Funk-A-Licious BLOG TRAIN & Several FREEBIES!!!

Well, the day has finally arrived.....April 1st and no, this NOT an April Fool's joke. I have lots to show you, places to link you to, and some FREEBIES, too. So, let's dive in and see what's happenin' for April....

Pretty Scrappy has a great new collaboration kit called FUNK-A-LICIOUS! Check out the previews.....

Now, you don't want to miss out on getting a BUNCH of great Brag Book pages designed with this bright & cheery kit. Jump on the BLOG train below to be transported to each terrific team members own blog where they will be offering you a FREE BB page. Don't forget to leave a note of thanks for their hard work, too. Here is my free page for you. Below my freebie you will see the links for the other stops on the blog train! Chugga-chugga-Woo-Woo....ALL ABOARD!!! Hope you are ready to take a long trip with LOTS of stops along the way....this is one super blog train!!!

Click on the preview to download

Amanda http://mrsmooshka.blogspot.com/
Anne http://limescrapped.blogspot.com/

Baby Yaks http://babyyaks.blogspot.com/
Barb http://barbknits.blogspot.com/
Britt Bree http://brittneycreations.blogspot.com/
Brooke http://www.brookedesigns.blogspot.com/
Casey Krause http://prettyscrappy.blogspot.com/
Claudia http://cantinhodacindy.blogspot.com/
Creations By Rachael http://creationsbyrachael.blogspot.com/
Designs By Angel http://scrappingwithangel.blogspot.com/
Designs By Mel http://designsbymel.blogspot.com/
Helen http://www.helenparker.blogspot.com/
Jas http://jscrapbug.wordpress.com/
Jewel http://bothmadandgenius.blogspot.com/
Just Passin Thru http://justpassinthru.wordpress.com/
Kay http://grandmaspixels.blogspot.com/
Ladybug Pages http://theladybugpages.wordpress.com/
Late Night Scraps http://latenightscraps.blogspot.com/
Lynn http://themathematiciansassistant.com/
Martha http://www.awayfromthechaos.blogspot.com/
Neissa http://myscrapsofus.blogspot.com/
Scrappy Shannon http://scrappyshannon.blogspot.com/
Share Joy http://scrappysolano.blogspot.com/
Share Your Moments Designs http://shareyourmoments.typepad.com/
Teri's Thing-O-My-Jigs http://teristhingomyjigs.blogspot.com/
Wendy http://www.inkinandthinkin.typepad.com/


Did you think I was done? Oh no, there is more!!! Designs by Angel has a new kit being released today, too. Here are the previews this awesome new kit....you can click on either preview to be directed to her store at Pretty Scrappy where you can purchase it!!!!

Sometimes it just works!!

I really love when I finish a layout and it turns out far greater than my intentions. I am not trying to brag....I just really love how this came out. The photo of Trevor is one I almost discarded as "not quite right for scrapping" but I was looking at the overall picture but when I did a double take and really studied the look on his face, the hat tilted and the ever so slight smirk under whatever that is he is chewing on....well, then I knew I had to use it...just crop it down! I have also been wanting to sharpen my "blending" technique skills. My monochromatic color theme was inspired by Trev's camo hat. As simple as the LO appears, it took me a good hour to complete. Add an element....remove it. Put the photo here....move it over there. I am so in to the "rule of thirds" after reading an article recently about it. If you are not aware of it, it is like placing an invisible tic-tac-toe grid on your blank scrapbook page and then place the focal picture at one of the 4 intersecting grid lines as they say this is where the eye is naturally drawn to. Not sure I did justice with my description or not. Anyway, in my own personal opinion, this LO goes in my book as one of my top 3 favorites to date. I just love when something works!!! The kit I used to create this is called "Puddles of Play"...a collab kit from www.GoDigital.com





If you follow my blog enough, you know most of my work revolves around 2 very adorable, very photogenic boys named Trevor & Caiden. You may or may not know that I can feel a bit guilty when I do a LO of 1 of them and not one for the other. I start to feel like I am playing favorites. So, in keeping with my guilt O-C-D I had to post this LO I did of Caiden. It was taken the same day as the photo of Trevor in the other LO was. I love the look on Caiden's face....the look of 98% orneryness!!!! Most think Trevor will be the ornery one....I tend to think Caiden will hold his own in this department :) The kit for this layout is called "Funk-a-licious" and is due to be released at www.prettyscrappy.com on April 1st. It's the new collab kit!!!



And finally, a LO with BOTH boys....no favoritism here, LOL. I love this photo. Look close, Caiden has both arms straight up in the air. The term "I Surrender" is the first thing that came to my mind....as if Trevor is threatening to head-butt Caiden if he doesn't. Too stinkin' funny I tell ya. This kit is "Live Laugh Love" by Designs by Angel at www.prettyscrappy.com and being released April 1st!!!


