Stacey Jewell Stahl's Blog

I made something based on a Pinterest pin!!

2011-12-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

At this moment I have 17 boards and 348 pins on Pinterest. I'm a relatively new member to the site, and when I joined I decided that I must do a project from time to time or my boards are simply scrap papers in a file folder.

So here's what I pinned (below) and what I made (above).

My version is in the December issue of The Artisan Notebook with instructions on how to make it. I used various digital kits by Pink Reptile Designs.

My local printer charges me $1.50 for a 13x19 poster, and Michael's stocks that frame.

Poiema

2011-11-12T21:38:00.000-08:00

When I took this photo of my daughter, I knew I would make two layouts, one journaling about the day and one like this. My goal for this layout was to show that where ever art is found, there is an artist. The beauty of the butterfly painted on her face pales in comparison to the butterfly found in nature. And as amazing as the butterfly is, a human being is God’s masterpiece. Poiema is the Greek word for masterpiece, and is the title of this layout.

JOURNALING: We are God's masterpiece; not only creatures, but His creations, His poems (Eph 2:10). We are living epistles (2 Cor 3:3). And so, our lives are meant to be listened to, because it is God who is speaking into and out of andthrough the symphony of the years, and the masterpiece of a lifetime. ~ Michael Card

The pain and the longing the joys and the moments of light are the rhythm and rhyme the free verse of the poem of life (this is a lyric from Michael Card’s song “Poiema”)

CREDITS: Creative Felicity by Ju Kneipp and Studio Tangie

Daydream

2011-11-12T13:08:00.000-08:00

On 11-11-11 (Veteran's Day, 2011) you didn't have school and Dad took the day off. We went out to lunch together, then met Grandma at Saginaw Valley State University for the Women's Expo where Aunt Diane and Uncle Bob were selling the candles, Stellar Scents. One of the first booths we stopped at was showcasing amazing face-painting. You were thrilled to get this design, and, best of all, it was free! When we found a booth where a hairdresser was selling feathers for hair, you asked if you could spend your allowance on one. "Of course! You earned that money with hard work! Spend it on what you want!" And so you did. You've been dreaming about a feather in your hair, and how you have one!

CREDITS: Technicolor DaydreamKit by Lisa Sisneros and Doodle Borders by Ana Reis. I also used a template by Roadside Designs (Roadmap Collection 1), but moved the photo from the center to the left side of the layout to accommodate my large photo.

Emma

2011-11-09T11:39:00.000-08:00

My daughter and my great-grandmother.

JOURNALING: Alannah, this is Cookie Grandma's (Irene Buchinger's) mother, Emma, who was married to Frank John Rebeuhr. She was the youngest of four children and the only girl. Her mother died when she was seven, and she never had a good relationship with her step-mother. Emma and Frank were very poor during the Great Depression, the time they started their family. Their poverty over-shadowed her ability to have joy in her life. My mother remembers that her Grandma was sour and didn't like her grandchildren messing up her house. Cookie Grandma said that it was her mother-in-law that taught her about cooking, gardening, crocheting and much more, things that I thought her mother taught her. Lannah, from Emma you can learn that poverty of body doesn't result in poverty of the spirit. Her life was hard, yes, but her attitude made it harder. I pray that your no one or no circumstance is able to steal your joy. I love you, Mom. 10-2011

Credits: November 2011 Guild kit

This is Johanna Veitengruber Otto and her daughter, Emma Johanna, not long before Johanna died. Emma was the youngest of four children, and her three brothers were much older than she. I see so much love and tenderness in this photo that it makes me wonder if Johanna knew she was terminally ill and wanted to have a memento for her daughter with the two of them holding hands.
Emma is my grandmother's mother. Grandma said that her grandpa, John Paul Otto, got remarried after her grandma died of tuberculosis, but her mother never had a good relationship with her step-mother. In addition, Emma's brothers, Art, Emil and Louie, all moved west to seek better air so they would not catch TB like their mother did. At this point in the story, my perception of Emma changed. My mother said her grandma was a sour person, and I always thought that it was poverty that caused her life-long bad attitude. However, a young girl who loses her mother and then has her brothers leave her behind so they "don't die" too can change the course of a human life more than I could ever imagine.
Does Emma still offer a life lesson for us? Yes, I believe so. The truth is that we are never alone; the Lord is always with us. He won't die of tuberculosis or move 2000 miles away from Michigan to Wyoming when we need Him. He's with us every moment of every day, even when we feel alone or even are alone. Isolation is one of the devil's most popular tools, but like all of his tricks, it's a lie.
In all of life's trials and tribulations, your first point of action is to search God's Word for truth and guidance. I love you, my sweet daughter, and I love holding your hand too. Mumma

CREDITS: Credits: Mellow by Lynne-Marie Designs and Roadside Designs’ Road Map Collection 1 template pack.

Catscrap Blog Hop

2011-11-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

I am a huge fan of quick pages, and I've always loved the Catwalk by the Catscrap designers. At this stop on the blog hop you'll be able to download two quick pages, one by Cynthia and one by me. Here's Cynthia's gift to you:

Download here

Here's my page:

Download here

You should have come here from Lilja's blog and next you'll head to Flor's blog.

Happy scrapbooking!

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

2011-11-03T07:39:00.000-07:00

Here’s my one and only blog post on the Occupy Wall Street movement. I’m not writing only one post because it’s not worthy of my time, but because other bloggers are more efficient and effective than I am. But I do want to write my thoughts while they are fresh because one day my nine-year old daughter might ask me, “Mom, what was the difference between the Tea Party and the Occupy Wall Street protesters?”

This is my answer.

Honey, the Tea Party was a grass-roots movement started in 2009 by like-minded people who wanted better stewardship of Federal government spending so that future generations of US citizens would not be enslaved to the Federal debt. The Occupy Wall Street movement was started by like-minded professional anarchists like Lisa Fithian and criminal billionaire George Soros but made to look like a grass-roots movement. Their purpose? To end capitalism.

The Tea Party rallies were infiltrated by a few rabble rousers (I love that phrase!) holding racist signs and were asked to leave the events. Subsequently the national media declared all Tea Party members to be racist. The Occupy protests were also infiltrated, but by many rabble rousers - like the American Nazi party – but were welcomed by the occupiers. Subsequently the national media has ignored this and declared the anti-capitalism revolution to be wonderful.

Here’s the problem, sweetie. By definition, anarchists can’t organize. That’s an oxymoron. So the truth is the organizers have organized anarchy. Makes me smile to think about all of the oxymorons starting 501c3 charitable organizations to create anarchy. All that paperwork! All of that tax-free money!

I bet you want a definition of anarchy. Maybe one of capitalism? How about socialism? We own a dictionary, honey. Look it up for yourself please. You’re only 9 years old, but one day you’ll want to know about the economic system our country is founded on and has fought wars to maintain. And darn it, I want people to know that you educated yourself, not that you got all of your knowledge from Jon Stewart or The View.

Here are a few of the random things that bother me about the Occupy movement. These are in no particular order and this list is not extensive.

