Hope is Slow

I was listening to a podcast today and heard the phrase "Hope is Slow." I thought about how we live in a society where everything is instant...drive through food, microwave popcorn, we don't wait to buy a book we download it, etc. 

Sometimes when we pray God moves suddenly.  But so often we wait.  And in the waiting we find ourselves right in the center of God's will.  God teaches us in that waiting time.  God shapes and molds us in that waiting time.  God leads us and brings fruit into our lives that we were not initially looking for.

One thing I know for sure is that God has a plan.  And His plan is always good.
 

This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.  For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  Jeremiah 29:10-12

Change doesn't always happen in our time frame, but God is faithful!  He WILL do what He has promised.

Waiting.  It's not an inactive state, but one where God does the moving.  In His time.

God Really Does Love You!

Just in case you didn't know how much, I think He wanted to remind you. 

This is a link to an amazing video of what is titled "A Father's Love Letter" and it is based on scriptures in the Bible from the Old and New Testament.  Enjoy!

http://vimeo.com/10866205

Time For Scrapbooking

Obviously, blogging is not at the top of my 'to-do list'. :)  Understatement of the year, right?  Partly I haven't had a lot to say, partly I don't have a lot of free time, and I would rather spend it with family or scrapbooking.

Some of my favorite scrapbook kit clubs have closed this past year, which made me sad.  However, it also gave me new opportunities to try new clubs!  One of which is Citrus Twist Kits.  I have been loving the kits (started with June, July, special edition 4th of July and now August)!

I wanted to share what I did with the July kit:  

9 pages, 4 cards, a dozen or so project life cards and still have a bit of leftovers.  And of course the stamp set and ink pad are in my stash to stay!  That's a lot for the money, for sure!  And it was inspirational enough that I WANTED to keep working with it, which is even more remarkable!  So often a kit will include a single line and I get really tired of it after a few pages.  Not so with these kits, they are a great mix of papers and embellishments!

Okay, without further adieu:

 Citrus Twist Kits currently have a waiting list, but don't hesitate to contact Trina and ask to be added!  Check out the blog too as they have sneak peeks of the September Kits right now!

Back!

Wow, I knew it had been a long time since I blogged, but I really hadn't thought it was 5 months!  Let's see....I spent 2 months of summer without my computer.  First some computer issues, then resolved, then a hard drive crash.  So maybe issues really weren't resolved.  You think?!

That was definitely a weird withdrawal.  Seriously.

Lots of life happenings since then also!  Most notably two of my three sons got married in October. :)  I'm very blessed with two amazing new daughters-in-law!

Oh and an amazing vacation to Alaska for a couple weeks.  Breathtaking!  And so much fun to spend time with DH.  Perfect!

I'm thinking of the holidays this year.  And how it will be so different with just the two of us.  Oh the kids will join us for celebrations, but they are starting their own this year too.  Exciting as well as a teensy sad that life changes.  Not in a bad way, just nostalgic.

I've been wanting to do a December Daily album like I've seen on Ali E's blog.  Been wanting a bit more inspiration and daily prompting......like Shimelle's class that I've heard so much about.  So I'm jumping in!

Supplies are gathered.  And I added a bit more.  And a bit more.  Found a few little treasures that I had forgotten I had as well.  Album is mostly prepped.  Camera is ready.  Printer as well...I think.

I've been loving the process of getting ready for this.

I got out the albums that I started for each of the boys.  Christmas albums in 8 x 10 format.  So happy I did them.  They will be gifts this year.  Wishing I had finished them.  But there is still time to catch up (I only do one two page spread each year...easy).  I don't even care that my style has so drastically changed.  Simply DO NOT CARE.  I love the stories.  I love the photos.  I love the albums.  They are a treasure.

I got out our family Christmas album.  It's a 12 x 12 album.  Again, the styles have changed so much, but I love that I added bits and pieces from each year.  Sometimes even including our signatures like I did here:

This is probably my favorite album.  Mostly because every few pages (I usually do 3 two page spreads each year) you can see a year go by.  I love laughing at hair styles (not just mine either! LOL), seeing what they loved on any given year, noticing traditions that I didn't realize were traditions.  I little snapshot of life. 

So very blessed.  And I can't wait to add some pages!

Monster Creations

As a part of the Frosted Designs Design Team, I had the privelege of working with Monster Creations on one of their board books.  It's actually a wreath album, but I wanted to change it up and show you how versatile they are.  It would certainly look really cute as a Christmas wreath album though too!

This week's Fabulous Friday Challenge at Frosted Designs is to use journal tags, which I added quite a few to this album.  Let's check it out:

The top page is clear acrylic, which was tons of fun to work with.  It really gave the album a lot of dimension.

I really don't mind the back of the acrylic showing the back of my letters.  It was more important to me to see Christina's hand, which is actually on the third page.

