One day at a time

Hello blog readers. Sadly today's post is not a happy one.

First off I want to apologize to Hannie and Stacy for not wrapping up the RAK on Monday. Since there are only two of you that commented, I'll send both of you something. I'll contact you later when I'm ready to deal with this. I hope you'll be patient with me. Oh and thanks for the book share. I'll check that out.

Anyways, this week my spirit took a real hard blow. I'm having a very difficult time pushing the sadness away and being strong despite of things. I feel like the Lord is throwing me some hard challenges lately and even though I want to think that they're all for my own growth, it's very tough for me to get through them with a smile and a brave heart. That's all I'm going to say about that right now.

But I do want to leave you with this passage today...
"Our job is to try to be good enough, to stretch toward perfection. We know we won't reach it; we knew that before we even came here. Our Father's plan- the plan we accepted in the premortal life- was predicted on the knowledge that we would fall short. The safety net is in place. All we have to do is step out along the tight rope of obedience and take it a day at a time. No matter how many times we miss our step and fall, we can keep the resolution and the courage to climb back up again. God has promised he will stay with us, as long as we hold the faith that He is there and as long as we keep trying- really trying- to be what he has asked us to be. Even though we may not be able to see him, we can still hear His voice in the silence of our own thoughts. As long as we believe, He will sustain us."
-A day at a time, Beppie Harrison

and believe me, I'm trying really hard to BELIEVE in the positive.

that's it.

Grace

Congrats card + a RAK chance

Hello Friday. Is our first week of summer break really over? Gosh, I don't think I did much with the kids this week other than going to the library and checking out a new park. Will have to be better next week.

Anyways here's my take on the beautiful sketch this week over at Get Sketchy.

{Congrats}

June is all about wedding, graduations and celebrations so I made a card that doubles as a gift card/money holder.


We were allowed to use our own stash for this sketch and I was so excited to be able to go through some of my Homespun chic products again. I just love, love, love this collection from GCD Studios.


I hand sewn the 3 sides of the pattern paper onto the background to make a pocket. It took me a while to sew it up since I didn't have my machine nor a needle. Yes! it was a little frustrating not to have both. Good thing paper threads are a lot sturdier than regular thread.

Make sure you play along this week ok.

Now onto a chance to take these little somethings home....


If you read my last post, you know that I'm into reading right now. I even got myself to participate in the reading program at the library. I was signing the kids up when the girl asked me if I wanted to join in too. I didn't see any harm in it so I jumped in. For me to get the "prizes" I need to finish one book a week. Now I have a book already picked for this week but I'm looking for some suggestions for more reads. I have the whole summer to fill up you know. *wink*

So if you want a chance to get these little fun stuff.... comment on this post about a book suggestion. I'm into fiction right now but anything goes. I'm open to anything. I'll keep the rak open till Sunday and pick the winner by Monday (June 28th).

Goodluck and can't wait to hear what kind of books you guys recommend.

Have a great weekend.

Till next time,
Grace

book review

From Thursday to Sunday of last week I did nothing but read. I didn't spend hours on the computer (like I usually do), I didn't check off items in my to do list and I didn't even scrapbook. Gasp! Why? Because I was so hooked with this book.....


I picked it up from the library on Wednesday and it was so hard to put down. I even spent the weekends staying up till midnight just to get more pages read.

What's all the fuss???
Well I was drawn to it because of the writing, the similarities of the heroine in the book with my life right now and because it was a total surprise to me that I'll enjoy a book like this as much as I did.

I'm not blogging about this so you all go and force yourselves to read it. Some might not get the book the way I did, but if you are somewhat of a perfectionist, a woman that tries to balance everything (family, personal goals, fitness) or wanna know how people that has tons of money really live.... check this book out. It's a must read!

Ok so before I go let me share with you a sneek peek of an extra project I made with the June Crazy Daisy kit. Check it out here.


Thanks for stopping by.

Till next time,
Grace

Clear Scraps June contest

Summer is upon us. Woohoo!!!

Wanna start your summer with a fun and easy game?