The Ayatollah Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran, supports the Occupy movement. You might be thinking, “Wasn’t the Ayatollah one of those fascist dictators that were killed in the late 2000s, early 2010s?” No, sweetie, those fascist dictators were Osama bin Laden, Moammar Gadhafi, and Saddam Hussein. This fascist dictator has pledged support to this movement to end capitalism. Here is the list of the rest of his buddies who also support ending capitalism, including the Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, that wabble-wousing wascally wabbit of wascim.
The Occupy compounds began as “rule-free utopias” and quickly found themselves creating rules. Remember the oxymoron of anarchy and organization? Within weeks the oxymorons organized General Assemblies, caucuses, Finance Committees, Kitchen Committees, infirmaries, rules of communication (aka jazz hands) and more. It’s too bad they didn’t organize a waste-removal system since fecal waste seems to be a big problem in the camps, but they were too busy at 8 a.m. doing yoga and at noon doing meditation to dig sewers to remove their waste. They don’t want any part of the local police, so they’ve created their own system of police. Here’s how Law and Order: Occupy Baltimore handles rape in its camp: both the victim and the rapist will be given counseling (paid for by the Occupiers or Medicaid, that part is unclear) and the rapist will be banished from the camp. This punishment of banishment may remind you of how the Amish shun their wayward as a means of effective discipline. You know, those folks who live in their own communities (like the Occupy camps), do not participate in the military (like the Occupiers), practice their own religion (like socialism), do not use any modern conveniences (like the iPhones, iPads and Starbucks coffee the Occupiers love) and yet somehow find success in our capitalist economy by their hard work of building homes (not protesting in front of Rupert Murdoch's home), building quality furniture (not destroying it in outdoor restaurants in Occupy Oakland), and farming (the source of the organic food at the farmers market where the Kitchen Committees buy food for the camp). In our country rapists are convicted of a crime and sent to prison. Then again, this lax position on rape at Occupy Baltimore might be one of the reasons that the Nation of Islam supports the movement since a Muslim woman who is raped can be stoned to death for adultery. God bless Rodney King! I can see why everyone is starting to get along! (Side note to Law and Order: Occupy Baltimore: after weeks of occupying Baltimore, the occupiers have successfully rewritten their laws on sexual assault because of the backlash of their original law. Yes! Success! They occupation is working because now their sexual assault laws match the laws of this country! Great job, everyone! Your time at the camp has not been in vain!)
Dear daughter, I’m happy to say that I’ve never cheated on or tried to evade paying taxes (unlike the 1 percenter John Kerry who tried to evade paying the luxury tax on his non-American made yacht). I wish I could tell you that I’ve never been a hypocrite. That would be a lie. Like every other human being who breathes on this planet, I am a hypocrite. The final comment I’ll make about the Occupy movement is a bit of hypocratic hilarity. This is funny, sweetie. The premise of the Occupiers is that they represent the 99% of Americans that make less money than the 1% of Americans who make more money. Now while I appreciate their highly cognitive ability to subtract 1 from 100 and get 99, the hypocrisy is this, a true story from the Kitchen Committee at Occupy Wall Street: The Occupy Wall Street volunteer kitchen staff launched a “counter” revolution yesterday — because they’re angry about working 18-hour days to provide food for “professional homeless” people and ex-cons masquerading as protesters. For three days beginning tomorrow, the cooks will serve only brown rice and other Spartan grub instead of the usual menu of organic chicken and vegetables, spaghetti Bolognese, and roasted beet and sheep’s-milk-cheese salad. They will also provide directions to local soup kitchens for the vagrants, criminals and other freeloaders who have been descending on Zuccotti Park in increasing numbers every day. And more: To show they mean business, the kitchen staff refused to serve any food for two hours yesterday in order to meet with organizers to air their grievances, sources said. As the kitchen workers met with the “General Assembly’’ last night, about 300 demonstrators stormed from the park to Reade Street and Broadway, where they violently clashed with cops. Officers made at least 10 arrests when rowdy demonstrators refused to get out of the street and stop blocking traffic. A dozen cops on scooters tried to force them back to the sidewalk. There were no reported injuries. The demonstrators said they were angry over the violence in Oakland. After making their way to Union Square, many of the protesters returned to Zuccotti. The Assembly officially approved the three-day menu crackdown announced earlier in the day — insisting everybody would be fed something during that period. Some protesters threatened that the high-end meals could be cut off completely if the vagrants and criminals don’t disperse. Unhappiness with their unwelcome guests was apparent throughout the day. “We need to limit the amount of food we’re putting out to curb the influx of derelicts," said Rafael Moreno, a kitchen volunteer. A security volunteer added that the cooks felt “overworked and underappreciated.” Many of those being fed “are professional homeless people. They know what they’re doing,” said the guard at the food-storage area. Today, a limited menu of sandwiches, chips and some hot food will be doled out — so legitimate protesters will have a day to make arrangements for more upscale weekend meals. Protesters got their first taste of the revolt within the revolt yesterday when the kitchen staff served only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chips after their staff meeting. Organizers took other steps to police the squatters, who they said were lured in from other parks with the promise of free meals. Maybe they should call themselves the 98%? You know, since when you subtract 1% from 99% you get 98% and the 1% could stand for the vagrants, derelicts and squatters who are eating the organic gourmet food made by the hard-working 98%. Yes, sweet daughter, I can identify my own hypocrisy, and I can clearly see it in the 98%.

Don't be fooled by the Occupy movement, my daughter. Instead, pray for a country that espouses responsibility for all, be it corporate, elected official or personal and that condemns greed as a sin, be it corporate, elected official or personal.

There Goes My Heart

2011-11-01T19:03:00.000-07:00

I created this layout for the November Scraplift Challenge at Catscrap. I chose this layout by the uber-talented Rachel:

And here is my interpretation using the Go kit by Creashens:

First Place! What a thrill

2011-10-17T07:58:00.000-07:00

I love this photo of Alannah. It's her: natural, relaxed, sun-kissed. The fun of this layout is the awesome mask by Pink Reptile Designs at Zig Zag Scrap. I also loved using the swirl rub-on to extend the lines of the vintage chair. As much as I love this layout, it's especially exciting to win First Place at the Scrapbook Awards for it.

The Scrapbook Awards
1st Prize Winner

The Scrapbook Awards
People's Choice

The Scrapbook Awards
50 Votes

Sew Easy Projects 1-3 scrapbook pages

2011-08-10T15:46:00.000-07:00

First I make the clothes, then I take the photos, then I make the scrapbook pages. Ahhh, the creative process!

Reflection of Today: Purple Melody paper by Vinnie Pearce.

(Thank God You’re a) Country Girl credits: Masquerade 1 by Pink Reptile Designs and City Girl by ZZS Designers (I recolored the papers)

Carefree credits: Lilli Mou’s Zen-esQue kit

Sew Easy - Project 3

2011-07-05T18:25:00.000-07:00

This baby doll shirt started as a women's size large skirt. With the lace and the satin underskirt it was difficult to sew. We cut 4 inches off the width of the skirt and then used that scrap to make two one-inch straps.

Sew Easy - Project 2

2011-07-05T18:22:00.000-07:00

This started as a women's size medium skirt and ended up as a girls size 10 dress.

Sew Easy - Repurposing Project 1

2011-07-05T18:18:00.000-07:00

Here is the first girls dress I made from a women's skirt. I'm new to sewing, so I'm pretty proud of this dress. My mom is my tutor, and she ROCKS!