 I used Jillibean Soup Dutch Soup Collection.  I love the colors!  The kids got engaged just days before Thanksgiving, so I love that the colors reflect 'harvest'.

 I left space throughout the book for them to add details and write their own thoughts down.  The tree here is cut with my Cricut using the Serenade cartridge.

If you are looking for one of these albums, you can find them here:  My Monster Creations.

Don't forget to enter your project, card or layout to the Fabulous Friday Challenge at Frosted Designs!  :)  You could win, but not if you don't give it a try. :)

What a Hullabaloo!

That's the name of the newest "hot off the press" Lucky Girl Crafts Kit!  

Here are a few layouts I did with the kit:

I love using 8x10 photos on my pages from time to time.  This was from a trip we took to Kentucky this spring.  Use those fantastic shaped papers that are included and add your special touch.  It works out so perfectly!!!

How about using a childhood photo....from YOUR childhood. :)  That little blondie on the right is me.  I love finding these pictures and enjoying all the little details of the memory.

Every family does something quirky (I think?) and ours was always taking pictures as we entered a state by the sign.  Really funny pics of me and my brother......and even grandma got in one. :)

Once again it's packed with amazing goodies, papers & alphas!  Check it out....it's definitely drool-worthy!

How about a close up of the embellies?  Oh yeah!

How about the same amount of amazing goodness in the box at a lower price! 
What?  Yes, a new LOWER price!!!  Same kits!!!!  That Jess is crazy I tell ya!  But sweetly so! :)  Check it out below:

And to celebrate the birthday of Lucky Girl Crafts.....

For our birthday, we have our BIGGEST SALE to date!

Through June, or while supplies last - Lucky Girls can get a screamin' deal on Lucky Girl kit purchases!

BUY 5 LUCKY GIRL KITS FOR JUST $100!!!
You'll save over $45 off regular retail price!
Just use discount code LUCKYBDAY at checkout

If you're a little more budget-minded, you can still save big!

All past kits have been marked down to just $24.99 - $5 off their original Lucky Girl price!

What are you waiting for? Go get your kits TODAY at www.LuckyGirlCrafts.com
Limited quantities are available in all kits, so hurry and get yours today!!!

And don't forget to leave comments for your chance to win some prizes!!!

*International orders welcome, but please e-mail jasafras98@yahoo.com

Your next stop is Natalie...

her creations are always AMAZING 

and this time is no exception.  Enjoy!! 

It's Your Lucky Day!!

I'm always so excited for the first day of the month!!!  That's the day of our Lucky Girl Crafts Blog Hop & Reveal!!!

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN WIN A FREE GIFT CERTIFICATE?  Jessica will be giving out two of them.  One is a FREE $25 GIFT CERTIFICATE!!!!  That will be given out from this blog hop on the Lucky Girl Crafts Blog.  The other Gift Certificate will be randomly chosen from one of the design team blogs this week.  So be sure to leave a little comment on each one!

If you just found us, you can go back to the beginning of the hop right here:  Lucky Girl Crafts Blog.

Let me start by showing you the gorgeous kit for May:  

Isn't SPRING SOIREE pretty?  It's bright, it's soft, it's for celebrating, it's for everyday.  I love it!  Everytime I see a kit I think about how I'll use it, but when it's in my hands and I have my photos....it always takes a new direction.

Right off the bat I created 6 layouts.  Two are double pagers, 4 were one page layouts.  I can't wait to show you, but today I will start with just 4 of them. :)

The very first one I made was a boy layout.  Yep it just screamed boy to me.  And whimiscal & fun!

Just goes go show you can use an old damaged photo.  This first grade photo of mine was found in a frame at my grandma's house.   It had stuck to the glass on the frame and is missing parts, but it's still cute and means a lot to me.

These photos just cracked me up!  Old photos of my family being silly.  It didn't translate as well in photo, but this layout is so beautiful!  The colors of the paper and embellies... and the photos look amazing together!

Here's one that's not soft at all......it's all bright and celebratory!!!  I love that Pink Paislee Soiree addition to this kit!

You are in for another treat!  Our sweet Jessica has something WONDERFUL  to offer you... 

BLOG PARTY SPECIAL:

Just in time to celebrate Mother's Day & National Scrapbook Month,
new annual subscriptions purchased during the Blog Party will only be
$25/month!

In addition to guaranteeing that you get your hands on the latest & greatest Lucky Girl Crafts kit each month, subscribers also receive a special bonus kit valued at $25 at the end of their one-year term.

What are you waiting for?! www.LuckyGirlCrafts.com
You can choose from the monthly or pre-paid billing options for this great deal - no code needed!
*International orders welcome, but please e-mail jasafras98@yahoo.com

Now you are off to our lovely Natalie's blog...she has some amazing creativity for you!!   

But before you go, what is the last layout you created about?   Leave a comment and your name might be chosen to win a Gift Certificate from Lucky Girl Crafts!