Old Fashioned Cookie Swap (sort of)

This time of the year is all about giving and the member's of Michelle Batton's creative team want to give a little something to you.  We've decided to have an old fashioned cookie swap, Internet style, and share the results with you via a blog train.  At each stop, you will find two printable recipe cards that you can use to create yummy goodies any time of the year.  The best part, the recipes have zero calories and are fat-free (okay, that's a lie, but it sounds good lol).

Here is my offering.

 

You can download it here.

Here are all the stops on the blog train. Please remember that we are all in different time zones, so if someone's recipes aren't up yet, please try back again later!

1. Cindy http://scribler.blogspot.com/  <--You Are Here
2. Jane http://4shadesofbluedesigns.blogspot.com/
3. Jamie http://www.jamie-cupcake.blogspot.com
4. Sherly http://nyempluk.blogspot.com/
5. Tara http://geekchicscraps.blogspot.com/
6. Beth http://sweetmesquite.blogspot.com/

7. Michelle http://www.mellowbutterfly.com

November Got It Challenge at Oscraps

If you love a good scrapping challenge, then head on over to OScraps for this month's Got It challenge.  Everyone who participates will receive a a wonderful freebie from Merkeley Designs.

And of course, I did a layout for this challenge.  This is my sister and I when we were little girls.  So, what do you think, do we look alike?

Everything used to create the layout is from Merkeley Designs.

You can see full credits here.

And if anyone is wondering, no I have not given up on including the spiritual thoughts in my blog.  But I wasn't coming up with one every Sunday and wasn't blogging at all when I had something else I wanted to put here on Sundays, simply because I had declared that on Sundays I would have a spiritual thought.  But rest assured, I will still have them from time to time.

Coach Of The Year

New CT Gig

I recently joined a new creative team and it's about time I come and share with y'all. I am now on the creative team for 4 Shades of Blue and you can find all of her latest designs at The Digichick. 4 Shades of Blue is a fairly new designer, but she does great work and highly recommend checking her out.

Here are some recent layouts using 4 Shades of Blue's designs.

This layout uses Frame Clusters,  Hoot Do You Love?

and Would You Like Some Colour? 

This layout uses Drivin and My Acrylic Alpha

plus a paper tear from Stephanie Krush.

Everything is from The Weekend Get-A-Way.

 Thanks to Jane for letting me be part of the team!

Raur-O-Saurus-Rex from Michelle Batton

Make sure you read my entire post. It'll be worth your while. :O)

Do you love scrapping with bright colors? Do your children love dinosaurs? Anyone turning 50 in your family and you have birthday pics to scrap? Then I have the kit for you. It's from Michelle Batton and the name of the kit is Raur-O-Saurus-Rex. This kit is filled with brightly colored papers, dinosaurs and other fun elements. Just looking at layouts scrapped with this kit makes me happy, because it is such a brightly colored, fun kit.

Guess what? You don't need pictures of children to make good use of this kit. Here is my layout using Rawr-O-Saurus Rex and it features my cockatiel Mr. Sunny Tiel.

Everything from Rawr-O-Saurus-Rex by Michelle Batton
except for the paper shaper from Merkeley Designs

I know I am on Michelle's creative team, but I am being honest when I say how much I love the colors in this kit. The layouts I've seen have just put a smile on my face.

I have a bit of good news. Rawr-O-Saurus-Rex will be on sale today and tomorrow for 20% off. Don't miss this chance to get Rawr-O-Saurus-Rex while it is on sale. You won't regret it.

Now that you've made it all the way to the bottom of my post.  I have a little something for you.  Angie (Jeepmama) from Michelle's CT has made a set of quickpages using Rawr-O-Saurus-Rex.  And the quick pages are yours for free, all you need to do is follow our little blog train.  Here's the quick page that is available from me.

You can download it here.If that link doesn't work, you can download it here.


The next stop, and there are seven stops including this one, on the blog train is Meredith's blog. Have fun on your quest for freebies.  And remember, not everyone is on the same time zone, so if a freebie isn't up, please check back again later.

Fun Challenge at OScraps

Every once in awhile I just have a lot of fun creating a layout. (I always love digiscrapping, but sometimes creating a layout is just a lot of fun. This was especially true of the layout I created for the October Got It challenge at Oscraps. This month's challenge is to create a layout that is "all about you". In the challenge, there a 10 pieces of information that must be included in the layout. And there is even free wordart from Merkeley Designs to help you with the challenge. I really enjoyed this challenge and I highly recommend it to all my scrapping friends, digi and paper, cause this is a challenge that fits any style of scrapping. We all need to include ourselves more in our scrapping and here is your chance.

Now, without further ado, here is the layout I created.

(Everything, except for the fonts, is from Merkeley Designs. 

You can see the full credits here.)

