a picture of me when I was younger for this layout because of the innocence that is represented in youth.  I was made to love Him and be loved by Him.  Lord help us to trust you completely like little children trust their parents!!  You are Great, Mighty and Awesome and you Care about us.  You will never leave us nor forsake us!!  This I know to be true!!!

May you have an awesome day remembering that you were made to Love Him and be Loved by Him!!!  

Kristii

Finally Friday!!!

The gallery is up at Little Red Scrapbook!!!!  I just loved this kit!!!  The Sassafrass Lass papers were so much fun to work with!!!!  These layouts were all made from my heart!!!  As many of you know this was a very emotional week and my layouts show the effects of that emotion.

The first layout is of my sweet daughter Heidi!!!  She called me this week with awesome news and she was so excited that my heart was blessed just listening to the optimism in her voice!!!  Yes, sunshine does happen!!!

The journaling states:  Today was a banner day!! You called with the most excitement I have heard in your voice in quite a long time!!!  You met with the nutrition advisor and had a very favorable meeting!!!  Whoo hoo!!! Sunshine does happen!!

This layout was inspired by the crossword puzzle design in the papers.  I know my sweet girl doesn't know exactly which road to take right now, but "Life is a Puzzle, Patience is key".   It is so hard to have patience during the valley's in life, but I just know that things will turn around if you work hard and are patient!!!

This layout was done for the Monthly Challenge at LRS.  Jennifer gave us a sketch and challenged us to scrap ourselves.  I decided to use the whimsical nature of the paper to scrap what it would be like In My Perfect World.  Hidden journaling states:  

There would be peace.  People would live in Harmony and our sons and daughters will have no threat of war.  

There would be love.  People would look out for the interests of other's ahead of their own and our children wouldn't suffer the consquences of a greedy world.  

There would be joy.  We would take the time to be thankful for all that we have physically, spiritually, and mentally lest we forget and ruin our perfect world!!!

This last layout was done after my son, who after many, many weeks of introspection, decided he was called to join the National Guard.  It is not a decision he has taken lightly.  We have gone over all the pros and cons through many tears and fears and he has decided this is the direction he is going to take at this time in his life.  I am very proud of him-very scared for him, but very proud!!  It is not a route I ever considered he would take, but there comes a time when mom just has to let go and it is a very difficult thing to do!!!  Funny, the baby manual never said how hard it was going to be when your children became adults!  This is definitely the hardest aspect of parenting I have faced yet!!  Lord, I entrust you with my baby!!!  Please protect him and keep him safe!!!

The journaling states:  Today, your life changed forever.

Of course, I had to make a couple of cards with my kit. 

All in all, this has to be one of my favorite LRS kits ever!!!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!!  Thanks for stopping by!!!

Kristii

Sneak Peeks and a little Tag!!

Good Morning everyone!!!!

It's back to school today.  I had some things come up yesterday and I didn't make it in to the doctor, but I am planning on going in today.  I am still not over this thing.  Bummer!!

Yesterday was not the day that I planned.   I will be sharing  about it over the next few days, but for now I just have to get used the life changes that took place yesterday!  I just can't talk about it without crying today so,  In the mean time I have a few Little Red Scrapbook sneaks for you!!!

I found this kit to be very versatile!!!  Good for both boy and girl and young and old.  I hope you were able to reserve yours!!!  Sassafrass Lass is so much fun to work with!

My dear, sweet friend Jocelyn tagged me today!!


Here are the rules:

1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 10 blogs.
4. Put links to their blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.
Here are my nominees:

1.   Lisa S.

2.   Carla

3.   Lisa H.

4.   Mary Jo

5.   Mara

6.   Tessa

7.   Julie

8.   Heather

9.   Kelly

10. Jennifer

Thank you again to my dear friend Jocelyn for this award!!!  You made my day girl!!!

Hope everyone has a great day!!!!

Is it Monday already???

I tell you, I feel like I have lost a week of my life!!  I have been sick for the past week, and this nasty bug just won't leave me alone!!  I am afraid I am going to have go in and make sure it isn't strep.  I just hate going to the doctor, but enough is enough!!

I was able to complete a couple of layouts this weekend though!!   This layout is for Scrapping the Music #81 featuring This is Me by Demi Lovato.  Journaling states:  I know things are difficult, but God has a purpose for you!  Even in the difficult times, he is with you!  He will never leave you!!   

I used my Studio Calico kit for this one.  I don't use Maya Mists very often, but I had some fun with the red mist on this layout!!  I am so amazed at how evenly it sprays.  If you haven't tried them out, you should! They are a lot of fun to play with!!

I hope that one day my sweet girl will see that God had her in this place at this time for a reason.  Esther is a perfect example of how God mysteriously works throught difficulties.  Esther was put in that place at that time for a specific purpose and He has a plan for my sweet girl as well.

I say this because My Bible Study is going through the Book of Esther with Beth Moore and it is a fantastic study!!!  Here is a synopsis:

 Its Tough Being a Woman. Esther may have been a queen, but her life was no fairy tale. An outsider, a foreigner, and an orphan, she found herself facing an evil plan to destroy her people. And you thought your life was hard! The Old Testament story of Esther is a profile in courage and contains many modern parallels for today's overloaded and stressed woman. You can share Esthers destinyeven if your glass slipper no longer seems to fit. 

If you ever get a chance to go throught this Bible Study, I highly reccommend it.  It is wonderful!