Well, that is about all from me in the world of digi-scrappin'. The rest of my world is crazy so scrapping is my stress reliever. Lots of changes going on at work (and that is all I can say right now). This upcoming weekend is filled to the gills with stuff Saturday & Sunday. My singles Sunday school group is cleaning the house in preparation for the arrival of our new Minister of Education and his wife, John & Beth Harris. After cleaning we are having a discussion about an upcoming Singles Event we are trying to put together for later this year. Sunday will be spent pretty much all day with my church family in one form or another. I have a feeling Molly will have to go spend some time at Grandma & Grandpa's because she will think she has been abandoned!

Butterfly Beauty Layout

Here is another LO I created from my trip to the butterfly house! The kit I used is an upcoming kit I will be announcing in 2 days so come back if you want to know who it belongs to and how you can purchase it!!!

Layouts ... Up & Coming Kits

These are some layouts I did using some upcoming "not yet released" kits. Check back soon for the announcement of these fabulous kits & where you can purchase them!!!

Signs of Love Slideshow

I placed a new slideshow at the top of my blog. These are the layouts I created for a tribute album in memory of my late Pastor, Fred Winters. The albums contains photos of various signs from all over our local area of people who were praying for our church family and Pastor's wife & girls. I also made some layouts using FOUR questions the church had us discuss the first Sunday back after the shooting. One page will have the question and the other coordinating page has some of the scriptures I found to go with that question. You can click on any image and it will take you to my Photobucket site where you can see the layout up close as I realize the strip doesn't allow you to really read what was written. Be blessed.

Life as usual...busy

It's been a few days since I posted anything. That is because I have been busy? Does anyone else know what that is like?? LOL!!

Saturday afternoon I welcomed my 8 month old nephew, Trev, into my little home for his very 1st ever overnight stay away from Mommy & Daddy. Trevor took it in stride and was cracking up laughing as they drove away. They on the other hand had a bit harder time. Everyone survived the 24 hour separation. Trev and I had 1 hour of tenseness as he loves to fight going to sleep and he just wanted his MOM-MA-MA-MA!! Here is a LO I did of him playing Sunday morning before we got ready for church:

I took Trev home Sunday after church and eating lunch and was completely exhausted by the time arrived home early evening.

Aunt Maggie was released from the hospital Tuesday afternoon. Several days earlier than I had planned for. So, I am back at her house playing nurse again. I do not have internet access at her house :(

I have several projects going on at the moment. One of which is a tribute album showcasing all the love-filled signs from around our area stating people were praying for our church after the tragedy of losing our Pastor on March 8th to a gunman in the sanctuary during early service. I am also filling the album with pages of scripture references, too.

I am gearing up for April when I have a new month of CT responsibilities at Pretty Scrappy. March has been a blur with all the events that have unfolded but God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good. He is my ROCK....my REFUGE.....and my STRONG TOWER!

Check back soon as I will post some of the 4x6 album pages from the tribute SIGNS of LOVE album I am making. Tootles!!!

Challenges

Here are a few layouts I have done in the last few days for some challenges over at Pretty Scrappy. I didn't think I was going to get a chance this month to do any of the challenges but seems like I am.... hope you enjoy these layouts. BTW, the card is the first card I have made digitally.

This one was for the Color Challenge. We had to use at least 3 specific colors. Of course, I just used items from the kit "It's My Party", the March Collaboration Kit from Pretty Scrappy, which earned me extra points, woo-hoo!

This one was for a challenge called "What's In The Box" and you had to use every element provided in the mini kit. Thankfully you were allowed to recolor any element you needed to. I wasn't sure how the birthday presents would look since this isn't a photo from a birthday party but I think it's okay. I do love the colors of this layout....it really pops!

Four Questions

Last Sunday's small group lesson was centered around 4 questions. Notice I didn't say "simple" questions. The questions stemmed from the tragedy that struck our church on March 8th when an armed man walked into our sanctuary and took from us, our Shepherd....our friend, Pastor Fred Winters. We were encouraged to search scripture, since after all that is the best place to go in times such as these, for the answers to these 4 questions. There were no right or wrong answers....just our take on it based upon the leading of the Holy Spirit as we read through God's holy word. Here are the scriptures I found. I place them on my blog because I have some family that either do not attend my church or do but do not attend a small group and I wanted them to have them as well.

Question #1...Our Future?
Proverbs 23:17-19
Do not let your hearts envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future HOPE for your, and your HOPE will not be cut off. Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.
---this scripture spoke to me about the hope that is in our future at FBCM if we stay on the right path, God's path.