Check out what Clear Scraps is up to today...

Clear Scraps is kicking off summer with a scavenger hunt that will take you through our design team members blogs. On your way, you'll find out something interesting about each of us and if you make it all the way to the end and collect all your clues, you'll get entered in a draw for a nice prize package from Clear Scraps!

You don't have to necessarily go in order...but when you're done, you should have answers to 9 questions that are posted on the Clear Scraps blog. We'll run the scavenger hunt from Monday June 21 (First Day of Summer!!) until Friday, June 25. Winner will be announced the following Monday.

Start here at http://clearscraps. typepad.com/

oh and I posted a recent wedding themed mini in the Clear Scraps blog yesterday. Here's the sneek peek...

Check out the rest of the mini here.

Have a great day.

Till next time,
Grace

Thanks a bunch

Happy Friday!
Yippee! for the end of the week and more importantly (for us here) the end of this school year. Woohoo!!! We made it through another year. Now I need to start planning some activities for the kids and I to do this summer. I know I'm going to do the usual- free movies, library days, park trips and wading pool excursions. Don't know how much we will be doing this summer since the issue of the "house needs to be put on the market" still is up in the air but I'm going to be optimistic that summer for the kids will remain the same, that is, full of FUN THINGS TO DO!

Anyways here's my take on the Get Sketchy #43.

Thanks a bunch

I love the simplicity of the sketch. So many possibilities.


Our sponsor for this week was Eyelet outlet. I used some very cute screw type outlets as the centers of my flowers. Aren't they cute?

So that's it. Check out the rest of the team's cards and play along too.

Have a great weekend.

Till next time,
Grace

Marcus' layouts

When I make my layouts, I try to even the pages out between my kids. But there are months that I seem to have more of Maddie's layouts than Marcus so for today's share why not share two scrapbook pages focused on my BOY!

I used some of my Piggy Tales products on these pages. ***note: this is not the June Piggy Tale Academy kit***

Hands On

With this page, I used the Georgie Porgie line. Did you I really love how each pattern paper has a solid paper to match on their backs. Love that I don't even need to rummage through my cardstock when I play around with the Piggy Tales products. Everything is there.


I also had some of these cute Doodlebug Design stickers in my stash and thought that the baby animals helped emphasized my layout theme.

Underwater

Last year we took a weekend trip to Silverwood Lake. I wanted to capture our memories but feared that my DSLR would die a wet death in the water so I bought an underwater one time use camera. I totally recommend it. It'll save you on the stress and worry about your DSLR. Anyways, because it is an underwater camera, I took some shots of Marcus playing around underwater. After our trip to the lake, we took the camera to Grandma's house too to finish the film, hence the water is blue and the mirky green that we know lakes have.


I used the 5 Little Ducks collection in this page. Again I just love the solid papers that comes in every pattern paper. They are the foundation of this page. I also added a collage of chipboard shapes. You can never get enough of these cute embellishments.


I added hints of pattern in this page with paper, treated is so many different ways- punched out, torn edges, have decorative borders and cut to mimic ribbon. Papers has so many possibilities.

So that's it for me today.

Thank you for looking and check out the Piggy Tales Academy kits here. July is scheduled to be up by tomorrow. :)

Till next time,
Grace

Teacher frame

Today is Maddie's last day at Mommy and Me Preschool. This year was also Maddie's last year of preschool. She's all ready for Kindergarten in the fall, she was even so brave as to bear 5 shots at one time at the doctor's office last month. :)

Anyways since this will be our last year with our dear Mrs. Hom, I decided to make her something special, and since I've not done a step by step project share lately, I decided to do that too. So here is how to make an easy, inexpensive and very thoughtful gift for that wonderful teacher or teachers in your child's life.....

Altered Teacher Frame

First you grab your supplies. I got a wonderful and very generous package from GCD Studios a few days ago and decided to play with the Homespun chic line with this project. You'll need some papers, embellishments, pictures and frame.


I got the frame at Kohl's in the clearance section. See the sticker price? I thought that was a great deal for the quality of the frame.