If you create a layout for the challenge and post it in an online gallery, leave a link in the comments and I'll go leave your layout some love. :O)

What Manner of Men Ought Ye to Be?

I became a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Prophet at the time was Ezra Taft Benson. However, he was already in bad health by the time I joined the church and I never actually heard him speak in Conference. So, when Howard W. Hunter became prophet, because I would actually be able to hear a living Prophet speak. I still remember the excitement of listening to his first address as Prophet. President Hunter often spoke about the Savior and his talks were wonderful. This Sunday, I want to share with you his address from April 1994 General Conferece. The talk is entitled What Manner of Men Ought Ye to Be? The address isn't very long, but the message is still wonderful. I highly recommend taking a few minutes to read it.

My Favorite Podcasts

Since the beginning of the year, I have really gotten into podcasts. David has loved listening to them forever, but I have always been more of a "music in the car" person. However, podcasts are about all we listen to in the car these days. There are a number of podcasts we listen to and I'll list them all for you at the end of the post.

My absolute favorite podcast is Buzz Out Loud from CNET. There are daily episodes of Buzz Out Loud available Monday through Friday. There is a rotating cast with Tom Merritt and Jason Howell hosting the show daily. There are two reasons that it scores as my favorite. One, it is about tech news, one of my favorite topics. Two, it is funny. I am always well entertained by this podcast. Subscribing to this podcast is very easy, as there are links for subscribing on their homepage.

My second favorite is the podcast from Engadget. (I'd really like to be saying the podcast from EngadgetMobile, but I can't. I will explain why in just a bit.) The topic for this broadcast is gadgets and consumer electronics, so very similar to Buzz Out Loud in what is covered.. The hosts for the podcast are Joshua Topolsky, Nilay Patel and Paul Miller. This is a weekly podcast that tends to be longer than Buzz Out Loud and fewer topics are covered. However, they do go more in-depth on each topic. Joshua, Nilay and Paul can be entertaining, but not as much as the crew from Buzz Out Loud. Engadget doesn't make subscribing quite as easy as CNET, but you can do so here.

Last, but by no means least, on my list of favorites is also from CNET. This podcast is called Gadgettes. This podcast is also about gadgets, but not just electronic gadgets. They discuss everything from blingy espresso machines to gadgets that claim to be able to tell you what your baby's cries means. The hosts for Gadgettes are Molly Wood, Kelly Morrison and the aforementioned Jason Howell. There are a wide variety of topics covered, but Molly, Kelly and Jason are always very entertaining. Like Buzz Out Loud, you can subscribe to the Gadgettes podcast from their homepage.

Now to explain why the podcast from EngadgetMobile is not among my favorites. When David and I first started listening to podcasts together, this was my absolute favorite. I just love learning more about the new mobile phones coming out. It was a weekly podcast and I looked forward to each episode. Then, starting this summer, the podcasts became more sporadic. Actually, for three months there were no podcasts. Then, at the end of August they returned.  With promises of podcasts appearing on a regular basis.  Two weeks in a row we had podcasts. I was really hoping, although doubtful, that this would be the return of my beloved EngadgetMobile podcast. My hope does not seem to have been well placed. It has now been over three weeks since there was a podcast. However, I have not given up, as I still love the show, so I check weekly for a new podcast. If you are interested in subscribing to the EngadgetMobile podcast, so that you will be ready when they finally do another episode, you can do so here.

Before I give you a list of the other podcasts that I listen to, I wanted to point out a new podcast to which I just started listening.  It's the Sword and Laser podcast with Tom Merritt and Veronica Belmont.This podcast focuses on another love of mine, reading.  This is a monthly podcast on Science Fiction and Fantasy books.  I've just started listening to this one, so have only heard a couple of episodes.  However, so far, I really like it.  They also make it really easy to subscribe by putting a subscription link on their homepage.

Here are a list of the other podcasts I listen to.  If you have any other suggestions, just post in the comments.  I'd love to have a few more listening options.

The Real Deal - Tom Merritt and Raif Needleman
Reporters' Round Table (new)  - Raif Needleman
Dialed In - Bonnie Cha, Kent German and Nicole Lee
The Buzz Report - Molly Wood
Loaded - Natalie Del Conte (the subscription button is right below the video)
Geek Brief - Callie Lewis (to subscribe, click here)
Car Tech - Brian Cooley, Wayne Cunningham and Antoin Goodwin

What Matters Most

For today, I have a video I want to share with you.  It is only two minutes long, so please take a moment to watch it, because the message is important. (The video doesn't quite fit on my blog, but nothing important is missing.)

Finally Found Some Scrapping Mojo

For awhile, I was extremely frustrated. I think I went a whole month without scrapping a single page. I was extremely frustrated and utterly uninspired. However, over the last week and a half, I've managed to create four layouts. So, it seems my scrapping mojo has returned. Thankfully! (And it's a good think I CT for awesome designers, Merkeley Designs and Michelle Batton, who understand lost mojo.)