Talk for the Babies 2011

2011-05-31T19:06:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago when we took a family vacation to Maine, Alannah bought a stuffed baby seal at a thrift store. She promptly named it Fluffy and has always loved its "big, buggy eyes." Tonight Fluffy was "the baby" and I talked for him while Alannah was the mom and solved his problem. We do this at least 3-5 times a week with her stuffed animals, and it gives me a glimpse into her understanding of problems she experiences and how Michael and I respond to them. Most of the time she takes my breath away with how calm she stays in the middle of a baby's temper tantrum and demands.

Tonight Fluffy was determined to not go to bed because he had watched a movie he was not allowed to watch and he was scared of the Crypton Monster eating him during the night. Ten minutes of him arguing with her about the monster being real and her calmly stating, "There is no Crypton Monster," was entertaining. At one point he got mad and mentioned how she didn't let him watch the same movies as all of the rest of his friends. She asked, "If all your friends had a bad haircut, would you want one too?" Um, no. "If all your friends got sick, would you want to get sick too?" Not really. (Parenthetically, I was quite impressed with this logic. She made up these questions on her own, but I'll be using them on her when she gets a little older.)

We continued this conversation for about 20 minutes total and then she told Fluffy that he had to do certain chores the next day. He asked, "How much will you pay me?" She answered, "I'm not paying you anything. You have to do these chores as a consequence for not listening to me about watching that movie." Fluffy was mad that she remembered that comment at the beginning of their conversation, but she reiterated that he had to learn there was a consequence for not listening to her.

I had to blog this conversation because I'll cut and paste into a scrapbook page after I take a photo of Alannah holding Fluffy. This was such a fun and informative conversation to have! I love my daughter!

Photographer

2011-05-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

Another art journal page with a message to my daughter.

There's a funny joke about the Titanic being built by professionals and the ark being built by volunteers, and while that's true, I hope that if you are serious about being a photographer when you grow up that you get a degree. Papa Jack always said that you need the best tools to do any job, so get a great camera and photo editing software. And if you decide on another career, simply transfer this advice and use your talents and gifts in whatever you do!

CREDITS: Photo Shoot by Sweet Digi Scraps

Love P&P? Read "Darcy's Story"

2011-05-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

If you are a fan of Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice," I highly recommend this book, Darcy's Story.

I am Not on the Menu!

2011-05-29T15:13:00.001-07:00

Everybody says that if you’ve got it, flaunt it. It’s not true. Please don’t follow the crowd. Recently Ambercrombie & Fitch sold Girls size 8 push-up, padded bikinis on its website and I asked you, “What would boys and men think if they saw you in that?” {Thoughtful pause) “I am not on the menu!” That’s true. I’m glad you know it! I was one of many mothers who sent an e-mail to A&F, and within days they took it off the site.

CREDITS: Journal Your Art Out 2 collab by Fiddlette and Nancie Rowe Janitz. Cat is from The House That Jack Built – reader’s gift from Fiddlette in the May issue of The Artisan Notebook.

Peace

2011-05-29T15:12:00.001-07:00

Another page in my art journal with messages to my daughter.

The only true peace you will ever experience will be in a relationship with the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. This doesn't mean that your life will be peaceful. Actually, because of your faith you will offend many good people. Be gentle with them and do not judge them, but share your faith and live a life of peace that reflects your faith. Do not "keep the peace" by compromising your beliefs because you will not have peace at all.

CREDITS: Journal Your Art Out 2 collab by Fiddlette and Nancie Rowe Janitz. Paper and butterfly by Cheeky Monkey Design (Week 4 free gift for the Hopes and Dreams and Goals and Scheme art journal challenge). Key by TracyAnn, birdhouse by Caged Bird Designs.

Plant Seeds of Love

2011-05-29T15:11:00.001-07:00

Another page in my art journal with messages to my daughter.

"You reap what you sow." What does that mean? It sounds old-fashioned, but it's a universal truth that what you plant is what you harvest. If you plant nothing (do no work at all), then you'll harvest nothing. Plant positive things, my sweet girl, and you'll experience positive things your whole life long!

CREDITS: Journal Your Art Out collab by Fiddlette and Nancie Rowe Janitz. Paper flowers by Nancie Rowe Janitz and doodle flowers in the JYAO collab. "Say What?" Stamped Alpha by Brenda Kempf

Be Still

2011-05-29T15:09:00.000-07:00

Another page in my art journal with messages to my daughter. I'm totally loving this project. Bonus: this layout was spotlighted in the May 29 Gallery Standouts.

Journaling: Alannah, While I was pregnant, you would roll for hours. You started walking when you were nine months old. You started running a day later. Sitting still is torture for you. So this lesson of "Be still and know I am God" will be hard for you. Your natural tendency is to move and discover and explore, but the Lord is clear that there are moments in our lives when we need to stop the distractions around us and focus on the One who created us. As you mature, you'll find solace in the stillness.

Credits: Journal Your Art Out collab and alpha by Fiddlette and Nancie Rowe Janitz, flowers and yellow bow by Creashens (gift to readers of The Artisan Notebook). Paper Bits wings by Nancie Rowe Janitz and doodle wings in the JYAO collab.

Home is Where the Heart Is

2011-05-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

A "just because" page. Just because I needed to let my family know that my home is where they are.

Credits: Home kit free gift by various designers at My Scrapbook Art.

Carefree

2011-05-28T06:56:00.000-07:00

Michael and I have tried very hard to give Alannah a carefree life. Not a life without troubles, but a life that a child should lead: without worry or heavy burdens. I think, for the most part, we have succeeded in this. She is a happy kid and enjoys the freedom of childhood. These photos represent her to a T.

CREDITS: Lilli Mou’s Zen-esQue kit: http://zigzagscrap.com/store/Zen-esQue.html

Old Handkerchief Dress -> New Summer Dress

2011-05-23T20:35:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I went into Goodwill to look for a women's skirt that I could make into a sundress for my 9-year old daughter. I wanted the fabric to be cotton and the print to be something a little girl could wear.

I was thrilled to find a women's extra large cotton handkerchief dress for 3 bucks! I knew the fullness of the skirt would be a bonus to a girl who likes to twirl. An added bonus was the green fabric drawstring around the waist that I knew would be fabulous for the dress straps. The skirt had a side zipper and an interesting pattern - two things I recognized as the challenge for this dress.

I got it home and showed to Alannah and she fell in love with it. I pinned the dress around her chest, just under her arms, and discovered that about 10 inches would need to be removed. As always, when I have any project that involves sewing, I head to my mom's house to brainstorm. Her being the polite woman she is, she did not immediately tell me that I had rocks for brains.

She suggested removing the zipper and sewing the fabric together at the seam. We cut the drawstring and pinned it into place, and then realized that we had enough drawstring to make a double string with a criss-cross over each shoulder. Watching Alannah twirl in the full skirt, she had the idea to insert 3/4 inch elastic into the skirt's waistband across the back of the dress. This solved the problem of cutting the fabric and ending up with a pattern that was off kilter. It also meant the project was finished in an afternoon! My mom later said the dress turned out far better than she expected, and I told her it was because of her sewing skills!

Here are the photos of the dress:

I recommend this book . . . .

2011-05-23T17:12:00.000-07:00

This book would not make the People magazine list for light beach reading, but it made my list for recommended reading. It's a story of two families impacted by a single event and the journey of spiritual awakening and forgiveness in the following months. I don't give away any of the plot in my recommendations, and so that's all you'll get from me. I loved it.

