It is a new year

   On one of the boards that I regularly visit they asked us to pick one word to "adopt" for 2013. that was an easy one for me the word is intentional. In the last quarter of 2012 that word has come up for me several times. I have heard it in sermons and read it in Bible study, even heard it spoken  on the radio. Each time I hear it I immediately start thinking about how I have been living my life. I tend to spend short spurts of it living with intention and purpose and large chunks of it holding on for dear life. I battle depression and when I am in that mode I am just barely existing. I do not seem to pay any attention at all to how I am living my life and how I am impacting others.Yes when I get depressed it is the ultimate selfish act. (no it is certainly not intentional oops there it is again) but  it seems to take me so much effort just to make it through  the day that I do not make time to consider others.So for 2013 I WANT to live with INTENTION,
   I have set 12 intentional guides  for myself. I am placing them in my blog so that they will be readily accessible and in front of me to help me stay on track. I am sure that I will read them MANY  times throughout the year and hopefully will have a positive report come 2014.


1) Intentionally embrace the phrase Less of me and more of thee.

      John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.”

2} To speak with intention. Do my words edify or tear down?

     Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful            for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

 3) to spend my money intentionally. Do I need it? If it is a want will it bring me joy? Do I want to care for it?
      Will it improve my life?

   1 Timothy 6:6-7 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and   we can take nothing out of it.
 
 4) To intentionally pay down our debt (pay OFF my visa) using the principles of financial Peace

 5)To journal with intention...not just occasionally

 6) Make an intentional effort to give up guilt. To offer myself forgiveness as I would others.

    2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 7) Intentionally purge my belongings, move closer to having all my belongings bringing me joy. . 

 8) Be more purposeful and intentional in my Bible Study 

     Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

 9) Be much more intentional in my giving of my time my talents and resources. And truly be intentional in     trying to use what I have to encourage others.

      John 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

 10)   I want to be more intentional about taking care of myself. I have started a few good habits in 2012.        I  want to continue those and build on them. Eat even better, exercise with more purpose, continue to lower my use of chemicals.

 11) I want to be more intentional in setting goals both long and short term. Not just ambling through and getting to the end of a time period and have regrets about the way I spent my time.

  12) I want to be far more intentional in my use of the media including computer time.

  Well there it is my list for 2013 in black and white. I look forward to a new year with all the challenges it will bring. I truly hope that I will be able to say that I am better for having lived it when it is time to re visit this list  as 2013 draws to a close.


 I hope for each of you a New Year full of promise and blessings.
Bring it on 2013!!
Brenda

First wedding layout from Second Wedding

  This is the first layout for Amanda's wedding. This is a picture that was modified on instagram and I just liked it a lot. She got the copies of all her wedding pictures this week so I am sure I will have too much fun with them!! I used the December  sketch at Artful Delight for this layout. I really like the sketch a lot.  One of the yahoo groups I belong too has made me understand how much quicker a layout goes if you actually have a collection of papers and not a hodge podge as I usually do . All the papers here are from Colorbok Antique Paperie, which was a gift from my secret Santa. I love it and will use the whole collection for wedding pictures I am sure!
The sketch

  My take

 Thank you for taking the time to look.
Have a blessed day.
Brenda

Joy to the World

   Yesterday was the children's Christmas program at church. I am so blessed to have Skyler and Neal here to attend church with me. It makes my heart happy!Neal was a lamb and Skyler was a shepherd. The program was really good and both boys did great!
  I am entering this layout in 3 challenges Sketch Inspirations sketch #350, Frosted Designs Day 5, 5 golden things, and SNC challenge to use the word "joy," Also, this is the first time I have ever gotten up the guts to write the journaling directly on the layout. I have always admired when others did that but just could not bring myself to do it. Well, I have crossed that bridge and I am not totally unhappy with it.

  I thought I would have more trouble with 5 gold or yellow things than I did. 1) the background paper has gold snowflakes 2) the patterned paper has a gold background 3) the title is gold 4) the background of the ornament embellie is gold (and I added gold stickles) 5) the ribbon around the pictures is gold 6&7) the brads at the top 2 are yellow.
  I hope for you the true wonder of the Christmas season. I hope you will take a moment from the hustle and bustle and reflect on the awe of the season.
Brenda

Christmas already!