Without further ado, here are my four most recent layouts.

The photo in this layout was taken when David and I went to a Halloween fundraiser at a Montessori school where our friends' children attended. David and I love having the opportunity to dress up for a change. Normally, when you don't have children, all you do for Halloween is pass out candy (which I actually love doing) and it's fun to do something different.

Everything in this layout created using This is Halloween
a collab kit from Michelle Batton and 4 Shades of Blue.

A couple of weeks ago, on a Sunday afternoon, I was getting ready to let our dogs out when I saw these two cardinals flying around our screened in porch. (Needless to say the dogs had to return to our bedroom.) And they did not seem to remember how they got in, cause they were just freaking out. I propped the screen door open and went inside, but they still didn't leave. They finally left when I went outside, stood at the back of the porch and hit on the screen a few times.

The scrapper in me could not let this moment pass without a few pics. So, before propping open the door, I grabbed my camera and took a few shots.

Almost everything used on this layout,
including the template, is from Merkeley Designs.
You can see a full list of credits here.

This layout is the one that really helped bring back my mojo. I was reading Michelle Batton's instructions on using her blenders, trying to figure out where I had gone wrong, and the layout she used as her example just totally inspired me and I knew exactly what I wanted to do for my next layout. I am very proud of the way this layout came out. The two pics were taken when David and I went to the Ocala National Forest last year.

This layout created using Beth's Basic Blenders
and September Days Revamped.
Both from Michelle Batton.

This is the last of my four recent layout (but not the last layout). I created this layout to try and force my mojo to return. It was another week before my mojo returned, so I am not sure how successful I was. However, I do like the layout. This picture was taken in front of Jamba Juice when David and I drown his mother down south to take a test for work.

Everything used in this layout is from Tracy Ann Digital Art.
You can see a full list of credits here.

Okay, I have one final layout to share. It's not as recent as the others, but I still had to share. This layout was created for Merkee to help her create an album about her new puppy, Ginger. Well, I think my fur babies are the cutest things ever. However, I can readily admit that Ginger is one of the cutest dogs I have ever seen. In fact, I'll be doing one more layout of her cute self eventually.

Everything used on this layout
comes from Ginger Snap by Merkeley Designs.

If you made it this far, I am impressed. I am just happy that I got some layouts scrapped and I wanted to share them with y'all.

The Touch of the Master's Hand

For today, have a wonderful poem I want to share with you called The Touch of the Master's Hand by Myra B. Welch. I've loved this poem ever since I heard it the first time, more than a dozen years ago.

"Twas battered and scared, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar - now who"ll make it two _
Two dollars, and who"ll make it three?

"Three dollars once, three dollars twice,
Going for three". . . but no!
From the room far back a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody,pure and sweet,
As sweet as an angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: "What am I bidden for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow;
"A thousand dollars - and who'll make it two?
Two thousand - and who'll make it three?
Three thousand once, three thousand twice
And going - and gone," said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand -
What changed its worth?" The man replied:
"The touch of the masters hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and torn with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd.
Much like the old violin.

A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on,
He's going once, and going twice -
He's going - and almost gone!
But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd,
Never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the MASTER'S hand.

Apostles Testify of Christ

My plan, and with my blog these plans tend to go awry, is to share something on my blog of a spiritual nature each Sunday. Last Sunday, I shared a favorite talk of mine from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. (If you haven't read it, click here to jump to that post.) This morning, when thinking about my blog post, I had thought to go the same route and share a talk from President Howard W. Hunter. However, I then decided to go a different route and share with you a layout I made back in April that contained one of my favorite quotes. Then it dawned on my that I shared the layout with y'all back when I originally created it. (If you are interested in seeing the layout, you can click here.)

What I have finally decided to share requires a little explanation. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) we believe that we are led by a Prophet and Apostles. Almost 10 years ago, the Apostles shared their testimony of the Living Christ with the world. It is a beautiful testimony and I hope you take the time to read it.

And one other thing. If you are looking for a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon, the LDS church has created a website dedicated to Christ and it is definitely worth checking out.

Memories of 9/11

I couldn't let this day pass without sharing my memories of that day eight years ago when four planes were hijacked by terrorists. It's a day I remember so vividly and I usually do not have that kind of memory.

I had been married for less than a month and in Florida for less than two weeks. So, I did not yet have a job. Shortly after 9:00 a.m. Eastern time, after David left for work, I got on the Internet (we only had dial-up) to chat with a friend, Randy Phillips, on IRC. It was Randy who told me what had happened. Initially, I misunderstood. I thought two planes had crashed into each other. Then, for a brief moment, I thought he had to be lying. Once I knew what was going on, I disconnected from the Internet and called my mom to make sure she knew what was happening (she had not yet heard when I called). I also called my husband to see if he knew what had happened and he did.