I should be posting some sneaks in the next few days as I have been working on my Little Red Scrapbook designs.  This month's  kit has been a blast to work with!

I have also finished a layot for the So Sketchy Blog!!!  It is one of my favorites, but it isn't going to post until the end of the month.  I just can't wait to share!!

Well, I am off to work on my LRS designs some more then I am heading to the doctor.  

Hope you have a fabulous day!!

  

It's Tuesday

Just another normal day here in Sunny southwestern Montana.  Yesterday the weather was gorgeous!!!  Yesterday, I took some time to soak up the sun!!  I can't tell you how good the warmth of the sun felt!!!  It seems like it has been an eternity since we had some sunshine and I enjoyed every minute of it.  Today is supposed to be 64 degrees and sunny as well, so my front porch and I have plans once again after school today!!

I have one layout for you today.  It is based on a So Sketchy sketch by Allison Cope.  I just love Allison's sketches and this month's sponsor is Creative Chaos!!!!  Creative Chaos is a super cool Etsy Store based out of my home state of Montana.  They carry all kinds of cute little journaling tags, tickets and such....check them out here!

I had so much fun putting this layout together!!!  That picture just captures my heart every time I look at it!!  Bethany Marie, you were such a sweet, happy baby!!!  I used Cosmo Cricket goodies along with some American Crafts Florals from my Studio Calico kit along with some Jenni Bowlin Rub ons. 

I hope today finds you basking in the warmth of His Love!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by,

Kristii

Let the Sun Shine in!!!

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day!!!  It is amazing how much the sunshine or lack thereof affects my countenance!  I felt like a new woman today!!  My sweetie and I took a nice walk through the Missouri Headwaters State Park.  It is our favorite early Spring hangout.   The weather is always a bit warmer and there usually is not as much snow there.  It is a very nice place to take a hike!!  We sat along the bank for awhile and just enjoyed the morning!!!

It has been such a nice relaxing weekend and I so needed it!!  I had so many stressful situations this week, it just felt good to take it easy.   

I am so thankful today!!!  Time to take a minute and reflect on those things that I am extremely thankful for!!

1.  My Lord and Savior who gave his life for all who believe!

2.  My family- a husband who loves and supports me and three amazing kids!!  I am sooo blessed!

3.  Jobs-we do not know what tomorrow will hold, but today we have good jobs and I am sooo very  thankful!!

4.  a Home-I love my house!!  It is our sanctuary-a place to come home to in the storms of life!!

5.  I am soooo thankful that Spring is in the Air and new Life is on its way!!  I look forward to the buds and blossoms and warm temperatures!!  It's heaven just thinking about it!!!

Scrapping the Music

This week's song is Dream On by Aerosmith.  What a great song!!! I loved it when I was a teen and I still love it now!!  I did another layout in my series of encouraging layouts for my sweet daughter.  The lyrics are perfect!!!  Dream unitl your dreams come true!!!  

I used Prima papers, Bazzill Cardstock, K and Co. papers, Jenni Bowlin  and making memories alphas,  Joann's lace, Michael's pearls, CI jewels by Marah Johnson, and Prima Florals.

I hope you get a chance to play along!! Check it out here!!!

Fun News!!!

My Graphic 45 Fashionista Cards made it onto the Graphic 45 blog!!! Whoo hoo!! I just love graphic 45!!

You can find them on the blog Here!

Color Me Daisy

I have been having so much fun with this month's CMD kit!!!  The papers are fantastic!!  If you haven't seen all the goodness at Lily Bee Design, you will have to check out their blog!  I made a couple of cards and another layout.  I just can't say enough about their papers!!!

The next layout I designed for my sweet daughter.  The picture I used is one of my favorites of her and I just love this quote:  God gives us dreams a size too big so we can grow into them.- author unknown.  I used Lily Bee papers, Kraft Cardstock, cardboard, Joann's lace, AC thickers and Scenic Route Alphas, Pink Paislee rubons and a Prima butterfly.

My week is not nearly so busy this week,  thank goodness!!!

Wishing you all laughter and smiles in the week ahead!!!

Kristii

I just can't tell you how happy I am its Friday!!!

After a very difficult week, I am just so happy that the weekend is almost here!!!  

I am looking forward to getting some sleep, scrapping, and cleaning my house!!

There will be no lists this weekend!  Whatever gets done, gets done.  I just want to enjoy the time I have at home!!

I have some DT work for Color Me Daisy to post today!!! This Month's kit is just gorgeous filled with Lily Bee papers.  I have never worked with Lily Bee papers before, but they are absolutely beautiful!!!  Michelle designed a beautiful kit with Jenni Bowlin, Fancy Pants, and Pink Paislee embellies!!

The first layout is of my two girls!! They have the most amazing relationship-one every mother hopes their children have!! I am so proud of them!!!

I used some modge podge on the flowers to make them shine.  I love how they turned out!!
The next layout is of Heidi and Ben.  I don't know if you can see, but he has quite a river running down his chin and she is completely unfazed by it.  I just love this picture!!  They are sooo cute!!
Class news!!!

I am in the process of planning two new card classes for those who are interested.  Please send me an email  or comment to this post if you would like to be on my mailing list!!!

I am off to one more day of work and then I may just stay in my jammies tomorrow.  I am that exhausted!  That thought totally brings a smile to my face!!!

May you have a very relaxing weekend!!!  I am off to do my bible study and I will get back to your blogs tonight!!!

Kristii