  It is so very warm here in Georgia it is hard to believe Christmas is no longer creeping but running up on us!! Saturday was a crazy busy day...... Adrienne and Ben managed to squeeze in a trip to the tree farm with Bens family.  This was the boys first trip and they had sooooo much fun. The photos were not that great but had to "save" the day anyway.

  This layout is based on a sketch challenge at SNC. I am also going to enter it in Day 4  at Frosted Design.This challenge required you to used 4 different patterned papers. This is a new site to me and I am thrilled that I will be enter in the refer a friend contest. What an awesome giveaway!

Details: I started with a free pattern from Scappydew... but changed it up a bit. The holly came from the gallery at the MTC site. The font is Moxies fall frolic (except for the C had to use MTC for that as all the Cs were little and I needed a Cap) Also used MTC for the date.

    Also going to share a super cute project that my grandsons and I made for their church teachers. I bought the light bulbs 50% off at Hobby Lobby! Entire project was under a dollar and super cute!

 
Hope that today you will experience true Joy while preparing for Christmas!
Brenda

A layout finally!

  I am so very happy to have a layout done. It has been almost a month since I finished one. And I am actually patting myself on the back as this is the one that frustrated me so much that I walked away. I actually went back and finished it. I got totally exasperated trying to place the photos. I saw the challenge at The Paper Girls Challenge Blog this week and decided since I had the right number of pictures already printed and ready to go I would give it another whirl. I started messing with the photos and spent WAY TOO LONG trying to get the layout going. But had an aha moment and decided on this configuration and then it was a snap. The last problem was figuring out how to journal. That is something that is very difficult for me as my handwriting is so wonky. But though I do not love it I can stand it on this layout. LOL

This is the Grooms cake. When we went to the cake tasting Ben already knew that this was his choice! It was a huge hit. Once people started eating it, it was a total free for all! Of all the wedding pictures that made their way to facebook this cake was the most popular.

Thank you for taking the time to look.
Have a truly blessed Christmas season.
Brenda

First After Weddings Post!

   Well, both of my precious daughters are married. Wow, what an emotional time this has been. I am trying to re adjust my mindset but so far no luck. I just can not imagine what I am going to be able to do with all my time. I know that between now and the first of the year things will be busy (not nearly as busy as they have been!!)  So come the first of 2013 I will be able to make some changes hmmmmmmmm lots to think about!
    I am trying to get a bit of mojo going so thought I would start with this simple card for Pretty Pink Posh's 10 minute dash.









 Well here is my card it took 8 minutes 12 seconds once I pulled together my supplies. (That includes the time it took to run and get a piece of toilet paper to wrap around my finger that I cut trying to get the ends of the ribbon right in a hurry! Still not right LOL)

  I could not find any paper in the yellow family that I liked so used manilla cardstock and Tim Holtz distress ink in mustard seed, really like the way it turned out. It is amazing how quickly you can change your paper with a bit of ink! The ribbon is some that was thrown in my odds and ends basket. Last year we had a party in November and these ribbons were tied around the flatware. So happy I saved it! The stickers and bling were from my stash!
  I am going to send this to my daughters new Mother- in -law. Who has been unbelievably supportive and helpful  to her.
 Thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog. I am so looking forward to getting back to regular posts very soon as my life finds it's new norm. Look for a give away soon!

Have a blessed day,
Brenda

Soon things will calm down?????

