Scrap Our Stash Challenge

   I am so very thankful for scrappy blogs that still have challenges. I am slowly trying to find my way back to scrapbooking. The challenges of life for the past several years have really pushed me away for it. I truly believe that a creative outlet is imperative for my mental health. I have really been struggling lately so trying to plug along and force myself into the cave. Some great photos and a good sketch were just what I needed. Here is the July sketch at Scrap Our Stash... and goodness knows I could use some stash bustung!! 

Here is my take on it......

I absolutely love how happy my husband looks! Retirement has not been a fun process up to now and it is wonderful to see that smile. Zade thought he was a regular hot shot! This layout has papers from at least 4 different collections.. yep busted up some stash.
  I am so thankful to have yet another memory on paper. I hope you will get a memory on paper today too.
Thank you for stopping by.
Brenda

Back for now.....

   Well. I have been gone from my blog so long that they have changed the whole format on me. I got on a few months ago and tried to get a post done but I finally gave up. So I am determined to stick with this post until I in some capacity get it done!! May bring us some laughs along the way.
    I have really had a lot going on. as I know you all have too. This unprecedented time has certainly brought it's share of challenges. My mother has declined rapidly and is now living in my home with her needy pug. This has proved to be a large challenge for sure. We went on a  vacation last week that had been planned for a year.It gave me a much needed  mental health break and a chance to slow down and re-access. One of the things that I committed to was entering my craft cave regularly. I kid you not I went in the day I got back from vacation and there was a spider web across the doorway...... now that is a sad sad story.
     I have tons and tons of vacation photos to scrap so hopefully I can keep from going back into the funk and keep playing with paper. I started my return to paper by looking for sketches to start with. There is something about a sketch that helps me to start. I have a scrapping buddy Barbara Greenberg; she is the fastest scrapper I know. When I need inspiration her blog Barb's Blab and Creation  is my first stop. I found this fantastic sketch from Sketch-N-Scrap to get going.

    I have just scored some Vicki Boutin watercolor markers. I decided to play with them a bit for this layout. There is definitely a learning curve for me. I am only somewhat happy with it but okay enough. All the papers and die cuts are from Miss Kate's Designs Summer Fun collection. so here is my take on this awesome sketch.

It was so much fun to spend a carefree week at the beach secluded from the craziness of our world and surrounded by family. Ryder loved all the freedom that this week gave him. He was busy, busy, busy all day long. 

Truly a blessed week and he enjoyed every moment. 

I hope that this week will bring you time to relax and count your blessings.

Thank you for hanging with me. I can not figure out how to get this spacing back to normal. ugh

Have an amazing day!

 Brenda