When In Doubt

2011-05-22T18:29:00.000-07:00

I got my hair cut recently and today I wanted to take a self-portrait. Well, the wind and the sun made it hard to get a good outdoor shot, so I decided to take one from a different perspective and got this photo as the result.

I blended one of Fiddlette's papers from her Spring-A-Ling-A-Ding-Dong kit over my photo and then overlaid the photo over the paper to get this effect. I added minimal elements and text.

CREDITS: Fiddlette's papers from her Spring-A-Ling-A-Ding-Dong kit, flower by Creashens and feather by Lily Designs.

Dream Big (Week 3 Art Journal)

2011-05-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

My art journal has become somewhat of a medium of communication to my daughter. I've already gotten week's 1 and 2 printed in 12x12 and love how this album has begun.

Credits: Hopes and Dreams (Week 3) gift from Creashens, along with some other papers I blended. Dancer is by Lily Designs, large butterfly is by Fiddlette, stitching by Tracie Stroud.

What Big Eyes You Have

2011-05-19T05:46:00.000-07:00

This video shows how a beautiful woman is completely made over to look different . . . and the final question says it all: No wonder our vision of beauty is distorted.

Art Doll ATC Challenge

2011-05-15T20:44:00.000-07:00

7th Heaven

My submission for the Art Doll ATC Challenge in the May 2011 issue of The Artisan Notebook. Answer the following questions and create an ATC with your answers
What fruit would I be? A strawberry
What number would I be? 7
What pattern would I be? Black and white diamonds
What shape would I be? Circle

CREDITS: Steampunk Sue and Lulu Too by Fiddlette Designs, Alice by Studio Royanna, Painted Papers by Kitty Chen, Doodle Border by Jennifer Labre.

Hopes and Dreams Art Journal

2011-05-15T20:42:00.000-07:00

I love music and count many songs as my “favorite” but truly my favorite song is “I Will Listen” by Twila Paris on her I Will Stand CD. I listened to it during the darkest days of infertility, through miscarriages, through life’s toughest moments. This song has sustained my faith with its deep abiding truths, and I’m leaning on it again during a time of uncertainty, knowing that whatever God tells me to do, I will listen . . . because the dreams He has for me are greater than the dreams I have for myself.

CREDITS: Fiddlette’s Spring-a-ling-a-ding-dong kit. Lindsay Jane’s doodle sun, Dawn Inskip’s journal strip, Sunflowers Design’s Spring Fever floral sprays and clusters, Nikki Epperson Hello Sunshine alpha.

This is not a weekly challenge layout, but one that's been on my mind and so I scrapped it for my Art Journal.

Hopes and Dreams Art Journal

2011-05-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

Week 2 sponsored by Nancie Rowe Janitz

CREDITS: Nancie Rowe Janitz background paper, bird and brushes from Hopes & Dreams, Week 2 Art Journal and blended with Fiddlette’s paper from Week 1. Create Wings frame and “Be True” and swag. Additional brushes from by Christine Borgfeld (Passages Blends) and Elise Hansen (Distressed Brushes). Page frame by Lily Designs (Cute as a Button).

JOURNALING: Relationships can be fragile. Speaking the truth in love is the way to keep them from breaking. You only have one reputation, so guard it carefully. Don't let others lead you to taking the easy way out. It's hard to tell the truth, but not in the long run. Be true, my daughter. It's the best way to live a life full of meaning and joy. You'll never regret it. Love, Mumma

Hopes and Dreams Art Journal

2011-05-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

My first art journal page for Fiddlette's new class found (FREE!!) here. Credits are from her first week's gift, Hopes & Dreams.

Journaling: Right now you are 9 years old and many years from leaving our nest, but it will happen someday. When it does, you will be ready. I probably will not, but the fact is that Daddy and I are working now to prepare you for this moment. We are teaching you about life, love, faith, money, responsibility and more. Already you are showing us signs that when you fly out of the nest, you will soar.

6 Ways to Keep the Little in Your Little Girl

2011-05-06T11:26:00.000-07:00

As the mother of a nine-year old girl, I struggle to raise a girl who is confident, modest, age-appropriate and wise. In the early 1980s, the #1 movie for girls ages 8-10 was The Care Bear Movie. My sister was born in 1980 and I know she played with Strawberry Shortcake, Rainbow Brite and the Care Bears. Girls today are bombarded with Moxie Girls and Bratz and the messages they send are clear: wear revealing clothes, if your lips aren't full and pouty - you aren't pretty.

More than toys, the media sends messages to my little girl that make me sick: it's okay to have a boyfriend when you are 12 years old, it's okay to talk disrespectfully to your parents, it's okay to pick on a kid that looks or acts different than the rest of the crowd.

And so I work daily to send messages to my daughter that are the opposite of our cultural norms. The book I've linked here is one that I highly recommend if you want to have a thoughtful, on-going discussion with your little girl about why it's important to not grow up too fast.

Favorite Books

2011-05-06T11:17:00.000-07:00

One of the best, most inspirational, most heart-wrenching series of books I've ever read is by Liz Curtis Higgs. Set in Scotland and an allegory of the Biblical story of Jacob, Rachel and Leah, these books completely captivated me. The fourth book is related to the first three, but could be read as a stand-alone book. I'll give no spoilers, but I will say that these are the only books I've ever read that made me scream, "NO!!!!!" during the height of the conflict. Fabulous writing.

My Girl

2011-05-06T06:36:00.000-07:00

Journaling: Spring has finally arrived and we couldn’t be happier. A quick trip to the park was followed by a jaunt to the ice cream shop. Then we went shopping and enjoyed each other’s company. A bit of chores were followed by coloring together. We read three chapters of “Tangled” and then said prayers of thanksgiving and asked for help for the next day. It was the best day ever with my girl.

CREDITS: Kit: City Girl Collab by Zig Zag Scrap Designers and Template: Studio 68 Kickstarters 5

The King's Speech

2011-05-05T20:59:00.000-07:00

My sister lent me her DVD of The King's Speech and was a little taken aback by the terrible parenting of King George. What a story. It's interesting to me how even royalty lacks parental love and skills. No spoilers here; I'll just write that I enjoyed the movie and Colin Firth deserved the Oscar.

New authors

2011-05-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

Our church has a small library that includes some works of fiction, and I've recently discovered two new authors. Well, they are new to me. :)

First is Lisa Wingate. This book is contemporary story that tugs at your heart. Next is Colleen Coble. I've read the first book in her Mercy Falls series and can't wait for books 2 and 3.

Digi Dare 227 - A Letter to My Sister

2011-05-05T20:36:00.000-07:00

Dare 227

JOURNALING: My earliest memory is waking in my bed and watching you in your crib in the hall. Soon we were in that double bed (that used to be Aunt Susan’s) together and stayed that way for ten years until Erin was born in 1980. How many times did we count the squares on the ceiling? Why can’t I remember that number now? For some reason I think it was 133. Do you remember how excited we were when Mom and Dad went shopping for an area rug to cover the old linoleum? Oh, we were so sad to see brown. The floor was the original covering from when the house was built in the early 1900s. The walls were peach foam paneling with wide panels. I cannot recall what our bedding looked like. In the early 70s kids’ bedding was all about warmth vs. fashion. Mom always told us to sleep back to back so we’d be warm. I do remember you had an orange bear named Teddy and I had a yellow stuffed dog named Tiny. Remember playing “writing on the wall,” which was really “writing in the air in the dark right before Mom yelled up the stairs for us to stop talking”? How many giggles echoed in our room? How many tears fell? How many prayers were whispered? How many secrets shared? In our room? I wish I had a picture of our room, but it’s firmly planted in my memory and I cannot recall our room without you and me in it.