      I am really starting to crave some good ole boring life around here. Adrienne moved home August 2011 and there has not been a dull moment since!! The custody hearing is off until the first of the year so that hopefully can stay on the back burner until at least after the holidays. And in 13 yes 13 days we will have made it through 2 daughters getting married in 6 months. Sincerely hoping that I will soon be back to my blog on a regular basis. Look for a giveaway when that finally happens!
   Today I had a few minutes that were not dedicated to anything urgent..... should be cleaning something but decided to hide in my craft room and have some fun. (multiple phone calls from the bride to be with detail issues but kept playing)
 The challenge at the Hambo Hoedown for this week is hexagons. I have seen the hexagon stamp on peoples layouts and cards and really like them but do not own the stamps. So I thought I would go into MTC and create my own digi stamp.The original plan was for a black outline but changed my mind mid stream (I know surprise surprise) and decided to color in the hexagons.I love my MTC! I think it made a fun Happy card and I am quite pleased with it. I used the mouse painter digi from Hambo Hoedown that I adore!! Added some glitter pens and called it done.

I know I need to work on my photography skills..............


Thanks for stopping by. Hope you ae having a happy day!
Brenda

Buttons Galore

  I have had a super busy week. Can hardly believe it is only 28 days until the second wedding!! But I have squeezed out a little time to play.  I am posting the only layout I have gotten done this week. I just can not seem to squeeze scrappin in right now GRRRRRRR I have had this one "in my head for weeks" and it just did not get done. I am on a quest to find blog inspiration and found Scrap It Girl. the challenge for the month of October is buttons... must use at least 12.... I think I have that covered. I am also entering it at SNC for the scrap one person challenge. As a new twist I am also going to link it to Scrap Fits warm up challenge. the challenge is to use either buttons or bows. or both.....hmm do not think I should add any bows to Neal's layout LOL.
      

does it not get any better? He is a handful but sure is cute!!!!
  Thanks for stopping by.
Live the Life you have Imagined.
Brenda

Fall means Halloween

  I made this card for 2 challenges ..... Are we beginning to see a pattern developing? The new challenge  at the Cuttlebug Spot is simply fall. And when you have 3 grandkids and 2 daughters that think they are still kids, fall is a lot about halloween. I am not a fan of halloween at all but I do make little gifts and cards for all the grands. This card is for my 11 year old granddaughter that thinks she is 21. I was going for something a little more mature. She loves purple so I think she will approve. I am also entering the Scappin n chattin yahoo groups challenge for a die cut card.

The die cut was a free file from Birds Cards. I love her files and this is the first one I have done since my "return" to the craft room. Can't wait to do more!!
I wish it showed up better but I coated the embossed layer with a thin coat of copper glitter glue and it really looks great in person... oh well guess you will just have to believe me! LOL


Thanks for taking the time to visit me.
Have a blessed day.
Brenda

World card making day

I could not let the day pass without creating one card. So here is a super quick one that actually satisfies 2 challenges. It is so much fun to try to get back into papercrafting after my life got derailed. I am definitely going for totally different types of challenges than before.The first one for this card is Pretty Pink Posh:10 minute challenge. Now that is truly a challenge for me. I usually have so much trouble deciding on paper that 10 minutes is a joke. I was determined this time to do it and I used all my 10 minutes but am happy with the results.

As you can see the colors are blue gray and red. I would have never put those together but I love them! I am happy that the card that I made can be used for a man. They are hard for me.

The second challenge is a sketch at Artful Delight  I as searching for scrapbooking sketches and found this card sketch. I just love the simplicity of it and knew I was going to try it. This will definitely be a go to for me. I am happy with how quick it was and like the results.

                                                                   This is my card! 

                                                   Time it took to create...
                                                          9 mins and 52 secs (whew)


  Thank you so much for taking the time to look and I hope you have had a wonderful World card making day.
Brenda

Two challenges in one!

  The way things have been going around here lately, I can hardly get any crafting done much less a challenge This morning while my granddaughters slept in, I did some blog surfing and I think this is going to fit the criteria for TWO challenges.So here goes. The first challenge is at Lawnscaping. I discovered this site this morning during a blog hop. They have the greatest stamps.  I do not own any  YET...... Can't wait to get some!!!! My texture in the project is the burlap.
   The second challenge is Lasting Memories the theme this week is Autumn Splendor. I think this layout captures autumn well! These pictures were taking in 2011 during our annual trip to the pumpkin patch.

The paperpiecing is from Scrappydew.
I think their files are absolutely adorable.  All the papers are from my stash and the sentiment and embellies are Reminise. I created the date cut in MTC.

