How About a Quote?

This week at Frosted Designs we are challenging you to use a quote.  I love writing down quotes, but I so often put them on random scraps and bits of paper.  The other day I was cleaning out a drawer and found this one that I love.......

The Glory of God is a human being fully alive.  

And here is the layout I created with it.

 One of the best things about kids is that they are so full of life!  I saw a little girl at church the other day and she was up front during worship and twirling.  I smiled to myself and thought, "when did I stop twirling?"  When did I become too aware of people around me?  Oh to be that childlike once again!

I also used the Tuesday Sketch at Frosted Designs as well.  Check out the awesome sketch that Debbie created and be sure to enter yours as well.  All the details are in this post:  Sketch Post

To find out more and see additional quote inspiration, please check this post:  Quotes at Frosted Designs.  I hope you will join us this week!   Oh!  And did I mention there are prizes involved?   Be sure to take a look at the right side bar at Frosted Designs to see what the awesome prizes are that will be awarded! :)

ZAP!

Have you seen the American Crafts Zap Heat Gun?

You like?  You could win one here:  Artful Delight Blog

Thankful!

Crop Suey issued a challenge:  We challenge you to use the following word on your scrappy project/layout/card or whatever you choose to do!

*family*

 

This is also my entry in Scrapbook & Cards Today blog November challenge from a Becky Fleck sketch.

 

 

Journaling reads:  There is always so much to be thankful for!  We live in freedom and abundance.  We have more than enough.

This year we had our Thanksgiving dinner with the Tacoma side of the family at Roy & Marilyn's house.  The food and the fellowship was simply amazing!

One extra thing we had to be thankful for was the engagement of Andrew & Christina...our future daughter.

It's ScrapTastic!

If you are looking for the "God's Fingerprints Blog Hop"...please go HERE.  Please take a moment to check out the layouts today before you move along though.  It's definitely a kit worth checking out!

Scraptastic Kit Club's Yuletide Tinsel that is.....and it's a LOADED kit!!!!  Here's a link so that you can read more about it yourself:  December Kits

It comes with amazing papers from Imaginise, American Crafts & Echo Park (I *love* it when kits mix things up!), double sheets of Bazzill cardstock, and TONS of embellishments including some custom items!!!  Oh girls, you are going to want to get right over to SCRAPTASTIC Kit Club and get yours so that you will have it on hand when you get your 2010 Christmas photos back.  If you can wait that long to dive in and use it!

Can I share a few of the layouts that I created using it?  Let me start out with a two page spread.  We all take a TON of photos at the holidays, so I always have to do some two pagers.

I just LOVE how those ornaments look on this page!

Oh that trimming of the tree.  When my kids were younger we all went out to the woods and cut a tree down.  After the trees on our property grew too wild and tall we began going to a local Christmas tree farm.  Then the kids ditched us.  Grew up, moved out, moved back in....but we still go alone.....just the hubby and me.  I still love it though!

Here's a layout of our before and after photos:

We are now seven years past these photos, but I love looking back.  The hair....the faces...the presents......so fun!  And to use some verbage from back then:  Sweet!

I love that when we look back at photos, we often FEEL the memory!  I went right back to the moment with this one:

And then what is kind of a joke title......a play off Jerry McGuire.......Show Me the Christmas Money!  We gave Andrew all his money that year in ones.....it looked amazing! LOL

So when trying to get good lighting in our dark winter weather I opened the garage doors to take the photo here.  And yep, the layout got dripped on.  Bummer.  But I'm hoping that as it dries it looks better.  Otherwise, it's pretty easy to swap out the green cardstock.  I LOVE that gathered ribbon that came in my kit!!!!

Well thanks for checking out a FANTASTIC KIT CLUB!  Be sure to check things out over at SCRAPTASTIC KIT CLUB!  Jessica will take great care of you and she prepares a FAB-U-LOUS kit!!!

Just adding one more layout. :)

Christmas Time Past

Oh how I LOVE that I found this photo!  It's an old one....from 1972.  It's a poloroid photo, so the quality is not the best.  But I love it!  And I just had to scrap it right away. 

The hidden journaling reads:
1972 Grandpa & Grandma Andrews House
Oh how I love this photo!  Christmas morning in my flannel nightgown...the best.

I see myself at age 6 and I'm simply amazed.  My grandpa seemed so old at that time.  And yet he's only 11 years older than I am right now.  Wow!

I love that so many of my favorite childhood toys are in this photo.
         Malibu Skipper
         My "pink" cash register
         My chalkboard ---so I could play "teacher"----which I did often.  Being the oldest
                        made that easy.
Christmas as a child was simply magical.