Second, you measure the frame opening. This will help you gauge what size your paper will be.


Third step, Cut three paper blocks to fit each frame opening. I used the floral print in the middle and the graphic ones on the sides since I'm putting the pictures off to the sides. This will eliminate too much distraction onto your picture. Adhere the papers onto the paper that came with the frame.


Fourth, Mat the pictures onto white cardstock, trim the edges but leave about 3/4" wide trim on the bottom or top. Have your child handwrite their name or a sentiment onto that part of the mat. Adhere to the paper.


Next, I wanted to make the transparency stand out better against the floral paper so I traced the shape onto cardstock, trimmed to size and adhere to the transparency.


Sixth, now comes the fun part... create a collage of embellishment in the middle frame opening. If you are afraid of collages, start small. Pick a few things first. The trick to collages is layering and making sure you have a little bit of every shape, size and texture.


Seventh, add another block of chipboard onto the picture and add dates. I feel that when you give someone a gift like this with pictures of people it's necessary to add dates. You might always remember but with teachers that go through so many kids in their career, it's good to connect dates with your specific child.

Clean the glass in the frame and then slip your collage in.... and voila....


an altered frame that took you less than an hour to make and I'm sure it'll be cherished forever. The bonus on this project- your child was able to contribute to the gift by adding some handwritten sentiments, making it extra memorable.


I added ribbon and a tag (from Homespun Chic as well)


The tag actually has a to and from on the back. How cute and clever is that?!

So that's it. Hope you enjoy my little share and I will let you know how our dear teacher reacts to our "homemade" gift.

Till next time,
Grace

his anchors

here is my last layout to share with the June Crazy Daisy kit. I kept it separate from the rest because I'm also entering it into the latest Pagemaps sketch. I love how clean and simple the sketch was yet I'm able to add so many patterns and dimensions onto my page.

his anchors

I wanted to keep this layout simple to focus on my journaling and picture. There's certain layouts that doesn't need too much products to tell a story. I felt this one was in that category.


My sewing machine is packed up right now in a storage place somewhere in town so I didn't have it on hand to sew up my lace so I chose to use a stapler instead.

Speaking of the lace, I used it to create my visual triangle in the page.

Thank you for looking.

Till next time,
Grace

June Crazy Daisy share (photo heavy)

Hi all. Here's four of my five layouts using the June Crazy Daisy kit.

The kit has a lot of great papers from Kaiser Scrapbook and the colors are a great combination of soft, muted ones to bold and beautiful. Here's the share...

Thanksgiving 09

Here's my double page spread for this month. I used a lot of pattern papers here to create my borders.

I also used the bracket die cuts to act as borders of my journaling block.

I added a black fabric brad on the "g" in the title too and cut out more flowers to add as an embellishment.

The Last time

This was the first page I made with the kit. I love my firsts pages with the Crazy Daisy kit because it usually has a little bit of everything in the kit on the layout.


I handcut flowers from a pattern paper to use as an embellishment and added the Pink Paislee brads in the centers of them. I also used a die cut tab in the top left corner.



Celebrate
PULLED OUT FOR PUBLICATION

I love double sided papers because you get the most designs for your buck. Such is the case in this layout where I only used three papers but got six different but complimenting designs.

PULLED OUT FOR PUBLICATION

I also punched 1" circles and layered them out in the middle to break all the blockiness of the page.

PULLED OUT FOR PUBLICATION

I used my pen to create a frame on my title to make it stand out more against the background.

All grown up

I love this page. I love that the colors of the cardstock and papers compliment my pictures and make the purples in my girl's dress pop out more.


I also sprayed the mist onto the cardstock to compliment the rustic feel of the page.


I didn't think the blue in the chipboard letters compliment my page so I sprayed it with glimmer mist but didn't stick well on the surface so I rubbed it off and left a distinct color distortion.

I'll share the mini and one more layout soon. Inspired by what you saw? Grab the June kit today here.

Thank you for looking.

Till next time,
Grace

a new goal

I went to an inspirational church meeting on Tuesday night and one of the things we talked about were GOALS. One of the leaders shared about a method of identifying goals to make it attainable. She shared the S.M.A.R.T way.