We didn't have cable TV, so I tried in vain to watch something on CNN's website, but I couldn't even get the site to open. When I couldn't take just hearing about it on the radio, I drove to Kmart in Stuart and purchased a small antennae. I remember that everyone in the store was in the electronics department watching as the towers burned. After watching for awhile, I purchased the antennae and drove back home. After setting up the antennae, I could watch one blurry station. I believe it was ABC. I did nothing but watch that station for hours, days really.

In the afternoon, David sent a friend of his over to see if I wanted to go with her and her daughter to visit her mother-in-law. David worried I would be panicked. But for some reason I was very calm. I chose to stay home, because I didn't really know them very well at that point and didn't want to be with strangers.

When David came home, we did go to his friend's house and we watched TV and I was able to learn more about what had happened. I didn't contribute much to the conversation going on around me cause I was focused on the news.

That night, after a day of calm, as my husband and I lay in bed, I cried. I just bawled. Not for myself, but for all the lives lost that day. Even now, just thinking of all the lives lost, I want to cry when I think of that day.

On September 11, 2001, two planes went into the twin towers at the World Trade Center, one went into the Pentagon and one went down in a Pennsylvania field when the people on the airliner attempted to wrest control away from the hijackers. In total, 2,993 people died that day. That night, Pres. George W. Bush gave a speech to the nation and I want to share it with you, because I think these words should be remembered. And they say a lot about how we responded to the attack upon our nation.

Good evening. Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes, or in their offices; secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers; moms and dads, friends and neighbours. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.
The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong.

A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.

America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.
Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America -- with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbours who came to give blood and help in any way they could.
Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C. to help with local rescue efforts.
Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured, and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.

The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight, and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business, as well.

The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbour them.
I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.

America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism. Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me."

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

It is a day that I will never forget. It is a day that the world will not soon forget. I suspect you feel the same.

This song is by Alan Jackson and was written about that day. It is called "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning" and I wanted to share it with you to close this post.

(photo of World Trade Center courtesy of Free Stock Photos)

Wonderful Message on Christ

My post today will not be very long. But it is Sunday and I wanted to take a moment to share one of the greatest talks on Christ I have ever heard. The title of the talk is "None Were With Him" by Jeffrey R. Holland. It is an amazing talk, and I recommend everyone take a moment to read it. I guarantee you'll be touched. You can read it here or watch it here.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day! Enjoy this amazing talk!

Michelle Batton is Somewhere New

That's right, you heard it here first. Michelle Batton is moving to a new store. And this is the only store where you will find her. She has even closed her own store. Michelle has been working on it for awhile now and we, Michelle and her CT, are all pretty excited about it. Now, the question is should I continue blabbering about or should I tell you where she is going? I guess the time has come to tell you. Michelle is headed to the Digichick. (Were those screams of excitement I heard?)

Now that you know that Michelle will be at the Digichick, I have more good news for you. And what good news is that you may ask? It's called a sale. (And who does't love a sale?)



At the grand opening of her new store, the Ladybug Picnic collection will be making it's debut. Such a great kit for those summer picnic or getaway photos. It's also great for those back to school shots. Here is a layout I created using the collection.



And now that I've hopefully tempted you enough, head on over to Michelle's new store and take advantage of her 30% off sale. I know you won't regret it. (Whether or not your husband does is a whole other subject. lol)

Family Search Indexing Project

Early last year, I used to be regularly involved in the Family Search Indexing Project. But then time kind of got away from me and I quit doing it. Tonight, I was supposed to be digiscrapping. However, I was feeling uninspired, so I was just hanging out on Facebook. However, an email from Ancestry led to me deciding to do some indexing again this evening. And what a great way to spend 30 minutes. There is no requirement that you be LDS to be involved in the project. So, if there is anyone looking for a valuable way to spend 30 minutes a week, or day, I highly recommend getting involved. It is definitely worth your time.

Happy Anniversary Sweetie!

On August 18, 2001, I was blessed to be able to marry my husband. Eight years ago, David and I were married for all eternity in the Dallas temple. And I am so glad that we have a marriage that will last an eternity, because a lifetime would not give em enough time to spend with my sweetie.

I truly feel that David is the perfect husband for me. I didn't get married until I was 30, but being able to marry such a wonderful person made it worth the wait. David is kind, sweet and loving. Plus we just enjoy being together. (Which is good, since we work together. lol)

David, happy anniversary sweetie! I am so glad I've been able to spend the last eight years with you. I love you!!

Hate waiting

I hate it when I have nothong to do, but sit and wait. I'm waiting for my hubby @ his doctor's appt. Right now, I am seriously thinking my Pre needs more apps. But I just heard ny hubby's voice, so I think my wait is finally over.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

And the winner is...