Credits: Just A Girl kit and alpha by Micheline Martin. Bear by Kaye Winieki and doll by Lily Designs.

Hugs & Kisses

2011-05-05T20:35:00.000-07:00

CREDITS: Fiddle-Dee-Dee GIMME LAYERS in her iNSD Grab Bag. Tracie Stroud’s Beauty in the World kit and alpha, Karah Fredricks alpha. Buttons and flower by Pink Reptile Designs, flair and flower by Dawn Inskip, flower by HeatherT, leaf stamp by Karen Lewis.

Growing Young

2011-05-05T20:34:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think I should post about the layout, but then I realize the journaling tells a better story than I can in a few short words.

CREDITS: Fiddle-Dee-Dee GIMME LAYERS in her iNSD Grab Bag. Papers by Morjike and Scrap Matters Collab Life’s Little Surprises. Karah Fredricks’ Splatterific, Pamela Donnis scatter.

My Wish For You

2011-05-05T20:32:00.001-07:00

CREDITS: Fiddle-Dee-Dee GIMME LAYERS in her iNSD Grab Bag.Vinnie Pearce My Purple Melody kit, lace by Lindsay Jane, flowers by Pink Reptile Designs, stick pins by 3Heart Designs and Gina Cabrera, string by Karen Lewis. Jennifer Labre Little Black Bit alpha, Gina

Don't Worry

2011-05-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

My sweet girl, do not worry.

CREDITS: Fiddle-Dee-Dee GIMME LAYERS in her iNSD Grab Bag. Vinnie Pearce I Heart You ribbon, word art and flair by Kitty Designs, I Love Color by Creashens, Heather T’s Flowers of the Orient Art Papers, Band Geek Designs Feel the Love, Pamela Donnis Silly Star.

All I Ever Dreamed

2011-05-05T20:30:00.000-07:00

CREDITS: Template: Fiddle-Dee-Dee Delicate Balance. Vinnie Pierce Pieces of Me kit, Tangie Baxter Smitten word art, - Mari Koegelenberg’s Sweetie Pie and Scattered Flowers, Sarah Cabana’s Feel the Love kit. Leaves: LorieM, Dee Bee Designs and Lindsay Jane

Picture Perfect

2011-05-05T20:29:00.000-07:00

CREDITS: Captured kit by Lillimou and template by Little Moments - Colorful Butterfly Pack 6 No.22

Frankly My Duck

2011-05-05T20:27:00.000-07:00

I saw the duck in this kit and I thought of a play on the famous quote by Rhett Butler. I then thought of all of the pop culture things that I do not understand or care about.

Journaling: Why are these things popular? TV stars that are popular in spite of chronic wife beating and drug abuse? Clothes sold by naked models? Why are these things popular? Why look to the stars for daily advice? Why not look to the One who created the stars? I don't get horoscopes. As much as I love Facebook is as much as I don't understand Twitter. Lady Gaga has made a career of wearing underwear in public to sell more albums. The Kardasian sisters are rich and ready to expose themselves to be famous. I don't get it. As for all of the vampire and witchcraft stuff, that's not new. Dabbling in the occult is popular, but dangerous. In our family we follow Jesus, and it's a narrow way, but we are walking it together, so who cares that we are not popular?

CREDITS: No Place Like Home by Pink Reptile Designs and Say Cheese Alpha by Pink Reptile Designs

Innocence

2011-05-05T19:39:00.000-07:00

Innocence
CREDITS: Soft Color Moments by Kokon Scrap Art. I modified a template by Studio Basic called LOVE LOVE KISS KISS
Journaling: Lanni, as your mom I have things to teach you. When I look at your sweet innocent face in this photo, I am determined that you will enjoy the innocence of childhood. As you grow older you will long to grow up quickly, but I will encourage you to act like a young lady. The world will try to make you think you are valuable if you dress and act inappropriately, but I will teach you that is a lie. Guard your heart and body from the things of the world and you will enjoy a life of holiness, joy and peace. Love, Mama

You Color My World

2011-05-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

Layout as seen in The Artisan Notebook magazine using the readers' only gift from Creashens.

Love

2011-05-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

CREDITS: Studio Basic LOVE LOVE KISS KISS Template, Pink Reptile LOVE LOVE KISS KISS kit

9th birthday

2011-05-05T19:33:00.000-07:00

Photos of my daughter and her cousins at her 9th birthday party.
CREDITS: Fiddle Dee Dee Holiday Memories template, KateF’s Crazy Stuff kit and Arty Farty elements, Tracy Ann’s brackets, Jennifer Labre Doodle It borders.

Glamor Girl Grandma

2011-05-05T19:32:00.000-07:00

Photos of my grandma at Alannah's 9th birthday party.
CREDITS: Fiddle Dee Dee Holiday Memories template, Sherwood Studio Fireside and Parlor Christmas kits

JJ Heller sings "Love Me"

2011-04-18T13:47:00.000-07:00

This song is a current fave in our home.

Lyrics | JJ Heller lyrics - Love Me lyrics

How Do I Love Thee?

2011-01-05T04:27:00.000-08:00

Photo of the girls taken by me at our recent photo session.

CREDITS: Dare2BU kit by the Digi Dare team, Scrapping with Liz Heart Templates II, Nikki Epperson's Hello Sunshine pink alpha, "Say What?" Stamped Alpha by Brenda Kempf

Digi Dare #210

2011-01-04T15:07:00.000-08:00

This is my first dare and I love how my layout turned out so much that I bought a 16x20 mounted image of the magazine cover from Shutterfly. This dare is a great way to round out significant events of 2010. Check it out here. Come on and play along! You have until Thursday, January 6 at 10 pm EST to post your link on the Digi Dare site.

Colour Q Challenge #66

2011-01-04T14:51:00.000-08:00

This is my first ever foray in the the very cool Colour Q Challenge. This is the color swatch for challenge #66:

And here is my card:

CREDITS: Geeky Diva Designs Feeling Sentimental card templates, Ready for Spring papers and elements by the MScraps designers, Beach Cottage papers and elements by Gina Cabrera.

The Digi Dares

2010-09-03T07:17:00.000-07:00

Hey, that's MY name on the list of new Digi Darers. I'll post my layouts each week. Click HERE if you'd like to play along for a chance to win some great prizes.

Fuss Free: Contest Series 2

2010-09-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here are the three layouts I've made using Fiddle Dee Dee's FUSS FREE: CONTEST SERIES 2 templates.

Fuss Free: Room to Breathe Set 3

2010-09-02T13:24:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to Fiddle Dee Dee's FUSS FREE: ROOM TO BREATHE Set 3.

Fuss Free: Set Five

2010-09-02T13:16:00.000-07:00

Here are the templates you get in Fuss Free: Set Five by Fiddle Dee Dee.