Ruthie - age 6     Grandpa - age55

Made with my Scrapbook Sussies December Kit, which included American Crafts' DEAR LIZZY Warm Welcome and Comfort & Cheer patterned paper, American Crafts DEAR LIZZY Christmas Mini Marks Rub-ons, American Crafts, Bazzill Bling String of Pearls, Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas Delight Clear Cuts.  I also added Pink Paislee Limeade Bling chipboard numbers, Prima Stitched Wildflower and some fun stitching!

Here are some close up shots.
 You can see where I tucked my hidden journaling here:

And then fun embellishing...

God's Fingerprints Blog Hop

God's Fingerprints Blog Hop 

Dec. 15th-19th

We are celebrating that God has blessed My Paper Treehouse with an awesome design team.  Please hop along with us and visit each of the DT members. If you get lost or just found the hop start here.   

You should have arrived from Wendy's blog.  Didn't you LOVE it?  Oh my word that girl is full of talent!    

Each of the DT members have a wonderful story to share with you about what God has done and is doing in their lives... these are God's fingerprints.  Not only do we have a ton to share with you but there are RAKs along the way, a Great Blog Hop Challenge with a prize and a wonderful Grand Prize from Artful Delight. 

I love mornings.  Did I just say that?  Seriously?  If you only knew!!!   I have never been a morning person.  But I've grown to love the moment of the morning.  The quietness.  Sitting with a cup of coffee and spending time reflecting and praying.

This is a recent layout that I did.  It's not a perfect photo by any means.  It's sort of blurry, and not even a good picture of me.  But it captured one of those quiet moments.  The layout is really about knowing who I am and knowing who God is in my life.  (If you scroll down a couple posts you can read more about it there.)  I want to encourage you to take those less than perfect photos and use them to create thought-filled layouts.

Let me share that God is doing amazing things in my life right now.  It's been a time to stop going a million miles an hour and reflect more on Him.  I know that's what we are supposed to do, but so often I fill my life with good things....really good things....instead of what God WANTS me to do.  As a capable woman, it's easy to say YES when there is something to be done.   But if just go ahead and say yes and do that thing (no matter how wonderful it is) without knowing it's the right thing for me at that moment, then I rob myself of the full joy....and I steal an opportunity that someone else might have to be blessed by doing it.

So I want to encourage you today....the next time you are asked to help with something....the next time you have a great idea on your own....reflect for a few minutes before committing.  Is it beneficial (so often things are)?  Is this what You would have me do God?  Is it the right thing to do?  And then....here's the last important part.....listen. :)

We also have a blog hop challenge for you.... as you stop at each of the Design Members they will have another item that you will need to add to your layout.  All layouts need to be linked up on the My Paper Treehouse Blog by Sunday the 19th 11:59pm PST. One layout will be randomly chosen to win a prize and make sure check back on Monday because we have a special surprise for you. 

Not only do we have RAKS from many of the DT members, a prize for creating layout, but we have a Grand Prize too!!! All you have to do is comment on all the blogs along the hop!

Our Grand Prize is sponsored by Artful Delight!  They have the most wonderful kits each month for a great price.  You wouldn't believe everything you get in the kit..... it is full of the newest and greatest scrappy items.  Artful Delight will also custom order you any scrappy item you would like to get your hands on for no additional charge.  Please stop by and see Artful Delight and dont forget to tell them that we sent you....

 Isn't the December Kit beautiful?  I *love* those Echo Park papers.......so fun!  And it's loaded with embellishments.  Loaded, simply LOADED!  The person who wins this (all you have to do is comment on each blog!) is going to be so thrilled! :)

If you want to participate in the Challenge (oh so fun!), here is the item you need to add to your layout:  BLING! (each of us has an item listed, so as you Blog Hop you will be gathering your supplies). 

Next you will hop to Nicole Brenna. Don't forget you need to leave a comment on each of the blogs and collect the different items for the Blog Hop Challenge Layout.   All layouts and comments are due by

Sunday the 19th 11:59pm PST.

Don't forget to stop by on Monday to see our special surprise....

Oh and did I mention a RAK? :)

Just leave a comment on my blog and your name will be included in the drawing!  Stacey at Inspired to Scrap has something *wonderful* for you!  

Details later today, but you won't want to miss it!!! 

Coming Soon!!!

You won't want to miss it!

Winner!

The winner of my giveaway....a $10 Gift Certificate to Memorable Seasons is.....

*TREEFROG* ....congratulations! 

And thanks to ALL of you for participating in our first BLOG HOP at FROSTED DESIGNS!

This week we have another fun challenge, which you can check out here:  FABULOUS FRIDAY CHALLENGE

And don't forget the sketch challenge:  SKETCH CHALLENGE INFO, which is due Monday, the 13th at noon.  A new sketch will be posted on Tuesday, December 14.

Frosted Designs Blog Hop & GiveawayS!!!

Welcome!  I'm so glad you stopped by.  You should be arriving from Debbie's Blog.  If you are just finding the Blog Hop you will want to go and start here:  FROSTED DESIGNS BLOG so that you can start at the right spot and see the 4 ways you have to win.