I am finally back! And the winner is Melissa. Here is the list as given me by Random.org.



And the second winner is Zeee. Here is the second list. (I can get better screen shots at work. Sorry!)



I want to thank everyone who came to my blog and participated in my contest! I really wish I had something to give everyone.

Melissa and Zeee, I will be contacting you later today with your code.

Technical glich

This is supposed to be the moment for which all of y'all have been waiting. Earlier today, I used Random.org to choose a winner and created a screen shot that I emailed myself from work. Now, I can't log on to Gmail to access it. Obviously, I could go to Random.org and just choose another winner, but that doesn't seem fair to the person that was chosen originally. So, there is going to be a bit of delay in the announcement of the winner. But I will make it up to you.

Once I announce the first winner, I will put the other names into Random.org and choose a second winner. So, just a little more patience and you will be rewarded. (Hopeuflly, Gmail will have resolved their issue by the time I awaken tomorrow.)

A Little Contest for You

A Little Contest for You

I am on the CT for Michelle Batton. Michelle is a wonderful designer and at least one lucky reader of my blog is going to have the opportunity to win the kit of their choice from Michelle's shop at Mellowbutterfly.com. Here is just a hint of what you'll find in her shop.

Ladybug Picnic

Lets Ride

Buttefly Dreams

So, I bet y'all are wondering what you have to do to win. Head on over to Michelle's shop and find your favorite product in her store. Then come back her and leave me a comment, letting me know what you like. I will then pick a person at random to receive a coupon to her shop that will let you buy the kit of your choice (or papers or elements). And to encourage you to spread the word, the more that play, the more chances to win. If I get more than 10 people to play, I will give out two coupons. And if I get more than 20 (a girl can dream lol), I will give out three coupons (and then I will have no more).

Contest closes @ 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, on Tuesday, August 11th. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, August 12th.

Hope to see lots of y'all playing along.

Blog Train

Welcome to the Merkeley Designs CT blog train!

What are we celebrating? Merkeley Designs' Designer Spotlight at Oscraps of course! Check out this link to see what a great challenge and freebie she has in store for you.

We, proud members of Merkeley Design's Creative Team, have LOADS of surprises and goodies waiting for you at each station - and all are FREE, no strings attached!!! You don't want to miss a single stop! All the freebies coordinate with her new kit "Get Together" which is on sale this week.



Without further ado, here is a preview of my freebie.



You can download my quickpage by clicking here. The password is "zume04".

Here is the list of all the blog train stops where you can find all of our fabulous freebies:
Merkee
Mrsaboyer (Andrea)
Hondachicc (Linda)
Macsgal (Gina)
snappy2003 (Dawn)
Bao
JenDavey
Jhawkeye (Kate)
Madi (Diane)
Madigirl (Maya)
Nadine
Scribler (me)
Twinsies (Carrin)
Zeee

Have fun with the hunt and happy scrapping!

Alternate Layout

Earlier today, I uploaded my layout for Round 2 of Battle of the Creative Teams at DigiScrapAddicts. For round one, my layout came together for me quite easily. I cannot say the same about this week's layout. Our challenge for this week was to pick a musical theme for all of our layouts. My team, Merkee's Menagerie, chose Disney Songs. I chose "A Dream is a Wish a Heart Makes" from "Cinderella". I ended up having the hardest time coming up with a layout that I liked and met all the elements we had chosen as a team. Here is what I finally came up with.

(You can see full credits here.)

After I finished this layout, I created a second to see if my team liked it better. I ended up not even submitting it to them, because it lacked some of the agreed upon elements (and adding on one of them would not have worked at all with the new layout). However, I really did like the layout, even though it is simple, so I am sharing it with my blog readers.

(You can see full credits here.)

I'll have to admit that the second layout is probably my favorite of the two. Probably cause I think it really reflects how I feel about my sweetie. Next month we will be celebrating eight years of marriage and I feel so blessed to be married to my hubby. I really couldn't have asked for more in a man and I love him more than I can possible express on my blog. I think this layout does offer a glimpse in to how much I love him.

Come Back Monday

That's right. I just want to let y'all know that you definitely want to stop by my blog on Monday and here's why.



My blog is a part of the blog train and there are going to be a lot of great goodies available on the train. So, stop by Monday and see what you can get.

Voting Has Commenced

The voting for round one of Battle of the Creative Teams. Voting will take place until 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday, July 21. I would love it if you would vote for the team I am on, Merkee's Menagerie. You can vote here. The Merkee's Menagerie link will take you to a thread showing all of our layouts. Remember you don't have to be a digiscrapper to vote.

Battle of the Creative Teams Week 1

Yesterday, I uploaded my first layout for the Battle of the Creative Teams over at DigiScrapAddicts. My team is Merkee's Menagerie and I think we really worked well together in picking a theme for our layouts. I hope the next three weeks go as well as this one.