Fuss Free: Square Pegs

2010-09-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

I'm catching up on my blog posts for my creative team layouts, and I am sorting them by designer. It's a good thing for me so I can get organized. For example, I see I've only used two of the templates from this pack. Time to do another layout!

Fuss Free Funky Paper Play

2010-09-02T13:06:00.000-07:00

Here are the four templates you get in Fiddle Dee Dee's FUSS FREE FUNKY PAPER PLAY template set and the layouts I made using them.

Fuss Free; Funky Paper Play 2

2010-07-17T05:21:00.000-07:00

My niece, Alexa. She asked for a pose like this with her wearing a hat. I was happy to oblige.

Credits: Funky Paper Play 2 template by Fiddle Dee Dee Designs and GENTLE kit and alpha by Dawn Inskip.

Big Changes

2010-07-17T05:14:00.000-07:00

We are now living in Michigan, close to the place where I grew up! I don't blog much during transition times in my life; those times are deeply personal to me. But I'm back online and back to scrapping and now I have many many more photo ops with my nephew and nieces and my entire family. I'm back!

21 Rules of the House

2010-04-29T05:05:00.001-07:00

Photos I took today of my friend's adorable boy. The 21 Rules of Our House was magnetized to their fridge, so I looked it up online and added it to his book.

1. We obey God.
2. We love, honor and pray for one another.
3. We tell the truth.
4. We consider one another's interests ahead of our own.
5. We speak quietly and respectfully with one another.
6. We do not hurt one another with unkind words or deeds.
7. When someone needs correction, we correct him in love.
8. When someone is sorry, we forgive him.
9. When someone is sad, we comfort him.
10. When someone is happy, we rejoice with him.
11. When we have something nice to share, we share it.
12. When we have work to do, we do it without complaining.
13. We take good care of everything that God has given us.
14. We do not create unnecessary work for others.
15. When we open something, we close it.
16. When we take something out, we put it away.
17. When we turn something on, we turn it off.
18. When we make a mess, we clean it up.
19. When we do not know what to do, we ask.
20. When we go out, we act just as if we were in this house.
21. When we disobey or forget any of the 21 Rules of This House, we accept
the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Credits: Deb Fisher's ABOUT A BOY brag book.

Super Star

2010-04-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

Alannah and I climbed the rocks at the beach and when we got to the top we were so proud of ourselves and then we realized we had to get down.

Credits: Dawn Inskip's Above and Beyond Template 5 and Nature's Promise kit.

THIS TEMPLATE IS FREE WHEN YOU SPEND $5 OR MORE IN DAWN'S STORE - OFFER GOOD 27 APRIL THROUGH 3 MAY.

Brag Book

2010-04-28T15:48:00.000-07:00

These are pix of my friend's adorable boys. They are even sweeter than they look. I took these pix today and as I left their home they all ran to me, "I WANT TO KISS YOU!" Awww - - - melts my heart!!

The digital scrapbook supplies I used are Carolyn Rose Kite's DUCK WEATHER brag book, Lynne-Marie's word art and Suz...anne C. Walker's word art.

"Shore" Fun

2010-04-26T17:45:00.000-07:00

Spring break was last week. These are photos at low tide at one of our fave beaches, Nantasket Beach. It was a glorious day.

Credits: Lindsay Jane’s Another Day In Paradise kit

Fiddle Dee Dee Designs Fuss Free Template Set 4

Roly Poly

2010-04-22T16:03:00.000-07:00

Photos of my daughter rolling down a hill. ;)

CREDITS: Fiddle Dee Dee Designs FUSS FREE VERBOSITY album. LINK TO DIGICHICK SHOP: http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/product.php?productid=22374&cat=268

Imagine This kit and alpha by Lynne-Marie. Tree by Jady Day, heart doodle by Tracy Ann.

The Big Four-Two

2010-04-22T11:19:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday! My mom and dad became first-time parents at 7 in the morning on April 22, 1968. That makes me 42 today.

While I am struggling through some trials in my life right now, I am ever mindful of how blessed I am and always have been. Praying that this year God will use me in ways I haven't even thought about - - - and a little wide-eyed at what that prayer might bring.

How to Train Your Dragon

2010-04-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

It's spring break in Massachusetts (spring break is always the week of April 19, Patriot Day, so that the kids have a week off on the state holiday) and I work in the morning and come home at noon. Michael heads out to work when I get home, and Lanni and I start our day. Today we saw "How to Train Your Dragon" at the movies, and it was good. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

I do wish that when kids lie to their parents in movies (like this one) or books (like Shiloh) that there would be consequences for them. It does give me a teachable moment for Alannah, but it would be better if the teachable moment actually happened in the story.

One of the themes in many stories is a parent's hopes and dreams for their kid being more important than the dreams and passions that the kid has. Alannah said after the movie, "The dad said that Hiccup wasn't his son anymore, and that's a lie." She didn't understand what prompted that statement, and I hope I never love my dreams for her more than I love her.

I know that Alannah loves people and animals. That she loves telling stories and solving problems. I know she loves teaching and playing the piano. She loves cooking. She's very sentimental and loves to save things that mean something only to her, even if they are broken or unusable. As her mom, it's my job to see that these passions and skills of hers are in my line of sight. I must pay attention to the gifts God has given her and lead her in that direction - - - not in the direction I think she should go in.

For this, I need wisdom. For wisdom, I need to pray. And so I ask the Lord for wisdom to encourage my girl to use her gifts in a way that is pleasing to God.

Shiloh

2010-04-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

The past two weeks at Alannah's school has been the annual Read-A-Thon. I read to the kids each day and enjoyed my time with them. I read Shiloh by Phillis Reynolds Taylor. The story is complex because a boy has compassion for an abused dog but lies to cover up his care for the dog. I sometimes stopped reading to ask, "Was that a good idea for Marty to lie to his dad like that to help Shiloh?" The kids would start to say NO and then wonder if they should have said YES! Alannah's teacher spent some time talking to the kids about lying during Bible time.

If you know me well, you know I am an expressive person, and my reading reflects this. I enjoyed reading this book with a soft West Virginia drawl, dropping my Gs at the end of words. I said, "Git!" instead of "Get." The best part was, my kid was embarrassed by me! :) That'll come, I'm sure.

Honey Bunny

2010-04-16T13:37:00.000-07:00

20 pix of my kid taken on Easter and this is the only one worth scrapping. Sometimes I got it and sometimes I don't. :)

CREDITS: Fiddle Dee Dee Designs Fuss Free Template Set 4. Sunflowers Spring Fever kit.

Link to templates: http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/product.php?productid=22338

Link to kit: http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/product.php?productid=6586&cat=0&page=1

My Grandparents

2010-04-16T13:35:00.000-07:00

MY GRANDPARENTS

I am the person that I am because of my grandparents.

CREDITS: Dawn Inskip's GRANDPARENTS 101 kit. Link to PBP store. Link to Catscrap.

Happy Hunting

2010-04-16T13:32:00.000-07:00

I don't have many photos of my grandpa as a kid or teenager. This one is special because it also shows one of his sisters in the photo. I've never hunted or fished, but I admire my great aunt for doing so.