SMART refers to:
S- specific. That your goal shouldn't be vague or general. It needs to be as specific as you can get.
M- Measurable. it needs to have some type of number involved. Whether it's pounds, days, money, etc. It needs to have some type of measurement to it.
A- Attainable.Is it something that is actually achievable. We can't make goals that we know from the very beginning is unachievable for ourselves.
R- Realistic. Same concept as attainable.
T-Time sensitive. We don't usually accomplish goals if there's no deadline involved it in. Human nature tends to put off whatever he can, especially if there's no important time to finish the goal.

A few more things that stuck with me that night was.....

The leader said that goals need to stretch us in some way. We don't grow if our goals are things that don't test our abilities.

and a quote shared (sorry I forgot the author) "Goals that are unwritten are only dreams."

So with that being said.....I have one month before my 30th birthday and I feel so inspired to make a goal (that is written, or in this case blogged) that I will "try" to fulfill by that time.

My goal is to loose 5 pounds within the month. It seems low, but if I want to do it the right/healthy way, that's the reasonable amount.

Now does it fit the "smart" profile?

specific- loose 5 pounds in a month. I think that's specific enough
measurable- yes, it has a definite number involved
attainable- yes, and if I stop making excuses it can be done.
realistic- definitely
time sensitive- absolutely. By my 30th birthday, I SHOULD be 5 pounds lighter.

How will attain this goal?
right now I don't have the energy to go back to my Weight Watchers ways (counting points) but I will write what I eat and I will go back to running. I've missed my cardio.

So that's it for now. Do you have the same goal as me. Share and maybe we can both cheer for each other.

Till next time,
Grace

"Roar"-ing good time

Before I share my latest Get Sketchy card with all of you, let me just tell you a little background on how this card came about....
I usually make my card on Sunday before the post week. Because of the business of the first three days of the week, I like to get this out of the way so I'm not stressing myself within the week. Well I tried to continue that schedule but because of our "endless" painting days, I didn't get the card done till Tuesday. Whew! I said. Still have enough time to take a pic of it and post in on the Get Sketchy album.
Well I go in the album and find that the other team members didn't make cards anything similar to mine. I start questioning myself...what's up with this? And then I go into the sketch album and find out that I made a card with the wrong sketch!!! How crappy is that! Oh and this was Wednesday night too.
So that same night, I felt stressed but tried to calm myself down enough to pull together a card. My sweet husband, who usually doesn't know how to answer me when I ask him if he can help me with something, actually lend me a hand with my project.
So with that being said here's my card for this week's RIGHT sketch. *wink*

Have a "Roar"-ing good time!

this week's sponsor is Monkey Designs. They make these cute 3D characters out of paper. The team was given the assignment to make any card that's based on this week's sketch and make the 3D project to go beside it.


I used the dinosaur character as my inspiration for this card, hence the title. It's been a while since I used some bright colors on my card so I used that in this project.


So how did my hubby help me here? Well he was kind enough to put together the dino for me while I made my card. Because the dino is 3D and tiny, it took a while to put it together. He also came up with the card title. Now who says that husbands can't get crafty?! Mine does when he's asked "sweetly" by his oh so loving wife. *wink*

Thank you for looking and check out the rest of the cards and this week's sketch here.

Till next time,
Grace

June Upsy Daisy share

Did you know that some papers from the new lines have on the back/other side journaling and other cute smaller blocks that can be used in all sorts of projects?

Well this month, the design team was asked to focus on these cute designs and here's what I made...

Tiny Dancer

I used the Blossom line in this page. I based the layout in this month's sketch provided by our wonderful DT team member Kim. In this page I used a journaling block as part of my main pictures mat.


I transfered the Upsy Daisy designs letter rubons on cardstock first and then cut it out, inked the edges and then adhered on my page. I also added some Upsy Daisy designs brads on here.

Vacation details minibook

Here I used one of the "See Ya Later Alligator" journaling block as part of my minibook design. I created a homemade mini from chipboard and white cardstock.