 Thank you so much for stopping by. Hope this autumn day is full of blessings.
Brenda

Hambo Hoedown Splatter Up!

  Woohoo two weeks in row. I so love this weeks digi  " mouse painter". I really think he is adorable. I used him on a card for this weeks challenge at Hambo Hoedown. The challenge was to have splatters somewhere on the card. Oh how I love glitter glue!!. A sweetheart of a lady at church had a heart attack last week and she will really enjoy the "glitz" of the card. I made a shaped card as it will be hand delivered and I do not have to worry so much about the perfect fitting envelope LOL. Yep, just call me the lazy crafter!

I also used "mouse painter" on a layout this week..... I am definitely going to get some mileage out of this little guy!

As you can see I just think he needs to paint rainbows. I think next time I use him I should try something else. This was a fun layout as I did it the same night as we took the pictures and I so rarely get to do that. I used it for the September challenge ketch a SNC. I know aren't my precious grandsons just adorable!!!

Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
Have a truly bleesed day!
Brenda

Mojo Monday 257

  Geez, I really need to do these sketches more often. They really       s-t-r-e-t-c-h me!!! I started with the ribbon and then made the sunflower. I knew the sentiment I wanted to create but picking papers UGH!!! I have the hardest time with paper choices  when I use a sketch! Really not sure why that is but it just seems to take FOREVER. I am still not totally thrilled with some of mine but have decided to call in DONE! Therefore, I am going to make a true effort to do more sketch challenges to see if I can improve in this area.
  This is the sketch. I really like this sketch a lot and hope the next time I use it will go a little quicker LOL.

and here is my take on it!

Now I have to go and put away a ton of paper that I drug out!!

Thank you for taking the time to visit with me today.
 I truly hope that you will have a most blessed day!
Brenda

A Birthday Card and A Challenge

   I adore Hambo Stamps. I found them a long time ago and wanted to enter challenges but.......well life has gotten in the way. Now that I am trying to get back to my paper. This is on my list to go back to. I am entering the Hambo Hoedown challenge this week. If I link it properly (never figured that part out before LOL) then I will get a free digi for entering the challenge!!
   I needed to create a birthday card for Adrienne and already knew that I was going to use the Hambo digi for the card so it was just a matter of adding some torn paper. Which worked sooo well with this card!! I am very happy with the way it turned out!

I so love using MTC to print and cut my digis. I can easily resize and change the color and then cut it out!!! I also am pleased with the "crowd"  I used stamp pads and pencil erasers.Certainly something I  will get a lot of use out of with this sports addicted family!!

Thank you for sharing your day with me!
Brenda

Live the Life you Imagined!

One more for the wedding album.

  I am trying to get motivated to finish this album before Amanda gets married and then I am too overwhelmed. So I am trying to use as many of the challenges as possible to get it done!! This was another of the august challenges at SNC. The challenge was to stamp a background paper. I stamped crosses all over the background paper of this layout.

 I created the scripture tag in MTC. I love print and cut!!! The sheet music is the wedding march that I altered in word. All in all I am very happy with this simple layout. I need to do a few more simple ones if I am going to get this thing done!! It is just so hard to just pick a few pictures!

Thank you for looking
Hugs, Brenda

TWO, Yes I said two, layouts

  I have been earnestly trying to get my life back after the last year of absolute total chaos! I do not anticipate getting it truly back until after the second wedding in the year so I am going to still be hit and miss for awhile. My goal is January to get back into some true routine???? I know we will see LOL. I have been doing a small amount of crafting amidst the chaos just do not seem to be able to actually get pictures and type a line or two......
   I have become a member of a yahoo group  SNC. They are a great group of VERY TALENTED women. They have let me join them. I have been a member for less than two months and I have learned so much from them already. They are very active in scrapbooking and have regular challenges. I have really enjoyed getting to know them and sharing my work with them. I have actually gotten more done too. Now is that a win win situation or what!
  Here are the two layouts that I got done this morning.