For week one, we had to create a white space layout. Each team also had to choose a color theme. Our team chose a brown with blue color theme. White space isn't an easy thing for me, but I think I did a pretty good job anyway. You can judge for yourself. Here is the layout I created.

(Credits can be found here.)

I highly recommend you take a moment and checkout the gallery for the Battle of the Creative teams. It's an opportunity to see some amazing layouts from some very talented people.

Battle of the Creative Teams.

The Battle of the Creative Teams begins this week over at DigiScrapAddicts. I am playing on Merkeley Designs team. The contest runs from July 15 - August 12. Each week, each member of a team creates a layout using products from their designer. In other words, all of my layouts will be using products from Merkeley Designs. Since Merkeley has such great products, it won't be a problem. And the other girls on the team create such great layouts, that I know we are going to do well. :O)

Each week, I hope to come back here and post my layout for the week. I have kind of gotten out of the habit of sharing my layouts here, so hopefully this will get me back on track.

Blogging from my Palm Pre

This is just an experiment in the feasibility of blogging via my Pre. The biggest problem is the need to keep scrolling over to see what I've typed. On the plus side it provides me with another means of entertaining myself.

Now I have a question I want to pose for my readers. Am I the only one who ends up with followers doing marketing via twitter every time I do a retweet?

Sale from Michelle Batton

Anyone looking for a sale? Michelle Batton has just had a baby girl, so she just does not have the time to maintain three stores. Michelle's designs will still be available at MellowButterfly.com and Faith Sisters, but she is closing her store at Sunshine Studio Scraps. And that is good news for you, because she is having a sale until her store closes on July 15th.

Don't let this great opportunity to save on Michelle's wonderful designs pass you by.

So You Think You Can Scrap Layouts (part 1)

I spent six weeks competing in "So You Think You Can Scrap" where I competed in the Advanced category. The competition was sponsored by After5Designs and Shabby Pickle Designs. Each week I did two layouts. One layout each week was judged by a panel of judges. The panel rotated each week with the exception of the store owners who helped judge each week. The second layout was submitted for a bonus round. One layout each week was randomly chosen and given a $25 gift certificate to each store. The competition ended about three weeks ago, but we recently got our points so I decided to go ahead and post the layouts on my blog to share with others. (These were not posted in any of my regular galleries, because we were to be anonymous.)

These first six layouts are the layouts I submitted to be judged each week.

Week One:
The theme for week one Was "It's So Me." And here is the information we were given about the theme for this week: Not for an all-about-me page persay, it is about the thing that people know you for. When they see this, they think of you: something that could describe you. You always wear fab shoes, or sprout the coolest hair styles. You're obsessed with a color and everyone knows it. You always say a certain word... things like that.

I decided to do a layout about one of my babies, because my love for animals is a big part of who I am. I chose to scrap my lovebird Dumplin', because she hasn't appeared in near as many layouts as my dogs. And I'll have to admit that her coloring fit the color scheme for the week perfectly.

Here is the layout I created. The journaling is a quote from Anatole France: "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." (I include the text of the journaling, because while readable at 3600x3600 not really so readable at the 600x600 size I use for blogs and galleries.)

Credits: It's So Me - SOUTUCS Week 1, Crystal Cranberry - Ah! Designs, Berry Me in the Sand - Ah! Designs, All Things Grow With Love - New Life Dreams, Word Art Masks - Birgit Kerr, Font: Scrap Rhapsody

Week Two:
This weeks theme is "flashback." Bring us back a while. maybe to your younger years, maybe a great old picture from the attic. or even from grandmas attic!

For week two, I scrapped a photo of my maternal great-grandmother. The original photo was color, but I thought that B&W worked much better for the layout. I was really happy with the journaling for this layout.

Journaling: "It's interesting the things I remember from visiting "Gangy's" house as a child. I remember the Roman Meal toast The big wooden swing on her porch. Her big picture living room that gave her a great view of everything going on in town. The time our Great-Aunt made spaghetti sauce with deer meat. I remember spending a lot of time at my cousin's house who lived two houses away. I remember driving out to visit Uncle Noland and Aunt Betty. I remember eating fried chicken at Uncle Neal and Aunt Nancy's house. (Everyone was so surprised, cause I actually ate what they considered to be a good amount of food.) The trips to Mesa Verde. And I remember the Methodist church at the end of the block, even though we never went inside. At least not that I remember anyway. I also remember wondering why she wasn't more like my other Great-Grandmother. It seemed to me that since they were almost the same age, they should be exactly alike. However, they were very different people. Those aren't all of my memories from visiting Gangy in Mancos, but I just find it interesting the things I do remember."