I used the same paper line all through out the book.


I added another one of those small blocks (bon voyage) in the back of the tag book.

Check out the products here and the blog here for the sketch and what the other designers made with it.

Thank you for stopping by.

Till next time,
Grace

Right now....

-I am so tired. Painting all day then P90X at night just whips this little girl's behind so much

-Somehow I can never get ahead of my projects. What worse....I made a card for Get Sketchy only to find out that I used the wrong sketch!!! I'm telling you, I'm at a lost lately.

-I'm trying to be present. Trying to be happy with the good things and breathing with the bad things. It's though, but I'm *really*, seriously trying.

-I'm so looking forward to two things.....one, summer break for the kids and two, this house finally being able to be put on the market. Somehow it feels like it's going forever to get it ready.

-I want to read the book that I borrowed at the library two weeks ago, make a new get sketchy card, finish my Crazy Daisy layouts, browse through a new baking cookbook that I got at the library today, finish the preparations for my Primary activity on Saturday, shower cause p90x makes you sweat like a pig and watch a movie all at the same time.

-I'm reminded of a great article I read in the June issue of the Ensign and remembering the scripture- "Be still and now that I am God." Psalms 46:10.

Ok so now that that's all out of my chest, I will shower first *LOL* and then try to get some of the projects tackled. One at a time of course.

Till next time,
Grace

a weak attempt for random 4

Ok I know it's the 7th of June, but with my crazy life right now, the 7th of the month "after" my supposed random 4 post is better than nothing. right?!

Anyways May's attempt will be short and sweet for two reasons- don't have the time to type everything I wanted to say and (b) I don't remember half the things that happened in May. So it might be four, three, two or even just one random thing. But I'm not feeling bad about that, one is better than documenting nothing. So with that being said here we go......

Mitch

1. Shop officially closed at the end of April so May was a big change in his schedule. His days are now filled with working at the house.
2. We had our anniversary in May and watched Clash of the Titan in 3D.

Grace

1. I'm working at the house too, helping in painting and doing all sorts of "helpful" things.
2. I'm missing my scrapbook space everyday. I can't wait to get a space again, whenever that will be.
3. In my quiet time (very seldom right now) I am totally enjoying reading. Reading is helping me escape the "challenges" that life is throwing right now.
4. I tried my hand on making bread. Not so successful but I'll try again.

Marcus

1. He's become a yapper lately, especially when he talks about his games and DS.
2. Participated in the 1st graders performance. So proud of him.
3. I was so impressed at how sweet this cute boy is. He wrote a mother's day letter for grandma, lola and me. I love how he took his time trying to express himself in his notes and that he thought about all the women in the family. So sweet!

Maddie

1. She participated in the preschool's bike parade. A yearly thing she hasn't missed since we've started the mommy and me preschool.
2. At the end of the month, she actually would let me put her hair all the way up in a pony tail. Finally I can see her pretty face.
3. She decided to cut some of her hair this month. She said that some of her hair was on her face, duh! that's why I've been fighting with her to put her hair on a pony tail! So now she has some bangs!

so that's it.

Till next time,
Grace

Just a note

Well I'm so sorry blog readers. When a person is in the middle of some major home projects, some "scrappy" projects due on top of each other and family to take care of, somehow blogging gets put on the end of the list.

But there's nothing to do now but hope that tomorrow will be better than today. Right?!

Anyways, here's my take on sketch #41 at Get Sketchy which went up today....

Just a Note

the sponsor this week were digital products from Delicious Scraps. I've never made a hybrid card before so this was definitely a challenge but I think I came out ok. What do you think?


I used a digital frame and flower from Delicious Scraps and added some traditional items from my stash. I tied a string around the thick ribbon to create the crease and then adhered the printed digital elements with pop up dots.

So that's all I can offer today. Visit the Get Sketchy blog and try your hand on the sketch. A wonderful prize is up for grabs.

Have a nice weekend. I heard it's going to be like "summer" around here this weekend. I'm not sure if I'm ready for the shorts yet. *wink*

Till next time,
Grace