This was a 24 hour challenge piece. I did not create any original embellishments for this layout. I think that is a first for me. WOW did it go together fast. I was worried that it would be too busy but it is really beginning to grow on me. I have never bought kits or sets just random pieces that I like but I am really seeing the value in having a "package" as it truly makes the work go faster. I so enjoy the process of creating it all from scratch but I really am slow. And since I have 55 years to scrap I think I am going to invest in some kits!!

This was for the August sketch at SNC. I found these old pictures when looking for something else and knew I had to work with them. I had a tough time coming up with a title that I liked but once I got over that hurdle this went together quickly too. The journaling is attached to the fish under the picture. I cut all the fish using MTC and some goggled coloring book pages. It was fun to color them girly and glitzy!Jeff really liked the pictures and he can't wait for Adrienne to see it tomorrow. LOL. He is such an encouraging hubby!!


 Thank you so much for visiting.
Have a blessed day!
Brenda

Mojo Monday sketch

  I tell you this card really kicked me...... I wanted to make a card for my daughter who is struggling BIG time right now. . I decided that I would do a blog post today and add the card and at the same time get into a challenge. So all that being said not too fond of the card but going to give it to her anyway.. (after all it is the thought that counts) Also going to link it to Mojo Monday.                  This is the sketch

This is my card I tried to be peppy but just could not pull it off. I am sending homemade banana pudding with the card so all will be okay. (She will quickly forget the wonky card!)

  Thank you so much for taking the time to look at my blog.
May blessings rain down on yo in abundance today!
Brenda

Frugal Fourth

  My daughter thought it would be a good idea to get some of her friends together for a cookout on the fourth....at my house....She planned it and had everyone bringing something so the food was not a big deal for me.  I have nothing decorative for patriotic holidays so I decided to see what I could do on a budget of 20 dollars.And of course only one day to get it done (Adrienne has never been known to plan ahead!)..... I made a very simple banner of stars that I painted in a bit of chunky glitter glue. and a wreath for the back door. Added a few Japanese lanterns and some starry napkins and red and blue paper goods and that was that.(I had enough left over out of the budget to buy a red white and blue tank top for me at Walmart) It really was fun to have a few decorations. We had a great day and ended it all going to see the fireworks!!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday celebrating the birth of our wonderful country.
Brenda

Live the Life you Imagined.

Mojo monday 246

  Well, finally did it! I got a challenge done! I am thrilled to be able to join in with Mojo Monday. I love Julee's sketches. They always inspire me. The Mojo Monday blog is a great place to get going when I am blocked. though I usually do not actually get a card done in time to link.
  Right now my life is at a definite crossroad and I am not sure yet what God is calling me to do next. In the meantime I have had several affirmations that I should really use my gift of encouragement more. I can think of no better way than a card in the mail. This will go out to a dear friend who is really struggling right now. She is long distance so I can not give her a hug but I can send her one.

 And this is my take on this card.What a great sketch there are just so many ways you can go with it.My friends favorite color is purple so I gave her many shades of it!!

Thank you for taking the time to look at my card.
Have a Blessed day!
Brenda
 

Another card today!!

  I made two of these to give to my awesome long distance friends. I am going through a bit of  a rough patch and they are truly carrying me through. I do not have any friends in my town that understand so not only do they listen but they hold me accountable and tell when it is time for the "pity party" to be over. I wanted to send them a card to let them know how special they are.
  I picked this sketch for a challenge at Michelle  my Belle's Creations the challenge was to use a past Mojo Monday sketch to create a card. This is the sketch I chose.

 This is my take on it. I am also go to enter it in the 365 cards Day 90 layered challenge. the challenge was to have 4 layers on the card. The base of the card with the digis is 4 layers and the scalloped tag also has 4 layers.

I used a couple of google images to create the digi stamps in MTC. I LOVE MTC!!!!! I am having so much fun with the Zing. I just can't get enough. The doily circle is a svg file from Bird's Cards.
 I hope my friends enjoy the cards half as much as I enjoyed making them.

Have a blessed day,
Brenda

Live the Life you Imagined.