Credits: Bombay Flower - Ah! Designs, Summer Evenings - Catherine Designs, Asian Artistry - Emiko Designs, Flashback - SUTUCS Week 2, Merkeley Designs: Bone Photo Holders (enlarged), Alpha: Scrap Rhapsody

Week Three:
The theme for week 3 -- 'A Moment in Time'. Scrap a picture that you can't believe your luck in capturing the moment. Whether it is just the sweetest thing to look at, a completely candid shot of a child or friend, or it is an touching photo that stirs emotions. Let us see your moment in time!

I took this picture at the Morikami Japanese Museum and Gardens. I absolutely love this photo and am amazed that I actually got the picture at the perfect moment (and that I didn't have to turn away cause I really am not into "circle of life" moments).

Credits: A Moment In Time - SUTUCS Week 3, It's So Me - SUTUCS Week 1, Asian Artistry - Emiko Designs (frame altered using paper from A Moment in Time kit and Stardust papers), Diamond Rain - Jofia Devoe, Flower Mania - Jofia Devoe, Stardust - Jofia Devoe

Week Four:
This weeks theme is "Sing Sing a Song." Base this one around a song. Wether the picture totally fits the song, and thats why you have chosen it, or its just a song you love, a song you hate, your all time fave song, or just one you can never get out of your head!

The song I chose is "Standing Right Next to Me" by Karla Bonoff. It's in the movie "8 Seconds". This was the song to which we danced our first dance at our wedding reception.

Here are the lyrics: Love is like the wind, Sometimes it blows your way, And until now it missed me somehow. But when I turned around I saw you standing there. The sound of your voice - I had no choice. I used to have a wish one day I'd feel like this. Now I know love exists cause it's standing right next to me. Beneath the moon tonight I see it in your eyes - No more false starts, no more broken hearts. I used to have a wish one day I'd feel like this. Now I know love exists cause it's standing right next to me. Even in the dark, even when you're gone I feel you in my heart. I used to have a wish one day I'd feel like this. Now I know love exists cause it's standing right next to me Standing right next to me. Standing right next to me.

Credits: Woodland Retreat - Catherine Designs, Spring Snippet Essentials Cut Ups - Gina Cabrera, Font: Partridge

Week Five:
The theme for week 5 -- 'Color My World'. Alter your photo! Make it black & white (maybe even with color accents) or sepia, give it a vintage or aged look, or use a 70's effect or duo tones... Put the color focus on your papers and elements, and let the photo speak for itself!

This is a picture of my brother-in-law and his wife that I took when we went up to Orlando in March.

Credits: Girls Retreat - Catherine Designs, Summer Evenings - Catherine Designs, Flashback - SUTUCS Week 2, It's So Me - SUTUCS Week 1, A Moment In Time - SUTUCS Week 3, Ephemerals - Jofia Devoe, Frayed Templates - Birgit Kerr

Week Six:
This weeks theme is "It's a Bird...It's a Plane." Let the focus of this one be on an object or 'thing' not a person. Scrap nature, or a book, your kids toy... be original, think outside the box. Wow us with youre amazing creativity!

This photo is of the Orlando Temple. It was also taken when we were up in Orlando. This was probably the hardest one for me to come up with a photo, but I finally settled on a photo of the temple.

Credits: New Life Dreams: All Things Grow With Love, It's A Bird, It's A Plane - SUTUCS Week 6, Jofia Devoe: Light Breeze, Jofia Devoe: Ephemerals, Jofia Devoe: Diamond Rain, Merkeley Designs: Photo Holders - Bone (enlarged)

If you made it this far, I am impressed. I will be back later this week with the six layouts I created for the bonus rounds. My original intent was to do all 12 layouts in one post. But I soon realized that was going to be way too much for any one person to read in a sitting. Thanks for stopping by and taking a look at what I did.

A Layout to Share

Yes, I am back. I have a recent layout I want to share with y'all. This layout is the first dance of David and I as a married couple. (Heck it might be our very first dance altogether.) I thought the colors in Merkeley Designs' "Hey Lady' kit were perfect for scrapping wedding pics. And I love any excuse to scrap our wedding pics. I will say that I am happy with the way this turned out.

Everything I used is from Merkeley Designs.

You can find complete credits for the layout here.

Speaking of Merkeley, she is hosting a Got It challenge in June at Oscraps. The challenge starts June 1st and I recommend all of y'all participate. I don't know exactly what they are doing, but with Jen involved it is bound to be a great challenge. Worried about not having any of Merkeley's "It" products? Well don't be. She has created a sampler of her products to use for the challenge. It's free and can be found at Merkeley Designs or Oscraps.


I am really going to try and better about keeping my blog updated. I feel guilty when I know it is not getting the love it deserves. For now, this is the end, but I really do hope to return soon. :O)

Egg-cited about this Layout

I am pretty excited about this layout. I am actually really happy with the way it turned out. (David not so much. lol) It was a little more work than normal, but I think it was worth it.