CREDITS: Seasons of Change - Winter collab kit by Carolyn Rose Kite and Karen Lewis. Fiddle Dee Dee Designs template (The Contest Series 1). Glitter spray is from New Life Designs Live to Love kit. Link to PBP: http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/product.php?productid=6776&cat=0&page=1

Jenny

2010-04-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

(Description of Jenny written by my daughter, plus actual conversation we had while role-playing Talk for the Babies. She is the {I} in the journaling. I simply talk for the baby while she takes care of the problem at hand. I have fun with this, giving her the same problems she gives me.)

Jenny is a beautiful doll that looks like me with blond braids and blue eyes. She is very friendly and was a present from my Aunt Angie in 2006. This week Jenny was especially troublesome for me. She said, “I'm so cute and smart! I'm the cutest and smartest!"

"Wait!" I said, "are you bragging?"

"Well, wouldn't you brag if you were as cute and smart as me?"

I pushed harder, "Are you bragging?"

Jenny was oblivious, "Anyone as cute and smart as me would say so!"

A couple more rounds like this were very difficult for me. Tears welled in my eyes. I said softly, "I can't believe one of my children would talk like this. We do not brag in our house. Bragging makes other people sad and jealous. I don't want to hear you talk like this again."

Jenny immediately was remorseful about her ignorance! She apologized and promised to not talk that way again.

CREDITS: Dawn Inskip’s SUNNY SMILE kit and alpha
PBP Link and Catscrap link

Play at Work

2010-04-10T07:43:00.001-07:00

Yes, creating tutorials and inspirational pages for The Artisan Notebook is technically "work" - - - but I get to play at the hobby that I love while stretching myself to try new things that I might not do otherwise.

CREDITS: Dawn Inskip's WORKING 9 TO 5 kit and Nature's Promise alpha.

PBP store link: http://www.pickleberrypop.com/shop/product.php?productid=6737&cat=0&page=1

Catscrap store link: http://www.catscrap.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=17304&cat=249

Yard Work

2010-04-03T05:53:00.000-07:00

If you follow my blog you know that Michael and I have done 100s of hour of work in the past three years to a long-neglected 2.35 acre yard. The previous owner of 20 years did little to maintain beauty and overcome the poison ivy and Oriental Bittersweet. The Bittersweet problem led to two trees in the front yard dying completely and about 6 others losing about 3/4 of their greenery. Here are the Before and After pictures from last year.

Michael has burned leaves twice this spring and it's my job to pick up the 100s of fallen branches and sticks. With the 70-mile an hour winds from last month, we had gobs of sticks. I did hire Alannah and a friend to pick up pine cones, five wagon loads full. It took them a couple of hours because they took Wii breaks, but what a difference it made.

Someone at church halved her sedums and I planted 5 clumps in a garden we created last year. They joined the sedums a friend at our former church planted for me.

As I was digging in the dirt yesterday, I thought "Why am I planting this when I know I will not be seeing the flowers?" By the time they bloom, we will be living in another home, another state. I won't even know what color they are. The Lord answered, "Because that what you do when you follow me: you plant and plant and plant and leave the rest to me." Now He was answering my question about the sedums, but He also let me know that this is the creed for the rest of my life: Tell others about me and leave the rest to me. I pray that the seeds we've planted here, both figuratively and literally, make a difference in the kingdom of God.

New Releases for April 1

2010-04-01T04:51:00.000-07:00

Autumn Fun

CREDITS: Fiddle Dee Dee Designs FUSS FREE SET 3 templates and Carolyn Rose Kite and Karen Lewis Designz collab Season of Change (Autumn) kit, alpha and word bits.

New Beginnings

Our move from St. Louis to Massachusetts was difficult for Alannah because she went from so many friends living with us in married housing on campus to a home with no little neighbors. As we prepare to move again I am reminded that while it will be difficult again, she has the perfect personality to make and keep friends.

CREDITS: Fiddle Dee Dee Designs FUSS FREE SET 3 templates and Carolyn Rose Kite and Karen Lewis Designz collab Season of Change (Summer) kit.

I Love Spring

CREDITS: Fiddle Dee Dee Designs FUSS FREE SET 3 templates and MScraps newsletter free gift kit.

Casual Smile Day

2010-03-31T13:31:00.000-07:00

CREDITS: Dawn Inskip’s SUNNY SMILE kit with alpha at PBP and Catscrap. Dawn’s unique graphics stand out in the crowd, but her papers are DELISH too! I grab her white stamped elements for other layouts all the time - - - totally realistic. Grab this while it’s on sale this week!

I'm on Carolyn Rose Kite's Creative Team!

2010-03-30T18:03:00.002-07:00

PERFECT MOMENT: This is a photo from my best friend's wedding. I was the photographer! First and last time for that, let me tell you - - - so nerve-racking! I was happy to get this shot - - - John saying something irreverent and funny and waiting for the laugh, and Maggie hooting as expected. What a way to start a marriage! I loved it.

CREDITS: Seasons of Change (Autumn) by Carolyn Rose Kite and Karen Lewis Designz. Fuss Free Template Two by Fiddle Dee Designs.

10 Things I love About Summer: I love everything about summer. Everything. Can't wait for it to get here.

CREDITS: Seasons of Change (Summer) kit, add-on, alpha and word bits by Carolyn Rose Kite and Karen Lewis Designz. Stand Alone 2 template by Carolyn Rose Kit.

I'm on Carolyn Rose Kite

2010-03-30T18:03:00.001-07:00

Another song I can't get out of my head

2010-03-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

Why? Why do some songs stick like eyebrow wax to my brain? (Writing as someone who waxes her eyebrows frequently, I know of what I write.)

The latest ridiculous thing to stick in my brain is "You don't have to live like a refugee (Don't have to live like a refugee)." I don't even know who sings this song! But it echoes through my head dozens of times a day. Arghh. I've listened to an amazing choral CD with one of my favorite hymns, "Thy Strong Word" many times today. The instrumentation and harmonies are nothing short of brilliant. Could those lyrics jumble through my brain? No. I get a song about not having to live like a refugee. Um. Please. What's up that anyway?

2010-03-25T18:48:00.000-07:00

This is one of the pages in the book I am making for the BOOK CHALLENGE.

JOURNALING: (Description of Pinky written by my daughter, plus actual conversation we had while role-playing Talk for the Babies. She is the {I} in the journaling. I simply talk for the baby while she takes care of the problem at hand. I have fun with this, giving her the same problems she gives me.)

Pinky is a Webkinz who is online. She is a pink dog with a pink nose and a pink mouth. Everything is pink about her. She has pink under her ears, a tiny bit on her face and on her legs. She likes to take walks. She’s a very good dog, like Buddy. She loves to have dog treats. Pinky was a present from Aunt Angie for Christmas 2008.

One day Pinky looked sad, so I asked her what was wrong. She said, "Oh, I feel bad because I got a 62 on my Bone Burying Test. I failed the test! I'm stupid!"

"Pinky, you are not stupid. I know you studied hard and you tried. I would be upset if you had not studied at all. Next time go slower on the test and double check your work. I'll always be proud of you because you study hard."

She felt better and said, "Next time I will go slower and do better!"

Credits: Dawn Inskip's Puppy Love kit , Inch Loss Alpha and Artsy Alpha (recolored red)

In Search of the Perfect Pet

2010-03-25T11:32:00.001-07:00

Alannah has two cats and is constantly begging for more pets. But she's allergic to dogs, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and mice. I think having cats with fish and birds is torture on the cats. We have had chickens, but they are not pets. And so she must learn to be content with our two cats.