I'm so excited to share with you some quick and easy ideas for adding a little sparkle to your holidays....and every day. :)  A girl needs a little sparkle in her life (I think I am quoting my friend Carin on that....).

If you are new to Frosted Designs, I hope you will stop by our blog and participate in our challenges often...we love it when people join in!  And did you see what is being given away?  Let's take a peek:

So what do you have to do to win?    You have all week to hop, beginning on December 5 and going through December 9 at noon Central Time Zone.    Visit each of the design team blogs and gather a word at each one.  When you have completed the Frosted Designs Blog Hop you will have a phrase that you will email to this address:   danica4us@yahoo.com

Here's the order of the hop:

1. Barb - www.barbcraft.blogspot.com
2. Diana - www.itsmylifeandimscrappingit.blogspot.com
3. Debbie - www.lovelifeslittlepleasures.blogspot.com
4. Ruth - www.inreallifefaith.blogspot.com  <-----YOU ARE HERE
5. Esther - www.esthrmend.blogspot.com
6. Joni - www.joniparkerstuff.blogspot.com
7. Angela - www.angemuir.blogspot.com
8. Cassie - www.casbacreations.blogspot.com
9. Fern - www.texasstampinmamaw.blogspot.com
10. Libeeti - www.creationswithlove-li-bee-ti.blogspot.com
11. Jessica - www.mtnmommyscrapper.blogspot.com
12. Lori - www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com
13. Kim - www.memoriesinthyme.blogspot.com

I have a giveaway of my own too.....check it out at the end of this post.  It's everything you've always wanted it to be...because it's a Gift Certificate to Memorable Seasons Online Store!  *LOVE*

Here's a photo of my Gift Box Project:

This is just an ordinary kraft box that I am using for a gift box this year.  I wanted it to have a snowy feel to it and I had some Mica Glitter tucked away to use for it.  To be honest I have a few bits of the mica (from kits) and had never used it.

But it was so easy and not too messy either, so I can't wait to use it again and again.  I just punched a strip of white cardstock with my Martha Stewert loopy border punch, put a little glue on the tips of the loops and dipped the tips in a pile of the mica glitter.  LOVE IT!

Here's a close up:

Oh how I wish the camera would capture that diamond-like sparkle from that mica.  I love that it has the same look as freshly fallen snow.  Items used: ribbon is American Crafts (that also has a little glitter in it), a Pink Paislee tag, with two Label One Nestabilities dies for the little to and from tag.

Let's get a close up on the to and from tag....there is glitter there too!

Can you see it?  I traced the label die with my Clear Spica Glitter Pen...it's very subtle, but adds a really nice touch.  If you've never tried this brand, I highly recommend it!  I also wrote the names with my Red Spica Glitter Pen.  Love!

Next up....Diamond Stickles....a girl can definitely never have too many Diamond Stickles (no wait, maybe that was the quote)!  I added a row of Diamond Stickles along the white scallop on this tag.  The layers from bottom to top are:  Labels One Nestabilities Die, Scallops Nestabilities for both the green and the white layer, the white layer is stamped with a circle stamp in a matching green color, then a Poinsettia from Prima.

Glitter Products used:  

 

And my very own giveaway (yep in addition to the one above) is a $10 Gift Certificate to get some scrappy goodness from Memorable Seasons!

This online store is the BEST!  If you have never shopped there, you are in for a real treat.   If you already frequent this store, well then you know what I mean! :)  This giveaway is for those in the United States as Jill only has the ability to ship to the U.S. at this time.

This is what you would need to do to get your name in my drawing. You don't have to do them all, but the more you do, the more times your name will be added in order to win.

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you are already just let me know).
2. Leave me a comment.
3. Do the challenge at Frosted Designs (Let me know when you link it up & I will add your name one more time).

4. Mention our Frosted Designs Blog Hop on your blog (Let me know that you did).

5.  If you use the Frosted Designs latest sketch to do your weekly challenge (just let me know that you did).

So that's FIVE chances to win! :)    You have until next thursday, December 9 to enter and do the challenges for extra chances to win.  I will announce the winner on friday, December 10.

My word is:  CELEBRATING

  Your next stop is Esther!

Need Some Christmas Inspiration?

Here is December's Lucky Girl Crafts Kit!  I *heart* LGC!!!  Every month I think they get better and better....is that even possible?

The details in this kit are fantastic...especially those rub-ons!  And the Alphabets (you know I'm a huge fan of alphas!!!).  And the trims.  And did you see the bling?  Not to mention the papers.....oh my!

Check out the Lucky Girl Crafts blog hop and see if you can win a little sumpin' sumpin' too!  Be sure to put Jessica's great specials on the top of your 'wish list'....I know it's on mine!