Fussy cutting

  Fussy cutting  was the challenge at 365 Cards for Day 89. I never do fussy cutting at all so this was a true challenge for me. (aren't most things? LOL) I have had this paper forever and never really knew what to do with it.....I am somewhat pleased with the results. I popped up the butterflies to try and add a bit of dimension.

Thanks for stopping by,
Brenda

Live the life you Imagined.

Super Sketchy Sunday

  While I was actively looking for a challenge or two I found the 365 Cards site. Wow, what fun. I have seen other crafters refer to this site but never made it there. So I loved the super simple sketch for Super Sketchy Sunday so decided to give it a shot. I am having so much fun with Print and cut on my Zing with MTC. I had found this free digi stamp at Birds Cards but was never able to do anything with it. This cutter just makes it so EASY!!  I could not find my pencils(I know they are in this new space just not sure where???)  and my coloring with markers stinks, but the poor little turtle with  just have to do. I have decided that  for awhile every card has to take at least one thing from the ridiculously large scrap pile on this card the striped paper fills that bill. So here is my very simple take on this sketch.

 It is hard to see in this picture but the sentiment is "hope you get back on your feet again soon"


Thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog.

Have a blessed day!
Brenda

Today you are the star!

Still trying to get through the long lonely week end. Went searching for challenges. It has been so long since I have been crafting had to actually google to know where to find one LOL. Anyway this is for Lily Pad Cards star challenge. I am still learning how to get the most out of my Zing. So not totally thrilled with the outcome but am going to use for a church members birthday. I am absolutely enthralled with this machines ability to accurately print and cut, I have to use it on every project!!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by my blog.

Have a blessed day.
Brenda

A LAYOUT!!!

 It has  been so long since I have done a layout that I scarcely remember how. I have joined a group on yahoo Scrap-With-Friends. They had a layout challenge this month. I have never done a challenge like this so there are definitely some things I will do differently next time!! I am just so excited to have a page done. You chose 3 paper collections and then someone picked the one you would work with and a sketch for you to follow. I will definitely spend more time trying to visualize my pictures with the papers instead of just picking ones I like next time.....

 They chose a layout with 4 pictures and this was challenging for me. But I am pleased with the final product.I used MTC and my Zing to print and cut the tag and the journaling. Oh my goodness this is the first time I have gotten to use this feature and it is AMAZING!! I am going to use this over and over. It was so easy (took me a little while to read the manual but once I got through that it is so super easy definitely not the frustration that I had with my "other cutter."
   Thank you for taking the time to visit today!!

Brenda

Live the life you imagined.

Simple Thank you

My daughter's wedding had a very homespun feel to it, so I felt like the Thank you cards should be handmade. I came up with this simple but very cute design. Her colors were yellow and blue with you guessed it daisies as her main flower. I made up a couple and then a very gracious friend of hers volunteered to make them up for me. Can you believe it between the 2 of us we made over 200!!!
We were truly blessed with lots of help to pull off this wedding!

 Thanks for stopping by and spending a minute with me!!

Brenda

Live the Life you Imagined.

Wow, it has been soooo long.

  I can not believe how long it has been since I shared. Actually it has been that long since I have created anything! My last post references my daughter going to Mexico for a mission trip to help in her healing process. God had plans to do more than work on the healing process.... he gave her the man on her dreams!!! And what an AMAZING man he is!!  Saturday May 12th they became man and wife. Wow!! What a ride the last 6 months have been!! I am proud to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Ben Thames.

  She and her 2 boys are moving out....sniff sniff..... They will be returning from the honeymoon and then the process of reclaiming my house will begin. I am trying really hard not to fall into a funk and I think that paper and ribbon are just what the doctor ordered! So look out hoping to post often.

 I took pictures of a few things that I have done recently so will start there.Here are 2 of the cards that I  made for her showers.

 This card was inspired from pinterest and was super simple! Think this will be a go to for wedding showers. (my other daughter is getting married in November.......)

  This was a lot of fun and a really big hit. I
imported a shape into MTC   and
made this fun card.


Thank you for taking the time to stop by. I look forward to sharing lots more in the near future. Got to do something when I am missing those boys.

Live the life you imagined.
Brenda