Jeremiah 29:11 (my life verse)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a HOPE and a future.
---I have a little trouble with this verse only because I feel the "harm" has already come but even greater harm can come thru the dying of this church is we do not hold on to Jesus & PRAY.

Romans 8:37-39
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neight height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Question #2 How is God going to meet our needs?
Isaiah 58:9-11
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing of finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your light will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
---Our needs will be met as we meet the needs of others. It is through our continuing to show the love of Christ and sharing the truth that the darkness of this tragedy will turn once again to light.

Question #3 Why did God allow this to happen?
Romans 5:2-4
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the HOPE of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, HOPE.

Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
---This makes me think of what Pastor told us...how the world would be watching when evil struck and this verse talks about how nations will come to the light and we all know that nations around the world has been watching this event & our reaction.

Question #4 How is God going to bring us through?
Psalm 31:23-24
Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who HOPE in the LORD.

Psalm 62:4-6
They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Selah Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my HOPE comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 71:19-21
Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

NEW! Spring Awakenings and Blog Train!!!

The new Spring Awakenings kit from Designs by Angel has arrived just in time for Spring! This mega kit is awesome! It is a must have for anyone looking to make adorable baby announcements. It is so versatile...create pages for boys, girls (and adults) and it is perfect for those upcoming Easter photographs! Click on the preview below to be directed to Angel's store at http://www.prettyscrappy.com/

Angel is also offering some great deals for purchasing this new kit! Check out the coupon code she is offering...

Want more?? Want it for FREE?? Well, check this out.....

Now, on to the BLOG TRAIN! How would you like to get enough Brag Book pages to make an album....for FREE? All you have to do is ride the train from one stop (blog) to the next and pick up your FREE BRAG BOOK PAGE. Each page is created using the Spring Awakenings Kit so all your pages will coordinate. Below my FREEBIE BB page are the links to all the stops. Hope you enjoy the ride....don't forget to leave some love in the comments section at each stop to say "thank you" to the ladies who worked hard to make this possible.

Click on BB Page to download....

And the train continues....
Angel

Breanne
Cindy
Helen
Kay
Kim
Lisa
Melissa

Christ: The reason for our hope

Below is a blog entry I took from my cousin's blog (www.angelamoore.typepad.com). She is a blessing to me when she takes the time to let God use her in posts such as the one below. I hope you find a blessing from it, too.

Christ is the reason for your hope
I recently read this in my In Touch devotional. These are just some excerpts from an entire article that I felt like sharing before I head off to church.

Many people fail to grasp a simple life-changing truth, and it is this: GOD LOVES THEM. They prioritize their lives according to the world's standards and keep coming up empty-handed. Many routinely go through the day, convinced that their lives are not going anywhere special and time is passing much too quickly for them to make a sizeable impact. Others find themselves working hard to become successful in ways that God never intended for them. The demand to stay at the top of the heap becomes overwhelming. The drive to acheive is pressurized, and the call to surpass what others around them are doing is ever persistent.

A lot of people are running hard and fast, living outside of the realm of true love and acceptance. They may label what they are doing as being highly creative and motivated, but the Lord calls it folly and a hand-written presciption for anxiety and collapse. With mental engines running at full-throttle, it's only a matter of time before there is an emotional, mental, and spiritual meltdown. But the way to take charge of your life is by allowing God to show what His goals for you are-- and why He wants you to live with a heart focused solely on His love.

Understanding our Father's attitude alters how we view our circumstances and live each day. When we feel truly loved, there is a bounce to our step. Decisions are often made with that person in mind. And we want to spend time in that individual's presence--listening and learning what he or she values most.

Often, God's preference is not for us to "do more", but to do less so we can spend time alone with Him. From the beginning He has made it clear that His desire is to have an intimate personal relationship with us. ...... He sent His Son to earth--not to judge or punish, but to identify with us on a personal level.

God's love is what holds everything together, and outside of that, there is no hope. I often meet people who want to talk about their lives and dreams for the future. But so many, especially when life turns stormy, feel as if there is nothing for them to believe in any more. Stability seems fleeting, and the very things that once brought a degree of satisfaction and security no longer do. Whenever hope is in anything other than Jesus Christ, life will become unsettlling. Why? Because only God is unshakable.

The Lord is never out of control. He is completely aware of your circumstances, and he has promised to talk every step with you. Whatever you have done in the past, whatever your present circumstances may be, or whatever suffering you are facing in the futre, God will replace your sense of despair with a great sense of hope. .... He is the reason for your hope--not the economy, not a relationship, not a position you long to hold.

You cannot measure the love of God according to your circumstances of feelings.

The greatest blessing outside of knowing that you are in teh center of His will is the fact that you can fully enjoy the life and contentment He provides.