CREDITS: Pets Rejuvenated by Dawn Inskip Designs

Spring Clean Up

2010-03-21T04:19:00.000-07:00

Today after church I am picking up Alannah's friend Alex and the two of them are going to pick up pine cones while I rake leaves. Yesterday Michael raked and burned leaves and sticks for several hours. When I was little, my sister Angie and I always had to pick up gobs of chestnusts and some pine cones while Mom and Dad raked and burned leaves. Doing a job is always more fun with a partner, so that's why I asked Alex to come over. Between the two of them, the entire yard should be cone-free in no time.

I've never counted the number of trees in our yard, but we have lots of evergreens and oaks, one sad cedar tree (nearly dead from the Oriental Bittersweet), one red Maple and lots I don't know the name of.

I love how the yard looks after the messes from winter snows and winds are removed.

Song rumbling through my head

2010-03-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

There is a song that keep going through my brain - - - well, actually not the entire song, but enough to drive me crazy!! I keep humming, "Does anybody here, seen my old friend Marvin." So I Googled the song, and MARVIN is not in it. No, just some guys named Abraham, Martin and John. Now granted, the song was written the year I was born, but sheesh. My Swiss Cheese brain can never remember the lyrics to songs. I can't remember birthdays either. But I do remember handwriting and voices, along with people I've met.

Here are the lyrics:

Anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young
You know I just looked around and he's gone

Anybody here seen my old friend John?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young
I just looked around and he's gone

Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed lotta people but it seems the good they die young
I just looked around and he's gone

Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free
Some day soon, it's gonna be one day

Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up over the hill
With Abraham, Martin and John

"I changed my mind"

2010-03-19T11:57:00.001-07:00

I'll admit that I have control issues with my daughter. I want to be the one to control what she reads, hears, watches on TV. She doesn't ride the bus, so I don't have to think about the lack of control in that part of her life.

But some things I want her to work out for herself. Which was why when she told me she had picked out what boy at school that she wanted to marry, I wasn't alarmed. First of all, she's 8. Second, crushes are normal. Third, Michael and I have been talking to her for years about what is important in a husband: that he loves God, then loves her. Fourth, we have told her that it's important to really get to know someone before you marry them because once you do, it's forever.

She said he loved God and that he was interesting and funny. He was never mean to her in school like some of the boys.

So it's been a few months since her declaration, and sometimes she tells me how wonderful it will be when they drop off their kid at kindergarten and cry a little together. I did think that daydream was a bit descriptive, but I also thought it was tender.

Yesterday however, she told me that she's changed her mind: she doesn't want to marry him anymore. She said he said something that made her change her mind, that he used "hot" and "sexy" in an explicit way during school. Now, she doesn't really know what those words mean, but she does know that "it's not appropriate for a second grader to say them, Mom." Also, she's been taught what words are always forbidden (OMG!!), what words are rude (stupid and shut up), what words are potty (fart) and what words are private (hot and sexy). Private words belong between husbands and wives and are not appropriate for little kids. That he said these private words at school was a deal breaker for her.

And I told her that I supported her decision and that she was wise to change her mind before she got married. And to myself I said, "Thank you, Lord, that I didn't overreact whenever she told me about this boy. Thank you that she worked out some criteria based upon what we've taught her about marriage."

You may be interested in knowing that she's picked another boy to marry, a boy that we love dearly. Michael said today that he'd be willing to arrange the marriage with his parents. In the meantime, I'll be coaching her on a way to break off the engagement she agreed to when she was in preschool. Good grief.

Ella's Story

2010-03-18T16:01:00.001-07:00

JOURNALING: (Description of Ella written by my daughter, plus actual conversation we had while role-playing Talk for the Babies. She is the {I} in the journaling. I simply talk for the baby while she takes care of the problem at hand. I have fun with this, giving her the same problems she gives me.)

Ella is an elephant. She’s shy and sad mostly all the time. She hides behind her ears and pretends that she’s not there. Sometimes she’s happy! When she is I always go out and give her some chocolate ice cream. She loves to fun and frolic outside. She plays soccer with me and she always wins. Ella was a Christmas present from my God-father, Jason, in 2002.

One day Ella said, "Mom, can I wear make-up to school?"

I asked crisply, "Why do you want to wear make-up?" She answered, "Because I want to be pretty." I softened my voice. "Do you want to wear make-up because it makes you feel pretty?" She answered that make-up would make her pretty, so I said, "Ella, you are beautiful just as you are! Make-up doesn't make you pretty. You are pretty because of your happy heart. Besides, the school handbook says you can't wear make-up." So she didn't.

Credits: Dawn Inskip's Inch Loss kit and Painted Alpha

More pages for the book

2010-03-18T06:07:00.000-07:00

These descriptions of George and Quackers were written by Alannah, plus actual conversation we had while role-playing Talk for the Babies. She is the {I} in the journaling. I simply talk for the baby while she takes care of the problem at hand. I have fun with this, giving her the same problems she gives me.)

GEORGE: George is a bunny with a purple tie. He says, “Jesus Loves Me.” He is a good little bunny who likes to have fun festive times. He’s very colorful and has brown eyes. He likes to hop around finding carrots. He’s very quiet and very nice. He loves to hop on people’s heads and look around. George was a Christmas present from Aunt Angie in December 2001 when I was only 1 month old.

One day George said, "I am going to go to Easter Bunny School no matter what you say!" I said calmly, "Honey, you haven't asked me if you could go to Easter Bunny school. I don't know anything about it. I will make the decision if you go. You are just a child and can't decide where you will live." He told me about it, and I decided to have him wait. He left for school a few weeks later.

Quackers: Quackers is a cute little duck who actually belongs to my mom. Aunt Erin gave her Quackers for a birthday present before I was born. He goes with me to school almost every day because he is small and fits in my backpack. He sits on my desk and keeps me company. He is soft and cuddly even though he is very old.

One day Quackers was sad. He said, "I'm the littlest kid at school and I feel small and unimportant." I immediately comforted him! "Honey! Your are important! God loves you and so do I. It doesn't matter what you look like! If you are big or small, you are special because God made you. He doesn't make mistakes. And no matter what size you are, you can love Him. He will always love you and so will I." Quackers was a very happy little duck when he heard all of this.

Credits: Dawn Inskip's and MLE Card’s collab kit, NATURE’S PROMISE that includes the alpha

Strike a Pose

2010-03-18T06:06:00.001-07:00

The sun is still shining, and I got this photo this week.

CREDITS: Fiddle Dee Dee template (Fuss Free Set 2) and Sunflowers' Spring Fever kit.

Bright

2010-03-18T06:04:00.001-07:00

These are photos from my very first photo shoot back in 2004. I scrapped these pictures, but I’m redoing this set because my pages were so awful!

Credits: Dawn Inskip's and MLE Card’s collab kit, NATURE’S PROMISE that includes the alpha and Fiddle Dee Dee template (Fuss Free Set 2)

Come Sail Away

2010-03-16T21:12:00.001-07:00

Took this photo today - - - we FINALLY have sunshine here. I love the instrumentation and dynamics of this song - the words, eh, not so much. But I used them because they fit with the theme I wanted to create.

Credits: Blog freebie quick page by Irene Alexeeva.

Fonts: Bell, CK Maternal and Impact

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