(full credits here)

For me, it's pretty rare that the image I have in my head actually works once I get started on the project. This time it did. I am very happy about that.

I've also not been very motivated to scrap lately. It was nice to finally get a layout done. I am working on another right now. Hopefully this is a new trend and not just a shot in the dark. :O)

Regretting Taking Part in So You Think You Can Scrap

When I took part in ADSR 4 (Amazing Digi Scrap Race), I loved it. I loved working with my partner Ginger and it was a wonderful experience for me. So, I decided to take part in So You Think You Can Scrap contest. It's a solo endeavor, but I still thought I would enjoy it. I knew I would win, but I thought it was another chance to stretch my creativity. But now, I am obsessed with how many fewer visits my layout gets than another layout posted about the same time. So the wrong way to look at it, but I can't seem to help myself. And now, I think it is affecting my desire to scrap anything, cause I am behind on my CT projects and before this, I was actually ahead of the game. In the future, I will still compete in future ADSR's, cause it was such a great experience, but think I will avoid more competitive competitions like the one I am in now. They are just not good for me.

Productive Evening

My day seemed like a Monday rather than a Tuesday, but I have had a good evening. After work, I headed to the gym. I was short on time, cause I had to get home to do my taxes, but I still did 30 minutes of cardio. So far, I am really enjoying going to the gym. Who'd have thought. Won't be going tomorrow night, because I have to be at the church @ 7:00 p.m. But I'll be back on Thursday.

After returning from the gym, I did my taxes. Yes, I know I should procrastinate less. lol The good news is that I am getting a refund. Can't complain about that. But I sure don't think I got any credit from the bill Obama signed back in February. Oh well!

I need to work on my layout for So You Think You Can Scrap. But I think I'll do that in the morning and go spend some time with my sweetie!

Joined the Gym

Okay, no one needs to die of shock over this one. The gym near where David and I work had a special for $10 a month each. We decided to go for it. Tonight was our first visit and I really glad we went. Hope to do more cardio tomorrow. Regardless, can't wait to go back.

Celebrating Easter

This is going to be a short post! I just want to share with you a layout I created to celebrate Easter

(Full credits can be seen here.)

I am so grateful that Christ willingly came to this Earth, because of his love for each of us, to pay the price so that I, and everyone, could have the opportunity to return to live with him. What an amazing gift given to all of mankind. We have all been truly blessed.

May everyone have a great day. He is risen!!

I forgot that I do have something tp share

I forgot, I do have something to share with y'all. I was chosen to be a member of the digi creative team for FaithSisters.com. If you're interested, you can see the announcement here. I am pretty excited about this. Anyway, you can see a copy of my Faith Sister's profile here. This weekend, I hope to be creating my first layouts for Faith Sisters. I'll come back and share them when they are completed.

My Life too Boring

I think my life is too boring for a blog! I'm sitting here trying to decide what to blog and I am coming up with squat. Maybe I should make my life more interesting.

I'm still in the So You Think You Can Scrap contest. But I can't show you my layouts, cause it's supposed to be anonymous and there could another scrapper who reads my blog. Otherwise, I'd love to show you what I've done so far.

I have decided that Charlie from Twilight doesn't get enough credit. He is one of the better characters in the movie. I also think Jacob should keep his hair down. The long hair really suits him.

Well, I think I've bored y'all enough for the day. I'll be back later with more.

A New Layout from Me

Y'all might remember the quickpage I created awhile back. Well, I decided someone might as well use it, so I created a page with it. The photo is from when David and I went to Morikami Gardens in February 2008.



I used Michelle Batton's My Little Goldfish kit, alpha and add-on to create the layout.

I've also decided to tryout for the Faith Sister's Digital Creative Team. As part of the application process, we had to create a layout using the kits being submitted for their design team contest. Here is my submission.



Because of their contest to choose some new designers for the store, there are a number of great kits available for free. You can find them at Faith Sisters.

Well, I am off to go spend some time with David. Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday evening!

Romanza by Cinzia Loosemore

I am in love with this new kit, Romanza, from Cinzia Loosemore.



It would be a great kit for scrapping pics of David and I together. Or even just David (which are my fav to scrap). This is just such a perfect kit for those romnatic photos that I thought y'all might want to check it out as well.

My LIttle Goldfish Freebie

One of the designers for whom I am a creative team member, Michelle Batton, has released a new kit called My Little Goldfish. It is an awesome kit. There are a number of new products associated with the kit. You can see them all at the blog for her personal store, MellowButterfly.

As part of this new release, she is putting together a quickpage team and I am trying out. Here is the quickpage I created using My Little Goldfish.



Part of what will determine if I make the team is how many people download my quickpage. So, if you like my page, head on over to MellowButterfly and pickup my quickpage. It's free.

Please note, you can add it to your cart or there is a direct download link on the page at Michelle's shop, if you want to go that route. :O)