I'm Free

My cousin sent me this poem as a means of comfort. I knew immediately I wanted to make it into a layout. The four hearts at the bottom represent Fred, his wife and two daughters. The fact they are all interlaced represents how they are forever bound not only by the love they had for each other but by God's promise to unite them again someday in heaven.

My Sanctuary

Inspiration comes from many places....even grief. I feel compelled to keep my mind focused on the things of God, now more than ever. My friend, Sheila, took this photograph our church barely 24 hours before tragedy struck within. She, like so many of us, regard this place as our safe place of refuge....a place where we can go to draw near to our God.....to feel safe from the world outside. That all changed yesterday. We are left with the mighty task of picking up the pieces and find a new sense of normalcy. Thankfully, our God will give each of a measure of strength and courage to do this. Some will take longer than others. HE will never leave our side and will catch every tear that falls.



I did this layout this morning before leaving for work. I find scrapbooking calms me...helps me focus on anything but the details.

I will praise you in this storm.....

and I will lift my hands....for You are who You are.....no matter where I am.....and every tear I've cried....You hold in your hand.....You never left my side.....and though my heart is torn.....I will praise You in this storm.

In memory of my Pastor, who today, had his life taken from him while doing what he so loved doing.....preaching the Word of God to his sheep. Pastor, you will live on in my heart until one day I see you again, in Heaven. I know you are sitting at the feet of Jesus right now... and for that I rejoice. But, I am human and that part of me cannot make sense of this tragedy and mourns the fact you are gone......but never forgotten.

Andy Stanley Link

I have been a huge fan of Andy Stanley for several years now. It began when my singles Sunday school class was without a teacher and our associate pastor, Adam, suggested we watch these videos by Andy Stanley. I will admit we were not too happy about this idea. But, after the first week's video we were hooked. Andy, the son of Charles Stanley, has an incredible voice to listen (in my opinion) and I am quite picky about voices I choose to listen to on a regular basis. In addition to his voice, he brings God's word and truth to you in a refreshing manner and makes it apply to the HERE & NOW.

I belive the bible transcends all time and is completely relevant to the times we are living in today. But, I think many would agree, it is hard to sometimes just pick up the bible and read it and go "oh yeah, that is totally what is happening now and here is how God is part of it". Am I not right? Haven't you felt that way sometimes? Well, Andy takes God's word and draws you in with his very visual way of speaking. We no longer listen to his sermons weekly since we were blessed with some awesome teachers so I am glad to have this link to take me there anytime I want to hear him. I hope you will take a few minutes to link to the site and listen....or even watch the video if you prefer. He has several to choose from. To get to this site you can just click on this posts Title at the top of this post. If you forget to bookmark it in your computer you can always come back here and I have it in my sidebar to the right...just look for Andy Stanley Videos!

If you check it out and like what you see please come back and leave me a comment letting me know. I can absolutely guarantee if you check it out, you will NOT be disappointed. Unless of course your computer has a malfunction and you can't hear it!! In that case, rebuke satan and try again :)

And the winner is.....

me!!!! Gonna toot my own horn here for a few. I digi-scrap because I absolutely love it. It is the creative outlet that gives me a chance to turn off the TV and focus on the many blessings in my life. But, I am not unlike most who love to be recognized from time to time for the sweat & tears....okay maybe not sweat, afterall, I sit in my recliner with a laptop on my lap for goodness sake....they put into their work. I did a challenge at http://www.faithsisters.com/ back in February. It was a template challenge. The template was by JZDesigns and I so love her temps! I received in email this past week letting me know my layout was chosen as the winner for that challenge. Me! Me who never wins anything, lol. Here is the layout that won me a $4 gift certificate to JZ's online store....where, by the way, I purchased another one of her templates.
The kit I used to create this LO is called "A Love To Remember" by Ladybug Pages at Pretty Scrappy.

Well, I have a load of clothes that need to be put in the dryer and another load to throw in the washer. I have neglected my home this past week :) May you have a blessed day!

I am up and running...come on in!!!

Well, here it is....my complete blog. Oh, I just love it! I hope you do, too. I will post more tomorrow since I am having some technical issues with my font color at the moment and not sure you will even be able to read this post I am typing. That and the fact it is 12:38 a.m. and I am going on 19 hours straight. My eyes are starting to cross. Until tomorrow, I bid thee 'good night'.

Coming soon to a computer near you...

is my new & much improved blog!!! Thanks to a wonderful fellow scrapper from Pretty Scrappy and many hours of work I will soon have this site up and going full time. Yep, I will be leaving Typepad after 2 years! Check back by the end of this weekend and hopefully it will be complete. Hope to see you soon :)